The future of the mid-market iPad.

[NOT..BLUE..ENOUGH!]

I have an idea for a mid-market, $500-600 MSRP 9.7 inch iPad with the shrunken bezels, Face ID, and Pencil 2 compatibility. Currently we have the Pro line, the Pencil 1 supporting iPad, and the high-storage Mini 4 on life support. I propose replacing the Mini with this proposed model under the iPad Air banner, killing two birds. A notch-less 9.7 would be roughly 25% larger in footprint than the Mini but still highly portable; A flagship post-PC device for the average user. So what do you think of my idea for a third iteration of the iPad Air/ iPad mini spiritual successor?

 

[sracer]

I have an idea for a mid-market, $500-600 MSRP 9.7 inch iPad with the shrunken bezels, Face ID, and Pencil 2 compatibility. Currently we have the Pro line, the Pencil 1 supporting iPad, and the high-storage Mini 4 on life support. I propose replacing the Mini with this proposed model under the iPad Air banner, killing two birds. A notch-less 9.7 would be roughly 25% larger in footprint than the Mini but still highly portable; A flagship post-PC device for the average user. So what do you think of my idea for a third iteration of the iPad Air/ iPad mini spiritual successor?

Not a fan.

Just as an iPhone XSMax is not a replacement for the iPad Mini, neither is a bezel-less 9.7" iPad. Now that the iPad Mini's competition (7" Android tablet) has been relegated to the dustbin of history, Apple doesn't feel the need to compete in that arena... they've already won. Vertical markets make heavy use of the Mini which is why it is still being sold. As to whether or not Apple will upgrade it to a 2018-style device, remains to be seen.

There is no room in Apple's current iPad lineup for a "mid-tier" device.

 

[Newtons Apple]

Big NO from me. People who want the Mini (not me) would not be happy with a 9.7.

 

[1BadManVan]

As far as I’m concerned the 2018 6th gen is a mid tier iPad. Apple doesn’t really produce low end tablets, only one that is getting closer to fitting that category of lower end is the mini 4 despite its insane price

There is a chance the 2019 7th gen could move up to the air 2 body along with its normal spec jump, if they can keep the price the same it would be a hell of a decent tablet.
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Big NO from me. People who want the Mini (not me) would not be happy with a 9.7.

I agree, I had not seen a mini in person for a long time until I recently checked it out at Costco and wow, I forgot how small those are lol

 

[zhenya]

Too similar to the Pro model. Apple already has the iPad line more than covered from the base 9.7” and the Mini at the low end, the 10.5” at the mid tier, and the new Pros at the top. They don’t really need another model.