iPad mini Returning my iPad Mini 6

[taneff]

I’m a little confused by all these people returning a Mini for a much larger iPad, and somehow casting aspersions on the Mini for that. I mean, it’s a very different product.

As someone in the market for a Mini, I’m more interested in how this Mini stacks up to the previous gen, not how it stacks up to a totally different product.

Totally agree.

If I buy a Mini 6 I know what I am in for regarding size. If I want a bigger iPad I would never buy a Mini. I understand people maybe finding the 11 too big and considering Mini and finding it too small. But buying a Mini and then returning it for a 11inch iPad, well, strange somehow.

I also unterstand everyone not satisfied with the Mini 6 returning it. I myself have a loose power button but besides that I am so happy. But then again people complaining about the display f.e. I understand everyone having a bad unit in comparison with the Mini 5. But how can you buy a Mini 6 LCD display and expect so much more. It is like every LCD display from Apple. Normally good display but nothing exceptional like MiniLED or OLED.

I would say I understand some people returning it, but don't really get some other who are trying and buying a product that doesn't fit their needs in first place. If I don't want a small tablet, I don't buy it. Or if so I should at least give it a chance and try it. It always takes time to adjust. I bought a Pro 11 two years ago. I barely used it but I gave it a chance. Finally I had to sell it. But I wouldn't buy it and return it in a second because it is too small, too whatever....

As a Mini 5 user I am too struggling with the TouchID Power button. It often fails because I hold it wrong. I have both fore fingers set up twice. I think this, as most things, needs time to adjust. The more I use the TouchID Power Button right. Lay finger on it, then press and it unlocks, the better it gets. But yes it really needs time. This is one of the things. I wouldn't return the Mini 6 because of this. I need to adjust. People don't give anything these days any time anymore. Everything needs to work their way out of the box. Just take your time. Most times it will get so much better.

 

[taneff]

Here's my experience with Touch ID on the power button of my iPad Air 4. My forefinger is set up for ID. If the iPad is asleep and I click the power button with my finger centered, it will wake and unlock the iPad at once. If my finger is far off center (or I use a different finger), it will wake the iPad but not unlock it. Instead, a while line and the words Touch ID appear on the screen right below the power button. Touching the power button with my forefinger will then unlock it - but beware, clicking the button will put it back to sleep instead.

Sometimes when you put your finger on the power button (I suppose based on where on your finger you are touching it), it pauses for a fraction of a second and shows the message Rest to Open next to the button. Before you have time to react to this, the iPad is unlocked. I do not consider this a problem - it's a very short pause.

I do still have a problem remembering where the power button is. In that case, I just touch the screen (with any finger). That wakes the iPad up and puts the white line next to the power button, so I can rest my finger on it.

I previously had an older iPad with the Touch ID sensor. Overall, that was easier, as you note, but I'm glad to have the smaller bezel in return for the new system.

Totally my first impressions with the new touchID. Ass said before I find it the best to rest the forefinger on the power button and then press it. Takes a second more but I guess I will get used to this. But like you I am all for it if we get less bezels or same bezels around the display.

 

[bandrews]

Totally agree.

If I buy a Mini 6 I know what I am in for regarding size. If I want a bigger iPad I would never buy a Mini. I understand people maybe finding the 11 too big and considering Mini and finding it too small. But buying a Mini and then returning it for a 11inch iPad, well, strange somehow.

I also unterstand everyone not satisfied with the Mini 6 returning it. I myself have a loose power button but besides that I am so happy. But then again people complaining about the display f.e. I understand everyone having a bad unit in comparison with the Mini 5. But how can you buy a Mini 6 LCD display and expect so much more. It is like every LCD display from Apple. Normally good display but nothing exceptional like MiniLED or OLED.

I would say I understand some people returning it, but don't really get some other who are trying and buying a product that doesn't fit their needs in first place. If I don't want a small tablet, I don't buy it. Or if so I should at least give it a chance and try it. It always takes time to adjust. I bought a Pro 11 two years ago. I barely used it but I gave it a chance. Finally I had to sell it. But I wouldn't buy it and return it in a second because it is too small, too whatever....

As a Mini 5 user I am too struggling with the TouchID Power button. It often fails because I hold it wrong. I have both fore fingers set up twice. I think this, as most things, needs time to adjust. The more I use the TouchID Power Button right. Lay finger on it, then press and it unlocks, the better it gets. But yes it really needs time. This is one of the things. I wouldn't return the Mini 6 because of this. I need to adjust. People don't give anything these days any time anymore. Everything needs to work their way out of the box. Just take your time. Most times it will get so much better.

I think a lot of people just want to buy a new product when it comes out. They use mental gymnastics to justify it to themselves then when it arrives, the dopamine buzz wears off and they realise it doesn't fit their useage, send it back.

(I may or may not be talking from personal experience)

 

[rui no onna]

I think a lot of people just want to buy a new product when it comes out. They use mental gymnastics to justify it to themselves then when it arrives, the dopamine buzz wears off and they realise it doesn't fit their useage, send it back.

(I may or may not be talking from personal experience)

Having family members to buy devices for helps with satisfying the itch.

 

[LibbyLA]

Totally my first impressions with the new touchID. Ass said before I find it the best to rest the forefinger on the power button and then press it. Takes a second more but I guess I will get used to this. But like you I am all for it if we get less bezels or same bezels around the display.

I use my Mini (4, then 5, now 6) in landscape mode 99% of the time. I have large hands for a woman so my left forefinger sits in almost the perfect spot when I hold the 6 in my left hand with my thumb on the bottom edge and my forefinger going up the side. It’s actually more convenient for me than using the Home button. I like the white line reminder

I’m not sure about the feel of the 6 in the Apple folio yet. I’ve used the Apple silicone back cover with Apple Smart Cover on both 4 and 5. I do like how the front cover snaps to the back cover when it’s folded back.

I just got my 6 yesterday and set it up last night so I haven’t spent much time with it. I’m relieved that either mine doesn’t have the scrolling issue or I can’t see it (matters not which it is because it doesn’t bother me). I will be comparing to my Mini 5 over the next few days but I’m thinking that for me, this is a keeper.

 

[sracer]

Well, I guess that depends on how far away you hold the iPad. I’m near-sighted so I hold it close enough that it fills my FOV as much as a large TV would.

Nope, it doesn't matter... but do what is best for you.

 

[klasma]

I'll be joining those returning their mini 6. I was upgrading from a mini 4, but was unsure about the new aspect ratio, and now that I have the mini 6 in hand, the "jelly scrolling" issue is tipping me over. I'll be upgrading to a mini 5 instead (already ordered), which will also save me 27% on price for the equivalent configuration. The biggest trade-off is that I won't be able to use the pencil 2, but I still have a pencil 1 lying around that I can make use of that way. I'm not a fan of the reduced width (1488 instead of 1536 pixels) on the 6, it makes the mini feel more cramped, despite the larger overall screen area. Having relatively thick black bezels, instead of the white bezels available on the previous models, also doesn't help with that feeling.

My personal pros and cons for the mini 6:

Pros:

• pencil 2 support
• more height in portrait mode / width in landscape mode
• speakers on two sides
• faster CPU/GPU
• slightly reduced weight and size
• better front camera (don't really care about the back camera)

Neutral/not sure:

• flat edges: they feel better in hand, but make the mini harder to pick up from a flat surface
• power button with Touch ID on top
• USB-C (more of a con for me when travelling)

Cons:

• reduced width in portrait mode / height in landscape mode
• "jelly scrolling" effect
• camera bump
• rather small volume buttons
• no silver color available
• no white bezels available
• iPadOS 15 only
• expensive, in particular for >64 GB and/or cellular

 

[Qu1ckset]

I'll be joining those returning their mini 6. I was upgrading from a mini 4, but was unsure about the new aspect ratio, and now that I have the mini 6 in hand, the "jelly scrolling" issue is tipping me over. I'll be upgrading to a mini 5 instead (already ordered), which will also save me 27% on price for the equivalent configuration. The biggest trade-off is that I won't be able to use the pencil 2, but I still have a pencil 1 lying around that I can make use of that way. I'm not a fan of the reduced width (1488 instead of 1536 pixels) on the 6, it makes the mini feel more cramped, despite the larger overall screen area. Having relatively thick black bezels, instead of the white bezels available on the previous models, also doesn't help with that feeling.

My personal pros and cons for the mini 6:

Pros:

• pencil 2 support
• more height in portrait mode / width in landscape mode
• speakers on two sides
• faster CPU/GPU
• slightly reduced weight and size
• better front camera (don't really care about the back camera)

Neutral/not sure:

• flat edges: they feel better in hand, but make the mini harder to pick up from a flat surface
• power button with Touch ID on top
• USB-C (more of a con for me when travelling)

Cons:

• reduced width in portrait mode / height in landscape mode
• "jelly scrolling" effect
• camera bump
• rather small volume buttons
• no silver color available
• no white bezels available
• iPadOS 15 only
• expensive, in particular for >64 GB and/or cellular

I as well found the volume buttons rather small but figured it was just me being used to all my apples devices that ive ever used being on the side!

 

[Apl1]

I am returning my iPad mini 6 as well. Glad I didn’t sell my M1 iPad Pro 11 😅. Yes I know I know they are two different types of products. I purchased the 256gb 5G mini with intentions or using it as my only tablet. When I got home with it and used it I didn’t like the homepage layout and they way the display looked (I knew about the display before I bought it) after physically trying it out for myself. After using the promotion on the iPad Pro and 13 pro max it bothered me and I couldn’t justify paying $800 (with apple folio) for the mini with that display And app layout, so much wasted space. Its overpriced imo after getting a chance to test it out. Scrolling through it and and looking at the thickness of the bezels gave me an amazon tablet feel. To each their own though. After looking at what the market was for M1 iPad pros on eBay etc I would’ve been basically swapping my iPad Pro 11 and white magic Keyboard for an iPad mini and folio, no way Jose.

 

[klasma]

I as well found the volume buttons rather small but figured it was just me being used to all my apples devices that ive ever used being on the side!

The volume buttons are smaller than on the iPhone mini, in length, width, and even height.

 

[dojoman]

Totally my first impressions with the new touchID. Ass said before I find it the best to rest the forefinger on the power button and then press it. Takes a second more but I guess I will get used to this. But like you I am all for it if we get less bezels or same bezels around the display.

Not sure people realize TouchID on mini is two steps, is it the same on Air not sure? If you briefly rest the finger while screen is on you can see notification but it won't go to home, but if you rest finger longer it will go to home screen automatically. You don't need to press down power button.

 

[Aneres11]

Said I was returning my Mini… haven’t yet and the longer I use it the more I love it lol.
Screen aside, the rest is perfect. I’m so torn.
I really really dislike the screen and the small touch areas make everything feel inaccurate.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Said I was returning my Mini… haven’t yet and the longer I use it the more I love it lol.
Screen aside, the rest is perfect. I’m so torn.
I really really dislike the screen and the small touch areas make everything feel inaccurate.

If you really really dislike the screen and tiny touch areas -- those aren't going to change and probably bother you more as the new-ness and novelty of the size/form factor wear off.

 

[jdb8167]

Said I was returning my Mini… haven’t yet and the longer I use it the more I love it lol.
Screen aside, the rest is perfect. I’m so torn.
I really really dislike the screen and the small touch areas make everything feel inaccurate.

My current issue is that I have too many icons in the dock in portrait. I’m so used to this set that I don’t want to remove any but the icons are too small and I end up hitting the wrong one about 25% of the time. I’m hoping my muscle memory fixes things. First-world problems.

 

[Aneres11]

If you really really dislike the screen and tiny touch areas -- those aren't going to change and probably bother you more as the new-ness and novelty of the size/form factor wear off.

Yes, I know.
I'm simply saying that for its issues (which won't even be issues for others), this is a great iPad.
I just don't think I will get past the screen.

 

[turbineseaplane]

this is a great iPad.

Well - honestly speaking, every iPad they sell is a "great iPad"...

Sometimes there are niggles and issues and good/bad depending upon use case, etc.
Value can be pretty debatable also, particularly with the prices always going up -- again depending upon context and needs.

Do you not like something about the Mini6 screen beyond the Jelly thing?

 

[Aneres11]

Well - honestly speaking, every iPad they sell is a "great iPad"...

Sometimes there are niggles and issues and good/bad depending upon use case, etc.
Value can be pretty debatable also, particularly with the prices always going up -- again depending upon context and needs.

Do you not like something about the Mini6 screen beyond the Jelly thing?

I don't see the jelly issue personally. I've already said about the screen in my original post some pages back. It 'seems' low Res to me. I can't explain it, but it looks trash to my eyes.
Perhaps it's because I am using a Z Flip 3 with an OLED 120hz, but I was using an iPad air 4 a couple of months ago with an OLED 90hz Pixel 4XL, and the Air screen was not an issue at all.

But this screen just feels off. I don't enjoy using it at all.
I don't know why I have such a dislike for it, as technically it's the same screen as the Air only smaller, so should be sharper? Just looks washed out, and fuzzy to me.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@Aneres11

I do wonder how much of that feeling about the screen is you being used to OLEDs (which are of course just bloody gorgeous!!). But you did mention you'd been using an Air..

Have you seen other Mini 6's?
Maybe yours is a bum screen somewhat?

 

[Aneres11]

@Aneres11

I do wonder how much of that feeling about the screen is you being used to OLEDs (which are of course just bloody gorgeous!!)

I really don't think it is. As I've used OLEDS extensively with Android devices for years and as I say the Air 4 screen was a complete non issue. I never once looked at that screen and thought "hmm this is a bit poor". I only sold the Air due to us acquiring a 2021 iMac for our household in June, but really missed the iPads portability to browse and watch content on the sofa or in the kitchen whilst eating if I was dining alone or whatever.

So the Mini seemed like it'd fit that need percectly plus it's cheaper than an Air for a base model (all I need) and I love everything about it... Except the screen!
Maybe they just used crap screens? Something is definitely off about it.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Maybe they just used crap screens? Something is definitely off about it.

I'll refrain from using the word "crap", but I do think it's possible they are inferior grade screens to meet a price point and - more importantly - keep the margins Tim wants.

Products are nice and all -- but Tim cares about margins literally above everything (or so it would appear).

It's one of the reasons I'd really enjoy a change in leadership.
I would like to see Apple go in a new creative direction and not just endlessly look for new and tighter ways to squeeze essentially the same lemon

 

[Scarpad]

Not counting the ProMotion, does the 2018 iPad Pro have a better screen than the Mini? Honest question, I'm curious.

Yes it does

 

[jdb8167]

I'll refrain from using the word "crap", but I do think it's possible they are inferior grade screens to meet a price point and - more importantly - keep the margins Tim wants.

Products are nice and all -- but Tim cares about margins literally above everything (or so it would appear).

It's one of the reasons I'd really enjoy a change in leadership.
I would like to see Apple go in a new creative direction and not just endlessly look for new and tighter ways to squeeze essentially the same lemon

Off topic but how long do you think the board would keep a CEO that cared less about margins than the guy who made Apple a $2+ Trillion company?

 

[Adamj53]

I am going to have to return mine sadly, I can’t deal with the jelly scroll. 😢

 

[turbineseaplane]

Off topic but how long do you think the board would keep a CEO that cared less about margins than the guy who made Apple a $2+ Trillion company?

It's not as binary as how you're presenting it.
Balancing values is always a challenge.

As you said though - it's off topic
Cheers

 

[sparksd]

Off topic but how long do you think the board would keep a CEO that cared less about margins than the guy who made Apple a $2+ Trillion company?

Off topic - yes. Answer - forever. This is America, home of the DJI.