iPad mini iPad mini 5

[profets]

For Apple, Yes. Look at the trend. Not to mention mini's profit margin is low as well.

I'll put it to you this way: it probably doesn't look good if they reduce the iPad mini line to a single capacity of the most recent generation (which is running a CPU that is, at this point, two and a half years old) without producing an update.

So, no, I wouldn't bank on an iPad mini 5 or some other branded 7.9" iPad to be released anytime soon. Odds are it'll get phased out over the next year and a half.
[doublepost=1491936744][/doublepost]

No, actually, there's much more evidence to suggest that there WON'T be an iPad mini 5. You don't take a lineup that consisted of a previous generation model at 32GB and a current model at 32GB and 128GB and shrink that down to just a single current generation model at 128GB WITHOUT announcing something newer on top of it. That's not the sign of a product line that's going anywhere other than down the tubes.



It will run this current version of iOS okay, probably start showing really noticable signs of sluggishness in iOS 11 and then either be dropped in iOS 12 or be on its last release at that point (in which case it'll start running like crap). That tends to be what happens with Apple's A series processors. Remember that the jump between A7 and A8 wasn't as huge as the jump from A8 to A9. Also that the A8 in the iPad mini, save for its 2GB of RAM, isn't much better than what you got in the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus which are both showing their signs of age in terms of performance in the latest iOS release as well.



It's not stellar, nor indicative of a product sub-category with any real future ahead of it. The mini-tablet market is all but abandoned at this point by all but the crappiest of cheapo tablets. The iPad mini 4 is closing the party down.

I dunno, looks like the 7.9" in 2016 outsold many other Apple devices, including every Mac and the 12.9" iPad. I'm not saying we should expect frequent updates or that the mini is bringing in more $, but with significant volume/sales I don't think they're going to ignore it.

 

[icymountain]

Sure, trend.. dont you think that trend is set by apples decision not to upgrade mini... best sale numbers for mini were after mini 2 introduction - same specs as bigger ipad.. of course sale numbers were falling after ipad mini 3 and 4 were introduced - old tech sells worse...

Exactly. If a new mini was released today, there would be a surge in sales. Like the OP, who is on the fence and wonder if the current mini is not too old. The lack of update sets the trend.
On the other hand, from Apple's point of view, if the OP decides to get another iPad instead, who cares ? Especially if margins are lower on the small model, and it is their interest to push people up.

This is too bad, as I like the form factor. I do not have a mini, and will replace my Air in a few months. I would really like a mini with the capability of the Pro 9.7". But if it is not released, of course, I will end up with another 9.7". So, I guess Apple will not care too much.

 

[sfviewer]

Exactly. If a new mini was released today, there would be a surge in sales. Like the OP, who is on the fence and wonder if the current mini is not too old. The lack of update sets the trend.
On the other hand, from Apple's point of view, if the OP decides to get another iPad instead, who cares ? Especially if margins are lower on the small model, and it is their interest to push people up.

This is too bad, as I like the form factor. I do not have a mini, and will replace my Air in a few months. I would really like a mini with the capability of the Pro 9.7". But if it is not released, of course, I will end up with another 9.7". So, I guess Apple will not care too much.

[doublepost=1492179791][/doublepost]One factor Apple must surely be considering is by providing a variety of tablet sizes, they keep more people on the ios platform, which makes those persons more likely to buy an iPhone for their next phone purchase. So why not provide a new iPad mini if it will boost iPhone sales as well. Why lose iphone customers to android or windows tablet sales?

 

[JPack]

I dunno, looks like the 7.9" in 2016 outsold many other Apple devices, including every Mac and the 12.9" iPad. I'm not saying we should expect frequent updates or that the mini is bringing in more $, but with significant volume/sales I don't think they're going to ignore it.

We don't know if the iPad mini was selling because of the size or the price.

But based on Apple's launch of the iPad (2017) and EOL'ing the 32GB iPad mini 4, we can draw some reasonable conclusions:

1. Most consumers bought the iPad mini because of the low price, not because they wanted a small tablet. Otherwise, Apple would have refreshed the iPad mini 4 and kept the iPad Air 2.
2. Apple expects consumers to shift from buying the iPad mini 4 to the iPad (2017). Otherwise, Apple would have kept the 32GB iPad mini 4.

 

[sfviewer]

We don't know if the iPad mini was selling because of the size or the price.

But based on Apple's launch of the iPad (2017) and EOL'ing the 32GB iPad mini 4, we can draw some reasonable conclusions:

1. Most consumers bought the iPad mini because of the low price, not because they wanted a small tablet. Otherwise, Apple would have refreshed the iPad mini and kept the iPad Air 2.
2. Apple expects consumers to shift from buying the iPad mini 4 to the iPad (2017). Otherwise, Apple would have kept the 32GB iPad mini 4.

[doublepost=1492183703][/doublepost]I don't have apples market research data to justify that most people by minis because of the price. This whole thread is based on people who want the mini for its size, citing reasons why they don't like the larger iPads. Many people like the size for their children, besides for themselves. As far as declining iPad mini sales, iPad sales as a whole are in decline, but I don't expect Apple to abandon all iPads because sales are declining. iPads ( technology) are only a few years old, as are tablets as a whole. Of course sales skyrocketed in the early years. Many many people have their tablets now, and aren't yet inclined to replace them until the price/value ratio fits their desires and their pocketbooks. There are many many millions of iPads out there now, so why wouldn't sales decline? That doesn't mean that iPad USE is declining. We might have bought a car last year, but we don't buy another one this year just because a newer model came out. We wait until the value dictates it for us personally. That goes for purchasers of large cars as well as small cars, or large tablets versus small tablets. It only makes sense for sales to eventually level out, over the long term, as people by their tablets, and replace them each on their own time interval. As noted above, iPad mini sales in 2016 exceeded iPad Pro 12.9 sales, but people aren't saying that the large tablet is dead.

 

[mdridwan47]

I dunno, looks like the 7.9" in 2016 outsold many other Apple devices, including every Mac and the 12.9" iPad. I'm not saying we should expect frequent updates or that the mini is bringing in more $, but with significant volume/sales I don't think they're going to ignore it.

Profit margin for iPad mini is very small for Apple compared to Macs.

 

[profets]

We don't know if the iPad mini was selling because of the size or the price.

But based on Apple's launch of the iPad (2017) and EOL'ing the 32GB iPad mini 4, we can draw some reasonable conclusions:

1. Most consumers bought the iPad mini because of the low price, not because they wanted a small tablet. Otherwise, Apple would have refreshed the iPad mini 4 and kept the iPad Air 2.
2. Apple expects consumers to shift from buying the iPad mini 4 to the iPad (2017). Otherwise, Apple would have kept the 32GB iPad mini 4.

My guess would partly be that Apple believes 9.7" and larger is ideal for a tablet. I love the mini, but for me it's more niche use - I would use it primarily for reading books, as well as for kids.

Thinking about it some more, maybe when trying to reduce the cost of the 2017 iPad, the 7.9 wasn't much different from the 9.7 and they couldn't significantly get a similar 7.9" iPad (A9 with mini 2 style body) priced at a point below the 9.7 that would get them the same margin. As a result they removed the 32GB option and left just the 128GB so it doesn't get compared too often to the 9.7" in price.

I think it would be cool to see a lineup like:

iPad 7.9" $249
iPad 9.7" $329

But the costs on the 2 models are probably so close that they don't want to give up the margin on the 7.9.
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Profit margin for iPad mini is very small for Apple compared to Macs.

And total $ from Macs are minuscule compared to iPhones. Doesn't mean they should cut off the Mac entirely.

 

[majkom]

My guess would partly be that Apple believes 9.7" and larger is ideal for a tablet. I love the mini, but for me it's more niche use - I would use it primarily for reading books, as well as for kids.

Thinking about it some more, maybe when trying to reduce the cost of the 2017 iPad, the 7.9 wasn't much different from the 9.7 and they couldn't significantly get a similar 7.9" iPad (A9 with mini 2 style body) priced at a point below the 9.7 that would get them the same margin. As a result they removed the 32GB option and left just the 128GB so it doesn't get compared too often to the 9.7" in price.

I think it would be cool to see a lineup like:

iPad 7.9" $249
iPad 9.7" $329

But the costs on the 2 models are probably so close that they don't want to give up the margin on the 7.9.
[doublepost=1492186896][/doublepost]

And total $ from Macs are minuscule compared to iPhones. Doesn't mean they should cut off the Mac entirely.

I think that if apple offered new mini with same specs as new ipad and for same price, it will sell just fine.. actually I dont get it, they had great chance to make ipad line up simple and logical - ipad (7.9 and 9.7) and ipad pro (9.7 and 12.9) - same specs within line, that would be awesome...

 

[JPack]

If we assume Apple is acting rationally, we see that they have:

1. Dropped the 32GB iPad mini 2 - $269
2. Dropped the 32GB iPad mini 4 - $399
3. Dropped the 32GB iPad Air 2 - $399
4. Added the 32GB iPad (2017) - $329

Apple was willing to sell the iPad mini 2 for as low as $269. They could have easily updated the iPad mini 2 with an A9 and continue to sell it for $269. The die size of the A9 is smaller than the A7. So it wasn't a cost issue.

That tells me pricing isn't the issue. Nor engineering. It's the sales performance of the iPad mini family.

Yes, I know a lot of people in this thread have fond memories of using an iPad mini. But actions speak louder than words. Apple's actions say "sorry, the projected global demand for iPad mini is now too small or getting to a point where not enough people want this."

 

[sfviewer]

"sorry, the projected global demand for iPad mini is now too small or getting to a point where not enough people want this."[/QUOTE]

Again you miss the chart showing mini sales second only to the 9.7 (exclusive of iPhones).

 

[gadlaw]

Here is a rumor in this article about a Mini Pro if you care to read a rumor. First I've heard of this rumor as like everyone else all I've heard is that it's going away. Which of course is why I picked one up this week. It's a great little device, much better than the Kindle and Samsung of similar size. http://www.universityherald.com/art...ortedly-coming-alongside-ipad-pro-2-video.htm

 

[Yebubbleman]

I dunno, looks like the 7.9" in 2016 outsold many other Apple devices, including every Mac and the 12.9" iPad. I'm not saying we should expect frequent updates or that the mini is bringing in more $, but with significant volume/sales I don't think they're going to ignore it.

It sold more because it was positioned as the cheapest iPad. Now, it is not even their cheapest iPad anymore (now the 32GB "iPad" is). I'm not saying they're selling poorly. I'm saying that Apple is not giving it love. Again, reducing your line-up down to a single model (or two if you count the cellular one as a discretely different product) at a single capacity, without introducing a successor (or giving any credible indication that one might be coming) doesn't look good. Furthermore, when Samsung doesn't update its 8.0" tablet, leaving the 7"-8.4" tablet market as solely being occupied by what is clearly a lone lame duck iPad mini and a bunch of super low-budget Android and Amazon Fire Tablets that are too underpowered and under-supported to really do much with - it really doesn't make the case that this market has anything going for it other than an iPad mini that happened to be positioned as the cheapest iPad for a time. The 7" to 8.4" tablet market was a hoppin' party in 2012 and 2013. But by 2015 that party had all but died and the iPad mini 4 just happened to be the dude closing it down.

It's extremely sad as the mini has a lot of cool applications that the larger tablets (and phablets) are just not as well suited for. But so it goes...
[doublepost=1493228971][/doublepost]

If Apple updated their iPad Mini, then they'd get increased sales. I *love* my iPad Mini 3, it is the perfect size to read ebooks on in its carrying case I can stand it up on my chest and lie down on my bed and read for hours, MacBook Pro is too heavy. I am very hopeful that Apple will come out with an iPad Mini 5. Different sized screens for different tasks, my iPhone 6 is too simply small to read on. Apple has the cash to keep up everything in the ecosystem, it shouldn't be about profits from one device, but providing something for everybody in the ecosystem so people buy Apple across the board. iPad mini sales are down last quarter because people are waiting for the iPad Mini 5. Please Apple! Make the iPad mini 5!
[doublepost=1492098958][/doublepost]

But people buy ebook readers like the Kindle.
Probably people wait longer to replace their iPad Minis than they would an iPad. I think Apple is just being more disciplined with the iPad Mini line and realizes they only need to refresh it every 2 years. If the mini-tablet market is dominated by cheap brands wouldn't Apple want to stay in it?

Look, I love the iPad mini. I have a cellular model mini 4 that is the swiss-army knife of my tech arsenal. But an iPad mini 5 ain't happening. Apple is not being disciplined by shrinking the lineup down to a single iPad mini 4. If they're showing any discipline at all, it's in making that model the higher capacity at 128GB rather than the lower one at 32GB. But that's it. They see that the mini tablet party that raged on in 2012 through 2014 has ended and that phablets are what is truly successful. They see the larger screen devices as productivity devices that the iPad mini simply cannot be. The iPad mini doesn't fit with their vision of the future of the iPad as a whole. The writing for this is clearly on the wall.

I'm bummed about it as much as the next iPad mini fanboy. But denying it is futile.

 

[Harmonious Zen]

It sold more because it was positioned as the cheapest iPad. Now, it is not even their cheapest iPad anymore (now the 32GB "iPad" is). I'm not saying they're selling poorly. I'm saying that Apple is not giving it love. Again, reducing your line-up down to a single model (or two if you count the cellular one as a discretely different product) at a single capacity, without introducing a successor (or giving any credible indication that one might be coming) doesn't look good. Furthermore, when Samsung doesn't update its 8.0" tablet, leaving the 7"-8.4" tablet market as solely being occupied by what is clearly a lone lame duck iPad mini and a bunch of super low-budget Android and Amazon Fire Tablets that are too underpowered and under-supported to really do much with - it really doesn't make the case that this market has anything going for it other than an iPad mini that happened to be positioned as the cheapest iPad for a time. The 7" to 8.4" tablet market was a hoppin' party in 2012 and 2013. But by 2015 that party had all but died and the iPad mini 4 just happened to be the dude closing it down.

It's extremely sad as the mini has a lot of cool applications that the larger tablets (and phablets) are just not as well suited for. But so it goes...
[doublepost=1493228971][/doublepost]

Look, I love the iPad mini. I have a cellular model mini 4 that is the swiss-army knife of my tech arsenal. But an iPad mini 5 ain't happening. Apple is not being disciplined by shrinking the lineup down to a single iPad mini 4. If they're showing any discipline at all, it's in making that model the higher capacity at 128GB rather than the lower one at 32GB. But that's it. They see that the mini tablet party that raged on in 2012 through 2014 has ended and that phablets are what is truly successful. They see the larger screen devices as productivity devices that the iPad mini simply cannot be. The iPad mini doesn't fit with their vision of the future of the iPad as a whole. The writing for this is clearly on the wall.

I'm bummed about it as much as the next iPad mini fanboy. But denying it is futile.

You just won the award for most depressing comment of the day! Lol.

I think what we're seeing Apple do is making a 9.7" version the cheapest model to see what the effect is on the Mini. If Mini sales hold up, then a Mini 5 is coming. On the other hand, if it's clear that the Mini sold what it sold largely because it was the cheapest iPads, then maybe we indeed have seen the last of the Mini.

 

[leebroath]

I gave up thinking 'will there'

I absolutely loved my Mini 4 but I really like the speakers on my iPad Pro 9.7 and I really enjoy the drawing aspect with the Pencil.

If a Mini with stereo speakers is released, I may reconsider, but at the moment I'm enjoying the screen size also

 

[jjk454ss]

I love the small size of the mini. I'd pay top dollar for a faster mini with pencil support and/or 3D Touch.

 

[JPack]

It sold more because it was positioned as the cheapest iPad. Now, it is not even their cheapest iPad anymore (now the 32GB "iPad" is). I'm not saying they're selling poorly. I'm saying that Apple is not giving it love. Again, reducing your line-up down to a single model (or two if you count the cellular one as a discretely different product) at a single capacity, without introducing a successor (or giving any credible indication that one might be coming) doesn't look good. Furthermore, when Samsung doesn't update its 8.0" tablet, leaving the 7"-8.4" tablet market as solely being occupied by what is clearly a lone lame duck iPad mini and a bunch of super low-budget Android and Amazon Fire Tablets that are too underpowered and under-supported to really do much with - it really doesn't make the case that this market has anything going for it other than an iPad mini that happened to be positioned as the cheapest iPad for a time. The 7" to 8.4" tablet market was a hoppin' party in 2012 and 2013. But by 2015 that party had all but died and the iPad mini 4 just happened to be the dude closing it down.

Finally, someone else who understands the iPad mini market.

Some people keep saying the 7.9" iPad mini represents a significant portion of total iPad sales. But they fail to mention that it represents a rapidly decreasing share over the past 36 months - which happens to coincide with the rise of large smartphones like Galaxy Note 3/4 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Other people mention the obvious fact the 7.9" iPad mini offers a different experience than the 5.5" iPhone. Of course it does. The issue is 5.5" phones offer a "good enough" experience compared to the iPad mini, just as the iPad Pro offers a good enough experience compared to a conventional notebook computer.

I think it's pretty clear Apple is giving up the mini. What are they waiting for? Another quarter of slow iPad mini sales? For A11 to be released before they stick A9 in a new iPad mini? For the 6.4" Galaxy Note 8 to be released? No, if they wanted to release a refreshed mini, it would have been done by now.

 

[ChrisLTD]

As a fan of the Mini form-factor I will be sad to see it go, and it'd be yet another sign that bean counters reign supreme at post-Jobs Apple.

 

[icymountain]

Other people mention the obvious fact the 7.9" iPad mini offers a different experience than the 5.5" iPhone. Of course it does. The issue is 5.5" phones offer a "good enough" experience compared to the iPad mini, just as the iPad Pro offers a good enough experience compared to a conventional notebook computer.

For some maybe, but not for me, and, I suspect, many on these boards.

For all the things I am using my "conventional notebook computer" for (programming, photo editing), the iPad is completely irrelevant.
An iPad Mini has a screen area that is twice that of an iPhone 7 Plus, and I consider this changes a lot the way one would read, draw, watch a movie...

Probably, Apple is determining the iPad Mini is not worth keeping, but still some tablet users will miss it.

 

[joeblow7777]

Personally, I think that people are jumping to conclusions about the future of the Mini. It may not receive yearly updates anymore, but I wouldn't assume that the iPad Mini 4 is the end of the line just yet.

 

[Chupa Chupa]

Personally, I think that people are jumping to conclusions about the future of the Mini. It may not receive yearly updates anymore, but I wouldn't assume that the iPad Mini 4 is the end of the line just yet.

I agree. It's not dead, just not a priority right now.

 

[leebroath]

How long did it take to release the 9.7 after the 12." iPad Pro, a year?

Maybe this year we may see the Mini Pro

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

I want an iPad Pro 7.9! I am willing to pay the same as the iPad Pro 9.7. I want pencil support the most. I, personally, would not use an external keyboard, but I know that others do.

I also want the thinness of the pro series. Upgraded speakers would be great! I want the pro camera, screen colour support, processor and storage capacities of 128gb and 256gb.

I would buy it upon release.

 

[topmounter]

I just bought my wife a 2017 iPad and while she likes it, I really don't like the 9.7" form factor. I replaced my first-gen iPad with a Nexus 7 as soon as it came out. In lieu of a Mini5, I'll replace my Mini2 w/ a Mini4 whenever I feel the need. If Apple kills the Mini, then once the Mini4 gasses out, it's back to an Android tablet for me.

I am really in a dilemma whether to get the mini 4 or the new ipad. I really don't want to buy a standard size ipad. but I think the mini 4 is too old to justify that money on it.

I hope a new one is released soon

 

[joeblow7777]

I just bought my wife a 2017 iPad and while she likes it, I really don't like the 9.7" form factor. I replaced my first-gen iPad with a Nexus 7 as soon as it came out. In lieu of a Mini5, I'll replace my Mini2 w/ a Mini4 whenever I feel the need. If Apple kills the Mini, then once the Mini4 gasses out, it's back to an Android tablet for me.

Are there any good 7-8" Android tablets at the moment?

 

[Jimbo Limbo]

I just bought my wife a 2017 iPad and while she likes it, I really don't like the 9.7" form factor. I replaced my first-gen iPad with a Nexus 7 as soon as it came out. In lieu of a Mini5, I'll replace my Mini2 w/ a Mini4 whenever I feel the need. If Apple kills the Mini, then once the Mini4 gasses out, it's back to an Android tablet for me.