iPad mini iPad mini 5 will be the last iPad mini, mark my word

[LovingTeddy]

Apple has never been serious of iPad mini at all. Apple released first iPad mini, because iPhones were still 4 inches and iPad price is up there as well. Apple need something in between, a cheaper and more portable iPad. Apple has always just picking available parts from old recycled bins. iPad mini 1 used A5 and low resolution display, iPad mini 2 picked up A7 and Retina display, iPad mini 3 only added Touch ID and iPad mini 4 was using Apple A8 processor and finally added laminated display. Apple never ever was serious about iPad mini. iPad mini was never a really important product for Apple, it takes no genius to figure that out with more than 3.5 years of update period since last one. Ever since we are entering the gigantic phone, iPad mini is more and more in sidelines. People are simply just buying a big phone and call it a day. The popularity of iPad mini is in declining and only small population wishes to have updated iPad mini.

And we have the iPad mini 5 which will probably be the last generation of iPad mini. Don’t hold your breath that Apple would regularly update iPad mini anymore.

This iPad mini 5 (which I brought a weeks ago) looks and feel exactly like the pervious 4 generation. Nothing has changed except Apple Pencil Support, A12 processor and 3GB RAM. It is still 7 years old design, still same old iPad mini. Apple updated this probably because there were small minority of people wants smaller tablet.

But I feel the true reason Apple updated iPad mini 5 is because Apple wanted position iPad mini as mobile gaming console and have it to compete with Nintendo Switch. Apple wishes to use iPad mini and Apple Arcade to compete with Nintendo Switch. And only time will tell if Apple will success in that front.

iPad mini 5 probably will be the last generation of iPad mini and Apple probably will introduce 7 inch phone some years after and Apple have no reason to update iPad mini anymore.

 

[thadoggfather]

Too hard to say, considering people thought it was dead and now we have ... the mini5 four years later, 2.5-3 years longer than expected

Now that SE, who knows!

 

[pshufd]

It will be interesting to see if we get an updated iPod Touch. If we do get one, and the XE, then I expect another iPad Mini. But it will be a while.

 

[Apple_Robert]

If I think that is coming to fruition, I will buy another new one before stock depletes and prices soar.

 

[sracer]

Apple has never been serious of iPad mini at all. Apple released first iPad mini, because iPhones were still 4 inches and iPad price is up there as well. Apple need something in between, a cheaper and more portable iPad. Apple has always just picking available parts from old recycled bins. iPad mini 1 used A5 and low resolution display, iPad mini 2 picked up A7 and Retina display, iPad mini 3 only added Touch ID and iPad mini 4 was using Apple A8 processor and finally added laminated display. Apple never ever was serious about iPad mini. iPad mini was never a really important product for Apple, it takes no genius to figure that out with more than 3.5 years of update period since last one. Ever since we are entering the gigantic phone, iPad mini is more and more in sidelines. People are simply just buying a big phone and call it a day. The popularity of iPad mini is in declining and only small population wishes to have updated iPad mini.

And we have the iPad mini 5 which will probably be the last generation of iPad mini. Don’t hold your breath that Apple would regularly update iPad mini anymore.

This iPad mini 5 (which I brought a weeks ago) looks and feel exactly like the pervious 4 generation. Nothing has changed except Apple Pencil Support, A12 processor and 3GB RAM. It is still 7 years old design, still same old iPad mini. Apple updated this probably because there were small minority of people wants smaller tablet.

But I feel the true reason Apple updated iPad mini 5 is because Apple wanted position iPad mini as mobile gaming console and have it to compete with Nintendo Switch. Apple wishes to use iPad mini and Apple Arcade to compete with Nintendo Switch. And only time will tell if Apple will success in that front.

iPad mini 5 probably will be the last generation of iPad mini and Apple probably will introduce 7 inch phone some years after and Apple have no reason to update iPad mini anymore.

You are entitled to your opinion, but Apple did NOT release the Mini 5 to be a mobile gaming console. The Mini is primarily sold to vertical markets (airline pilots, warehouse workers, Point-of-Sales, Medical field, etc.) and as long as they keep buying them, Apple will continue to sell and update the Mini.

 

[Atomic1977]

Apple will make whatever it wants. You can never count anything out.

 

[Josieb1]

Apple has never been serious of iPad mini at all. Apple released first iPad mini, because iPhones were still 4 inches and iPad price is up there as well. Apple need something in between, a cheaper and more portable iPad. Apple has always just picking available parts from old recycled bins. iPad mini 1 used A5 and low resolution display, iPad mini 2 picked up A7 and Retina display, iPad mini 3 only added Touch ID and iPad mini 4 was using Apple A8 processor and finally added laminated display. Apple never ever was serious about iPad mini. iPad mini was never a really important product for Apple, it takes no genius to figure that out with more than 3.5 years of update period since last one. Ever since we are entering the gigantic phone, iPad mini is more and more in sidelines. People are simply just buying a big phone and call it a day. The popularity of iPad mini is in declining and only small population wishes to have updated iPad mini.

And we have the iPad mini 5 which will probably be the last generation of iPad mini. Don’t hold your breath that Apple would regularly update iPad mini anymore.

This iPad mini 5 (which I brought a weeks ago) looks and feel exactly like the pervious 4 generation. Nothing has changed except Apple Pencil Support, A12 processor and 3GB RAM. It is still 7 years old design, still same old iPad mini. Apple updated this probably because there were small minority of people wants smaller tablet.

But I feel the true reason Apple updated iPad mini 5 is because Apple wanted position iPad mini as mobile gaming console and have it to compete with Nintendo Switch. Apple wishes to use iPad mini and Apple Arcade to compete with Nintendo Switch. And only time will tell if Apple will success in that front.

iPad mini 5 probably will be the last generation of iPad mini and Apple probably will introduce 7 inch phone some years after and Apple have no reason to update iPad mini anymore.

I very much doubt Apple considers the Mini to be solely for gaming. I have used a mini exclusively for five years, and yes I now have the 5, and I never play games. It’s the perfect size for reading and general browsing in bed.

 

[noboranka]

Before March, like many others I had begun to think the iPad Mini 4 was the last iPad Mini. And the iPad Mini 4 itself had been an underwhelming upgrade back in the time of its release. And before that, the iPad Mini 3 was, frankly, an insulting release. Before the 5, the iPad Mini 2 was the last iPad Mini to get then-current specs, and I bought that one on launch.

Then the 5 hit, it was a decent upgrade internally, and I was happy to finally upgrade from my now-aging iPad Mini 2. (I skipped the 3 for obvious reasons and the 4 never was enough of an upgrade over the 2.)

In the intervening years, as my iPad 2 aged and became slower and less capable, and started missing out on new features, I went a couple years just not paying much attention to iPads. I shrugged off the Pros, and never really took a shine to any of the larger iPads. The 5 got me back interested again.

It’s hard to really have any renewed confidence the iPad Mini will be brought back into the yearly update fold again, receiving contemporary technology every release, but I’m glad to have it back for now.

If the 5 turns out to be the last one, my interest in iPads may fade away again, unless iOS on iPads radically transforms into something more akin to a full computer, giving me reason to consider a larger one. But for now, the Mini line is the ideal iPad for me.

 

[rowspaxe]

Apple has never been serious of iPad mini at all

Is there any real argument in this post? Apple bought the mini back with an old design and top specs?
Because it is a game controller? But Apple will not release another generations, but will release a 7" phone?
Sure.

 

[Josieb1]

Is there any real argument in this post? Apple bought the mini back with an old design and top specs?
Because it is a game controller? But Apple will not release another generations, but will release a 7" phone?
Sure.

It’s not a game controller! At lot of people use iPads who never play games. If all iPads are useful for are games it’s a very very sad world.

 

[LovingTeddy]

Is there any real argument in this post? Apple bought the mini back with an old design and top specs?
Because it is a game controller? But Apple will not release another generations, but will release a 7" phone?
Sure.

Yes. There will be less and less reason for Apple toy release other iPad mini. Phones are getting bigger, iPad is getting edge to edge display and fact that simply there aren’t enough of people buying iPad mini for Apple to continuing update the iPad mini. If there are good audiences of iPad mini, Apple wouldn’t left iPad mini untouched for 3.5 years.

It’s not a game controller! At lot of people use iPads who never play games. If all iPads are useful for are games it’s a very very sad world.

Lots of people who use iPad never plays game, this doesn’t contradict Apple wants iPad mini be a competitive gaming devices. It is like lots of people who driving BMW don’t do racing, doesn’t mean BMW can’t do racing or BMW doesn’t want a racing car.

Apple made Apple Aracde and Apple repeatedly said iPod Touch is the best gaming devices and Apple put iPad with gaming controller on their Apple Store are enough to show Apple wanted to enter gaming market. iPad mini is perfect for gaming, because it is not too small but it also not too big. Apple Aracde could work perfect with iPad mini and it maybe one of the reason that Apple brought back iPad mini.
[doublepost=1556452860][/doublepost]

I very much doubt Apple considers the Mini to be solely for gaming. I have used a mini exclusively for five years, and yes I now have the 5, and I never play games. It’s the perfect size for reading and general browsing in bed.

I never said it solely for gaming. As the moment, there are audiences for iPad mini and Apple just made one for them without incurring to much cost. Most of the iPad mini parts are reused parts anyway.

However, giving the trends of smartphone are getting bigger, iPad getting edge to edge display and ever shurnking audience of iPad mini, i highly doubt there will be other 7.9 inch iPad mini. We might have a 9.7 inch iPad fits into smaller frame, but i highly doubt current iPad mini will last.

 

[pshufd]

I suspect that Apple wanted to crank revenues after the Q4 disaster and the iPad Mini and 2019 iMac were easy ways to do that. Minimal R&D and a lot of folks waiting for the upgrades. The iPad Mini and iMac were low-hanging fruit. I suspect they will do the same when they again need a quick sugar high for revenues and margins.

 

[AutomaticApple]

iPad mini 3 only added Touch ID

Cant forget about that gold color too!

 

[rowspaxe]

It’s not a game controller! At lot of people use iPads who never play games. If all iPads are useful for are games it’s a very very sad world.

I find it odd that a lot of people cannot understand what a huge differentiator the ipad
screen aspect ratio is. Its a game changer. And the experience of a 7" phone woould
be totally different
[doublepost=1556460627][/doublepost]

I suspect that Apple wanted to crank revenues after the Q4 disaster and the iPad Mini and 2019 iMac were easy ways to do that. Minimal R&D and a lot of folks waiting for the upgrades. The iPad Mini and iMac were low-hanging fruit. I suspect they will do the same when they again need a quick sugar high for revenues and margins.

Interesting theory. I think someone at Apple figured out there was still a vibrant ipad market
at less than pro prices. My personal reaction to the bezel-less buttonless future was "meh"

 

[Solomani]

People said the same thing about the Apple Cinema/Thunderbolt Displays…. "It will be the last (large) separate display made by Apple blah blah blah blah…" that was like 3 years ago since the last Thunderbolt Display? Seems like Apple is on track to making more Apple-branded displays (maybe 5k or higher)…. it doesn't matter if Apple calls it by another name, it's still the successor to the Cinema or Thunderbolt Displays.

MR predictions are funny beans.

 

[Scott6666]

I suspect that Apple wanted to crank revenues after the Q4 disaster and the iPad Mini and 2019 iMac were easy ways to do that. Minimal R&D and a lot of folks waiting for the upgrades. The iPad Mini and iMac were low-hanging fruit. I suspect they will do the same when they again need a quick sugar high for revenues and margins.

Takes too long to develop for this to be a reaction to a short term revenue issue.

 

[KUKitch]

My iPP 11” is by far the best iPad i’ve ever owned, and in fact it’s my only ‘computer’ as it were. That said, I used to have an iPad and a mini and have always loved both - if the mini got updated to be pro-style with Face ID and all that, it would be incredible. I might go that direction if that were the case, that would be tiny with a screen comparable to the 9.7 I would imagine, or at least approaching that. Keyboard wouldn’t work at that size of course, but apart from that it would be awesome. The mini 2 was the best considering it was on par with the iPad at the time - wish they’d keep that up through the generations...

 

[noboranka]

I find it odd that a lot of people cannot understand what a huge differentiator the ipad
screen aspect ratio is. Its a game changer. And the experience of a 7" phone woould
be totally different

Seriously. The 4:3 aspect ratio does a lot differentiate the experience from an iPhone. Plus, I already make extensive use of multitasking on my Mini 5, which probably won’t be found on a theoretical 7” iPhone, which would still likely feature a much narrower display than an iPad Mini.

Plus this size is by far (for me) the most comfortable to thumb-type in portrait mode.

My personal reaction to the bezel-less buttonless future was "meh"

There’s been a lot said about the aging design of the Mini. I think the bezel-less Pros are cool looking. I like the look of bezel-less phones. But it’s simply not THAT important to me. I would have liked to have seen a new Mini that copies the design of the 2018 Pros, but I hardly gave it a second thought that it didn’t.

 

[pshufd]

The shape of the min makes it a great device for reading ebooks.

 

[kevink2]

You are entitled to your opinion, but Apple did NOT release the Mini 5 to be a mobile gaming console. The Mini is primarily sold to vertical markets (airline pilots, warehouse workers, Point-of-Sales, Medical field, etc.) and as long as they keep buying them, Apple will continue to sell and update the Mini.

A couple weeks ago was the first time I've seen a Mini in use at a diner to take credit cards.
[doublepost=1556464330][/doublepost]Only real issue with my Mini 4 is the battery needs replacement. It was acting flakey a year ago, so I bought an iPad Pro 10.5", then when I reset to factory defaults the issue went away. So I have 2 iPads now.

 

[noboranka]

Getting back to the original idea for the thread, it’s not hard to imagine the Mini having a fanbase given it’s distinct size.

What seemed more improbable and inexplicable was the Air getting revived out of nowhere in March. Given the existence of the 9.7 iPad, the 10.5 Pro, the 11 Pro, and the 12.9 Pro, it’s hard to imagine anyone was clamoring for the Air to get a new entry. 10.5 inches puts it right in the midrange of the five iPad sizes Apple currently offers, but is anyone really that committed to that specific size when both 9.7 isn’t that much smaller and 11 isn’t that much larger?

The iPad Mini sits at one end of the size spectrum, so it’s easy to see why it has people eagerly awaiting a new release, and it makes enough sense to keep the Mini line going.

 

[joeblow7777]

A couple weeks ago was the first time I've seen a Mini in use at a diner to take credit cards.
[doublepost=1556464330][/doublepost]Only real issue with my Mini 4 is the battery needs replacement. It was acting flakey a year ago, so I bought an iPad Pro 10.5", then when I reset to factory defaults the issue went away. So I have 2 iPads now.

I've been to a couple of buffet style restaurants where instead of actually going to a buffet and serving yourself they give your table some iPad Minis that you use to select what you want and they bring it to you.

 

[Seanm87]

Getting back to the original idea for the thread, it’s not hard to imagine the Mini having a fanbase given it’s distinct size.

What seemed more improbable and inexplicable was the Air getting revived out of nowhere in March. Given the existence of the 9.7 iPad, the 10.5 Pro, the 11 Pro, and the 12.9 Pro, it’s hard to imagine anyone was clamoring for the Air to get a new entry. 10.5 inches puts it right in the midrange of the five iPad sizes Apple currently offers, but is anyone really that committed to that specific size when both 9.7 isn’t that much smaller and 11 isn’t that much larger?

The iPad Mini sits at one end of the size spectrum, so it’s easy to see why it has people eagerly awaiting a new release, and it makes enough sense to keep the Mini line going.

iPad Air replaced the 10.5 pro though. It is aimed at people who have air 2s and want to upgrade like myself.

 

[thadoggfather]

I love that apple released an old style Touch ID mini. I would miss it a lot if it went the way of the 2018 pros

 

[noboranka]

iPad Air replaced the 10.5 pro though. It is aimed at people who have air 2s and want to upgrade like myself.

Oh, to be sure, I’m not suggesting there’s no market for it, but I’m not sure it’s necessarily aimed at Air 2 owners specifically - the original “Air” moniker back in 2013 was a name created at the time for a thinner redesign of their 9.7” iPad. Then the Pros came along, the nondescript “iPad” returned as basically an refreshed Air 2 (sorta), and the Air itself went away for a few years until they brought the name back as a modified version of the 10.5” Pro.

The “iPad” became the “iPad Air”, then it became the “iPad” again, and now the “iPad Air” is back alongside the “iPad”. Confusing!

The “Air” name turned out not to indicate a distinct product in the iPad lineup after all, unlike the Mini. Some Air 2 owners might have held out for an Air 3 for whatever reason, but it seems likely many of them just migrated to the Pro or the current 9.7 basic iPad.

In a way, it’s now just the midpoint in three iPad sizes all relatively small steps up from one another: 9.7”, 10.5”, and 11”.

The Air still seems like a more unlikely revival than the Mini, and it has a much more confusing identity than the Mini does.