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Rory76

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 24, 2017
201
174
Just wondering if the relatively small increase in screen size is worth the cost…
 

teameurox

macrumors regular
Oct 26, 2010
186
20
I’ve pondered this as well. I went with 12 pro max and the 11 pro m1

I have had two of iPad mini back from the original and the retina and even when paired with the plus models of the iPhone 6 and 7 i still found myself grabbing the iPhone first

Now with 12 pro max I couldn’t thing of picking up the mini. It also depends on the use case for the iPad. This go around I wanted to future proof processor wise, and I wanted a good experience for note taking.

I chose the 11 over the 12.9 because I was planing on using at work on the floor. I work in automotive manufacturing so I’m always on the move in our department, the 12.9 would have been the better choice but given the fact of moving I went with the 11 and have not regretted it one bit.
 

ofarlig

macrumors 6502a
Jun 23, 2015
931
1,148
Sweden
I have a Pro Max as well, theres a huge difference in screen area and even bigger with the new one. I am most likely going with the normal Pro next time around because the difference in usability between Pro and Pro Max is low while the jump to the Mini is huge. Although I still hope for a foldable iPhone like the Samsung Fold.
 

deuxani

macrumors 6502a
Sep 2, 2010
709
743
Good question. I have the iPhone 12 Pro and iPad Pro 12.9” and I’m definitely getting the iPad Mini. I’m planning to not use my phone at home anymore and just use the Mini for all phone stuff. But if you have the Max…. that’s a bit closer in size to really justify it. But the Mini is not expensive, so if you like it, go for it. It’s still twice the size of your Max ?
 

masotime

macrumors 68030
Jun 24, 2012
2,865
2,841
San Jose, CA
Just wondering if the relatively small increase in screen size is worth the cost…

This can help visualize the difference:

1631888842311.png
 

mashinhead

macrumors 68040
Oct 7, 2003
3,003
989
Yea I was wondering if there were people that would get this combo. Personally this combo makes very little sense to me. The use case and the size of these devices are pretty close and redundant, and the max has way better software optimization and a better screen.

I checked out the mini today and I have to say, I wish they made it 9" or 8.7" or something just a hair larger. It seems really small. I also think the screen frame rate when scrolling is very noticeable. I'm not sure what I would use it for, other than like casual browsing on the go. But that's what I use my phone for. The content isn't optimized on Safari. It loads desktop apps, reducing the content even further. it should load mobile. Wonder if there is a setting for that.
 
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UBS28

macrumors 68030
Oct 2, 2012
2,893
2,340
Hell no.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a superior device if you need something really portable, as it fits in your pockets. If I need to carry an iPad Mini, I would need a bag and then I might as well use my 12.9 M1 iPad pro.
 

laffnvegas

macrumors 6502
Oct 26, 2014
429
643
Desert South West
I have had the larger Iphones such as 8+, 11pm and now 13 pm but love my mini's I have had first generation mini, then, 3, 4, 5, and now waiting for my 6 to arrive. My mini's get handed down to husband and son. My husband is getting my 5 and we are trading in my 4. The reason I like both is that I am an avid reader and use the kindle app on the mini (much perfer it over an actual kindle) my phone is just too small to read from. I would say I use my phone equal amount of time to the mini, a few years ago I purchased the iPad Pro thinking that it would work better for travel and blogging and could still read on it. It was just too heavy and ackward so returned it for another mini. I think a lot really depends on what you use your tablets or phones for. For me I like having both my 13pm and a mini.
 

nocurrency5

macrumors newbie
Sep 9, 2018
12
5
I have the 12pro max and a 12.9 ipad as well and i am still also going to buy the mini. with the iPad mini i can multi task and use split screen and with iPhones i cannot do this

i will rock a 12pro max as a phone, ipad mini as a tablet that’s always in my backpack, and i will keep the 12.9 with magic keyboard at home and also chuck this into my bag when i know i need to do something that requires my magic keyboard or a bigger screen
 
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AJ Muni

macrumors 65816
Aug 4, 2005
1,153
24
Miami
Great question. On Friday I received both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and this iPad mini 6 which I’m currently typing on in portrait. Ive been on the mini all weekend showing little love to the 13 pro max. If this trend continues, I may be tempted to return the pro max and just get the pro. Don’t get me wrong, the pro max with pro motion is night and day from this mini, but man this feels like the perfect “large screen but manageable to hold” device.

I love this little thing so far.
 

Amplelink

macrumors 65816
Oct 8, 2012
1,013
458
Great question. On Friday I received both the iPhone 13 Pro Max and this iPad mini 6 which I’m currently typing on in portrait. Ive been on the mini all weekend showing little love to the 13 pro max. If this trend continues, I may be tempted to return the pro max and just get the pro. Don’t get me wrong, the pro max with pro motion is night and day from this mini, but man this feels like the perfect “large screen but manageable to hold” device.

I love this little thing so far.

That's basically my thinking. I just wish the Mini had pro-motion. Almost considering jumping to the 11" Pro for that reason alone, but I know that size is too big for me.
 

Deliro

macrumors 65816
Sep 20, 2011
1,143
1,337
I have a 12 Pro Max and the screen real estate increase is more than enough for me to justify the purchase. I don’t use my iPhone at home, other than calls, at all anymore. Ive had iPads since the first. And this is the iPad pure experience Jobs wanted out of the device. A solution between the iPhone and laptop. No smart connector ? Don’t care. ipads are poor laptop replacements. I tried it with my Pro 12.9 and MK. No dice. This will be my ereader, consumption device on the couch with some light productivity.
 
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mavis

macrumors 601
Jul 30, 2007
4,771
1,541
Tokyo, Japan
Hell no.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a superior device if you need something really portable, as it fits in your pockets. If I need to carry an iPad Mini, I would need a bag and then I might as well use my 12.9 M1 iPad pro.
And what if you're using it at home? I'll take my mini 6 over a 12.9" iPad any time, when using it on the couch or in bed. It weighs far less, and is easily held/used with a single hand. I like to read in bed, for example (using the native Books app) and with the mini, I can hold it and turn pages with a single hand; due to the size of the bezels you can basically make an "L" with your thumb and index finger and simply rest the iPad mini there, with your other fingers sort of curled behind the iPad, acting as a counter-balance. If you do this with your middle finger, you can then use the index finger to turn pages. Point is, you simply can't do that with larger iPads for any length of time, because they're too heavy. The size and weight of the mini makes it much easier to use, not only when out (sure, you might need a bag but that bag will weigh far less if it's holding a mini rather than a 12.9" iPad Pro) but even when at home. Just sayin' ...

So, to answer the OP's question: yes, the mini complements my iPhone 12 Pro Max perfectly.
 
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iHeartsteve

macrumors 68000
Feb 12, 2012
1,572
924
I’m debating this also. I have the iPhone 13 pro now and just ordered the new iPad mini 6. I’ve been thinking about upgrading my phone to the 13pro MAX but I don’t feel the need to buy the max now since I can throw my iPad mini in my purse now. Hmmm decisions decisions…..
 

bobcomer

macrumors 601
May 18, 2015
4,949
3,699
Yea I was wondering if there were people that would get this combo. Personally this combo makes very little sense to me. The use case and the size of these devices are pretty close and redundant, and the max has way better software optimization and a better screen.

I checked out the mini today and I have to say, I wish they made it 9" or 8.7" or something just a hair larger. It seems really small. I also think the screen frame rate when scrolling is very noticeable. I'm not sure what I would use it for, other than like casual browsing on the go. But that's what I use my phone for. The content isn't optimized on Safari. It loads desktop apps, reducing the content even further. it should load mobile. Wonder if there is a setting for that.
I have an iPhone 11 Pro Max, so it's pretty equivalent to the 12 PM, and I also have a Mini 6. If you do the math, the Mini is about twice as large in area as the PM, and it's oh so much better for just about everything except for being a phone or pocketable , which the Pro Max does quite well. A 9" mini would be too big and heavy to replace the Mini in the lineup, might as well get an Air.

The Mini isn't for everyone, but we do have a lot of choices, and it's the iPad I use the most.
 

gsal

macrumors regular
Jun 1, 2019
137
231
Hell no.

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a superior device if you need something really portable, as it fits in your pockets. If I need to carry an iPad Mini, I would need a bag and then I might as well use my 12.9 M1 iPad pro.
My thoughts too. The iPad mini would have to be carried in a bag, and due to that I’d rather carry around my 11” iPad Pro.

The iPhone Pro Max being pocketable is a big advantage over the iPad mini.
 

Infinitewisdom

macrumors 6502a
Sep 23, 2012
858
607
My thoughts too. The iPad mini would have to be carried in a bag, and due to that I’d rather carry around my 11” iPad Pro.

The iPhone Pro Max being pocketable is a big advantage over the iPad mini.

Yea, but what about the usability factor? That's equally if not more important than the portability. Massive difference between 11" iPad Pro and 8.3" iPad mini.
 
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JohnnyQuest

macrumors 68000
May 25, 2006
1,529
393
Yes, it is. I was wondering the same, and debating downsizing to the Pro from the Max since I was getting a mini. But tbh the screen size is noticeably different and creates a completely different user experience. Plus, I still like to have a larger screen on my Phone.
 
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Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
My thoughts too. The iPad mini would have to be carried in a bag, and due to that I’d rather carry around my 11” iPad Pro.

The iPhone Pro Max being pocketable is a big advantage over the iPad mini.
Can’t think of anything worse than dragging around mj 11 inch iPad Pro lol
 
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gsal

macrumors regular
Jun 1, 2019
137
231
Yea, but what about the usability factor? That's equally if not more important than the portability. Massive difference between 11" iPad Pro and 8.3" iPad mini.
It depends what you mean by useable. For what I need, I would get way more use from an 11” iPad Pro over the mini.

It is of course subjective and everyone has their own needs, but once a device isn’t pocketable, I’d want it to offer a whole lot more than my iPhone Pro Max, which for me the iPad mini does not.

For others may be.
 
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