iPad iPad Pro 10.5 inch (Refurbished) or iPad Mini 5

[gregpod9]

Two days ago my iPad Pro 9.7 inch died. Early this afternoon I took it to the Genius bar at the Apple Store and they ran some diagnostics on it and the result was that my iPad was not operational. They quoted me about $350 to replace the iPad Pro parts. So I decided that its better for me to get a new iPad.

I've been thinking to buy either a 2017 refurbished 256GB Space Grey 10.5 inch iPad Pro or a 2019 Space Grey iPad Mini 256GB. Both are very close in price before the cost of Apple Care is added. I know that both iPads are better performing then my dead iPad Pro 9.7 inch that I had Apple Store to recycle. I have no interest in the Air model due to many people stated that the Air model suffers from bright white spots on the screen. Which iPad (10.5 Pro or Mini 5) is better and has the least amount of issues?

 

[bbednarz]

I believe the mini 5 and latest Air are essentially the same product just different screen sizes. Id say try out an Air and see how your experience is with it, if you notice white spots you can always exchange it. These are two pretty wildly different sizes though. I don't think anyone can really tell you which one will be better for you. Just depends if you want a bigger or smaller screen.

 

[Reflej0]

As Bbednarz said, these are two different products.
I had an iPad Pro 10.5 256GB for a month and the experience was incredible although personally the iPad is something that does not convince me, I would prefer a combination of iPhone and Macbook.
Technically:

• The iPad Mini 5 has A12 while the iPad Pro 10.5 A10X, maybe today you don't notice the difference but in 2 years I guess it will take advantage of the A12.
• ProMotion(Pro), 120hz is a difference that shows when you decrease from 120hz to 60hz, if you never experienced 120hz (even on another device like a monitor) you don't miss much.
• 4 speakers (Pro) versus 2 speakers (Mini), I would consider this important point, not enough to decide on a purchase but to take it into account.
• A minor detail that the Pro can record video in 4K.

Personally I would go for the mini, just because it is newer, because the difference in the processor defines the life of a device and because the disadvantages are not so great.

 

[rui no onna]

I've been thinking to buy either a 2017 refurbished 256GB Space Grey 10.5 inch iPad Pro or a 2019 Space Grey iPad Mini 256GB. Both are very close in price before the cost of Apple Care is added. I know that both iPads are better performing then my dead iPad Pro 9.7 inch that I had Apple Store to recycle. I have no interest in the Air model due to many people stated that the Air model suffers from bright white spots on the screen. Which iPad (10.5 Pro or Mini 5) is better and has the least amount of issues?

You should be aware that the bright spots exhibited on the Pro 10.5 first. Thus far, there's fewer reports of bright spots on Air 3 but it's only been out less than a year.

 

[Wokis]

The 2017 Pro has a better GPU, more RAM, better camera, speakers and screen.

The A12 cpu in the mini can use all of its 6 cores simultaneously which makes it look good in benchmarks but in typical real life use this hasn’t been much of an advantage. Keep in mind the A10X has three high performance cores to its disposal while the A12 has two. How they will age is still uncertain.

That said, I still like the mini a lot due to its size and it certainly is no slouch.

 

[AutomaticApple]

A minor detail that the Pro can record video in 4K.

It also has optical image stabilization.

 

[ericwn]

I would personally pick the mini but everyone is different. Pick the screen size that works best for you, both iPads have good internals.

 

[NJHitmen]

You should be aware that the bright spots exhibited on the Pro 10.5 first. Thus far, there's fewer reports of bright spots on Air 3 but it's only been out less than a year.

I was just about to post this. @OP - if you ruled out the Air due to the white spots, then you should definitely rule out the iPP 10.5 as well. Mine has had a spot for most of the time I've owned it. It's my sole complaint about the device.

If anything, the Air is probably a better choice, because the issue doesn't seem to be as widespread on that model. At least...not yet.