iPad mini Mini 2 upgrade to Mini 4?

[IJBrekke]

Made this exact switch a year ago. It’s...fine. Doubling the RAM definitely makes a difference, marginal uptick in the processor. The reality is that the Mini 4 is old, so paying new-ish prices for it (even at a discount) feels wrong.

Apple refuses to update it because the Mini platform doesn’t work well with their current narrative: Pushing creative work on iPads vs. consumption (with the latter being something the Mini is perfect for).

 

[AutomaticApple]

I am thinking about replacing my Mini2 with a brand new Mini 4. Is it worth doing so since the Mini 4 is 2015, uses the A8?

Just keep in mind that the iPod Touch 6th gen also uses the A8.

 

[tibas92013]

About one(1) month ago my Ipad Mini2 which was on IOS11 bought new in the year 2014 froze-up and would not start-up. So, I followed the instructions on the Apple Website in installing IOS12 using my Mac Mini(Late 2014) which fixed my problem 100%. Almost seems that I have a new iPad Mini2 which is running great for surfing the web, playing music, etc.

Based on my past good experience with the iPad Mini 2 and it's form factor I felt that an iPad Mini4 would fit all my basic iPad needs in a heartbeat for the next few years. However, last week I decided to purchase the iPad 2018 for the larger screen but I really considered buying the iPad Mini 4 for the Best Buy price of $250. I figured with the Apple Care+ I would have a worry-free iPad Mini 4 for at least the next two(2) years.

 

[RickTaylor]

I do love my mini 4. If they discontinue it, I might even by another, to have one that will last as long as possible.

 

[Greenmeenie]

New iPad mini likely coming in March alongside an update to the regular 9.7” ipad. If you want a mini, but can wait a few months, I would.

 

[Freakonomics101]

New iPad mini likely coming in March alongside an update to the regular 9.7” ipad. If you want a mini, but can wait a few months, I would.

Likely? Rumors have been floating around for at least a couple years now. No evidence has ever showed up anywhere on the web.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Likely? Rumors have been floating around for at least a couple years now. No evidence has ever showed up anywhere on the web.

Ming Chi Kuo would disagree. He strongly feels the iPad mini update is coming. His track record is usually spot on. So I stand by my likely comment.

 

[VirtuallyInsane]

Decided to get a Mini 4 and give my Mom the Mini 2. Good decision. If a new Mini comes, I'll just wait it out for a year or two until the price drops. Then I'll upgrade.

 

[sracer]

Decided to get a Mini 4 and give my Mom the Mini 2. Good decision. If a new Mini comes, I'll just wait it out for a year or two until the price drops. Then I'll upgrade.

...and given Apple's pricing trend, IF a new Mini is coming in 2019 (Ming Chi Kuo initially predicted early 2018, revised it to late 2018, and yet again to 2019) it'll probably start at $500.

 

[VirtuallyInsane]

...and given Apple's pricing trend, IF a new Mini is coming in 2019 (Ming Chi Kuo initially predicted early 2018, revised it to late 2018, and yet again to 2019) it'll probably start at $500.

Yeah. I can wait, lol. I think the Mini 4 is enough for my current leisurely needs. I have my iPad 2018 for the hardcore stuff. By the time I get around to upgrading, hopefully it'll be an A12/A11X Bionic Chip for $300 or less. It'll be more powerful than my current big iPad for less of the price, lol.

 

[worldvga]

iPad mini 4 puts uncompromising performance and potential in your hand. It's thinner and lighter than ever before so i guess you can get the upgraded option!!!

 

[sracer]

Yeah. I can wait, lol. I think the Mini 4 is enough for my current leisurely needs. I have my iPad 2018 for the hardcore stuff. By the time I get around to upgrading, hopefully it'll be an A12/A11X Bionic Chip for $300 or less. It'll be more powerful than my current big iPad for less of the price, lol.

That (Mini 4 and 2018 iPad) is my current tablet "dynamic duo". My Mini 4 is still on iOS 10.x because I like the performance, support for 32 bit apps, and the more functional widget screen (2 columns in landscape vs. 1 column with iOS 11 and beyond). If yours shipped with 10.x I recommend using it a bit to see how it performs before updating to 12.

 

[VirtuallyInsane]

That (Mini 4 and 2018 iPad) is my current tablet "dynamic duo". My Mini 4 is still on iOS 10.x because I like the performance, support for 32 bit apps, and the more functional widget screen (2 columns in landscape vs. 1 column with iOS 11 and beyond). If yours shipped with 10.x I recommend using it a bit to see how it performs before updating to 12.

It came with iOS 11. Thinking of upgrading it, should I?

 

[sracer]

It came with iOS 11. Thinking of upgrading it, should I?

IMO, yes. I have 12 on a few of my other iOS devices and they all run better on 12 than on 11.

 

[bodonnell202]

It came with iOS 11. Thinking of upgrading it, should I?

Definitely, iOS 11 was one of the buggiest iOS releases Apple has put out in a long time. iOS 12 is basically a bug fix and performance optimization to iOS 11 and performance improved across the board (right down to the iPhone 5s, iPad Air and iPad Mini 2 which are 5 years old at this point).

 

[HarryWild]

I am still very happy upgrading from Mini 2 to the Mini 4! In fact I purchased 2 of the Mini 4! Just in case, Apple decides to discontinue the Mini model from their line up! Apple a little scattered head now! It selling and they still discontinue their product line or they wait a good 5-6 years before they do an upgrade release. LOL!

 

[subjonas]

I am still very happy upgrading from Mini 2 to the Mini 4! In fact I purchased 2 of the Mini 4! Just in case, Apple decides to discontinue the Mini model from their line up! Apple a little scattered head now! It selling and they still discontinue their product line or they wait a good 5-6 years before they do an upgrade release. LOL!

There was another rumor today of an iPad mini 5 launching early next year. You might want to sell that extra mini 4 you got.

 

[sracer]

There was another rumor today of an iPad mini 5 launching early next year. You might want to sell that extra mini 4 you got.

well.... without knowing if that rumor will come to be reality or what the reality might look like, better to wait and see. This isn't the first rumor of a Mini 5 coming out. Many waited all of 2018 for that update (that didn't pan out).

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yeah, i’d hold off on that there purchase Sparky. Wait until March if ya can.

 

[bodonnell202]

There was another rumor today of an iPad mini 5 launching early next year. You might want to sell that extra mini 4 you got.

Based on the rumors of the Mini 5, I'm a little bit worried that Apple is just going to take the Mini 2 (or the Mini 3 I guess, as it should at least have Touch ID), put in a more up to date chip (A10 or A11) and call it a day. The Mini 2's screen was garbage compared to the Mini 4 so while it would undeniably be an upgrade in performance it would be a downgrade in screen quality and form factor which might make me want to hold onto my Mini 4 until it became unusable.

On the other hand I'd be willing to pay a premium for the Mini 5 (compared to the 2018 iPad), if they just took the Mini 4, gave it 2nd gen Touch ID, at least an A11 with at least 3 GB of RAM.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Based on the rumors of the Mini 5, I'm a little bit worried that Apple is just going to take the Mini 2 (or the Mini 3 I guess, as it should at least have Touch ID), put in a more up to date chip (A10 or A11) and call it a day. The Mini 2's screen was garbage compared to the Mini 4 so while it would undeniably be an upgrade in performance it would be a downgrade in screen quality and form factor which might make me want to hold onto my Mini 4 until it became unusable.

On the other hand I'd be willing to pay a premium for the Mini 5 (compared to the 2018 iPad), if they just took the Mini 4, gave it 2nd gen Touch ID, at least an A11 with at least 3 GB of RAM.

I agree. The ipad mini is the forgotten stepchild of the ipad family. Personally, i would love to see an ipad mini with a pro design, face ID & apple pencil 2 support...yeah riiiight...Lol...but i certainly hope it gets the A11 and at least 3 gigs of ram like you say. Guess we’ll find out in a few months.

 

[dazz87]

Please don’t design the new mini like the pro..... I’m not planning on putting a bulky case on the mini in order to keep it straight.... I love that I could use mini 4 without a case and I don’t have to be worry about it getting bend...

 

[Silver Idaten]

With a heavy heart I turned in my broken Air 2 last night because it just didn’t make sense to pay $300 for a replacement especially when iPad 7 is about the same. Because I have a Pro 11 I don’t need what the iPad 7 offers (namely Pencil support), so I hope this rumor is true so that iPad backup can now live on as the Mini 5. Please let the Mini 5 happen, I’ve always wanted a Mini!

 

[ImAnAgent]

I bought a iPad Mini 4 about two weeks ago, about a week after buying my 12.9" 2018 iPad Pro. I just didn't realize it was so old already. I'll probably keep it though because I really don't want to drive 30 minutes to the Apple store and fight the crowds. I activated a T-Mobile data plan on it and moved the Sim to my iPad pro since my Pro has the eSim disabled by Verizon.

I read books in iBooks and the only problem is, with justified columns, the text is too small. Enlarge the text and it breaks the justified columns so I've been using my pro for reading which is really what I bought it for anyways.

No one really knows if a new Mini will be released next year like rumors are saying. If you want the Mini 4, buy it. It's your money. What anyone else says, doesn't really matter.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Yes, always do what you wanna do no matter what anyone says to the contrary. Having said that however, i would definitely NOT buy an ipad mini 4 now. I just wouldn’t, and i LOVE the ipad mini. I would absolutely wait until March when the new one is “suppose” to come out if you can.

The ipad mini 4 is over 3 years old. It’s the only ipad without pencil support, and it costs MORE than the regular 2018 ipad which has an A10 chip & pencil support. No. Just no.