Although the mini is probably selling it’s nowhere near as popular as this forum makes out.
the iPhone 12 mini being a prime example. A very loud niche group.
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8th-Generation iPad Stocks Running Low Ahead of Next Week's Apple Event
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Although the mini is probably selling it’s nowhere near as popular as this forum makes out.
the iPhone 12 mini being a prime example. A very loud niche group.
I'm an odd duck... If there is a 9th gen iPad that has the same chassis as the 8th gen but updated processor (and possibly RAM), I'll be one of the first to get one... along with a smartcover and smartkeyboard. I have no interest in the Air or Pro.
First off you are conflating iPhones and iPads. They are not the same.
The iPad mini has two main customer groups - one business side for whom the current form factor is fine, maybe even preferred as they have accessories/mounts that fit. And another that simply want a small iPad for easy hand holding and low weight - such as my daughters. They want as modern a small iPad as possible.
The current iPad mini is simply not very attractive for my daughters, they would benefit from a larger screen within the same overall dimensions, a faster SoC for games, a better camera for their video shooting.
How desireable a device is depends on more than its size or looks. My girls use their iPads, and simply want better functionality. That a ho-hum device gets ho-hum sales is not a surprise.
I never said it didn’t have a market. I’m just saying it’s not as popular as people think. Remember apple didn’t update it for 4 years at one point. That’s not indicative of it being a money cow for apple.
If you were to rank the iPads in order of popularity you’d probably find the mini towards the bottom, with the base and air probably selling better. The pro probably last because of high cost but high profit margins.
I think it depends on the market. Given the Mini still exists supports that it sells well in some markets, but not so well in others. In my area hardly anyone looks at the Mini. And thats made more difficult given the price for the Mini is more than the mainstream iPad while being smaller.
I can certainly attest to the 8th gen iPad being scarce, but that isn’t a new thing. It’s been challenging to get the 8th gen iPad (along with many printers and other electronics) since this pandemic started.
"Gurman is alluding to rumors that Apple is near to launching a ninth-generation low-cost a 10.5-inch iPad with an updated A-series chip. The display size is expected to remain the same at 10.2 inches, but it is said to be thinner at 6.3mm, with a lighter overall design."
Hunh? So what size is it then?
Hunh? So what size is it then?
Looks very much like an update is coming. I expect a mini also to be launched.
For the 9th gen iPad I can see a processor update. Upsizing the display from 10.2 to 10.5 is a maybe, but I won’t be surprised if it doesn’t happen. If they do upsize the display it would be nice if they could retain the physical dimensions as the current iPad or it will mean a new slew of cases to be designed and manufactured rather than continuing the current available accessories.
The redesigned Mini 6 is supposedly in the form of the iPad Air and Pro.
The redesigned Mini 6 is supposedly in the form of the iPad Air and Pro.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
Unless the iPad Air gets Pro Motion, I'd rather get a refurb 1st Gen 11" Pro. I'd probably do that regardless, as they currently have the same amount of RAM (4GB unless you get a 1TB model of the Pro, which bumps it up to 6GB), but the Pro has FaceID and Pro Motion screen.
And you can get a 12.9" version.
I just don't find the iPad Air worth it, even with a faster processor.
And you can get a 12.9" version.
I just don't find the iPad Air worth it, even with a faster processor.
Just bought the iPad pro 11 inch today in a big electronics chain and they are very low on stock for all iPad models and even the new iMac.
The vertical market loves the mini, the size and feature set works with a lot of corporate apps and is fairly economical to deploy in high numbers. The size is exactly why it works so well. The average consumer may not be clamoring for the mini as the iPhone plus a larger iPad squeezes the mini into more of a niche box, but there are plenty of devotees inside and outside this forum who are ready for a new mini. I know I am, my mini 4 is getting really long in the tooth.
How devoted could those devotees be if they're still using a Mini 4 or 3?
I held on to my mini 4 as the mini 5 was a nice update, but just not enough to get me to part with $400, knowing that eventually Apple was going to give it an iPad Pro/Air 4 chassis update. I’m hoping for at least the A14, A15 seems like incredibly wishful thinking. My mini 4 was fairly speedy until iOS 13 and 14 hasn’t helped or hurt. I have or currently own the mini 1, 2 and 4. Skipped the 3 and just couldn’t get excited about the 5. Hopefully the wait for the mini 6 will be worth it.
$90 more for the 2nd Gen 11” iPad Pro 1TB seems worth it to me for the extra camera, LiDAR and an extra GPU core, but I digress.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
Supply chain control is an art form and for all Tim Cook’s possible faults, that is not one of them. We’ve seen hiccups along the way resulting in delays (iPhone 6 Plus, Air Pods) but inevitably these are worked through.
Would love if the new iPad 9th had a laminated display glass, so there is no air gap between touch surface and the pixels. Would be slimmer too. And USB-C of course too.
