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iPad mini iPad mini 6 will have an 8.9 inch 14:9 display

GubbyMan

GubbyMan

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Apr 3, 2011
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...if we believe that Jon Prosser and RendersbyIan has accurate leaks and renders.

I was thinking about the aspect ratio of the rumored upcoming iPad mini today and started pixel counting an image on the FrontPageTech article that shows a size comparison between iPad Air 4 and the upcoming iPad mini 6. The rumor is based on schematics, CAD files as well as real images of the new mini so it should be fairly accurate.

Aspect Ratio​

The yellow rectangles show how a shrunk down Air 4 display would fit if it had the same width as the mini 6 display and how an enlarged mini 6 display would fit if it had the same height as the Air 4 display.

iPad mini - 14 by 9.jpg


By pixel counting i found out that the aspect ratio of mini 6 is exactly 14:9 which is an aspect ratio that is between 4:3 and 16:9. This is exciting news to me since the less width the mini 6 has the easier it will be to hold in one hand. 16:9 video will also fill more of the screen without being cropped.

This aspect ratio makes sense when considering the rumored smart connector on the back of iPad mini 6 (more length to fit a keyboard) and the magnetic Apple pencil connector on the side (more length to fit an Apple pencil).

Comparing different iOS devices to each other we can clearly see a trend that smaller devices have narrower screens.

DeviceAspect RatioRelative Aspect RatioRelative to 16:9 and 21:9
iPad 8, iPad mini 5, iPad Pro 12.9"4:31.333:112:9
iPad Pro 11"10:71.432:112.88:9
iPad Air 423:161.439:112.95:9
Original iPhone - iPhone 4S3:21.5:113.5:9
iPad mini 614:91.556:114:9
iPhone SE 2, 16:916:91.778:116:9
iPhone 1219.5:92.167:119.5:9
21:9 (standard for movies)21:92.333:121:9

Display Size​

By counting pixels and comparing to the 206.3mm x 137.8mm size that Jon Prosser leaked I could calculate the display size to be roughly 8.9".

This is in line with what Kuo Ming-Chi said about an 8.5 to 9-inch iPad mini last year but is conflicting with what Ross Young said about an 8.3-inch iPad mini last month. I would argue that 8.9" is more believable if it's true that the overall size of iPad mini will increase by 3.1mm in height and 3.0mm in width according to Jon Prosser's leak. A less boxy aspect ratio would also contribute to a larger diagonal screen size.

Other interesting tidbits is that the new mini seems to have narrower bezels than the 11" iPads with more rounded corners as a consequence. Finally, here's a display size comparison I made using displaywars.com.

iPad mini screen comparison.png
 
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Good analysis here! We are of course relying on Prosser to be right...

I for one would be happy with this size screen as long as it can be held with one hand comfortably.
 
Interesting calculations but I would not extract this much from the render. Prosser never gave an exact size, so it's safe to assume it will be somewhere between 8 and 9, the rest, including the calculations, at this point is pure speculation
 
Digitalguy said:
Interesting calculations but I would not extract this much from the render. Prosser never gave an exact size, so it's safe to assume it will be somewhere between 8 and 9, the rest, including the calculations, at this point is pure speculation
Click to expand...
He did give an exact size of 206.3mm x 137.8mm x 6.1mm which he said was from the CAD file. Knowing that and the size of an iPad Air I found out that the render above has the correct scale.

mailman199 said:
You could look at the leaked aluminum models from a week or so ago and see if they match up to your theory.
Click to expand...
Yes, I just looked into it. The leak is from a very sketchy twitter account that has also posted weird stuff like the all screen iPad mini with display cutouts for TouchID home button and front camera. He also has a render of an "iPhone 12" with 4 cameras on the back. Just scroll down his twitter (https://twitter.com/xleaks7) to see these abominations. 😅

Anyway, the leaked mockup actually has an interesting design detail. The volume buttons are on the top which makes so much sense if Apple wanted to keep a 1 size Apple Pencil that works with every iPad. There's no need to make a smaller pencil for the mini if you don't have volume buttons on the same side the pencil attaches. (Scroll down here to see a size comparison with the leaked pencil)

So I went to Jon Prosser's YouTube video where he talks about this leak and he has actually gotten his hands on the CAD file used for the mockup which he has made available for download here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/11bsBsgVZ3RZq7Ex8J0FHOu-LmoWtAx1N/view

I don't have any software to open a CAD file and I certainly don't know how to measure things but I did find this website https://studia3d.com/en/3dviewer/ which seems to give me model dimensions of 19.59 x 13.47 x 0.80 cm. The depth is understandable because there's a camera bump but the other two dimensions do not match with Prosser's leak.

If anyone here has a better CAD viewer, could you please help me measure the screen size in this latest leak?
 
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My plan is to pick one of these up ASAP, no matter the size or aspect ratio, though my preferences lean toward a wide aspect ratio for movies and the larger the screen the better, i guess, as long as its less than 9".

for me it's the whole idea of the first redesign of the Mini since the very first ipad mini thats got me going... i use my ipad pro 12.9 for most of my streaming of shows and movies but an ipad mini with a slightly larger screen and wide aspect ratio in landscape might just do the trick... The main reason I like the iPad Mini is for ebooks. But having one iPad that does everything and does it well is VERY tempting!! and in a compact form factor too? Sign me up!!!
 
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Who thinks the iPad mini 6 will get the smart connector? And if so, who thinks that the mini will get kind of a magic keyboard or at least a keyboard at all?

I thought there were some rumours about this, but can't find them anymore.
 
lezmace said:
Who thinks the iPad mini 6 will get the smart connector? And if so, who thinks that the mini will get kind of a magic keyboard or at least a keyboard at all?

I thought there were some rumours about this, but can't find them anymore.
Click to expand...

Given that the Mini isn't exactly the most popular iPad, I wouldn't hold my breath. It'd sure be nice, though.
 
lezmace said:
Who thinks the iPad mini 6 will get the smart connector? And if so, who thinks that the mini will get kind of a magic keyboard or at least a keyboard at all?

I thought there were some rumours about this, but can't find them anymore.
Click to expand...
I was under the impression it will and might get Apple Pencil 2 support as well. Will see though I guess
 
I really wish they would not increase the size of the iPad. It is the perfect companion to use while in bed without taking up too much space.
 
This would be amazing for watching videos, in the sense that it better uses available screen space compared to a smaller aspect ratio (example of iPad Pro 12.9 which has bigger black bars than 11” iPad). When I had a Mini, I always wished the top and bottom bezels could be filled with more screen area.
 
Rafterman said:
The current iPad Mini size and aspect are perfect. Just get rid of the bezels.
Click to expand...
I'm in the "opposite" boat. I like the outside dimensions of the Mini 5, so for me, I'd rather have them extend the screen to the edges. But each to their own~
 
The 11” Pro and Air 4 use the IMAX aspect ratio of 1.43:1 so I expect that’s what the mini will move to if adopting the same design language. I wonder if they will eventually move the 12.9 over as well making it a ~13.5”. Part of me hopes not for the latter as I think the current 12.9” is quite a sweet spot in terms of display area to body size.
 
lezmace said:
Who thinks the iPad mini 6 will get the smart connector? And if so, who thinks that the mini will get kind of a magic keyboard or at least a keyboard at all?

I thought there were some rumours about this, but can't find them anymore.
Click to expand...
I really hope so - but I don't think Apple will bring a keyboard as it will bring to many compromises. Hopefully third party will fill the gap. A fold out full size keyboard would be sweet.
 
I've been thinking a lot about the hopefully upcoming Mini 6. I wonder whether a potential 14:9 aspect ratio will have detrimental effect on the ebook experience. I'd want to use mine mostly for reading, but many people seem to prefer 4:3 for that.


EdzTeTvWsAQv9S6.jpeg


In this mockup from Parker Ortolani one can see that there's quite a difference in ratios, not as much as 16:9 would be of course. On the other hand I don't really know how having the same width, but a little bit more length would affect reading negatively.

Anyone wondered about these same sorts of trifles?
 
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Falhófnir said:
The 11” Pro and Air 4 use the IMAX aspect ratio of 1.43:1 so I expect that’s what the mini will move to if adopting the same design language. I wonder if they will eventually move the 12.9 over as well making it a ~13.5”. Part of me hopes not for the latter as I think the current 12.9” is quite a sweet spot in terms of display area to body size.
Click to expand...

Can't see them making the 12.9 model larger in the long dimension as it's already about at the limit of what can be comfortably held in portrait model.

For the mini I think 4:3 is right for a reading device, much better than the iPhone Max which is too narrow.
 
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This is a very good analysis as others have said. If we do take on the rumors of the smart connector then you make a really good point about the screen ratio being designed to accomodate a 1st part keyboard accessory. Don’t think it will be a smart keyboard, but more likely a keyboard folio in that case, but that would be very welcome as well. Having AP2 support as well as a keyboard folio, and an A15 with USB-C and that is my 2018 11” Pro replacement right there, would have been exactly what I hoped for in a redesigned mini.
 
ScanTheNavian said:
I've been thinking a lot about the hopefully upcoming Mini 6. I wonder whether a potential 14:9 aspect ratio will have detrimental effect on the ebook experience. I'd want to use mine mostly for reading, but many people seem to prefer 4:3 for that.


View attachment 1824810

In this mockup from Parker Ortolani one can see that there's quite a difference in ratios, not as much as 16:9 would be of course. On the other hand I don't really know how having the same width, but a little bit more length would affect reading negatively.

Anyone wondered about these same sorts of trifles?
Click to expand...
Nice job - I have always used mine in landscape to read in a two page format like a pocket book - 14:9 I think would actually enhance that use case while not going overboard - I feel like 16:9 would have been too much for sure.
 
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Wishful thinking, but if the mini ever gets native phone functionality..I’d stay up all night and pre-order the largest storage available lol.. A true convergence device for me!!
 
ScanTheNavian said:
I've been thinking a lot about the hopefully upcoming Mini 6. I wonder whether a potential 14:9 aspect ratio will have detrimental effect on the ebook experience. I'd want to use mine mostly for reading, but many people seem to prefer 4:3 for that.


View attachment 1824810

In this mockup from Parker Ortolani one can see that there's quite a difference in ratios, not as much as 16:9 would be of course. On the other hand I don't really know how having the same width, but a little bit more length would affect reading negatively.

Anyone wondered about these same sorts of trifles?
Click to expand...
The Mini mockup on the right, the one where the screen is pushed to the edges, is exactly what I want for the Mini 6. I've always thought that the width of the previous Minis was perfect and wished that the screen was pushed to the edges. Having a less square design would help with watching widescreen content as there would be less letterboxing.

I can deal with the Mini 6 not having a lot of other features like USB-C, but if it has the same old design with the home button, I would not purchase the new 6 to replace my 5. And I am itching to purchase an updated Mini 6.
 
We finally got to see the new mini. Seems like Jon Prosser had the wrong dimensions, button placement, no LED flash and was wrong about it having a smart connector. This guy (https://twitter.com/xleaks7) had the correct CAD files that matches the size exactly. The screen is 8.3-inch with a resolution of 2266x1488 at 326 PPI (iPad Air is 2360x1640). I calculated the aspect ratio to be 1.523:1 or 13.7:9 so not quite 14:9 but close.

Here's an updated aspect ratio table:
DeviceAspect RatioRelative Aspect RatioRelative to 16:9 and 21:9
iPad 8, iPad mini 5, iPad Pro 12.9"4:31.333:112:9
iPad Pro 11"10:71.432:112.88:9
iPad Air 423:161.439:112.95:9
Original iPhone - iPhone 4S3:21.5:113.5:9
iPad mini 613.7:91.523:113.7:9
JonProsserPad14:91.556:114:9
iPhone SE 2, 16:916:91.778:116:9
iPhone 1219.5:92.167:119.5:9
21:9 (standard for movies)21:92.333:121:9

Also, DisplayWars comparison: http://www.displaywars.com/7,9-inch-4x3-vs-8,3-inch-d{1,523x1}
 
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