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Apple Discontinues iPad Mini 2
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Yeah, the iPad has been a bit of a mess. But with an incoming 10.5" version, I don't expect it to get much better. If anything, this seems like some housekeeping ahead of adding to the product line. They changed the name of the iPad Air also, so I think they're getting ready to position things a bit different.
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Now we need to figure out whether the 10.5" version will be released around WWDC or this autumn. All the rumors were pointing to earlier, but WWDC isn't usually about hardware any more. And if they do release hardware, it will likely be iMac and maybe an "iMac Pro" since the Mac Pro is clearly dead. If the 10.5" iPad has really tiny bezels and is supposed to be this big redesign, they won't want to upstage their new iPhone redesign if it follows a similar design language. So maybe they'll do the whole late October event thing, or at best during the same event as the iPhone? But that can be a lot to pack into one event.
I think we'll probably see iPhone Edition, 7s and 7s Plus, and Apple Watch Series 3 in early September. Then we'll see iPad Pro 10.5" and 12.9", along with an Apple TV 4K in late October. If the Apple Watch is actually on an 18 month cycle (still unknown since there haven't been enough updates to see a pattern) then maybe they could squeeze the iPad into the iPhone event if there is no 4K Apple TV. Or perhaps the 4K Apple TV could be a silent update that only increases resolution and brings 4K to iTunes Movies. Maybe price the ATV4 at $99 and $149 for 32GB and 64GB and the ATV4K at $199 for 64GB only.
As for other prices, now that the base iPad is priced at $329, I think the 10.5" will handily slot into the $599 9.7" Pro slot with the 12.9" priced the same. The Apple Watch pricing will probably stay the same too. That seems pretty easy. The most tricky pricing is the iPhone.
It's going to be tough to price the iPhone Edition way too high. One thought is that the iPhone 7 sticks around at a lower price point. Another is that the iPhone 7s shares many of the same components as the iPhone 7, with maybe a bumped processor and a new camera—leaving the fancy new features such as wireless charging, iris scanning, Touch Bar, and AR functionality to the Edition model. I think with either of these ideas, Apple has room to drop the price $50-100 on the base new iPhone, with the Edition priced $200-300 above that. This could increase iPhone sales volume while maintaining average price per device. So maybe $549 or $599 for an iPhone 7s, $679 or $719 for an iPhone 7s Plus, and $899 for an iPhone Edition 64GB or $1049 for 256GB. But if they do pricing like this, I just feel like it's going to be difficult to sell very many base iPhones if they look too boring or under-spec'd compared to the Edition. And that's the main reason I think that the base iPhone price would have to drop to compensate for this.
My third thought is that the iPhone 7s and iPhone Edition have nearly identical internals. This keeps the iPhone 7s starting at the same price they do now, with the Edition pushing higher in price. The Edition would only add Touch Bar and a new fancy casing with a larger edge display and dual-cameras like the Plus. In this scenario I expect the Edition to start around $999. What's nice about this scenario is that the 7s gets the speed, the wireless charging/iris scanning/etc found in the new Edition model, which makes it enticing for users, while the Edition gets the new look, display and Touch Bar that comes with it. But would Apple put iris scanning into the base model if it retains the home button? So it's going to be a tricky balancing act. I'm glad that I don't work on pricing at Apple because it's a tight line to walk between selling an appealing mass-market device and a premium device that isn't too expensive but offers just enough to get a decent chunk of people to buy one without irritating the base model buyers. Whew!
Decided to not read the existing posts until after I posted a couple of questions:
But like I said, most who post here aren't going to be happy, and if I had bought into this level of tablet I would be one of those unhappy people. Now I'll post and go read the existing responses.
- How well has the mini been selling?
- What trade-offs were there between a mini and a standard or pro model. I am assuming that it is cheaper, but what can't it do that a standard iPad can?
But like I said, most who post here aren't going to be happy, and if I had bought into this level of tablet I would be one of those unhappy people. Now I'll post and go read the existing responses.
What does the Mini 3 have anything to do with the Mini 2? Your Mini 3 is laggy, others are not. It doesn't make it a device where it shouldn't be purchased.
mini 3 is exactly the same as mini 2
and my mum's mini 2 is laggy as well
and someone above said theirs is too
I was referring to the article, Not the Mini 3. I could make the argument the three I have are not laggy at all. It's dependent on Many things how the iPad is performing. My point is, not all iPad mini's are poorly performing based off your experience. I could make that argument based off any electronic purchase. Not every experience is the same.
Well when I said the mini 3 was really laggy it was including the mini 2 since it's the same
And listening to music and reading email shouldn't make it super laggy
if there isn't a poll I might start one
No way this is just a subset of users
Yeah... I suppose the reason why the 128 GB mini 4 is still there (at a huge price, IMHO) is because there is too much stock.Coming soon: Apple discontinues iPad mini
@Andres Cantu Yep sad too, I don't like the 9.7's size, and it's a bit expensive (the Pro)
Was also a great value in my opinion
Was also a great value in my opinion
The 10.5" will replace the current 9.7" Pro.
You're right
This could be groundwork
Just like how the (PRODUCT)Red Smart Battery Case laid the groundwork for the Red iPhone 7, very small but they do lots of small things like this for the future
Why do you care, unless you were planning to buy one yourself? It moves the entry price up by only $30, while providing much better value for money.
The Mini is clearly a niche product, or else Apple wouldn't be doing this. But this in no way signals the end. In fact, they just came out with two new SKUs for the Mini. I would not expect a high rate of innovation in future small form factor models, but "the end" is an overreaction.
A valid concern!
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Yes. Having been a product manager myself, I recognize the patterns. Apple is working with a product roadmap for the family, not making individual piecemeal product decisions. The 10.5 will lay in there nicely. Currently, the two 9.7" models are too hard to differentiate; the predicted new sizing will make it clearer. Given that the iPad is a mature product line, Apple will not announce a new model until it is just about ready to ship; hence why the 10.5" is not being announced today.
Looking to retire my iPad Mini 2 (or give it to my son for kid games etc) as it has got so laggy with iOS10; responding to iMessage notifications over the current app is an exercise in patience. Not going to blame the device though, it's lasted since November 2013.
More concerned as to how the new iPad has a less optimal display over the iPad Air 2. As much as I don't really want to buy the 2014 iPA2 model, it looks more attractive than the new iPad model despite the A9 vs A8.
More concerned as to how the new iPad has a less optimal display over the iPad Air 2. As much as I don't really want to buy the 2014 iPA2 model, it looks more attractive than the new iPad model despite the A9 vs A8.
It hasn't. If you've ever tried reading a comic book on an iPhone Plus, you will see what I mean.
And if you've ever tried reading a book or a comic in bed with the iPad mini vs the regular 9.7" iPad, you'll see why Mini is superior.
Hmm. Looks like the iPad Mini is going the way of the 17" MBP.
Awesome product that will die due to neglect and low sales.
*Sigh*
So much potential, WASTED.
Awesome product that will die due to neglect and low sales.
*Sigh*
So much potential, WASTED.
They NEEDED to drop the mini 2. I had 2 friends enter the iOS ecosystem by buying an iPad mini 2 last winter (they didn't ask me) and they were shocked about how under-powered it was compared to android devices of similar price. I had to explain to them how outdated it was etc.
Both returned it and swore off Apple devices despite my excuses and bought android tablets.
Apple is not abandoning the mini, they are clearing severely old technology to make for a better experience.
I still think (hope?) they will release a whole new line of iPad Pros including the mini with pencil support. - Maybe not all this year, but over the next couple.
iPad mini 4
iPad 9.7
iPad Pro mini
IPad Pro 10.5
iPad Pro 12"
Both returned it and swore off Apple devices despite my excuses and bought android tablets.
Apple is not abandoning the mini, they are clearing severely old technology to make for a better experience.
I still think (hope?) they will release a whole new line of iPad Pros including the mini with pencil support. - Maybe not all this year, but over the next couple.
iPad mini 4
iPad 9.7
iPad Pro mini
IPad Pro 10.5
iPad Pro 12"
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
1) Actually it increases entry level by $60 and increases iPad mini entry level by $130.
2) I think it's a valid possibility. I did say "could". Apple strategy not updating the mini and making it $70 more expensive than the full size iPad is not a good sign. True they could simply be waiting on a more significant update which will be announced at an event along side an iPad pro, but I think it's just as reasonable to imagine the mini not getting an update again and eventually being dropped out of the line up
3) Yeah, this is obviously the biggest concern for me individually, but I didn't want to appear too selfish so I added the others
I am trying to remember if my other iPad mini is a Mini 2. It was the first retina mini to come out after the original mini, which we had and retired last year. I'm still using this Retina mini on iOS 9 and it's serviceable for web browsing and You tube and some games. I just have no idea which IPad mini it is. It's hard keeping track of the different generations of Apple products because of their naming conventions.
The one I'm typing this post on is definitely a mini 4. I made sure to include that in its name!
The one I'm typing this post on is definitely a mini 4. I made sure to include that in its name!
Probably in the minority here, but I thought the mini 2 made/makes a great utility device. I have one I use as a TV remote, weather monitor, emergency browser I bought used. Lots of little project uses for a small cheap touchscreen device that still has a reasonably fast CPU and app support.
"Profits first." Seriously. It should replace the "Made in China. Designed in California."
I agree! Ours is a catch all device. Stream music and stuff so we don't have to do it wth our phones. I also sold a really old MacBook just to buy another for our kids. They work better with that as they are still young and a full laptop is still a bit too much.
For all of those who had the iPad mini 2 that ground to a halt with iOS 10, (& 9) I hope you learned the Apple Lesson:
New iOS versions beyond which your device shipped with will eventually kill your device if you keep on "updating".
In a very real way, new iOS versions can be categorized as malware for older devices because they will definitely make the user experience a malo one.
New iOS versions beyond which your device shipped with will eventually kill your device if you keep on "updating".
In a very real way, new iOS versions can be categorized as malware for older devices because they will definitely make the user experience a malo one.
Aha I missed this! So they've ditched the Air 2 and rebranded the Air 1 with a slight spec bump, thus keeping the same huge profit margin without increasing costs! Still I guess it could be worst.
I hope they used the thicker body for a bigger battery. I guess the good bit is that price has been reduced, but I'm also not sure this is how to create the future of the iPad?
I hope they used the thicker body for a bigger battery. I guess the good bit is that price has been reduced, but I'm also not sure this is how to create the future of the iPad?
The new 9.7 iPad has the same battery specifications as the 9.7 Pro on the wifi model for up to ten hours.