Apple Introduces Redesigned Sixth-Generation iPad Mini With Touch ID, USB-C Port, 5G, and More

[urnotl33t]

If you've never had / used a mini - you don't know what you're missing. I still use a mini 2 (2013 w/ A7!) just about EVERY day - its perfect-for-me form factor is what makes it the go to over my normal sized ipad of half the age.

(new one is quite expensive though)

Yeah I'm loving my mini 5th gen. Glad I got it. It really has changed my everything. It pairs fantastically well with my SE 2016, too. I avoid the phablet iPhones and still have a "larger" screen option. Wifi only mini, so I use hotspot via iPhone when I need it. Both are flat-back designs, Touch ID all around, light weight, small enough to carry and not too big to risk fumbling.

I'm nit enamored with the mini 6 design, tho. It's pretty, but... meh...

 

[bradl]

If you've never had / used a mini - you don't know what you're missing. I still use a mini 2 (2013 w/ A7!) just about EVERY day - its perfect-for-me form factor is what makes it the go to over my normal sized ipad of half the age.

(new one is quite expensive though)

Same here. I'm still on my mini 4, and plan to use it until it dies; I have some classic games on it that were basically abandoned with the move to 64bit binaries on iOS 11, and these are 32bit apps (Street Fighter II collection, Paperboy, Midway Arcade, which has all of the classic Midway games: Spy Hunter, Rampage, Joust, Gauntlet, etc.), so I don't plan on updating that ever past iOS 10.

I love the form factor of the mini, so if I jump up to one, I'll definitely get the mini 6, but it will be well after my next purchase, which will be the Macs when they come out.

BL.

 

[urnotl33t]

People like me who without the Mini, wouldn't have an iPad at all.

Same here. iPad Air is "nice", but it's big. I have no need for Pro power or features. Budget iPad is "nice", too, but it's still big. The mini 5 had the perfect confluence at the time. Laminated display, True Tone, Touch ID, updated CPU (at the time, meaning long software support), perfect price point and size. Instant buy as soon as I had the cash scraped up for it (and a little $100 discount I managed to snag). If I cared more, I'd get the Apple pencil 1st gen (it's supported) but I don't find myself "needing" it, tho. IIRC, it can also used the lightning-to-USB3 adapter for usb storage sticks. Neat little bonus at times.

I also now make HEAVY use of iCloud Drive/Files for documents (PDFs largely), spreadsheets, meetings (WebEx, Teams, Zoom), Banktivity, all my banking apps/services, finance, and Rosetta Stone (used credit card rewards rebate and discount on the 1-time lifetime purchase; unlimited languages; iPhone and Watch, too!). It's just dang perfect.

So yeah, the mini is for "us". 😁

 

[bobjonesco]

Meh, all I wanted was mini-led or oled. Don't see much value in this one seeing I only use my 5th gen for reading.

 

[ehhemmer]

Apple today announced the sixth-generation iPad mini, featuring a massive redesign with a larger display, an embedded Touch ID sensor in the Power Button, improved performance, a USB-C port, and 5G.

The new iPad mini features a completely new design, dismissing the Home Button in favor of a full-screen design with an 8.3-inch display. The display features wide color, an antireflective coating, 500 nits of brightness, and True Tone. Featuring an A15 Bionic chip, the new iPad mini is up to 40% faster in CPU performance compared to the previous generation, with an even bigger 80% increase in GPU power.
For the first time for iPad, the new iPad mini features 5G technology, offering customers even faster performance, with download speeds of up to 3.5Gbps. Even with 5G, Apple says the new iPad mini still features "all-day battery life."

The new iPad mini also features a USB-C port rather than Lightning. Borrowed from the iPad Air, announced last year, the new iPad mini features a Touch ID sensor embedded into the Power Button.

On the front, the new iPad mini features a new Ultra Wide front camera with a 12MP sensor, allowing for Center Stage from the iPad Pro. With Center Stage, the iPad mini will automatically keep users in the frame as they move around. The back camera also features a 12MP sensor with Focus Pixels and a larger aperture.

Compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, the new sixth-generation iPad mini starts at $499 and will be available for pre-orders starting today and will be available on Friday, September 24.

Article Link: Apple Introduces Redesigned Sixth-Generation iPad Mini With Touch ID, USB-C Port, 5G, and More

So it’s a smaller version of the iPad Air.

 

[dgdosen]

My big gripe about the five... When I write on the device using the pencil, I'm forever triggering the home button (in portrait mode).

On top of that, my battery is down to 74%... and there's a bright spot shining on the screen (out of warranty)

 

[sracer]

My big gripe about the five... When I write on the device using the pencil, I'm forever triggering the home button (in portrait mode).

On top of that, my battery is down to 74%... and there's a bright spot shining on the screen (out of warranty)

Sorry to hear about those experiences. I never have a problem with the home button on my Mini 5, but if I did, I'd simply put the home button on top.

Sounds like the Mini 6 will solve those issues.

 

[Scarpad]

So theresa promo for the 5g version $200 back if you sign up with sprint or t-mobile.
I was planning on just adding it to my xfinity mobile service, but do T-mobile or sprint offer reasonable
Ipad only lines

 

[turbineseaplane]

So theresa promo for the 5g version $200 back if you sign up with sprint or t-mobile.
I was planning on just adding it to my xfinity mobile service, but do T-mobile or sprint offer reasonable
Ipad only lines

Interested to hear more about this in terms of how much you have to lose on signing up for a plan for X amount of time

 

[dweebe]

The mini is better than the iPad they just announced.

Aimed at different customers. The iPad remains a budget/education options.

 

[alexhardaker]

It makes perfect sense. The iPad is the value model. I know that some people dislike the fact that Apple offers an inexpensive model, but there's a significant segment that buys them. The Air is a step up from that and offers a different price tier.

More models is mutually beneficial... for Apple and their customers.

Why do you think having 4 models is a problem?

It’s confusing & not simple like their other product lines (although, those a becoming slightly confusing as well). I’m gonna be honest here, I’ve never owned a tablet, so I don’t really know the differences between them all. It’s obvious what separates the pro & the mini from the rest, but not the other 2 models

I’ve just compared them all on Apple’s website. Very confusing & unnecessarily so. Not to mention I’d be forced to get an overpowered model to have a decent amount of storage (I like to keep as much as I can locally on the device).

 

[alexhardaker]

They need a cheap option for schools, businesses and individuals who don’t want to pay $500 or more for an iPad.

Make it simpler. Which model is aimed at those segments (I’m asking a serious question here. I’ve never owned a tablet, so I’m mainly going off names here. It’s obvious what separates the mini & pro from the rest, but not the other 2 models)?

 

[ErikGrim]

Damn. No 512Gb option meaning it's no good as a replacement for my 512Gb 10.1 Pro as a DJ device.

 

[Qu1ckset]

$733CAD for 64GB wifi or $959CAD for 256GB wifi… I got some thinking to do lol

 

[iLLUMI]

$733CAD for 64GB wifi or $959CAD for 256GB wifi… I got some thinking to do lol

Wi-Fi = 64GB AUD$749 or 256GB AUD$979
Wi-Fi + Cellular = 64GB AUD$979 or 256GB AUD$1,209

It seems Canadian prices arent much different to Aussie prices.

I'll be going for the 256GB model.

 

[Taustin Powers]

No headphones out.

 

[bluecoast]

Really really nice. The ultimate portable iPad.

So I can imagine the next iPhone SE being a shrunken down version of this.

TBH that’s probably just wishful thinking.

Likely it’ll be an updated iPhone 11 or a ‘Plus’ style phone.

 

[applesed]

Will the new iPad mini fit in a case of an older model iPad mini? I can’t tell if the screen size increase is just based on bezels.

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

Will the new iPad mini fit in a case of an older model iPad mini? I can’t tell if the screen size increase is just based on bezels.

Definitely not. It's a completely new form factor.

Unless you mean like a slipcase in which case yeah it should still fit inside.

 

[iOS Geek]

I am a pilot who flies a small Cessna. It's a great size in the plane as it can get pretty crammed in there (Apple even featured Foreflight when talking about the iPad Mini).

I've read doctors like it because it fits well in their coat. I'm sure there are many other business cases for it.

Yep, we carry the Mini’s at work. Every doctor and nurse has one. Fits perfectly in my scrubs!

The hospital has been holding off on getting new ones, but I said yesterday that I’d bet this is the year we do it. Sure enough, it’s going to happen!

 

[jdb8167]

I am tempted. The only thing stopping me is that I would use it for a lot of media consumption on the go, and the screen ratio seems to be something like 4.4:3 which would leave very noticeable borders above and below the content. Hard to say if this will be distracting without testing it first 🤔

The resolution is 2266x1488 which is close to 3:2 ratio.

 

[bier-meister]

I am close to getting this, will go with the wifi model, can just tether to use mobile data on those rare occasions. Doesn't justify the price difference for me plus would need a separate mobile contract to use it.

Just deciding on storage, I see a lot of negativity towards the 64gb model, what are people use cases that requires so much data? I would use it mainly for reading, some browsing, media consumption and ssh'ing into some servers on emergency occasions. I wouldn't be gaming on it.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Is it possible to use this Mini's cell functions exactly like an iPhone?

Exactly? No... but only because Apple doesn't put their phone app on this iPad.

Install a good VOIP app like Google Voice and you can make and receive calls, text and receive texts just like a phone. If you happen to already use Comcast Voice for land line/alarm service, their VOIP app is pretty good too. I also like Talkatone.

Before someone slings an image of holding an iPad up to an ear, using buds just like many people do with phones works just as well with iPads.

I have owned/used an iPhone for only a few days years ago... mostly to transfer a long-term landline number from Comcast Voice to T-mobile cell service... which could then be transferred to Google voice (app). Now my iPad Mini covers my mobile phone needs while also being the bigger-screen consumption device without having to carry TWO devices around. GV is free local and long distance throughout North America.

AT&T offers a data-only cell plan of 2GB LTE for 3 months for $30. I only need LTE some of the time (traveling) so I let it lapse and lean on free wifi which always seems to be around at home and work. But when I DO need cellular, I buy it then. Last few years, I've used that AT&T service for about 9 months each year... so my ANNUAL cell phone bill is $90.

What are key downsides vs. iPhone?

• Mini doesn't fit in a pants pocket (but will generally fit in suit jacket pockets). I mostly just tuck it under an arm when I need to have my "mobile" with me if I'm not suited... or in a bag if I have one along.
• If you use an iPhone as a phone (verbal conversations), it's easier to use an iPhone sans buds than a Mini with buds (one less thing).
• Even this 6th gen camera is not as good as iPhone MAX camera(s). If your mobile is an important camera, iPhone offers better cameras.
• If Watch is very important to someone, it seems pretty "married" to also having an iPhone. I would guess (I don't have one) that some watch functionality would not be available as fully subbing in Mini in this way.

Key Upsides?

• ONE device to carry around instead of two.
• Full (latest) iOS version functionality, apps and tools.
• Just about all apps are better on bigger screens and this is bigger than any iPhone screen... yet with reasonable portability too.
• Much, MUCH cheaper than iPhone + continuous iPhone service. MUCH! Do the math. Immediate savings and then lifetime savings vs. paying for cell phone service every month. Even the cheapie, cheap services don't compare.
• Nobody calling or texting me (or me them) can tell I'm NOT using a mobile phone. It is a transparent experience.

Is this for everyone? No. Nothing is for everyone. Do I feel like I'm missing anything making Mini double as a phone? Not one bit. Like any other app, it's very nice to have a VOIP phone app to use this as a phone when I need a phone (which is not really that often). The savings vs. just ongoing phone cell service is huge.

"One more thing:" At home, I still need a landline for alarm systems (many systems do). And I like to use the landline jacks with portable phones anyway. So an Obihai device spreads the same number and same free GV to the home landline uses as well. Same number rings Mini and home phones. Alarm monitoring works just fine. Cost of home landline: $0/yr. Free local and long distance to anywhere in North America.

I purchased Mini 6 immediately to replace a Mini 2. It should be my new "phone" (and tablet) for the next 4-6 years.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Just deciding on storage, I see a lot of negativity towards the 64gb model, what are people use cases that requires so much data? I would use it mainly for reading, some browsing, media consumption and ssh'ing into some servers on emergency occasions. I wouldn't be gaming on it.

• 1000 songs in your mobile? 10,000? 50,000? Cheaper to sync a collection than to rent a stream.
• X number of movies in your mobile?
• LOTS of photos in your mobile?
• LOTS of documents in your mobile?
• Any key apps need to store big data?
• Will you shoot much video you want to keep on this device? 4K/HD video needs storage.
• Ever want/need to transfer some big files from one place to another and not want to lug along a portable drive? Use this instead.
• If whatever you use now is storing up around 65% of 64GB, are you sure you won't need more than the other 35% over the next few years you own this device?

These are the kinds of questions to ask yourself.

Example: I like to use Google Maps. It offers a feature to store maps offline so that it can offer maps when not able to connect to wifi or cellular. Those can be BIG files when you choose to grab a whole half a state or so. I've had to travel recently and grabbed Florida from Orlando south, all of the Seattle area, all of the Denver area, all of Dallas/Ft. Worth, etc. That needed a big chunk of unexpected storage. But just in case I found myself out of reach of wifi/cellular (which I wouldn't know for sure until I was there), I wanted to temporarily store those maps on device. Glad I had the storage for that option.

 

[PowerMac5500]

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