iPad mini It's official... iPhone 6 plus is better than iPad Mini 3

[BMcCoy]

Fair enough - if you have the budget/ or have someone else paying to support purchasing separate 5.5" and a 7.9" devices. But, if you are in a position buy only one device - comparisons are involuntary. And Apple is clearly pointing out what they think is the right option.

And...
Apple are clearly painting a picture of the OSX/iOS a ecosystem as a continuum, across devices, regardless of device.

It even has a name - Continuity.

Of course each device is different, with different features, but they are def converging, in style, in features, in appearance, in specification, in user-interface.

Even on this forum, new rumours have posters guessing names, such as ipad Pro, thinking that the naming conventions of pro/air/mini across the devices. It rarely happens like that though.
And, the pricing doesn't quite fit the idea of there being a single iOS device, at 10 different sizes.

So, who knows...

 

[12vElectronics]

Clearly, you don't both or perhaps neither, so I'll let you in on a secret, they're actually TWO very similar devices. Other than the actual making and receiving of phone calls, they are functionally identical in almost every other way. If you disagree, please explain how they differ, and size isn't a function.

I own both. The iPad Mini is significantly larger and much more pleasurable to use in bed and around the house than the 6+ is.

There is quite a bit of overlap in the iPhone 6+ and the iPad mini, so it makes sense to compare them.

I don't see the over lap?

 

[fieldsphotos]

Is no one going to talk about the price difference between a 6 plus and a Mini? I can get a wifi 64GB Mini 3 for $500, where I have to spend $849 for a 64GB iphone 6+.

I am much more likely to buy the Mini for casual use due to its much lower price, which puts it in a different category than the iphones. And, I suspect, where Apple is headed with the Mini.

Personally, I really hope Apple doesn't replace the mini with a much smaller and waaaay more expensive iPhone 6+. At that point I would have to start buying the Amazon Fire for my casual, around-the-house web surfing device.

 

[asleep]

I don't think it's bigger than the RMini 3, but it's close.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I own both. The iPad Mini is significantly larger and much more pleasurable to use in bed and around the house than the 6+ is.



I don't see the over lap?

I agree. I own the 6+. The 6+ really isnt a replacement for an iPad. The 6+ does make me use my iPad less and carry around my iPad less. That is all.

 

[2IS]

I own both. The iPad Mini is significantly larger and much more pleasurable to use in bed and around the house than the 6+ is.



I don't see the over lap?

Size isn't a function... Still waiting on the functional differences besides the making and receiving a phone call. Tell you what... If we had a competition where you explain how they're different and I explain how they're similar, who wins?

 

[yegon]

Size isn't a function... Still waiting on the functional differences besides the making and receiving a phone call. Tell you what... If we had a competition where you explain how they're different and I explain how they're similar, who wins?

Again;


If you disagree, please explain how they differ, and size isn't a function.
Originally Posted by 2IS
Browsing, it's desktop vs mobile view - less of an issue with responsive web design, but still. Magazines, comics and manga are all doable on the Mini, not so the 6 Plus.

Like I said earlier in this thread, there's less reason for me take the Mini out with me since getting the 6 Plus, but the Mini is undoubtedly a better experience for the above use cases.

 

[New Apple]

no way am gonna pay twice (iphone 6-plus)

just ordered my MiniRetina'1' for a lot less than a couple of days ago.


Cook can put the new retina mini in that 'spot' he's got behind.

 

[2IS]

Again;


If you disagree, please explain how they differ, and size isn't a function.
Originally Posted by 2IS
Browsing, it's desktop vs mobile view - less of an issue with responsive web design, but still. Magazines, comics and manga are all doable on the Mini, not so the 6 Plus.

Like I said earlier in this thread, there's less reason for me take the Mini out with me since getting the 6 Plus, but the Mini is undoubtedly a better experience for the above use cases.

My post was not directed at you nor am I saying the devices are identical. I'm fully aware and in agreement that a particular device can do a particular task better than the other. My argument is when the guy is at a loss as to why people compare them like they're two drastically different devices, which they most certainly are not.

 

[12vElectronics]

Size isn't a function... Still waiting on the functional differences besides the making and receiving a phone call. Tell you what... If we had a competition where you explain how they're different and I explain how they're similar, who wins?

Congrats! You win the internet debate today!

 

[yegon]

But the answer to "Still waiting on the functional differences besides the making and receiving a phone call." is right there. Browsing, magazines, comics/manga. Given that the vast majority of the usage of these devices revolves around the reading of different types of media, the functional difference is pretty apparent.

I do agree that the difference isn't huge. If the Air 2 has 2gb I'll likely sell my rMini and replace it with one for this reason, but there's stuff I simply cannot do on my 6 Plus that I can on my rMini - read Edge magazine, have desktop view as default (which is a biggie) and read comics and manga without endless scrolling, pinching and zooming.

 

[AdonisSMU]

Size isn't a function... Still waiting on the functional differences besides the making and receiving a phone call. Tell you what... If we had a competition where you explain how they're different and I explain how they're similar, who wins?

Actually size does serve a function. Sure you may be able to do somethings on a phone but many things are just easier to do on an iPad like reading a book or surfing the interwebs.

 

[TheDane]

I'm not the poster of that comment, but the screen size is still substantially different when it comes to reading and browsing.

It's also wider, and browsing websites and reading in 4:3 is preferable to browsing widescreen on a less-wide panel.

I'm not saying they're totally different ideas, but there are still different use cases for them. I didn't find the Plus very comfortable or efficient after two weeks of use, while the Mini is one of the best devices I have in my life. It replaces a television. The Plus, while big, couldn't really be *as* good as the Mini when it comes to browsing, watching, and reading. It's still a phone variant while the iPad is still, well, an iPad that has those exclusive apps. It might change in the future, but for now, this is how it is.

Agree!

 

[2IS]

Actually size does serve a function. Sure you may be able to do somethings on a phone but many things are just easier to do on an iPad like reading a book or surfing the interwebs.

An easier function doesn't equate to a different one. I can do the same functions on my larger 6+ then my 5 their just easier to do. Except for one handed texting. if we go by what the person I originally response to was saying, these shouldn't be compqred because they're two completely different devices.

 

[Icaras]

For the first time, there's a large performance gap between the iPad (Air 2) and the new iPhones of the same year. I like this move quite a bit because I wanted the mobility of the iPhone 6, but the bigger screen of the 6 Plus for home use. The Air 2 now trumps the iPhones in every way for the things that I wanted the 6 Plus for.

While I agree that I like the fact that the iPad Air now surpasses the iPhone in sheer power, why would you want to buy an additional $750 iPhone 6 Plus simply for "home use" when you could instead get an iPad mini for $350 cheaper that has an even larger screen and comparable specs? Doesn't make sense to have two iPhones, considering how costly they are.

Perhaps even an iPod Touch if Apple ever decides to grace the product line with the same iPhone screen sizes. But either a potential iPod Touch Plus or the current iPad mini could get you the same results at a far cheaper price.

 

[AdonisSMU]

An easier function doesn't equate to a different one. I can do the same functions on my larger 6+ then my 5 their just easier to do. Except for one handed texting. if we go by what the person I originally response to was saying, these shouldn't be compqred because they're two completely different devices.

It is different because you can do functionally more on a large screen compared to that of a small screen.

 

[applefanatic11]

The only thing official is that they are both incredible products that should be valued as such. You can't go wrong with either. I'm going to have the best of both worlds since I have the 6 plus and soon the mini

 

[yegon]

An easier function doesn't equate to a different one. I can do the same functions on my larger 6+ then my 5 their just easier to do. Except for one handed texting. if we go by what the person I originally response to was saying, these shouldn't be compqred because they're two completely different devices.

Again, please explain how I can read Edge magazine on my 6 Plus? Or how I can access myriad random website options on my 6 Plus without constantly pressing "request desktop view"? What happens when said website flat refuses to load desktop view, which some certainly do, meaning I can't access certain settings that I certainly can access on an iPad with a mere press of a button?

By your argument, walking to a destination and cycling there are exactly the same since you use your legs, heart and lungs.

 

[2IS]

Again, please explain how I can read Edge magazine on my 6 Plus? Or how I can access myriad random website options on my 6 Plus without constantly pressing "request desktop view"? What happens when said website flat refuses to load desktop view, which some certainly do, meaning I can't access certain settings that I certainly can access on an iPad with a mere press of a button?

By your argument, walking to a destination and cycling there are exactly the same since you use your legs, heart and lungs.

You aren't understanding my argument. Didn't say they were exactly the same. I specifically said they aren't identical more than once. My argument is that theyre not drastically different and that's why they are and will continue to be compared. Im not sure if you're intentionally ignoring the details of my argument or if you're really not getting it as this is at least the second or third time I've responded directly to you explaining the exact same thing. You realize there is a 3rd option besides identical and completely different right? It's called being similar, and the functionality between an iPad and an iPhone is just that.

 

[yegon]

My argument is that theyre not drastically different and that's why they are and will continue to be compared.

I actually completely agree on this point, but not with your claim that there's functionally no difference between them when there demonstrably is.

You say I may be intentionally ignoring parts of your argument, when I'm thinking you're guilty of exactly the same thing. Specifically;

Still waiting on the functional differences besides the making and receiving a phone call.

To which I've responded with functions that I simply cannot perform on my 6 Plus.

 

[AZhappyjack]

No cannibalization happening now.

I almost wonder with this upgrade.....is Apple slowly just waiving the white flag on the Mini?

Simple answer. The profit margins are much larger on the iPhone 6 Plus than they ever were on the iPad Mini.

Follow the money.

 

[mr.bee]

I also first thought this is a marketing strategy, but now I'm thinking it's more an operations strategy.


Demand of the A8 is so big, and margin on the iphone is bigger then margin on the ipad mini. So every A8 NOT going in an iphone is a loss for Apple. As long as the demand of the iphone 6 is not stabilised, the ipad mini won't see an update.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Size isn't a function

Stop saying that

 

[alexwei]

That's why I got an iPad air 2

 

[Zinthar]

While I agree that I like the fact that the iPad Air now surpasses the iPhone in sheer power, why would you want to buy an additional $750 iPhone 6 Plus simply for "home use" when you could instead get an iPad mini for $350 cheaper that has an even larger screen and comparable specs? Doesn't make sense to have two iPhones, considering how costly they are.

I wasn't being clear there -- I didn't (and wouldn't) buy two iPhones. I was just opining about how Air 2's power adds some additional differentiation from the iPhone line that didn't exist previously. Many people will just buy a phablet and skip the tablet, so Apple's answer seems to (finally) be to take advantage of the larger form factor of the iPad and give it a higher TDP SoC.

iPad Air was a disappointment to me (and I skipped it) because it had the same internals as the tiny iPhone 5S save for a negligible 7% bump in clock speed, and used the same GPU as 5S to power a much more pixel-dense display. Oh, and they didn't laminate the display to the glass on Air 1, which was just absurd for a 2013 tablet.