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Apple's 2026 iPad Mini Could Be Water Resistant Like the iPhone
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I don't see myself needing waterproofing, but any improvements to the Mini are welcome. I really enjoy my 7th gen.
What do I want from my iPad mini? (Yes, I do have a fairly recent one.)
Tighter integration with my phone.
I want to use my phone for making calls, quick checks of mail, maps, etc., the obvious things where a phone size screen is adequate and easier to hold or mount.
But I want to be able to simply open up my iPad mini have immediate access to whatever I was doing on my phone. To transfer an active browser window between the devices. To always use the phone to connect to the internet if the phone is close enough. To exploit GPS in the phone for maps/navigation.
To be sure that apps are always at the same release on both devices.
To be able to use the iPad as a remote on the phone's camera and vice versa.
To allow Passwords, photos, other files, to synchronise between iPad and phone even without an internet connection.
To be able to make a call from my iPad through my phone.
To be able to do almost anything on the iPad via the phone meaning that I do not need a SIM in the iPad (when within range of the phone). Nor do I need the GPS which is only on cellular iPads.
What might be totally impossible, but nonetheless rather nice icing, would be to use a single eSIM which can be active on either device.
In other words, put my phone in my pocket, my iPad in my bag, and use whichever suits from minute to minute.
I know some of these things are achievable right now. Some might be possible with some extra software. I want them to be absolutely standard and built-in.
Tighter integration with my phone.
I want to use my phone for making calls, quick checks of mail, maps, etc., the obvious things where a phone size screen is adequate and easier to hold or mount.
But I want to be able to simply open up my iPad mini have immediate access to whatever I was doing on my phone. To transfer an active browser window between the devices. To always use the phone to connect to the internet if the phone is close enough. To exploit GPS in the phone for maps/navigation.
To be sure that apps are always at the same release on both devices.
To be able to use the iPad as a remote on the phone's camera and vice versa.
To allow Passwords, photos, other files, to synchronise between iPad and phone even without an internet connection.
To be able to make a call from my iPad through my phone.
To be able to do almost anything on the iPad via the phone meaning that I do not need a SIM in the iPad (when within range of the phone). Nor do I need the GPS which is only on cellular iPads.
What might be totally impossible, but nonetheless rather nice icing, would be to use a single eSIM which can be active on either device.
In other words, put my phone in my pocket, my iPad in my bag, and use whichever suits from minute to minute.
I know some of these things are achievable right now. Some might be possible with some extra software. I want them to be absolutely standard and built-in.
Was never really interested in the iPad mini before, but if it gets iPhone-level water resistance AND a Phone app (so you can use it with a proper phone line via eSIM; I currently have two eSIM lines on my iPhone but would love to separate them to two devices), it’s a day-one purchase for me. Wireless charging would be the icing on the cake.
I primarily want better processing, better storage, better battery, better screen, better everything... for the iPad mini.
A step in the right direction. Hopefully, they add more steps.
A step in the right direction. Hopefully, they add more steps.
My wish list for the next iPad Mini
1. Business colours (black and silver) as well as colourful options
2. A first party keyboard folio. I’m still rocking my series 5 because of the awesome Brydge keyboard
3. Latest Apple Modem for 5g, it’s such a useful device for photographers who use a traditional digital camera not a phone it would be nice to know we had the best speeds available to upload the photos!
1. Business colours (black and silver) as well as colourful options
2. A first party keyboard folio. I’m still rocking my series 5 because of the awesome Brydge keyboard
3. Latest Apple Modem for 5g, it’s such a useful device for photographers who use a traditional digital camera not a phone it would be nice to know we had the best speeds available to upload the photos!
OLED + water proofing would be a no-brainer for me... it's not like I asked for it recently... XD https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...erything-we-know-so-far.2467871/post-34190485
The mini is often used in special environments and waterproofing would be a great in some of those use cases.
Replacing the outdated screen of the mini is overdue anyway...
The mini is often used in special environments and waterproofing would be a great in some of those use cases.
Replacing the outdated screen of the mini is overdue anyway...
My son took the family iPad into the shower. Thankfully I discovered it before it got wet or steamy! 🤪🫣
I remember in high school when the iPhone 7 came out. I had a friend who just got the iPhone 7+ 256gb in jet black. He didn't believe me when I said that they only put water resistant for liability reasons, it's really water proof. Since he didn't believe me I threw his 7+ into the deep end of the pool. He wasn't a great swimmer so it sat there for about 10 minutes as he freaked out, I had a good laugh and assured him if it broke I would pay for it. It was totally fine when I got it. Any iPhone 7 or newer is waterproof with Apples factory seal.
