I have an iPad mini, version 5. After getting an iPhone Air and discovering how relieved I am to be rid of the weight of my older iPhone Pro Max, I have started using the mini again and find I really like it -- it is wonderfully light and easy to carry around. It badly needs to be upgraded but I am concerned that with the coming foldable iPhone Apple the mini will not be updated. I am not interested in a foldable iPhone (for $2000) that probably will not allow you to use the Apple pencil, but would gladly update to a new mini (for $700-800?).
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iPad mini Will foldable iPhone make iPad mini obsolete?
- Thread starter glhiii
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If the rumors are true, the Mini is getting an update to OLED this year.
I don’t expect the folding iPhone to impact the iPad for actual iPad users. For users that don’t see the point in a tablet, we’ll see a lot of posts about it “replacing” a tablet.
The Fold will also cost $2k+ vs probably $600 for the Mini with OLED.
I think it’ll be fine.
I don’t expect the folding iPhone to impact the iPad for actual iPad users. For users that don’t see the point in a tablet, we’ll see a lot of posts about it “replacing” a tablet.
The Fold will also cost $2k+ vs probably $600 for the Mini with OLED.
I think it’ll be fine.
StoneJack
macrumors 68040
Cost wise, iPad mini will cost probably 1/3 of the Fold, so it will remain as a budget alternative to Fold. Samsung has mini tablets and Fold and both have their place in the ecosystem.
ScanTheNavian
macrumors 6502
Being worried that the iPad Mini won't be updated because of the iPhold is like being worried that Mac Mini won't be updated because of Mac Studio.
Comparing my iPad mini to my Galaxy Z Fold7 reveal just how different the user experience is.
Each of these devices has its own unique characteristics and use cases. I find that they're both enjoyable, quite useful and different enough that neither are a replacement for the other.
However if the rumors about the smaller size of the iPhone Fold or whatever they decide to call it are true, that will be a distinctly different story. Now that I have experience with a folding phone it's hard to understand why Apple would make theirs so tiny considering the main feature of a foldable is a large screen.
Perhaps like iPhone Air, Apple's fold will be a flop.
Each of these devices has its own unique characteristics and use cases. I find that they're both enjoyable, quite useful and different enough that neither are a replacement for the other.
However if the rumors about the smaller size of the iPhone Fold or whatever they decide to call it are true, that will be a distinctly different story. Now that I have experience with a folding phone it's hard to understand why Apple would make theirs so tiny considering the main feature of a foldable is a large screen.
Perhaps like iPhone Air, Apple's fold will be a flop.
FreakinEurekan
macrumors G3
I don’t expect it’ll make the iPad mini “obsolete” in the same way the iPhone rendered the iPod obsolete. Certainly it’ll have an impact, though. I personally do want a Fold to replace both my iPhone and iPad mini, for example. But not everyone will go that route.
Zubba
macrumors regular
Not at 2500 it won't! iPad Mini will see a huge upgrade this year according to rumours, plus it isn't a first gen device.
The mini starts at $499. So, no, it won’t.
1rottenapple
macrumors 603
Heck no. 2500 easy pass. I’m on my devices less. I don’t need more interference
The price comparison for me is the cost of a separate iPhone and iPad mini vs the new fold. $2k is something I can stomach. $2.5k is pushing the bounds for me. What was a potential slam dunk replacement for me is looking a bit iffy. I will have to wait and get my hands on it after it releases to make that decision.
I agree - not unless the price points get close to each other which won't happen, at least not in the next few years
Eventually, maybe it will make it obsolete. If it did, it would mean Apple knocked it out of the park with the folding option and that the cost came down over time. Those are all possibilities.
In the immediate future, the iPad Mini will remain extremely relevant. You can consider the Mini 7 for an affordable update (though I still prefer the 5’s form factor), or you can wait for a rumored OLED model sometime this fall. Overall, the Mini is a mature product line at this point with enough of a following where Apple won’t just up and drop it.
In the immediate future, the iPad Mini will remain extremely relevant. You can consider the Mini 7 for an affordable update (though I still prefer the 5’s form factor), or you can wait for a rumored OLED model sometime this fall. Overall, the Mini is a mature product line at this point with enough of a following where Apple won’t just up and drop it.
ucfgrad93
macrumors Core
it wasnt me
macrumors 6502a
As someone who considers tablets obsolete (because laptops exist), the answer to the title is: I hope so. 😀
Obsolete for you, not others.
I played around with the z- fold 7 , very interesting indeed to have a phone turn into a small tablet. Not ready to go that route yet though.
rui no onna
Contributor
I don’t get these posts wishing other options to stop existing because they don’t use it. It’s like wanting to stop cake production gone because you like ice cream.
There are plenty of devices I don’t use/buy but I don’t begrudge their existence.
SYCAMOREGRAD
macrumors regular
I am not a pro-level user, and I’ve been using iPad Pro as my daily driver. So I don’t think tablets are anywhere close to obsolete. Are there a few or several things it can’t do? Sure. But it is more than capable for my needs.
Traverse
macrumors 604
Generally, no I don't think it will because of price and the fact that a traditionally-built tablet will be more durable and reliable (in my opinion) than folding devices for quite a while.
For some users - me included - I'm hoping it will. My iPad mini is used mainly as an eReader, manage, casual browsing, and Delta emulator. Well, I've purchased an AYN Thor for gaming fun and even though the iPad mini's 3:2 aspect ratio is better than 4:3 for manga, I've been "testing" the rumored screen size using window mode on my mini and it's fine.
There are many times I wish I had a larger screen, but don't want to carry two devices. That plus consolidating my music player and "media device" into one sounds very appealing to me, but I doubt it will for most.
For some users - me included - I'm hoping it will. My iPad mini is used mainly as an eReader, manage, casual browsing, and Delta emulator. Well, I've purchased an AYN Thor for gaming fun and even though the iPad mini's 3:2 aspect ratio is better than 4:3 for manga, I've been "testing" the rumored screen size using window mode on my mini and it's fine.
There are many times I wish I had a larger screen, but don't want to carry two devices. That plus consolidating my music player and "media device" into one sounds very appealing to me, but I doubt it will for most.
It's bizarre how people who don't own iPads drop in here to denigrate them. Here in Seattle, we have a famous representative of them -
lol I actually find laptops to be obsolete.. bought a M3 Max 14” Pro, thought I would use it more then my M1 iPad Pro, er no, laptop is now delegated to being permanently closed on my desk plugged into my monitor, and I upgraded my iPad to an M4 as I was still using it soo much, so now I have a tablet with keyboard I can very easily detach and use free hand, or place on a stand, ergo my laptop will be sold this year and replaced with a Mac Studio, something that is more powerful and better cooled and can sit on my desk using less space.