Apple Announces New Fifth-Generation iPad Mini With Apple Pencil Support, Revamped Retina Display and A12 Bionic Chip

[Tunster]

64GB base? Apple clearly isn't bothering listening to its users anymore. This is ridiculous at this price point and pure greed.

Use case. Hyper-note taking.

 

[Romeo_Nightfall]

I’m glad they updated the mini because it still serves a purpose. Many professions that require a person to use an iPad all day, standing up, benefit from the mini’s size and weight and so it’s good to have it updated with modern specs.

...but I don’t think I could buy this as much as I want a secondary small iPad to compliment my 12.9” Pro. Once you get used to Face ID and a gesture based iOS, it’s very jarring to go back to deliberate authentication with Touch ID and a physical home button. Everything just feels more laborious.

the thing is meanwhile you have 3 different apple devices with 3 different ui and touch methods - its a disgrace for a company like apple. you have one vendor and still have to remember 3 input methods.

please you apple fans explain me, why this ist good and in the interest of us customers???

 

[bluespark]

Really, Apple? Can't you apply your bezel-shrinking prowess to this device? I mean, take off the bezels and you have a jacket-pocket-sized device that will be hugely useful to lots of people! Thing is, I'll probably buy one because I need a device in this form factor, but what a missed opportunity to do something truly exciting.

 

[AlexJoda]

I have 1 complaint, and it's the lightning port. I realize they needed to keep it for the old pencil, but this is a mistake to me. I would love to have a giant iPad, and a mini iPad, and not need two separate chargers, and two separate pencils.

You really take two iPads with you at the same time? if not different chargers and pencils are not a problem....

 

[betasp]

I have 1 complaint, and it's the lightning port. I realize they needed to keep it for the old pencil, but this is a mistake to me. I would love to have a giant iPad, and a mini iPad, and not need two separate chargers, and two separate pencils.

This! I was hoping for USB-C.

 

[ipedro]

I have 1 complaint, and it's the lightning port. I realize they needed to keep it for the old pencil, but this is a mistake to me. I would love to have a giant iPad, and a mini iPad, and not need two separate chargers, and two separate pencils.

Not only that but how could you transition between Face ID and a gesture based iOS to Touch ID and a home button?

It sucks, trust me. You’re always going to be waiting for your iPad mini to authenticate your face and reaching for the home button is going to feel like hard work.

I would have loved an iPad mini with Face ID and no home button to compliment my 12.9” iPad Pro.

 

[joeblow7777]

By the looks of it, it is hard to say this is really a "new Mini". Its more of a spec bump on an ancient design.

Certain people were quite adamant that there would never be an update to the ipad Mini.

And a new model doesn't mean that it has to have a new design. Ancient? Would a slimmer bezels change its function? As much as Apple enthusiasts obsess over specs half the reason they buy things is how pretty they are.

 

[YaBe]

The off-center Home Button looks not very Apple-like. Can't unsee it.

Edit: some people pointed out that previous iPads had a misaligned Home Button as well. Doesn't make it better(-looking) though.

I see you editetd, but your comment now does not make sense, it was Apple- like so far, it is Apple-like now.

And yes it was ugly, it is still ugly.

This thing has thicker top and bottom bezels than the original iPad mini from 2012. It's a damn shame.

View attachment 826951

It is still the same design.... (same hand as well, just different hue )

 

[AutomaticApple]

Holy cow! I was never expecting this today! I thought it’d just be a normal day on MacRumors. My goodness...

 

[psac]

Now I need a Best Buy trade-in special on my Mini4 128GB to get this price down a little bit for the 256GB.

 

[AlexJoda]

Really, Apple? Can't you apply your bezel-shrinking prowess to this device? I mean, take off the bezels and you have a jacket-pocket-sized device that will be hugely useful to lots of people! Thing is, I'll probably buy one because I need a device in this form factor, but what a missed opportunity to do something truly exciting.

I think the XS Max is not too far away from what you are wishing but many people are not willing to pay the higher price for such a device as a tablet only...

 

[Tofupunch]

I for one am excited about this update and will be snatching it up! I've had the mini 2 for about 4 1/2 years running in iOS 10.2 and have been waiting for this update. Good job Apple!

I'm just bummed that apple no longer makes cases WITH screen protection for their ipads anymore. Now I have to see if mini 4 silicone cases are compatible with the 5.

 

[bpd115]

FaceID and USB-C won't give you any functional improvement! You can even quick charge with 30W with Lightning as I did with my 2017 iPP.

I was responding to the person who said the new Air is encroaching on the Pro line. However, I have a new 12.9" and it fast charges over USB C with my 85W Macbook Pro power adapter. Also, USB C gives a LOT of added functionality... Ethernet, HDMI, etc. without using different adapters.

 

[Falhófnir]

Of course it's not an enormous issue, it just looks bad. Not sure if it would be such a hassle for Apple to fix it though since I'm pretty sure they had to redesign the casing for the new internals anyway. Fortunately I'm not in the market for a mini, Face ID all the way.

I believe they just redesign the logic board for an update like this, that's how they save money by continuing to use the casing (no need to retest the chassis or retool the production lines which all costs money).

 

[Ladybug]

I'm happy with the updates on the Mini. I was hoping for A11 or better, laminated display, and 3 gb ram (jury still out on that one). I expect to be buying one ASAP. I think the new Mini checks most of my boxes.

 

[gotluck]

I’m sold!

 

[contractcooker]

I am THRILLED that they are keeping this form-factor alive. Is it everything I wish it were.... NO, I wish it were a shrunk down iPad Pro (and I would pay appropriately for that) but still, this has always been my favorite screen size for a tablet.

 

[Martyimac]

the thing is meanwhile you have 3 different apple devices with 3 different ui and touch methods - its a disgrace for a company like apple. you have one vendor and still have to remember 3 input methods.

please you apple fans explain me, why this ist good and in the interest of us customers???

Because not all of US want face id, or a pencil. I think it's good that  offers options. Disgrace? People would complain if there wasn't all these options.

 

[fathergll]

Bought a Mini 4 last fall. I haven't used it that much because I realized my iPhone was much faster for web browsing. Now I must admit i am a little annoyed i didn't continue to wait.

 

[SoulCloud]

It's vertically off-center. Bigger gap between screen and Home Button than between Home Button and where the iPad ends.




Why so dramatic? I noticed it on the image, that's it. No hoping, no impact, no crafting. Besides the 2018 12.9" Pro is my first iPad since 2012 so I don't remember if they were off-center before. And if they were, that doesn't make it better.

I didn’t mean to offend you by saying that. I’m genuinely sorry if you did. Honestly, I haven’t given much thought about its placement before you’ve pointed out the home button symmetry. Here’s an interesting fact, if you have the leather case, it becomes almost symmetrical with the added thickness of the case. Same for Pro and Air 2. Who knows maybe busybodies at Apple marketing and finance bureau ordered Jonathan Thin a bundle design deliberately. Sometimes tuxedo of a cow can be extremely profitable It also explains camera bumbs but I wouldn’t insist on it.

 

[makitango]

That‘s a rare one from me, but I will be totally satisfied with the new mini. I don‘t need the new all-screen fuzz, they can do that next year or so.

Thanks Apple! I mean really. I can finally upgrade with no downgrades.

 

[elmateo487]

Disappointed. Old ass design language that doesn't match the new iPads. Do they just not care anymore? Thick bezels, an off-center home button (thanks Obama @19SK91 ) that cannot be unseen. Couple that low base storage and a high price tag for what's on offer... Apple could have done much better. It's basically an internal upgrade that could have been done a while ago. They didn't even try hard.

The mini 1, 2, 3, and 4 had "off-center home" buttons...

 

[technano]

does anyone know what's the ram in these?


wow A12 is fast!

 

[KeefYo]

I wanted an updated mini with 2019 tech. Not buying this half-baked product of thick bezels, 1st gen pencil support, and touch id. Come on Apple, you are losing your customers rapidly.

 

[AlexJoda]

I was responding to the person who said the new Air is encroaching on the Pro line. However, I have a new 12.9" and it fast charges over USB C with my 85W Macbook Pro power adapter. Also, USB C gives a LOT of added functionality... Ethernet, HDMI, etc. without using different adapters.

You only need a USB to Lightning cable to use your USC-C charger with the Lightning devices...I still need an adapter for HDMI and Ethernet with USB-C and I already have these adapters for Lightning...