It depends on the situation.
If most of your tasks normally take 50 minutes and the upgrade shaves it down to 35 minutes then that's pretty great.
If it takes 0.5 seconds and the upgrade shaves it down to 0.35 seconds, are you even going to notice?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad mini Is 5 to 6 really an upgrade? Feels mostly like a form factor change.
- Thread starter turbineseaplane
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It depends on the situation.
If most of your tasks normally take 50 minutes and the upgrade shaves it down to 35 minutes then that's pretty great.
If it takes 0.5 seconds and the upgrade shaves it down to 0.35 seconds, are you even going to notice?
D) None of that convinced me it's anything but a subjective preference
Substantial?
Sure
Useful in any real world scenarios for the vast majority of users? (or even noticeable)
Almost certainly not.
Good for longevity I guess..
Ignoring the whole CSAM-on device-thing for a moment, it's still a mixed bag.
Generally I'm a big fan of the Mini and I do like the new design, the fast CPU and the fact that it has USB-C. Being able to use the Pencil 2 with it is also a plus.
On the downside, like @retta283, I'm not so convinced about the changed aspect ratio and the actual reduction of horizontal resolution. I also think the base configuration should be 128GB and not 64GB. And finally the price increase is very noticeable (since I would like to have at least 128GB of storage, I will need to buy the 256GB configuration, which is 719€ over here).
So personally, I will keep the Mini 5 at least until next summer.
In general, the main reason to get the new model for me would be if
a) you really want a compact device for note taking and sketching, and you are annoyed enough by needing to charge the Pencil 1 by sticking it into the Lightning port
b) you have a pile of money on your account that is looking for something to spend it on
c) you really, really hate Lightning ports in general
Generally I'm a big fan of the Mini and I do like the new design, the fast CPU and the fact that it has USB-C. Being able to use the Pencil 2 with it is also a plus.
On the downside, like @retta283, I'm not so convinced about the changed aspect ratio and the actual reduction of horizontal resolution. I also think the base configuration should be 128GB and not 64GB. And finally the price increase is very noticeable (since I would like to have at least 128GB of storage, I will need to buy the 256GB configuration, which is 719€ over here).
So personally, I will keep the Mini 5 at least until next summer.
In general, the main reason to get the new model for me would be if
a) you really want a compact device for note taking and sketching, and you are annoyed enough by needing to charge the Pencil 1 by sticking it into the Lightning port
b) you have a pile of money on your account that is looking for something to spend it on
c) you really, really hate Lightning ports in general
Last edited:
very interesting... one more reason for me to stay on 14. I have installed the beta only on the 10.5 for testing and it really feels more of a downgrade than an upgrade to me....(less icons on the homepage and I kind of hate the new Safari). The only good thing is better stand-by time....
I'll leave my mini 5, 2018 12.9, 2018 11 and 2015 12.9 on iPadOS 14.8, the mini 4 is still on 14.3 so I better hurry up to get it to 14.8 before it's too late... while the 9.7 will stay on 13.4 (I regretted upgrading the mini 4 to 14, it slowed it down quite a bit).
By the way this kind of confirms why Apple this year is maintaining security updated also for iPadOS 14.... Probably because 2GB devices should not upgrade to it... (and based on your experience it's not a great idea even for 3GB devices). At this point unless at some point Apple brings proper monitor support I'll stay on 14 for years....
Last edited:
@turbineseaplane: As a mini 4 owner, I felt similarly when the mini 5 came out. A faster CPU and pencil input, but only the awkward pencil 1. Rumors of what has now become the mini 6 were already around, so I was a bit underwhelmed and decided to stay with the mini 4 for the time being.
Now with the mini 6 it’s a bit more clear-cut for me, and the CPU/RAM situation has become more pressing on the mini 4 (despite not having upgraded beyond iOS 12). If I owned a mini 5, I likely would be more hesitant now as well.
I’m glad they didn’t increase the outer dimensions on the mini 6, but I don’t know how I feel about the aspect ratio change, I’ll have to try it. USB C is a bummer, now I’ll need to pack two cables when traveling, or buy an adapter. I’d also prefer to not have the camera bump.
OLED would have been nice (though unexpected at this time), I’d be willing to pay a premium for that. Otherwise I’m not a fan of the new pricing at unchanged RAM tiers, in particular since I’d like more than 64 GB and the cellular version for the occasional travel use. That’s very expensive.
My other gripe are the color choices. I’m waiting for the hands-on reviews to make up my mind on that topic.
In the end the mini 6 brings quite a number of changes, most of which you enumerated in the first post, so it depends on how one feels about the individual changes, and how much one considers them an upgrade (or downgrade).
The one thing I’m happy about is that Apple is strengthening the iPad mini form factor, as opposed to dropping it as they presumably do with the iPhone mini.
Now with the mini 6 it’s a bit more clear-cut for me, and the CPU/RAM situation has become more pressing on the mini 4 (despite not having upgraded beyond iOS 12). If I owned a mini 5, I likely would be more hesitant now as well.
I’m glad they didn’t increase the outer dimensions on the mini 6, but I don’t know how I feel about the aspect ratio change, I’ll have to try it. USB C is a bummer, now I’ll need to pack two cables when traveling, or buy an adapter. I’d also prefer to not have the camera bump.
OLED would have been nice (though unexpected at this time), I’d be willing to pay a premium for that. Otherwise I’m not a fan of the new pricing at unchanged RAM tiers, in particular since I’d like more than 64 GB and the cellular version for the occasional travel use. That’s very expensive.
My other gripe are the color choices. I’m waiting for the hands-on reviews to make up my mind on that topic.
In the end the mini 6 brings quite a number of changes, most of which you enumerated in the first post, so it depends on how one feels about the individual changes, and how much one considers them an upgrade (or downgrade).
The one thing I’m happy about is that Apple is strengthening the iPad mini form factor, as opposed to dropping it as they presumably do with the iPhone mini.
Last edited:
@klasma
Great post.
It's for sure upgrade time if one has a Mini 4 - no question about that.
Much more of a mixed bag from Mini 5 as you mentioned.
OLED would have made me instantly interested.
I'm very much negative on the aspect ratio change, price hike and USB-C adds more irritation for me at this point.
I wish Apple would decide what the plan is and roll it out everywhere if they are going all in.
Right now we have all lightning stuff all over the house, so "unifying on USB-C" isn't happening here for a long long time.
Great post.
It's for sure upgrade time if one has a Mini 4 - no question about that.
Much more of a mixed bag from Mini 5 as you mentioned.
OLED would have made me instantly interested.
I'm very much negative on the aspect ratio change, price hike and USB-C adds more irritation for me at this point.
I wish Apple would decide what the plan is and roll it out everywhere if they are going all in.
Right now we have all lightning stuff all over the house, so "unifying on USB-C" isn't happening here for a long long time.
Really makes you wonder what actual margin is on Apple stuff when seemingly all new products go instantly on sale at third party resellers now.
Those are pretty old. I’d be happy they run iPadOS 15 at all. The single core score of the newer ones is almost equal to the multi score of yours Like I said I’d be amazed it worked, not whiny that it was not a smooth experiece
One, I'm not whining. I'm stating an observation. My current iPad is a 2021 Pro 12.9 1TB with 16GB RAM. The 7th gen, I primarily use just for testing.
Also, the 7th gen was just released in 2019 so it's not that old. Granted its A10 CPU is much older. Reloads are a function of RAM so even the not yet released iPad 9th gen will likely be just as prone to reloads.
Well you seem to be firmly on the side of “this new mini is pointless”, so I don’t know what to tell you.
Not at all!
It is a great device that may or may not be an attractive upgrade, depending upon ones starting point.
Huh?
- Larger screen (7.9” -> 8.3”)
- New design (from the design that went basically unchanged since 2012 -> updated design with a rounded display and Touch ID in the top button)
- Three generation leap in CPU / GPU (A12 -> A15)
- New colors
- Significantly improved FaceTime camera (7MP -> 12MP) with support for Center Stage
- New connector accessory support and data transfers (Lightning -> USB-C)
- Significantly improved cellular connectivity (4G -> 5G)
- Support for the vastly superior 2nd-generation Apple Pencil, can now just snap onto the side
- Dramatically improved rear camera (8MP f/2.4 -> 12MP f/1.8 with a new flash)
- 4K video recording
- Landscape stereo audio speakers
Removing the headphone jack seems ridiculous for thing people use for music and video production. Then upping the price and keeping it at 64gb? No thanks
5 to 6 really is an upgrade, no question about it. The better question is should you do this upgrade.
I'm a big believer in "if your current gadget does what you need - why change it?".
I have a Mini 4 and it's not broken. Not the speed champ, but whatever - it still does everything I ask of it.
Mini 6 is nice, glad they released it, but I can't justify spending $500 (more here in Europe) because I know there are many better ways to spend that money.
Slimmer bezels and faster SoC, both of which I'll stop paying attention to in a month, or say a 2-week trip around Slovakia? I keep choosing the latter every single time
I'm a big believer in "if your current gadget does what you need - why change it?".
I have a Mini 4 and it's not broken. Not the speed champ, but whatever - it still does everything I ask of it.
Mini 6 is nice, glad they released it, but I can't justify spending $500 (more here in Europe) because I know there are many better ways to spend that money.
Slimmer bezels and faster SoC, both of which I'll stop paying attention to in a month, or say a 2-week trip around Slovakia? I keep choosing the latter every single time
And most of everyone’s arguments on MacRumors are subjective in nature, too, including your initial one.
I think you might be under-valuing the form factor change. I've owned an iPad as my primary device from the first generation original release day. The move to this form factor with my 2018 11" Pro was one of the most important changes the iPad line has ever seen (perhaps second to the addition of the original Pencil). It finally just felt 'right'. It’s a gorgeous slab of screen. Given that the entire experience of using an iPad is what it feels like to hold and look at, nailing the form factor is a BIG DEAL.
Also, as someone who uses the Pencil heavily, the 2nd generation form factor was a game changer as I finally had a way to keep it paired with the iPad permanently (I’m not one for bulky cases that might have added a holder for the original Pencil). The original Pencil was an astonishing achievement (I’ll never forget the first time I tried it at an Apple store after years of struggling with all sorts of second-rate styli including expensive ones from Microsoft, Wacom, etc.) - but not having any way to keep the two devices together was a pain - and as such I often didn‘t have it handy when I would have liked to use it.
Honestly, I have never considered an iPad Mini as right for me, but, given that I primarily use my iPad as a companion device - a reference, a notebook, for casual web browsing, etc. I could see myself going back to owning both a Macbook Air and the iPad Mini rather than just the larger iPad that has never quite gotten where I need it as a full computer replacement.
Also, as someone who uses the Pencil heavily, the 2nd generation form factor was a game changer as I finally had a way to keep it paired with the iPad permanently (I’m not one for bulky cases that might have added a holder for the original Pencil). The original Pencil was an astonishing achievement (I’ll never forget the first time I tried it at an Apple store after years of struggling with all sorts of second-rate styli including expensive ones from Microsoft, Wacom, etc.) - but not having any way to keep the two devices together was a pain - and as such I often didn‘t have it handy when I would have liked to use it.
Honestly, I have never considered an iPad Mini as right for me, but, given that I primarily use my iPad as a companion device - a reference, a notebook, for casual web browsing, etc. I could see myself going back to owning both a Macbook Air and the iPad Mini rather than just the larger iPad that has never quite gotten where I need it as a full computer replacement.
They changed the internals, they changed the formfactor they changed the port. What else could they change? You could argue that it's not enough. But I think that would be unrealistic.
It's more to ask the question: does your current iPad Mini still fit all you need it to do? Or do you like the new design and features of the new Mini more? Those two questions can only be answered by yourself, so..
For me, I upgraded from the 5th gen to 6th gen. I also sold my old iPad on the second hand market.
It's more to ask the question: does your current iPad Mini still fit all you need it to do? Or do you like the new design and features of the new Mini more? Those two questions can only be answered by yourself, so..
For me, I upgraded from the 5th gen to 6th gen. I also sold my old iPad on the second hand market.