Pinch-zoom requires two hands on the 7. I do not enjoy that luxury. One-handed operation is not just a choice for me. The X/Xs is the smallest iPhone where the camera can be framed with the thumb while being held.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
iPad mini WHY do I want a mini when I do NOT need it?
- Thread starter ssledoux
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I tried using a 6s plus as my “iPad nano” reader for awhile (my carry-everywhere phone was/is a 4”). I really liked that I could comfortably hold it in one hand by both edges, as opposed to an iPad mini which is not so comfortable for that. But it was a bit too small. I would have liked something more the size of a nexus 7. But what actually ended up being the dealbreaker for me was that it didn’t have all the convenient Continuity features that iPads and iPods have—in particular, call forwarding and text/sms sync. Because of this I had to carry both the plus iPhone AND my 4” phone around at home, and I got tired of that. I went back to using just a mini at home. It’s wider than my ideal size, but it’s nicer just having one device that handles my casual consumption as well as calls and texts.
Interestingly enough, I preferred reading on the 3.5" iPhones with 2:3 AR than on the 4"+ devices with narrower profiles. On the iPad, I read in 2-column landscape so that also works out to 2:3.
Another reason the Kindles can be used single-handedly is weight (and weight distribution in the case of the Oasis 2). If one will be carrying something single-handedly for hours on end, it's much easier if the device is 180-200g rather than 300g. Plus, the bezels are convenient palm rests.
Hi,
Just to ad in here as a first time poster.
I am also looking at the new mini. There is a very large group of us being pilots that use the ini as a navigation tool. From what I understand the new mini's processor is much faster than the current 4. There are times when using the Foreflight app it slows down due to all the computations needed and the new screen will be a welcome also.
Just to ad in here as a first time poster.
I am also looking at the new mini. There is a very large group of us being pilots that use the ini as a navigation tool. From what I understand the new mini's processor is much faster than the current 4. There are times when using the Foreflight app it slows down due to all the computations needed and the new screen will be a welcome also.
A12X on the iPad Pro is as fast as 2018 MacBook Pro’s. The non-X variant on the iPhone and the iPad mini/Air is not going to be much worse. I think the new iPad mini is a very solid upgrade.
I find myself wanting this new mini 5 but yet have no need for it. I have the 2017 iPad Pro and it works just fine but still I’m fighting
The urge.
The urge.
I’m still fighting it as well. My logic for downsizing my iPP 12.9, and buying the 11” was that it was small enough to be really portable, whereas I felt like my 12.9 never left the desk.
In all honesty though, I rarely take my 11” pro off the desk, unless I need to bring it with me somewhere. I wind up using my phone a lot when I’m sitting in the recliner or on the couch, and definitely when I’m laying in bed.
I don’t know if a mini would fill that void, or if I would still use my phone just because it’s so small and convenient. Right now I’m not willing to spend the money for a new mini to find out, and I’ve been unsuccessful at finding a 4.
For me, it's the screen size and the performance. The A12 is noticeably faster than the CPU on my iPhone 7+ and it's just nicer for watching videos or Twitch or reading email casually. The performance over my phone means that I won't be upgrading my phone for at least several more years.
You can make the financial case that it will decrease costs of upgrading phones in the future. There seems to be quite the premium in phones over tablets and the iPad Mini at $400 is basically a gift from Apple. I'm curious to see if the Android companies will come up with better tablets to get into this space.
I think for majority of Android manufacturers, it's probably going to be 7" phablets rather than actual tablets. Wouldn't be surprised if the phablets cost the same or lower than the iPad mini (granted, with slower CPU and various cost saving measures). You can buy Android phones for cheaper than the iPod touch.
That’s definitely what the big Chinese phone companies are doing. I did have a look at them but I prefer the more squarish shape for small tablets.
I have the 12.9 new iPad pro and last Friday I bought the iPad mini 5, I've using it during all the weekend and it's a keeper for me. For reading and casual web browsing, plus some video watching, the device fills the niche between my iPhone 7 plus (too small screen for my like) and the big and beautiful, but heavy iPad Pro 12.9. The pen support on the iPad mini is the cherry on the cake for me.
I'm been waiting for the Mini 5 to go on a "real" sale ($75-100 within the next 4-6 weeks) so that I can trade my Mini 4 in toward it and be only about $175+ out of pocket. So in the meantime, I put a new matte protector on the 4, and picked up an Adonit Dash 3 stylus to tide me over... and an interesting thing is happening. I like how well the Dash 3 works with the Mini 4. The Dash 3 is much smaller than the Apple Pencil and is a good match for the smaller Mini... and because the Mini 4 is so small, the palm rejection feature within GoodNotes 4 is adequate to overcome the lack of hardware palm rejection.
Now I'm not in a rush for the Mini 5 sale to arrive. I can wait. Maybe Apple should've produced a "Golf Pencil" for use with the Mini.
Now I'm not in a rush for the Mini 5 sale to arrive. I can wait.
Maybe Apple should've produced a "Golf Pencil" for use with the Mini.
I picked up my 5 this afternoon, 64GB grey cellular to replace my 4 32GB also grey cellular.
Really liking that the new 5 feels nippier in general, the True Tone display is nice although I think it’s one of those things you only notice if you go back to the old display.
The 4 still is no slouch and for normal tasks IMHO it’s still very adequate. Thing is I need the extra space and am planning to use the Apple Pencil once my budget recovers.
Hoping this thing will last me for a good 4 years.
Now to start deciding what I should get as a replacement for my 4 year old Air 2....
Really liking that the new 5 feels nippier in general, the True Tone display is nice although I think it’s one of those things you only notice if you go back to the old display.
The 4 still is no slouch and for normal tasks IMHO it’s still very adequate. Thing is I need the extra space and am planning to use the Apple Pencil once my budget recovers.
Hoping this thing will last me for a good 4 years.
Now to start deciding what I should get as a replacement for my 4 year old Air 2....
Heh heh yes considering that, 256GB WiFi would work very well for me...
Heh heh I'm glad I'm not the only one considering an iPad Air and a mini...
Last edited:
I just took the plunge. Sold an old computer and with the $135 trade in on my old mini 4, price was right. Setting it up now!
Just ordered my SG 64G cellular for local store pickup. Waiting for the email telling me that it’s ready for pickup.
Well, I'm no longer considering......Heh heh I'm glad I'm not the only one considering an iPad Air and a mini...
darn this topic.
Well
That didn’t last long. Just ordered my SG 64GB mini for pickup at my local Apple store. I will pick up tomorrow
That didn’t last long. Just ordered my SG 64GB mini for pickup at my local Apple store. I will pick up tomorrow