iPad mini My use of my iPad Mini has dropped dramatically after getting an iPhone 15 Plus

[Bearygoodfries1]

Hi everyone,

As some of you know, I bought two iPad minis (long story, check my previous threads if you want). The iPad Mini has been great! But I did wonder if I was better off getting an iPhone 14 Plus at the time.

Well, I ended up getting the iPhone 15 Plus and I love it! My use of the iPad mini has also dropped dramatically.

An iPhone 15 Plus screen is obviously smaller than an iPad Mini, but the 15 Plus screen is lovely and bright in comparison.

I’m starting to think I’m just better off selling the iPad Minis.

I think I *might* keep one mini as it’s perfect for reading books and even school text books with one hand, but I just can’t think of any real use other than some rare cases that a Mini might be more useful than an iPhone 15 Plus. I already have and iPad Pro by the way.

I think I’ll sell the spare for sure.

Now I’m just wondering if I should trade in the mini at Best Buy for 285 USD gift card. I can’t think of anything I’d buy at Best Buy, but trying to sell a brand new spare for a discounted price haven’t gotten me any people interested. Is eBay a good place to sell?

 

[Shirasaki]

It’s good for you to have good eyesight and able to use iPhone 15 plus more than your iPad mini. I don’t use my iPhone much beyond phone call and text message plus forced iPhone only applications (which doesn’t work at all on iPad no matter what). My iPad Pro 11” big screen is super helpful for someone with poorer eyesight by the day.

 

[muzzy996]

I wonder if anyone on the forum has experience with Swappa. There's listings on there for mint Mini 6 Wifi 64gb for $375. Perhaps you could come somewhere in the middle of the BestBuy number and the current Swappa low price and offload it that way.

 

[thecautioners]

I’m the opposite. I have a 15 Pro Max and I’ve barely been using it since getting my 12.9 Pro.

 

[iLuddite]

I love KISS’ing (K.eeping I.t S.imple, S.tupid) with just a Macbook (base M1 Air) and iPhone (base 15). Especially now that I’ve gotten rid of my Apple Watch—it went toward the iPhone upgrade—I have basically reached a state of digital zen.

Also I now only use my AirPods Pro (2nd generation) whilst doing yoga through Fitness+, instead opting to make a pair of $19 EarPods with USB-C my everyday carry.

It’s bliss, really.

 

[thelookingglass]

I wonder if anyone on the forum has experience with Swappa. There's listings on there for mint Mini 6 Wifi 64gb for $375. Perhaps you could come somewhere in the middle of the BestBuy number and the current Swappa low price and offload it that way.

Swappa is a great place to sell. I use it often.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think everyone is different. For some there is a large amount of overlap between the mini and Pro Max /plus phones and if they have a pro max they don't see the use case for a mini. I've had every generation of iPad mini and used them alongside the plus/pro max iPhones. For me they have specific use cases and one cannot replace the other.

 

[ericwn]

I’m not too surprised that the biggest screen iPhone and the smallest iPad size have a lot of overlap and certain activities can easily be done on either device. When you have more specialised use cases for a device with a bigger or smaller screen one will feel less redundant.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

I've almost never bothered with iPhone and instead use Cellular Mini with a VOIP app (and buds for calls) to also cover text & phone service features. iPad Mini works fine as a phone- telephony is only an app. IMO- pretty much all other apps are much better with the extra screen R.E.

To each his own of course. If I was moved to own a jumbo iPhone, I might feel somewhat similar to OP. But, for my purposes, letting Mini cover BOTH jobs:

• works great for me,
• costs much less in hardware
• costs much less in 5G cell service and
• seems to have longer legs than iPhone in terms of how fast it feels "long in tooth" to drive replacement purchases. My hop was from Mini 2 to Mini 6- about EIGHT years. I expect my next new "phone" will be Mini 9 or 10.

Is it for everyone? Of course not- nothing is for everyone, not even mighty iPhone. But for those who need basic telephony but mostly use a smart phone for all of the other functionality, iPad Mini really does all of the rest quite well- arguably BETTER with more screen R.E.- and a good VOIP app can surprise in terms of making it also function as a phone.

Doubt this post? Download a VOIP app to your existing iPad- even if wifi only- and text to/from your iPhone using the temp number most VOIP apps will give you. Then call a friend with your iPad and have your friend call your iPad. Nothing proves the concept better than just trying it and most VOIP apps can be tried for free.

 

[thelookingglass]

I've almost never bothered with iPhone and instead use Cellular Mini with a VOIP app (and buds for calls) to also cover text & phone service features. iPad Mini works fine as a phone- telephony is only an app. IMO- pretty much all other apps are much better with the extra screen R.E.

To each his own of course. If I was moved to own a jumbo iPhone, I might feel somewhat similar to OP. But, for my purposes, letting Mini cover BOTH jobs:

• works great for me,
• costs much less in hardware
• cost much less in 5G cell service and
• seems to have longer legs than iPhone in terms of how fast it feels "long in tooth" to drive replacement purchases. My hop was from Mini 2 to Mini 6- about EIGHT years. I expect my next new "phone" will be Mini 9 or 10.

Is it for everyone? Of course not- nothing is for everyone, not even mighty iPhone. But for those who need basic telephony but mostly use a smart phone for all of the other functionality, iPad Mini really does all of the rest quite well- arguably BETTER with more screen R.E.- and a good VOIP app can surprise in terms of making it also function as a phone.

Doubt this post? Download a VOIP app to your existing iPad- even if wifi only- and text to/from your iPhone using the temp number most VOIP apps will give you. Then call a friend with your iPad and have your friend call your iPad. Nothing proves the concept better than just trying it and most VOIP apps can be tried for free.

Isn’t it a bit of a pain picking phone calls up in public though? You’re on speaker unless you’ve got headphones on.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Given the volume of telemarketing/robocalls, I generally let calls go to voice mail unless I know the caller. If the latter, I pop in a single bud which I usually have with me. No big deal. I notice many people with smart phones tend to use buds too so they can use the screen/other apps at the same time they are having a conversation. So I don't even know that it is unusual.

In broad experience, so much of the usage- whether iPad or iPhone- tends to be texting and other apps anyway. And since I chose Google Voice for VOIP, I use the obihai device at home to make traditional landlines share the same line (iPad and those phones ring when called), so most of my phone calls end up being on traditional phone handsets anyway.

 

[Jackbequickly]

My 12.9 iPad Pro is my most used device from Apple. My iPhone is nice but does not compare to screen real estate for doing most of my banking, new consumption, emails and texts. It is good we all have choices.

 

[stanza.richi]

Honeymoon period? I‘m still using my iPad Pro 12.9 more than my 14 Pro Max and MacBook since I bought it in November 2019, small decrease maybe after buying the 14 PM probably for the novelty effect.

 

[Shoutsal]

Swappa is a great place to sell. I use it often.

No guarantee you will get paid…
Sold laptop on this site, but I haven’t got paid through their pay system. Swappa’s reply was - “We can’t help you”.
All they care about is getting their cut. After that, you are on your own - they will not help you get paid.

 

[1BadManVan]

Everyone's use cases and preferences are different. Once I got a MacBook Air, I almost never touch my iPad Pro as I find my MacBook much easier to use while on the couch. I only keep it for my job as I travel to a fairly remote location with no internet and only have enough room to fit an iPad in my lunch kit, plus its a cellular model so its very convenient to use in that scenario.

 

[thelookingglass]

Everyone's use cases and preferences are different. Once I got a MacBook Air, I almost never touch my iPad Pro as I find my MacBook much easier to use while on the couch. I only keep it for my job as I travel to a fairly remote location with no internet and only have enough room to fit an iPad in my lunch kit, plus its a cellular model so its very convenient to use in that scenario.

Yes, this is a very personal decision. But I do find that most people don't know what to use their iPads for anymore. The product line has gotten a little stagnant.

 

[FeliApple]

Like others have said... novelty effect? I used my iPhone Xʀ way more than my 9.7-inch iPad Pro the first few months after I got it. My iPad was on iOS 9, Apple forced it into iOS 12 and severely decreased battery life (by 30%), and minimally affected performance. People who’ve read my posts know how important this is for me... and my iPad quickly overtook my iPhone very soon anyway, for the three years I had it as my only iPad alongside my iPhone (until I got the Air 5).

Maybe it will change back at some point (if you tend to use iPads more, anyway).

 

[Zest28]

There is no point of the iPad Mini. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is almost the same size, while making the display of the iPad Mini look like a toy.

And now there are also foldable smartphones too on the market which is going to hurt the tablet market even more.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I’m only a iPhone 15 Pro user but, I use my iPad mini every day. I find it a nice size for reading, some work tasks, as well as general use outside the house.

 

[subjonas]

There is no point of the iPad Mini. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is almost the same size, while making the display of the iPad Mini look like a toy.

And now there are also foldable smartphones too on the market which is going to hurt the tablet market even more.

Granted there is more redundancy between a small tablet and a large phone than a small phone, the Mini is still about twice the size of a Max iPhone, in no way “almost the same size”, so there is significant difference in potential usage. To that point I’ve seen quite a few people here attest to owning both and using them differently. Plus you’re only talking about people with Max phones, which is far from everyone. Foldables will/would eat into iPad Mini sales more than the Max does as they would be bigger, but we’ll see if Apple makes one and how much it will overtake iPhone sales. But for now it’s baseless to claim the Mini has no point.

And do you mean a Max makes the Mini screen look like a toy in terms of quality? Never heard that one. Quite the hyperbole in my opinion.

 

[Zest28]

Granted there is more redundancy between a small tablet and a large phone than a small phone, the Mini is still about twice the size of a Max iPhone, in no way “almost the same size”, so there is significant difference in potential usage. To that point I’ve seen quite a few people here attest to owning both and using them differently. Plus you’re only talking about people with Max phones, which is far from everyone. Foldables will/would eat into iPad Mini sales more than the Max does as they would be bigger, but we’ll see if Apple makes one and how much it will overtake iPhone sales. But for now it’s baseless to claim the Mini has no point.

And do you mean a Max makes the Mini screen look like a toy in terms of quality? Never heard that one. Quite the hyperbole in my opinion.

It's 8.3 vs 6.7 inch display, the size difference isn't big and doesn't provide any additional usability, unlike the 12.9 iPad Pro. Besides, the Max edition was the best selling version as the iPhone Pro could be picked up from day 1 while the iPhone Pro Max was suffering from huge delays.

Anyone with a good pair of eyes who takes their iPhone 15 Pro Max next to an iPad Mini will have a good laugh after seeing the horrible 60hz panel showing insane lag when doing basic scrolling and the quality of the display itself being no match to the OLED display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

How many people do you see in public with the iPad Mini? I hardly see anyone. The iPhone however ...

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Hi everyone,

As some of you know, I bought two iPad minis (long story, check my previous threads if you want). The iPad Mini has been great! But I did wonder if I was better off getting an iPhone 14 Plus at the time.

Well, I ended up getting the iPhone 15 Plus and I love it! My use of the iPad mini has also dropped dramatically.

An iPhone 15 Plus screen is obviously smaller than an iPad Mini, but the 15 Plus screen is lovely and bright in comparison.

I’m starting to think I’m just better off selling the iPad Minis.

I think I *might* keep one mini as it’s perfect for reading books and even school text books with one hand, but I just can’t think of any real use other than some rare cases that a Mini might be more useful than an iPhone 15 Plus. I already have and iPad Pro by the way.

I think I’ll sell the spare for sure.

Now I’m just wondering if I should trade in the mini at Best Buy for 285 USD gift card. I can’t think of anything I’d buy at Best Buy, but trying to sell a brand new spare for a discounted price haven’t gotten me any people interested. Is eBay a good place to sell?

Thank you for sharing this. I have been using my iPad Pro Max 15 more than my 12.9 ipad Pro M2. I am planning to downsize it to the upcoming iPad mini. Your post enlightened my decision that iPad mini is not needed as iPhone pro Max is sufficient for my use. My eyes are okay to read and watch in the pro max. Keep calm and be happy what we have. Life is too short to be unhappy.😊

 

[Harmonious Zen]

Thank you for sharing this. I have been using my iPad Pro Max 15 more than my 12.9 ipad Pro M2. I am planning to downsize it to the upcoming iPad mini. Your post enlightened my decision that iPad mini is not needed as iPhone pro Max is sufficient for my use. My eyes are okay to read and watch in the pro max. Keep calm and be happy what we have. Life is too short to be unhappy.😊

Truer words have never been spoken. I also have been using a mini. Great device.

 

[muzzy996]

It's 8.3 vs 6.7 inch display, the size difference isn't big and doesn't provide any additional usability, unlike the 12.9 iPad Pro. Besides, the Max edition was the best selling version as the iPhone Pro could be picked up from day 1 while the iPhone Pro Max was suffering from huge delays.

Anyone with a good pair of eyes who takes their iPhone 15 Pro Max next to an iPad Mini will have a good laugh after seeing the horrible 60hz panel showing insane lag when doing basic scrolling and the quality of the display itself being no match to the OLED display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

How many people do you see in public with the iPad Mini? I hardly see anyone. The iPhone however ...

While the additional usability is limited over a large iPhone it still does have more screen real estate and that matters to some people - just not everyone. The web browsing experience on a mini vs on an iPhone can feel completely different depending on what pages one frequents, and on a larger iPad it can get even better. While many people enjoy browsing and content consumption on their phones, some of us prefer something a little larger but still smaller than a large tablet. I'm perfectly happy watching youtube or playing games on my iPhone, and I'll browse on it in a pinch but if my mini is nearby I'll grab that to do web browsing. If i have to do a lot of typing though, I'll grab my iPP 12.9 or my Surface Pro 9 since the typing experience on the mini is subpar compared to larger tablets IMO.

You'll get no argument from me about the screen quality of the mini being less than that of my iPhone 13PM but that doesn't deter me from using my mini heavily and carrying it with me frequently when I go out. It seems rather obvious to me that smartphones dominate over tablets in general, and that the mini represents a small segment of the tablet market. Those two factors together lead me to the conclusion that I shouldn't expect to see a lot of minis out in public. Apple continues to make these minis so as long as they do those of us who appreciate the form factor will continue to enjoy them.

If the next gen mini gets a screen upgrade and RAM boost I'll consider upgrading from my mini 6.

 

[sparksd]

It's 8.3 vs 6.7 inch display, the size difference isn't big and doesn't provide any additional usability, unlike the 12.9 iPad Pro. Besides, the Max edition was the best selling version as the iPhone Pro could be picked up from day 1 while the iPhone Pro Max was suffering from huge delays.

Anyone with a good pair of eyes who takes their iPhone 15 Pro Max next to an iPad Mini will have a good laugh after seeing the horrible 60hz panel showing insane lag when doing basic scrolling and the quality of the display itself being no match to the OLED display of the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

How many people do you see in public with the iPad Mini? I hardly see anyone. The iPhone however ...

I have a Mini 6 and a 14 Pro Max and the screen size is significantly different. Measuring the usable display size, ignoring black screen edges and bezels, it's 31.652 sq. in. vs 17.051 sq. in. And I use my cellular Mini 6 in public but of course you'll see more phones in use.