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What's next for the iPad mini 5?
- Thread starter Appl3FTW
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Pencil support. But never mind, as it's not expected until 2017.
2017? where'd you hear that? I hope it's to become the next pro.
Apple is quite predictable with iPhone releases on an annual cycle. Seems like we've gotten into a weird pattern with iPads though.
Just my guess, but seeing how Apple has done a March event in 2015 and 2016, and the lack of the October event in 2015, I think it's a new pattern they're trying to get into - Mar, June and Sep events. Maybe start to move iPad refreshes into a March event each year? If the September event has iPhone 7, likely new Apple Watch, maybe an updated Apple TV, doesn't seem like there will be much room for iPads as well. Just a thought though.
If no Pencil support, there is no chance of a new Mini this year. iPads are refreshing every two years now and that's what people want.
In fact the only thing aside from Macs that is refreshing every year is the big iPhone series.
In fact the only thing aside from Macs that is refreshing every year is the big iPhone series.
There's nothing to back this up, though. One size iPad took a year and a half to get an update. It's never taken two years for an iPad refresh, and there's no pattern to suggest this will be a regular thing.
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That's my biggest problem with the iPad Pro moniker on what should've been an 'Air3'.
Is decent speakers now a Pro feature? Or how about a worthwhile camera? Or how about better screens? And most importantly is the Pencil going to arbitrarily be allowed ONLY on the Pro line despite it being a fantastic (and profitable) accessory for future Minis and iPhone.
Everything on the new Pro should also be standard on the next Mini and it will be really disappointing if they intentionally leave those options off because a small iPad isn't considered Pro-worthy.
That's interesting. If they consider the Pencil, speakers, etc part of the Pro features, then would they call a potential iPad the 7.9" iPad Pro? Maybe long long term they have several Pros that are more expensive, yet have more features than less pricier Airs and minis?
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Agreed. Would be one thing if they shared the same features but the screen size was differentiated by using the names mini, Air and Pro. But hell, if they all become iPad Pros then why even bother with the Pro moniker? Just called them iPads.
Do you mean the Mini 3? That was the one that was just a Mini 2 with Touch ID.
Anyway, to respond to the main topic. I expect no update or a very superficial one for the Mini this year, and then a true update in 2017. Probably an A9 chip. Maybe pen support. Possibly more RAM if there's a 9.7" model with over 2GB by then.
Oh, you mean that it was refreshed from the Mini 3, which was just a Mini 2 with Touch ID. I misunderstood what you were saying.
Event in September to October 2016, same design and colours, no 3D Touch.
Same screen and resolution, same speakers at the bottom. It will have Touch ID 2, Apple A9 SOC, 2GB RAM and the new fast memory controller, start with 32GB storage to 128GB. Updated camera maybe. It possibly may get a price drop too but doubtful.
That's my prediction.
Same screen and resolution, same speakers at the bottom. It will have Touch ID 2, Apple A9 SOC, 2GB RAM and the new fast memory controller, start with 32GB storage to 128GB. Updated camera maybe. It possibly may get a price drop too but doubtful.
That's my prediction.
I don't think mini will get 4 speakers. Possibly better chips and Apple Pencil support, and that weird true tone thing. But I don't see the point that mini carries big Ram, completely same specs of Pro 12.9" or 9.7", since its major point is portability and reading web/emails/browsing websites, but not many people think it's good size to "work" on, for art/photography/music/videos, just not big enough. I doodle things on mini, but when I really drawing/painting or editing music, I work on my Pro 12.9".
Or go the iPod Touch route and update all the internals instead of ditching it. Remember the iPod sells less then the iPad does and Apple have not ditched any of those yet, they dropped the Classic but offered the Touch with 128GB as a replacement.
So it is highly unlikely the iPad Mini will be dropped.
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iPad Pro, iPad, iPad SE. Why not.
I hope the mini gets pencil support. I still find the mini form factor to be my preferred size.
Apple just make 3 size versions of ipad and iphone. same internals. i want a 7.9 inch ipad but i still want all the might of the ipad pro 12.9