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

[bier-meister]

• 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.

Nice thanks, I'm trying to think of cases where I would need local storage. Most of the above I have already been doing on my phone with 64GB without ever getting close to full. I am more of a streamer than a downloader, I'm never too far from an internet connection, and I wouldn't be using the tablet for taking videos or photos. I think I might be ok with 64GB, the price difference to 256GB is hard to justify at the moment.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Nice thanks, I'm trying to think of cases where I would need local storage. Most of the above I have already been doing on my phone with 64GB without ever getting close to full. I am more of a streamer than a downloader, I'm never too far from an internet connection, and I wouldn't be using the tablet for taking videos or photos. I think I might be ok with 64GB, the price difference to 256GB is hard to justify at the moment.

I'm not trying to sell you on 256GB- just offering things to consider so you make a good decision.

One common scenario for me that would generally wipe out "streamer" options is in flight. Airplane mode generally cuts all cords to streams. I spend a lot of time flying somewhere and am not always content with only what the airline happens to offer (if anything). If you fly much... or anticipate flying much in the next few years... your streaming cord is more likely to be cut than not.

Similarly cruising tends to cut the streaming cord too. For what the upgrade would cost, the wifi option on as little as one cruise would be likely to exceed that cost. If you anticipate cruising much, that might also be a reason to consider the "downloader" backup option (and thus need storage).

Those offered, between phone and tablet you would have 128GB. It sounds like you would have a lot of free space if your phone already covers the bulk of your app uses. So maybe 64GB on this tablet is even overkill for you.

As you may have picked up from my prior post, I use the MINI to also cover phone uses- one device for everything. So I definitely wanted MAX storage. If they had offered 512GB or even 1TB- even at Apple premiums- I would have probably went with something bigger than 256GB. Why? All that travel means shooting lots of video. Video begs for abundant storage. And I do sync my music collection. And I do sync some movies in case the airline/cruise ship offers nothing good. Etc.

 

[djlythium]

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.

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 What a thoughtful and thorough response! TYSM! 🙏🏼

I have before considered all of what you’ve written.

The major issue I am wondering is streaming data via the cell function to my car’s Bluetooth. Here’s the deal: I bought a cell Watch S6 thinking I could have all of the same functionality as an iPhone when using Siri, Nav, etc. through my car’s Bluetooth, but nope! *When the iPhone is left at home* (so, no connection between Watch and phone), the Apple Watch cannot process Siri requests, and pass through Bluetooth on my car (2019 model). For example, ‘Hey, Siri, Call Whomever’ doesn’t actually initiate a call. It’s processed, but no error is given; it just goes silent. Another example is Nav: with the phone connected to my car, Nav works as it should, with directions coming through the speakers. With the Watch, nope!

In essence, I’d like a larger iPhone so I can have one device, not two. Does an iPad have CarPlay? AFAIK, no. Can it process Siri requests exactly like an iPhone connected to my car, or will it bug-out like the Watch? 🤷🏼 But I’m not going to spend the money to find out. If anyone knows, PLMK!

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

Mini readily connects to my car via bluetooth. I can make and receive calls using the car's microphones and speakers.

I don't bother much with Siri, but assume that would NOT work since I'm using GV for my voice app. However, it was pretty easy to import my phone contacts into the car's storage and I can use the car's voice capture system to pull up who I want to call and then make the call through Mini via Google Voice over cellular LTE.

I know for certain Google Maps voice direction works through bluetooth using the car's speakers. I use that often. I don't recall trying Apple Maps bluetooth voice direction that way but it is likely to work too.

My car doesn't have a CarPlay setup so I don't know the answer to that one. Hopefully someone else can chime in.

 

[applesed]

Darn there are only folio style cases on Amazon so far. Need one that can take a lot of drops.

 

[HobeSoundDarryl]

...a downside of Apple secrecy. However, China moves QUICKLY. Ebay will have a wide variety before Amazon does. And there will be tons of case options in only a few weeks now that the curtain has been fully pulled back.

 

[Scarpad]

I'm not trying to sell you on 256GB- just offering things to consider so you make a good decision.

One common scenario for me that would generally wipe out "streamer" options is in flight. Airplane mode generally cuts all cords to streams. I spend a lot of time flying somewhere and am not always content with only what the airline happens to offer (if anything). If you fly much... or anticipate flying much in the next few years... your streaming cord is more likely to be cut than not.

Similarly cruising tends to cut the streaming cord too. For what the upgrade would cost, the wifi option on as little as one cruise would be likely to exceed that cost. If you anticipate cruising much, that might also be a reason to consider the "downloader" backup option (and thus need storage).

Those offered, between phone and tablet you would have 128GB. It sounds like you would have a lot of free space if your phone already covers the bulk of your app uses. So maybe 64GB on this tablet is even overkill for you.

As you may have picked up from my prior post, I use the MINI to also cover phone uses- one device for everything. So I definitely wanted MAX storage. If they had offered 512GB or even 1TB- even at Apple premiums- I would have probably went with something bigger than 256GB. Why? All that travel means shooting lots of video. Video begs for abundant storage. And I do sync my music collection. And I do sync some movies in case the airline/cruise ship offers nothing good. Etc.

I'm agree if a phone warrants 512gb an ipad certainly does

 

[fernelius]

I’ve been debating about getting some of the new devices and put together a sizing chart. It’s intended for 8.5 x 11” paper and indicates the iPhone X, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPad Mini (6th gen), iPad Pro 11 (1st gen and others), and approximate iPad Pro 12.9 (5th gen and others). Thought I’d post in case it’s helpful for others…

Edit - Added that iPad Pro 12.9 was included. Sorry to my non-US paper size users and metric friends. Maybe someday we’ll join you…

 

[Lioness~]

I will pass this one. My Mini gen 5 will last another yr at least.
I thought I had it longer. 😂 But it’s well used for sure.

I don’t think I want to buy another device without the M-chip actually.
Either a iPad Pro next time or if iPad Mini will get that next time around.

 

[vjl323]

This was an insta-buy for me. It's going on the Appalachian Trail with me as my video/photo editing kit [my 12 mini is awesome, but not to edit videos with!]. I have the iPad mini 2, but have kept it on iOS 10.3.3 to keep some older apps that I enjoy running [which won't run on anything else]. I hope lifeproof makes another case for the 6th gen iPad mini like they did for the iPad mini 2 - it will come in use when on the 2,200 mile trail!

 

[daugavpils]

256gb is too small. If it offered 1tb, I'd buy it right away.