iPad mini Real thoughts on iPad mini 5?...

[MimicBunion972]

What other tablet is better for $399 that’s going to get years of support?

And we’re talking about Apple here. The company that always makes us overpay and now they finally throw us a bone for once, IMO.

Thanks for pointing out, that's exactly the point: There is no competition in this segment therefore Apple can put up this lazy effort and it will probably sell well. My disappointment is not only towards Apple but also towards the other non-existing players in this market.

 

[IJBrekke]

There’s basically two camps on this update:

1) Those that prefer the Mini as a daily driver and really don’t prefer other-sized iPads very much. They love this update.

2) Those that are currently happy with another size iPad and have a less direct-use relationship with the Mini (past and present). They do not see the value in this and are looking for more to pull them in.

 

[MimicBunion972]

What were you expecting for $400, given that the $800 iPad Pro has, I quote, "4-speakers, 4K 60fps, 12mp camera, portrait mode, ProMotion" and FaceID?

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, and that you'd rather pay $600+ for those features on an iPad mini?

I assume you are quoting a different person. I didn't ask for those specs on iPad mini. An all-screen front panel would be nice. The screen-to-body ratio on iPad mini has been failing behind.

 

[psac]

My biggest issue is the storage. I got my Mini 4 (upgraded from the 2) after they shrunk the line to solely the 128GB model. Now to go to the 64GB, it's a step down. The extra $150 to go up to 256GB is a bit silly (37.5% more expensive!). I cleaned a bunch of stuff off my 4 and I'm still between 40-50GB. I won't buy a new device and already be 70% full, so I'll shell out the extra dough. That form factor is king for me.

 

[ACG12]

Thanks for pointing out, that's exactly the point: There is no competition in this segment therefore Apple can put up this lazy effort and it will probably sell well. My disappointment is not only towards Apple but also towards the other non-existing players in this market.

Well the tablet market is dead so we should be happy we even got a new mini.

 

[masotime]

I assume you are quoting a different person. I didn't ask for those specs on iPad mini. An all-screen front panel would be nice. The screen-to-body ratio on iPad mini has been failing behind.

Ah, thanks for clarifying. That makes sense - the design language of the "new" iPad Mini hasn't caught up with the iPad Pros, which you'd like to see.

I think Apple made that decision along with dropping Face ID to keep costs down, but given that the iPad mini's form factor is unique in the iPad lineup, the disappointment that it looks exactly the same as when it first launched makes sense.

For others I think they are quite happy with the internal upgrades, as am I. Apple, rightly or wrongly, probably doesn't see the iPad mini as a large enough market to seriously update the design at this time.
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My biggest issue is the storage. I got my Mini 4 (upgraded from the 2) after they shrunk the line to solely the 128GB model. Now to go to the 64GB, it's a step down. The extra $150 to go up to 256GB is a bit silly (37.5% more expensive!). I cleaned a bunch of stuff off my 4 and I'm still between 40-50GB. I won't buy a new device and already be 70% full, so I'll shell out the extra dough. That form factor is king for me.

Apple's storage policy on iOS devices is actually pretty consistent though. Every 64GB adds $50, this applies to the iPad Air and Pros IIRC, although I didn't do the math for the "budget" iPad.

 

[sracer]

Ah, thanks for clarifying. That makes sense - the design language of the "new" iPad Mini hasn't caught up with the iPad Pros, which you'd like to see.

I think Apple made that decision along with dropping Face ID to keep costs down, but given that the iPad mini's form factor is unique in the iPad lineup, the disappointment that it looks exactly the same as when it first launched makes sense.

For others I think they are quite happy with the internal upgrades, as am I. Apple, rightly or wrongly, probably doesn't see the iPad mini as a large enough market to seriously update the design at this time.

Just look at the hand-wringing over what Apple DID release. The cries of "Apple is greedy and crazy" would've gone through the roof if they produced a 2018 iPad Pro device in a Mini form-factor for $700.

 

[Greenmeenie]

Sure, I was hoping for a redesign of the ipad mini. But I am happy with the speed bump & that Apple improved the screen rather than going with a cheaper one like some rumors were suggesting.

I am glad they added Apple pencil support...although i wish it was for the gen 2. But I will still be buying the ipad mini 5 to replace my 5 yr old ipad mini 2 that is on life support.

I think Apple will eventually offer apple pencil 2 support for all ipads. One pencil to rule them all so to speak. It’s the natural progression of things.

The ipad mini & regular ipad will indeed get the flat edged design someday, slimmer bezels, face ID & usb-c. But this probably won’t happen until the ipad pros get more new features like OLED or MicroLED screens. Then there will be more to differentiate the pros from the non pros.

 

[Josieb1]

I'm very happy with the updated specs, don't care about bezels or Touch ID, and often listen through headphones so speakers aren't a big issue for me. I already own the first Apple Pencil and have mini 4 cases I can reuse. Can't wait to get it in my hands!

I’m the same. My mini 4 is fine but I still can’t wait to get my hands on the 5.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I think that the 5th gen mini is a phenomenal tablet. Probably by far the best 8” tablet that money can buy. I may end up eventually purchasing one because I LOVE the form factor and it would nicely compliment my much less portable 12.9” Pro.

That being said, I think that it was an extremely weak upgrade after being mostly neglected for 3.5 years. Everything they added feels like a 12-18 month upgrade to me, especially given the fact that the cost stayed the same. I’m okay with TouchID, but I do wish it got the 2nd-gen TouchID and the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil (really, if I want to have two new iPads I have to have two different pencils..?). I also really, really wish it got ProMotion, because ProMotion is amazing. A slight bezel reduction would’ve been nice, too. Performance-wise it’s probably an absolute monster, which is nice.

Also, I find it really funny that a lot of the people who are defending it are using the fact that they didn’t take away a feature (the laminated screen) as a pro. Wow, how generous of them!

Edit: I can’t actually find any evidence on what generation TouchID the new mini has. I wonder.

 

[Josieb1]

My biggest issue is the storage. I got my Mini 4 (upgraded from the 2) after they shrunk the line to solely the 128GB model. Now to go to the 64GB, it's a step down. The extra $150 to go up to 256GB is a bit silly (37.5% more expensive!). I cleaned a bunch of stuff off my 4 and I'm still between 40-50GB. I won't buy a new device and already be 70% full, so I'll shell out the extra dough. That form factor is king for me.

I’m in the same situation

 

[Ladybug]

I think that no matter which route Apple took, there would be someone that wasn’t happy with the updates. Some wanted usb-c, smaller bezels, promotion, Pencil 2, updated chassis, FaceID and 4 speakers etc... All for a price of $250 to $300.

Then we have those who just wanted a lightweight tablet for on the go without driving the price up into Pro category. If Apple made it Pencil 2 compatible then everyone with the original Apple Pencil would have been upset. Either way you look at it they just can't please everyone without designing two different Mini's.

I also saw before release many who said they just wanted a small tablet to supplement their larger tablet to take on the road with them, however since the storage options don’t meet their exact demands they aren’t willing to buy one now.

The iPad Mini doesn’t need to mirror what you already have at home. Do we really need to carry around (examples) 5 years worth of photos and 200 gigs of music everywhere we go? The whole point imo of an iPad Mini is to be a supplemental device, lightweight and easy to take with you unless perhaps this is your main device. As for bezels, it’s not a fashion device but rather a tool that serves a purpose (at least it should be imo).

As I said before I think it’s impossible for Apple to please us all without making 2 separate devices and even then you will have people complaining about one thing or another.

I personally ordered one. It will supplement the 10.5 Pro that I will leave at home. Could it have been more, yes. However I realized I just needed something small, lightweight and easy to carry about. I’m not fussed over bezels nor do I need a larger storage option than 64 on my portable Mini. Cheaper price would have been nice but price wasn’t the driving factor of why I wanted a Mini in the first place.

All that said everyone just needs to evaluate their own needs and decide for themselves whether they want one or not.

 

[Kal-037]

I think that no matter which route Apple took, there would be someone that wasn’t happy with the updates. Some wanted usb-c, smaller bezels, promotion, Pencil 2, updated chassis, FaceID and 4 speakers etc... All for a price of $250 to $300.

Then we have those who just wanted a lightweight tablet for on the go without driving the price up into Pro category. If Apple made it Pencil 2 compatible then everyone with the original Apple Pencil would have been upset. Either way you look at it they just can't please everyone without designing two different Mini's.

I also saw before release many who said they just wanted a small tablet to supplement their larger tablet to take on the road with them, however since the storage options don’t meet their exact demands they aren’t willing to buy one now.

The iPad Mini doesn’t need to mirror what you already have at home. Do we really need to carry around (examples) 5 years worth of photos and 200 gigs of music everywhere we go? The whole point imo of an iPad Mini is to be a supplemental device, lightweight and easy to take with you unless perhaps this is your main device. As for bezels, it’s not a fashion device but rather a tool that serves a purpose (at least it should be imo).

As I said before I think it’s impossible for Apple to please us all without making 2 separate devices and even then you will have people complaining about one thing or another.

I personally ordered one. It will supplement the 10.5 Pro that I will leave at home. Could it have been more, yes. However I realized I just needed something small, lightweight and easy to carry about. I’m not fussed over bezels nor do I need a larger storage option than 64 on my portable Mini. Cheaper price would have been nice but price wasn’t the driving factor of why I wanted a Mini in the first place.

All that said everyone just needs to evaluate their own needs and decide for themselves whether they want one or not.

You’re 100% correct. The more I think about it... this update is essentially what I posted I wanted for the past year or so. I honestly do wish they could have added more speakers at-least. But whatever I suppose, I will buy one anyway, but I may wait for a sale like the iPad Pros had during November and December (just weeks after it’s release.)

I just need to find a compatible back case for it, (I guess I could just buy the 2015 one and drill a hole in the back.)

 

[MagicTorch]

Real thoughts from me are:

Very happy with the bump in processor & memory (better than expected)

Not too fussed about Apple Pencil support (have a Gen2 pencil for my Pro, but rarely use it)

Happy that the laminated screen is retained (would not have been happy had it been ditched)

Disappointed that that we did not get the ‘Pro’ / ‘X’ design treatment (not that I really expected it too)

More than anything, just relieved that the Mini lives on

....regarding the ‘Pro’ / ‘’X’ design treatment. I do think a Mini with minimal bezels would be a massive hit, surely Apple are missing a massive opportunity? I could happily live without quad speakers & ProMotion on a reduced bezel Mini, it is only the extra screen estate in that same size chassis that is needed

 

[kazmac]

I think that no matter which route Apple took, there would be someone that wasn’t happy with the updates. Some wanted usb-c, smaller bezels, promotion, Pencil 2, updated chassis, FaceID and 4 speakers etc... All for a price of $250 to $300.

Then we have those who just wanted a lightweight tablet for on the go without driving the price up into Pro category. If Apple made it Pencil 2 compatible then everyone with the original Apple Pencil would have been upset. Either way you look at it they just can't please everyone without designing two different Mini's.

I also saw before release many who said they just wanted a small tablet to supplement their larger tablet to take on the road with them, however since the storage options don’t meet their exact demands they aren’t willing to buy one now.

The iPad Mini doesn’t need to mirror what you already have at home. Do we really need to carry around (examples) 5 years worth of photos and 200 gigs of music everywhere we go? The whole point imo of an iPad Mini is to be a supplemental device, lightweight and easy to take with you unless perhaps this is your main device. As for bezels, it’s not a fashion device but rather a tool that serves a purpose (at least it should be imo).

As I said before I think it’s impossible for Apple to please us all without making 2 separate devices and even then you will have people complaining about one thing or another.

I personally ordered one. It will supplement the 10.5 Pro that I will leave at home. Could it have been more, yes. However I realized I just needed something small, lightweight and easy to carry about. I’m not fussed over bezels nor do I need a larger storage option than 64 on my portable Mini. Cheaper price would have been nice but price wasn’t the driving factor of why I wanted a Mini in the first place.

All that said everyone just needs to evaluate their own needs and decide for themselves whether they want one or not.

Some nice points here, not entirely of the same usage scenario.

The Mini will be my main mobile device (I’ll use my 8+ as a phone, and other minor tasks which will extend the life of it).

I will use the Mini for content creation and consumption, so yes, it will be nice to have more movies onboard, room for more comics and my drawing apps on the go or at home. I do not use the cloud (No Apple services for me outside of AppleCare and buying product on iTunes).

I hope folks who are getting them today post their thoughts: I am prepping my 2018 for trade in.

Whatever the usage case, enjoy your Mini.

 

[Saskat]

Apple Pencil 2s only work with the new small bezel flat edge iPP chassis. Such an update would drive up the cost significantly.

 

[RickTaylor]

I'm very happy with the mini 5. I fell in love with the form factor when the mini 1 came out. I've been concerned how long Apple would continue it, and I'm very glad to see they've updated it, so I can expect to see it supported for a while longer at least. I don't have any devices with Face ID yet, and I'm currently comfortable with Touch ID. I doubt I'll use a pencil with the mini, but I'm happy for those that do, plus I think it's a sign of Apple's support for the platform. I'm glad they kept the laminated screen.

 

[ejin222]

I love(d) my Mini 2, but did not feel as though the following iterations did enough for me to upgrade. I waited for this Mini and was slightly underwhelmed.

Personally, I did not need Apple Pencil support nor did I want/need USB C or FaceID on it. I would have jumped on a $299 price tag, but at $399, I will hold off buying another Mini to accompany my 12.9 Pro. However, if the Mini 5 was full screen at the same physical size, I would have jumped on it.

 

[Moyapilot]

What were you expecting for $400, given that the $800 iPad Pro has, I quote, "4-speakers, 4K 60fps, 12mp camera, portrait mode, ProMotion" and FaceID?

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, and that you'd rather pay $600+ for those features on an iPad mini?

Exactly. The non-pro iPads (including the new mini) are now the best bang for buck devices Apple offers. Nothing even approaches their performance per dollar. They are also more reliable and have fewer defects in my families experience.

 

[Tunster]

A free Apple Pencil 1 short of a genius product perfect for serial note-takers, students, professionals.

I want it, but as I've said elsewhere; would be a thank you to loyal customers of the iPad Mini.

 

[Jetcat3]

The new Mini has Touch ID 2 confirmed. Watch all of the hands on videos for evidence. One of them talks about it too.

 

[subjonas]

I love(d) my Mini 2, but did not feel as though the following iterations did enough for me to upgrade. I waited for this Mini and was slightly underwhelmed.

Personally, I did not need Apple Pencil support nor did I want/need USB C or FaceID on it. I would have jumped on a $299 price tag, but at $399, I will hold off buying another Mini to accompany my 12.9 Pro. However, if the Mini 5 was full screen at the same physical size, I would have jumped on it.

I think expecting a spec update AND a price decrease may have been a bit unreasonable, but I understand the disappointment in no design change after such a long time. Although personally, from a functional standpoint, I like the bezels as is.
Just curious, so if you want a bigger screen in the same size chassis, then you prefer changing the screen aspect ratio?
I’m surprised by how many people have wanted bezel reduction with same overall chassis size for their devices—because it basically means they’ve been dissatisfied with the aspect ratio all these years, or at the very least they’ve cared nothing about it. Personally, I love the 4:3 aspect ratio of iPads. I’m really not digging these longer iPads and iPhones these days.
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The new Mini has Touch ID 2 confirmed. Watch all of the hands on videos for evidence. One of them talks about it too.

That’s awesome to hear. Link to the one that talks about it perchance?

 

[russell_314]

I'm super excited about the new iPad mini. All the complaints I'm hearing are from people who are upset it doesn't have iPad Pro features. It's an iPad mini not an iPad Pro mini. I would have loved an iPad Pro mini but this is still above the base model iPad. There were many rumors that Apple was going to cheap out with a non laminated display and A10 processor so I'm happy that didn't happen. Also the no 12 MP camera was so it didn't have a camera bump. Another choice I'm happy Apple made.

 

[Jetcat3]

I think expecting a spec update AND a price decrease may have been a bit unreasonable, but I understand the disappointment in no design change after such a long time. Although personally, from a functional standpoint, I like the bezels as is.
Just curious, so if you want a bigger screen in the same size chassis, then you prefer changing the screen aspect ratio?
I’m surprised by how many people have wanted bezel reduction with same overall chassis size for their devices—because it basically means they’ve been dissatisfied with the aspect ratio all these years, or at the very least they’ve cared nothing about it. Personally, I love the 4:3 aspect ratio of iPads. I’m really not digging these longer iPads and iPhones these days.
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That’s awesome to hear. Link to the one that talks about it perchance?

Can’t remember off the top of my head but watch at 3:46. There’s no way that’s not Touch ID 2! I saw that same speed for all of the reviews and hands-on impressions.

 

[John Connor]

I love my iPad mini 4 and am glad there is finally an update. I can't pinpoint why but I am slightly disappointed with the Apple new devices announced this week. Perhaps I was expecting too much.