I’m probably going trade in our base model to get max value out of it and keep the gift card for a future Apple Silicon Mac purchase. The base Mini 5 doesn’t really get much use anyhow.
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iPad mini Is 5 to 6 really an upgrade? Feels mostly like a form factor change.
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I’m probably going trade in our base model to get max value out of it and keep the gift card for a future Apple Silicon Mac purchase. The base Mini 5 doesn’t really get much use anyhow.
Design/chassis updates tend to be pricey of late.
Pro 10.5 64GB $649 -> Pro 11 64GB $799
Pro 12.9 2nd gen 64GB $799 -> Pro 12.9 3rd gen $999
Air 3 64GB $499 -> Air 4 64GB $599
At least the mini got more extensive upgrades than the Air did.
So my previous iPad was a mini 3. Unbearably slow by today’s standards, running on a A7. However, I still used it until I got my current iPad (2020 11” Pro) because I love love love love the form factor.
I’m extremely pleased with my Pro, but I also love this new mini already. The price hike probably wasn’t entirely justified. It might’ve been okay if they doubled the base storage, but that obviously didn’t happen.
Other than that, though, I think it’s a fantastic upgrade. The pencil compatibility, rounded display, form factor, chip. They’re all great, and I don’t know what else I would’ve asked for in an upgrade.
To answer your original question, though: no. If it were me, I don’t think I would consider upgrading yet, just like I wouldn’t upgrade to the latest Air from the previous model.
I’m extremely pleased with my Pro, but I also love this new mini already. The price hike probably wasn’t entirely justified. It might’ve been okay if they doubled the base storage, but that obviously didn’t happen.
Other than that, though, I think it’s a fantastic upgrade. The pencil compatibility, rounded display, form factor, chip. They’re all great, and I don’t know what else I would’ve asked for in an upgrade.
To answer your original question, though: no. If it were me, I don’t think I would consider upgrading yet, just like I wouldn’t upgrade to the latest Air from the previous model.
That's really the story
They distract everyone with mainly a chassis update while simultaneously permanently raising the price floor.
I don’t know what else you could call a modern internals upgrade and form factor overall, other than an all around upgrade ?♂️
Like what more of an upgrade did you expect or want this Mini to be?? Mini 3 to 4 was also not as exciting. I fail to understand why this isn’t a nice upgrade given that all the previous upgrades to the Mini were very iterative(The best update was the addition of Retina display or the one with added Pencil support after which every upgrade was just a spec bump). Like you expected some 120Hz OLED or MiniLED at this price when even the 11” Pros or the 800$ iPhones don’t get ‘em?? This had a design change and a decent enough spec upgrade(except for the base storage) which is greater than any upgrades the Mini ever got!
I’ll be hoping to pick up one from my local Apple store next Friday, but that will depend on whether I’m sitting on a tractor in another state tilling food plots that morning.
I have gone through more portable computers than I care to count. That .4” increase in screen size doesn’t seem like much, but my experience has been that even small differences in screen size, up or down, make a huge difference for me. I went from a 12” portable to a 13” and hated it. Went from a 13” portable to a 13” Surface Pro. Better but still too big. Then down to 12” Surface 3. Got the Surface Go at 10.5”, then up to Go2 (same physical size) at 11”.
Have had iPP 9.7, 10.5, and 11 (2018 and 2021).
I will be retiring soon so my income will not be as flexible for fun tech. I’m getting while the getting is good. Once I retire, I hope to make time to dabble in art (Procreate) and for some reason, I just prefer working on the Mini (4, then 5) over the iPP. I think the extra screen size on the Mini 6 will help there, as will Pencil 2 support.
I can see pros and cons for both Mini 5 and Mini 6. Each person has to choose according to his/her needs/wants. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong, just what works for you.
I have gone through more portable computers than I care to count. That .4” increase in screen size doesn’t seem like much, but my experience has been that even small differences in screen size, up or down, make a huge difference for me. I went from a 12” portable to a 13” and hated it. Went from a 13” portable to a 13” Surface Pro. Better but still too big. Then down to 12” Surface 3. Got the Surface Go at 10.5”, then up to Go2 (same physical size) at 11”.
Have had iPP 9.7, 10.5, and 11 (2018 and 2021).
I will be retiring soon so my income will not be as flexible for fun tech. I’m getting while the getting is good. Once I retire, I hope to make time to dabble in art (Procreate) and for some reason, I just prefer working on the Mini (4, then 5) over the iPP. I think the extra screen size on the Mini 6 will help there, as will Pencil 2 support.
I can see pros and cons for both Mini 5 and Mini 6. Each person has to choose according to his/her needs/wants. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong, just what works for you.
What I like in this upgrade and what is making me consider to now buy the Mini to go with my 12.9 (no particular order) -
Small bezels
USB-C
New aspect ratio
Larger screen + Retina display
Improved CPU & RAM
5G
Small bezels
USB-C
New aspect ratio
Larger screen + Retina display
Improved CPU & RAM
5G
Are you responding to me as the original poster?
I have admitted flat out that this is a great product.
But it’s an expensive one and if you have the previous generation model it’s not that cut and dry actually.
Folks keep saying that the price increase doesn’t make much sense in term of what was upgraded.
The title of this thread is “Is 5 to 6 Really an Upgrade,” but the OP goes in about the price being an important factor in terms of upgrading.
Price has little to do with what was physically changed. The 6 is an upgrade when compared to the 5, nothing to do with price.
The title should really be “Is the Mini 6 Really Worth the Price When I Have Already a 5?”
Apple does not set the price of an item solely on what they physciallyput into it. In fact, that only comes into consideration as for determining the base price of the item. The break-even point.
What really determines the final price are the fixed costs of personnel, the perception of cache when an item is expensive, and simply the driving goal of even company like Apple: “Maximizing shareholder value.”
Like almost all capitalist companies, they really don’t care about the customer other than maintaining them as a constant source of income. They really don’t care about giving you a fair deal.
The title of this thread is “Is 5 to 6 Really an Upgrade,” but the OP goes in about the price being an important factor in terms of upgrading.
Price has little to do with what was physically changed. The 6 is an upgrade when compared to the 5, nothing to do with price.
The title should really be “Is the Mini 6 Really Worth the Price When I Have Already a 5?”
Apple does not set the price of an item solely on what they physciallyput into it. In fact, that only comes into consideration as for determining the base price of the item. The break-even point.
What really determines the final price are the fixed costs of personnel, the perception of cache when an item is expensive, and simply the driving goal of even company like Apple: “Maximizing shareholder value.”
Like almost all capitalist companies, they really don’t care about the customer other than maintaining them as a constant source of income. They really don’t care about giving you a fair deal.
Why is a round display a good thing or even an upgrade?
I’ve never quite understood why people like this.
It’s not actually a very efficient use of space in the corners when everything has to be padded out so you don’t have content get clipped.
I don't agree that the A12 to A15 is substantial (not even considering the fact that the A15 in the mini is downclocked compared to the iPhone and that A15 is not a big jump to begin with).
Nor is the RAM upgrade...
The move from mini 4 to mini 5 was huge in term of speed, like night and day, winter and summer. From A12 to A15 it's far from that gap, very very far, it's very much like the move from air 3 to air 4, not a big difference in speed, compared to moving from ipad air 2 to ipad pro 11, huge.
The move from 2 to 3 GB of RAM is pretty big and I can see it by comparing my 9.7 pro to my mini 5 (I don't even compare it to the mini 4 as A8 is slow as molasses...), with much less reloads while from 3 to 4 is not a huge difference. Again because probably 1GB or more is taken by the OS, so from 2 to 3 you are doubling the available RAM while from 3 to 4 you are not.
Also moving from no pencil to pencil 1 is a bigger move than from pencil 1 to pencil 2....Pencil 2 can be a big deal if you use it a lot, if used rarely, not worth it... you can find $15 pencil clones which use the Logitech crayon protocol.
The form factor is more aesthetics than utility. The screen surface is only 5% larger, the side bezels are actually bigger and the ratio is even wider than the 11 pro, so better for videos, worse for pdfs etc. Personally I hardly watch videos on the mini... The mini 6 is actually slightly smaller overall. If you value symmetry it's nice, otherwise not a big deal.
Headphone jack is a big deal for me, since I use it for my music libraries.
USB C is a big deal for me since I have a Samsung phone, but I have airpods pro for my Samsung phone, airpods 2 and another pair of airpods pro for my Apple devices... so it's not like I can completely do without lightning.... And I also have a lightning audio interface, which I precisely use with the mini.
If I had to buy one, of course I'd get the mini 6, even at the increased price for the same storage, even just for USB C, but upgrading from my mini 5? No need for several years (by that time there will be at least a mini 7).
But I have already a 11 pro and a 12.9 both 3rd gen... so definitely not a mini only user....
Nor is the RAM upgrade...
The move from mini 4 to mini 5 was huge in term of speed, like night and day, winter and summer. From A12 to A15 it's far from that gap, very very far, it's very much like the move from air 3 to air 4, not a big difference in speed, compared to moving from ipad air 2 to ipad pro 11, huge.
The move from 2 to 3 GB of RAM is pretty big and I can see it by comparing my 9.7 pro to my mini 5 (I don't even compare it to the mini 4 as A8 is slow as molasses...), with much less reloads while from 3 to 4 is not a huge difference. Again because probably 1GB or more is taken by the OS, so from 2 to 3 you are doubling the available RAM while from 3 to 4 you are not.
Also moving from no pencil to pencil 1 is a bigger move than from pencil 1 to pencil 2....Pencil 2 can be a big deal if you use it a lot, if used rarely, not worth it... you can find $15 pencil clones which use the Logitech crayon protocol.
The form factor is more aesthetics than utility. The screen surface is only 5% larger, the side bezels are actually bigger and the ratio is even wider than the 11 pro, so better for videos, worse for pdfs etc. Personally I hardly watch videos on the mini... The mini 6 is actually slightly smaller overall. If you value symmetry it's nice, otherwise not a big deal.
Headphone jack is a big deal for me, since I use it for my music libraries.
USB C is a big deal for me since I have a Samsung phone, but I have airpods pro for my Samsung phone, airpods 2 and another pair of airpods pro for my Apple devices... so it's not like I can completely do without lightning.... And I also have a lightning audio interface, which I precisely use with the mini.
If I had to buy one, of course I'd get the mini 6, even at the increased price for the same storage, even just for USB C, but upgrading from my mini 5? No need for several years (by that time there will be at least a mini 7).
But I have already a 11 pro and a 12.9 both 3rd gen... so definitely not a mini only user....
You are conflating two things…both important
The actual product and the price they’re asking for it.
Please keep in mind I am looking at this from the perspective of somebody who owns the current generation product.
Deciding whether to upgrade or not is both an analysis of what the new product is in comparison to the old product as well as the price being asked for said changes.
Both are important consideration points
Thank you for this great post!
You encapsulated a lot of thoughts I have been having
In particular the comments about the processor.
People are acting like an A12 is some dog slow processor and it couldn’t be further from the truth.
I am glad to see they put the A15 in there though considering they so infrequently update this product (historically). By that same token it’s frustrating that they didn’t do a ProMotion screen for the same reason
As mentioned above, if all you want to do is take notes, get a Logitech Crayon. Costs less, works just as well, comfortable to hold. It’s what I used for years.
The only reason to get an Apple Pencil is if you need the pressure sensitivity. And if you get a Pencil, a 2 is fair better than the 1 simply because it’s more comfortable to hold, better balanced.
The only reason to get an Apple Pencil is if you need the pressure sensitivity. And if you get a Pencil, a 2 is fair better than the 1 simply because it’s more comfortable to hold, better balanced.
This is a perfect summary of the screen change.
It is way more of a lateral move than people are understanding
I think many people tend to focus on the external case a lot saying the mini 5 hasn't change since the mini 1, but as someone who still has most generations of minis, I can say that the gap from 4 to 5 is by far the most massive in terms of speed and performance, the move from mini 5 to 6 is a fraction of that. So it all depends how much you care about symmetry, watching videos, USB C and how much you use the pencil, how important is the audio jack and, not least, how many accessories you already have (I have a ton, Brydge keyboard, Apple smart cover + other cases, apple pencil, lightning connectors (to HDMI, to VGA, to USB A), lighting audio interface, let alone lightning cables...
You make a great point about the watching videos piece.
I actually find the aspect ratio change to be a downgrade.
I actually find the aspect ratio change to be a downgrade.
By the way, concerning speed, Apple said that the mini 6 is 40% faster than the already extremely fast mini 5 with A12 (it's like comparing A12X to M1, I tried to use them side by side and I could barely tell the difference in normal use, browsing etc.)
A8 to A12 is 320% in single core (which is the most important and noticeable in normal use) and 210% in multicore. So 3 times faster and I can tell you it's night and day... (the increase in SSD speed plays some role too)
But the redesign attracts much more attention than that massive upgrade in speed and usability.
A8 to A12 is 320% in single core (which is the most important and noticeable in normal use) and 210% in multicore. So 3 times faster and I can tell you it's night and day... (the increase in SSD speed plays some role too)
But the redesign attracts much more attention than that massive upgrade in speed and usability.
I think this is an excellent observation and an important question to ask to help those who are considering the Mini 6.
I agree that the form-factor change is significantly greater than the change to the internals.
I can see where someone who is a fan of the classic Mini would NOT necessarily be a fan of the Mini 6 as a proper follow-on device. But I also know that there were MANY who were waiting in the wings for Apple to release this. Whether or not it was just wishful thinking on their part or a serious purchase decision is another matter.
Whether it is the Mini, iPad, or iPad Pro, I am a big fan of the classic form-factor (larger bezel, home button/touch ID, headphone jack). I know that is a bit of an oddball position to take but there it is... I'm an oddball.
Apple could interest me in the newer form-factor if they make some changes (which I don't expect them to make anytime soon). First would be moving the front-facing camera to be centered on the landscape edge. The second would be to get rid of the camera bump. It is because of the camera bump that Apple has discontinued smartcovers.
The Mini 6 is the "dream" iPad for many... more so than perhaps the original Mini. I really am happy for those who were waiting for this, and I'm quite surprised that Apple released it this year. I was really expecting it to be 2022 at the earliest.
I'll be curious to see how many, if any, fans of the previous generations of Minis, get the 6, and have a different reaction to owning the 6.
I really do not like the new aspect ratio. I invested in iPad originally because I preferred the 4:3 ratio to wider tablets or laptop screens for media consumption and in some cases creation. Perfectly usable in either orientation. Now it is too wide and queer for 4:3 video/photos as the 8.3" screen actually shows less area than a 7.9" 4:3 did. If you didn't actually lose area I probably would've sucked it up and tried it but knowing that it is smaller in this way is a deal-breaker.
It's a shame that the whole iPad line is going in this direction, only the 10.2" and 12.9" are 4:3. I want something smaller than my 12.9" but now I'm left with little option short of buying a refurbished Mini or hoping that the next budget iPad has a better display spec. Of course in the case of the new design, the corners are rounded for no evident reason other than aesthetic which is also extremely awkward. Just not a fan of these changes. I wasn't on the iPhone but I don't care so much for phones but the iPad is the only Apple device that still interested me. Now I'm more and more disinterested due to this change.
It's a shame that the whole iPad line is going in this direction, only the 10.2" and 12.9" are 4:3. I want something smaller than my 12.9" but now I'm left with little option short of buying a refurbished Mini or hoping that the next budget iPad has a better display spec. Of course in the case of the new design, the corners are rounded for no evident reason other than aesthetic which is also extremely awkward. Just not a fan of these changes. I wasn't on the iPhone but I don't care so much for phones but the iPad is the only Apple device that still interested me. Now I'm more and more disinterested due to this change.
At first I didn’t think this thread was serious at all. But whoa people are really committed
here is a comparison: https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/15/new-ipad-mini-vs-ipad-mini-5-and-air/
but hey, if you think a way faster processor is just a form factor. That’s precious!
here is a comparison: https://9to5mac.com/2021/09/15/new-ipad-mini-vs-ipad-mini-5-and-air/
but hey, if you think a way faster processor is just a form factor. That’s precious!
A) It brings it in line with other iPads and iPhones.
B) It honestly just looks better.
C) It allows them to reduce the bezel size without making it look weird.
That’s silly. Spec equivalent? Well if you ignore specs, yes
Its has a 40% CPU improvement and 80% GPU improvement compared to the A12.
How is that not substantial?
I'm running iPadOS 15 Beta on an iPad 7th gen with A10+3GB RAM and that one's reloading as often (actually seems like moreso) compared to the iPad 6th gen with A10+2GB RAM on iPadOS 14.