Seems it wasn't too long ago that people were complaining about the iPad lineup being too bloated and now people are complaining when Apple starts to streamline their selection of devices.
Perhaps these people are looking at the bunching of sizes at the small-screen and large-screen ends and desiring something (to stay) in the mid-size?
Small-screen End (difference from smallest screen to largest screen: 1.8")
- 4.0" or 4.5" iPhone SE 2
- 4.7" iPhone 7S
- 5.5" iPhone 7S Plus
- 5.8" iPhone 8 Plus (rumored)
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GAP of 3.9" between rumored iPhone 8 screen size and 9.7" iPad ******
Large-screen end (difference from smallest screen to largest screen: 3.2")
- 9.7" iPad
- 10.5" iPad Pro (rumored)
- 12.9" iPad Pro
Maybe the "complainers" would rather lop off a size or two at the small and large screen ends rather than eliminate the size that plugs into the big gap? For example, do we really need a 5.5" and (rumored) 5.8" screen iPhone available at the same time? Difference between those is
3 TENTHS of an inch.
Do we really need a 9.7" and (rumored) 10.5" screen iPad? Difference between those 2 screens is < 1".
Meanwhile, you look at the almost 4" gap between those groupings and there seems to be an opportunity there... to either keep by filling it with a new Mini 5 or dump and have guys like you spinning why the creation of such a big gap makes perfect sense since people are complaining about too many model variations. I know that some of us see it as some kind of job to rationalize anything we think Apple wants to do, but sometimes one can just apply common sense as a CONSUMER and recognize that bunching screen sizes up at a small and large sizes basically begs for a mid-size. If a problem is too many models, get rid of 1 of the 3 large sizes and 1-2 of the 4 small sizes, but don't create a 4" gap by choice... and expect those that really like the medium size to buy either the small or the large instead.
Stepping down to a phone doesn't make sense to all because it is far more expensive and gives up a great deal of real estate (see post #209 for a visual comparison). Stepping up to a full-size screen doesn't make sense to all because one gives up some portability and just don't want the added size & weight. For those that like the Mini, it's the "just right" tablet size... much like being asked if you want small, medium or large and you opt for medium.
Those who don't like the Mini are NOT forced to buy one. But those who
do like the Mini have the option (at least for the moment) to get what they want too. There's nothing wrong with that to "fix" (by eliminating the choice).
Personally? I speculate this rumor- if true- is about profit margin. Mini has always been faulted as not being as profitable as the full-size iPad. My solution: instead of killing it, raise the price to get the desired profit and spin it as "miniaturization costs more." If my speculation is correct, Apple could then get what they want out of the Mini and Apple consumers could still have a choice that is not too small (and far more expensive) or too large. The "just right" size for those people would just cost a little more. It's not exactly unheard of for Apple to roll out a new model of something and raise prices.
