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The 5th gen (2017) and 6th gen (2018) iPads have a "lower quality" display than the 2014 iPad Air 2 and Mini 4 in that they're non-laminated. If that's all they mean I wouldn't worry about it. I went from a Mini 4 to a 6th gen iPad. I stopped noticing/caring about the screen difference in a matter of days.

One problem I read about was the lack of anti-reflectiveness on the non-laminated screens.....any issues for you on that?
 
One problem I read about was the lack of anti-reflectiveness on the non-laminated screens.....any issues for you on that?
No issues for me on my non-laminated 2018 iPad. The anti-reflective coating did help with glare at the expense of highlighting fingerprint smudges. I found THAT more distracting than any glare reflection on my Air 2 and 12.9 iPad Pro. Whether or not the screen is laminated or not, I am now in the habit of applying a matte screen protector. It cuts down on both the glare AND fingerprint smudges. Using a quality matte protector minimizes any loss of clarity/crispness that can happen with poor quality matte protectors.
 
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I've had a 2018 ipad since this summer and the screen seems fine to me. Now this is my first iPad, although I've bought them for family members, have had iPhones since 2009 and Macs forever. Anyway, I'd have no problem if the new mini used the same screen technology.
 
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My ideal iPad mini update?

* Slimmer bezels with 8.5” screen or same 7.9” screen just physically smaller device
* Face ID
* Apple Pencil support
* 6 gigs ram & 12x chip
* USB-C replacing lightning
* iPhone level water resistant
* Promotion for drawing
* Dual cameras on rear

Okay. Highly unlikely, but a guy can dream. Heh heh heh
 
I'd be happy to see an updated mini. I might be a little disappointed if it lost the laminated screen, but it would be worth it for extra memory, a better processor, and the knowledge Apple is supporting the form factor for a while longer. More battery life would be nice too.

I'm not concerned about using the pencil with the mini. I use it with my 12.9 iPad, but don't think I'd use it much with the smaller screen.
 
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I love my little mini. I think it's a 3? I'm not sure, but anyways I have just about given up on a newer version coming out and I'm currently thinking about a Pro. Now if they do announce a new mini I might just bite. I love mine for reading and surfing in the bedroom. It's the perfect size, but then I start thinking about a bigger screen and...the Pro kind of grabs me. Either way I'm getting a new iPad on order once they are announced for sure. I'm just on the fence. I can still use my current Mini until it dies. It's not worth trading in at $55.
 
does the iPad mini 4 have a laminated screen, thats my reserve when i see the previews saying a lower cost panel, i can't deal if it gets panels cheapened like the kindle fire line
 
IF they are going to cheap out on the mini with a lower quality screen (apple new thing lately) no point for me to replace my mini 4. I will just replace the battery on my mini 4.
 
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Personally i would love to see a Pro version in the Mini form factor, but i guess that will never happen. Oh well, guess my next iPad might be a 10,5 Pro instead, although i really don’t like the size. Peopledo use the Mini not only recreationally but also professionally.
Good observation about the Mini being used professionally. This is why I don't think that there will be a proper "Pro" version of the Mini. It would cost too much. The professional use of the Mini leads me to believe that it is possible that it will be modeled after the 2018 iPad and support alternative styli like the Logitech Crayon. The Crayon is more durable than the Apple Pencil (but doesn't have pressure sensitivity) and for most professional, non-artistic settings, would be great.

On a side note, there seems to be an exaggerated emphasis placed on laminated vs. non-laminated screens. I don't want to convince those who believe laminated screens are a "must have" to change their minds, but I do want to suggest to those who haven't made up their minds to take a look at the 2018 iPad first-hand to see what it really looks like. It's a perfectly fine screen.

Look at the reviews of the iPad Air 1. No one marked the screen as a negative... none of them said, "this screen would be awesome if only it was laminated." ;)
 
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The laminated screen enables the Mini 4 to be as thin as it is. I agree a Mini 5, if we get one, will probably use the 2018 iPad formula and return to a non-laminated screen for an overall thicker device like the Mini 3, so that’s the “downgrade” for me personally. It’ll still be a fantastic device if priced at or slightly below the 2018 9.7”. I’d pay double that for a pro version, but I’m in the minority there and don’t think Apple will make it.
 
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Laminated screen would be very nice but not a deal breaker for me. Weight, however, might be. If they revert to the same weight of the mini 3, I will be hugely disappointed. Weight reduction was one of the major reasons I upgraded from the mini 3 to the mini 4. That ~10% lighter weight (by 32 grams/1.13 oz) makes a big difference for small devices you hold with one hand and use casually.
 
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So who thinks they’ll quietly update the mini tomorrow then?

Personally I think it’ll happen in March with the iPad 2019, but then again Apple did announce the mini 4, in under 10 seconds, when the first iPad Pro was announced so I feel like there’s a chance.

I guess it really depends on where they want it to sit - I think it’s crazy to have nothing between the iPad 2018 and iPad Pro in terms of price brackets.

Not long now :O
 
So who thinks they’ll quietly update the mini tomorrow then?

Personally I think it’ll happen in March with the iPad 2019, but then again Apple did announce the mini 4, in under 10 seconds, when the first iPad Pro was announced so I feel like there’s a chance.

I guess it really depends on where they want it to sit - I think it’s crazy to have nothing between the iPad 2018 and iPad Pro in terms of price brackets.

Not long now :O

Not really sure - the weird thing is, less than 1 week ago, I think most of us iPad Mini fans believed that the chances of an iPad Mini 5 happening, either this year, next year, or any year, were pretty much zero...but then, the rumour of an update, possibly as soon as this week, appeared out of the blue.

Part of me thinks that an update next year is more likely than this week, but then I think that the next regular (9.7”) iPad could receive the slimmed down bezel treatment & would be very close to the footprint of the current iPad Mini, so maybe, just maybe, they will launch a final/updated iPad Mini as soon as this week.

I have wanted an updated iPad Mini for a long time, but honestly not sure if I will buy an updated version, if, as seems possible, we go back to the screen & chassis dimension/thickness of iPad Mini 3. An iPad Pro Mini is what I would love to be announced tomorrow, but I think I am more likely to be the next CEO of Apple, than iPad Mini Pro launching anytime soon.
 
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Well, at least I’m spared from having that argument with my wife for bringing home another new Apple gadget. I was struggling to find a way to explain a new Mini when I just sold my old 4 a few months ago to get the 10.5”. I think I’m finally content with that decision given the choices we now know.
 
So who thinks they’ll quietly update the mini tomorrow then?

Personally I think it’ll happen in March with the iPad 2019, but then again Apple did announce the mini 4, in under 10 seconds, when the first iPad Pro was announced so I feel like there’s a chance.

I guess it really depends on where they want it to sit - I think it’s crazy to have nothing between the iPad 2018 and iPad Pro in terms of price brackets.

Not long now :O

If there was going to be a new iPad Mini in 2018, there is no logical reason why they wouldn't have announced it today.

Looks like it's this Spring (March) or never.
 

You’re a prophet !
Let’s get real. No one wants a mini. Logically, it’s not coming back along with the MacBook Air and the Mac mini. Get over it. People with plus size phones don’t even use their minis. I have a mini 4 and a 10.5 and I have only used my mini once in the last year looking up something when my pro died. I could have easily used my Mac but was lazy and it was sitting there. If you want a mini, get the new 6.5 iPhone and call it a day.
 
I was using my iPad mini 4 for about 5 years. Until I got a iPhone 12 pro Max and became content on selling it.

For tablets it’s the best size, however I got sick of charging devices, and waiting for the iPad mini 5. I have decided to go back to the simple life of using a smart phone and a MacBook Pro.
 
I was using my iPad mini 4 for about 5 years. Until I got a iPhone 12 pro Max and became content on selling it.

For tablets it’s the best size, however I got sick of charging devices, and waiting for the iPad mini 5. I have decided to go back to the simple life of using a smart phone and a MacBook Pro.
I’m in a dilemma now. Due to the pandemic my habits have changed. I’m either at home or work and my work is within walking distance of my house. At work I use my iPad Pro because when I’m using it I’m at my desk.

At home I mostly use my iPad Pro. When I first got my iPad mini 5 I was committing 2 hours each way to work. Now I don’t use my mini much at all. The last time I used it in a significant way was in August when we went to an outdoor park and it was nicer to use on the journey rather than take my pro. However I could have easily just used my iPhone. These outings are rare now because of the pandemic.

Now I’m considering whether to upgrade to the 12 pro max (from 11 pro max) and sell my iPad mini. As it’s bigger than my current phone.
 
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I have an 11 Pro Max and I still use my Mini 5 for most media consumption and eBooks, because it's easier to hold up one handed for long periods of time than my Air 2. I hardly ever touch the iPad Air 2 since I got the Mini 5, not because it's too slow but because it's heavier and bigger. I can take the Mini 5 everywhere, and it fits in a coat pocket or cargo pants pocket. Note - I had a slower Mini 4 that I gave to my son when I got the Mini 5.
 
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Can this turn into the "We want an iPad mini 6 thread"? Would be excellent to see a new Mini with iPad pro design, either a larger screen in same footprint or smaller footprint for truly portable tablet. Current mini already fits in certain jacket pockets, so a smaller footprint would really make this easier.
 
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