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

[Shanghaichica]

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.

I think the air is for those users who want a high quality ipad but don't need all the bells and whistles of the pro. For some the entry level ipad might be lacking in some areas (ram, display, storage). I think the air is on the same level as traditional ipads.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Consider them marked




Just jokes......

 

[an-other]

The mini provides a low entry point to consume their video service. Methinks that is part of the reason for it returning.

 

[noboranka]

I think the air is for those users who want a high quality ipad but don't need all the bells and whistles of the pro. For some the entry level ipad might be lacking in some areas (ram, display, storage). I think the air is on the same level as traditional ipads.

Basically, the Air 3 is the midrange by most measures: processor, RAM, display, price.

The mini provides a low entry point to consume their video service. Methinks that is part of the reason for it returning.

Seems like it would be unnecessary to keep a product category around for that alone. If consuming Apple’s video/music services is what the only intention is, why not just steer those consumers to the 9.7” basic iPad?

My hope is that the Mini continues to be regarded by Apple as a valid iPad by the same metrics as the others: consumption and productivity. And by that they keep it updated on at least a semi-regular basis.

I’m not necessarily expecting them to make a Mini Pro anytime soon, but it’s nice to see the Mini back to getting current SoCs unlike what they did with the Mini 3 and Mini 4.

 

[AutomaticApple]

it’s nice to see the Mini back to getting current SoCs unlike what they did with the Mini 3 and Mini 4.

Or the original iPad Mini.

 

[akosnitzky]

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 hope you are wrong but I know much depends on the market. I look forward to trading in my mini 4 for a mini 5 .