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Have you ever owned a mini? The difference is still quite big in comparison to any 5.5" phone.

Yes I have. I haven't owned a 5.5" iPhone though.

Think for a second - why do people want a bigger screen iPhone? It's so they can browse the internet better. So they can watch videos on a bigger screen. Oh wait, isn't that what a tablet is used for? Many people want bigger screen phones so the device can double as a tablet and save money. Look at Korea - No one owns official 'tablets' in Korea, most people have large phones that double as tablets. It saves a significant amount of money.
 
Yes I have. I haven't owned a 5.5" iPhone though.

Think for a second - why do people want a bigger screen iPhone? It's so they can browse the internet better. So they can watch videos on a bigger screen. Oh wait, isn't that what a tablet is used for? Many people want bigger screen phones so the device can double as a tablet and save money. Look at Korea - No one owns official 'tablets' in Korea, most people have large phones that double as tablets. It saves a significant amount of money.

But a 5.5" phone is still nowhere close to as good at any of that stuff as a 7.9" tablet. The tablet will be better for reading, watching movies and browsing the web. I can't imagine annotating a large PDF on a 5.5" phone, while it's incredibly simple on my iPad mini.

Edit:

No. I don't think you should. As I posted in another thread, IMO out of the three categories:

1) iPhone or iPod Touch
2) iPad or iPad Mini
3) Macbook Pro or Macbook Air

you should pick two. I cannot imagine a scenario where someone would get three, and extensively use all three. Sure, a few people might, but they are almost certainly in the extreme minority.

How so? I have an iPhone 5, retina iPad mini and retina MacBook Pro. I'm only a student and I would think I use all three of them quite extensively. And I know quite a few more people who have all three.

On the other hand, my father (a businessman) gets by completely with just an iPhone and iPad.
 
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No. I don't think you should. As I posted in another thread, IMO out of the three categories:

1) iPhone or iPod Touch
2) iPad or iPad Mini
3) Macbook Pro or Macbook Air

you should pick two. I cannot imagine a scenario where someone would get three, and extensively use all three. Sure, a few people might, but they are almost certainly in the extreme minority.

What you want is a portable work machine, and a more portable play machine. If you get a third device, what would its purpose be?

I intend to have, within a month or two, an iPad. Then I will have a cheap (~$100 off contract) android phone (only used for calls/sms/maps/tethering), an iPad for mobile entertainment, my MBP for portable work, and my desktop for work and entertainment at home. All bases covered, but little overlap.


EDIT: Further note, I think the iPhone+ is encroaching on category 2 territory a bit too much. I think you might be able to justify getting a full-size iPad, if you don't also have a notebook, but choosing an iPad Mini over an iPad, when you already own an iPhone+, seems insane to me.

I have the current Retina Mini which is the 128GB LTE model, a 32GB iPad Air WiFi and just bought a Mac Mini. I use all three throughout the day.

I will be skipping this years iPhone and keep my 5S till the 6S.

I also have a Nexus 7 tablet but I stopped using it once I got my iPads. No reason to have an Android tablet in my life anymore.
 
How so? I have an iPhone 5, retina iPad mini and retina MacBook Pro. I'm only a student and I would think I use all three of them quite extensively. And I know quite a few more people who have all three.

And if your iPad self destructed, I'm sure you'd get by just fine. What is it that you can do on an iPad that you can't do equally well on either an iPhone of MBP???

On the other hand, if your iPhone self destructed instead, you could get a cheap phone, and again get by just fine.

I have the current Retina Mini which is the 128GB LTE model, a 32GB iPad Air WiFi and just bought a Mac Mini. I use all three throughout the day.

OK, but why did you choose the iPad Mini over the iPhone??? (IMO, "Because it's way cheaper" is a perfectly valid reason :p)
 
And if your iPad self destructed, I'm sure you'd get by just fine. What is it that you can do on an iPad that you can't do equally well on either an iPhone of MBP???

On the other hand, if your iPhone self destructed instead, you could get a cheap phone, and again get by just fine.



OK, but why did you choose the iPad Mini over the iPhone??? (IMO, "Because it's way cheaper" is a perfectly valid reason :p)

I have a 5S but will not be getting the 6 because a bigger screen is not a good reason for me to upgrade yet. I'll wait till the 6S when they usually add features to make it worth it.

I bought the 128GB LTE Retina Mini to take with me and use in the car as my iPod via bluetooth. I have over the past month gone back to using my 160GB Classic for that.

I bought the 32GB iPad Air for use at home. At the time, didn't have an HD TV yet so I could not use my still unopened Apple TV2 that I had bought two years previous to that. I bought it to use with Netflix since it had a bigger screen.

Since then, I bought an HD TV and use my Apple TV2 with it. I use the Mac Mini to serve up my 6TB of movies and TV shows to the Apple TV.
 
And if your iPad self destructed, I'm sure you'd get by just fine. What is it that you can do on an iPad that you can't do equally well on either an iPhone of MBP???

On the other hand, if your iPhone self destructed instead, you could get a cheap phone, and again get by just fine.

Actually, I use the iPad the most, so if it would self destruct I'd run to the first :apple:store. What is it that I can do? Easily annotate and read my notes for school, for example. On the other hand, the Macbook stays at home most of the time for the "heavy lifting" and the iPhone gets used when I'm out, for example as entertainment on the bus or quickly looking things up when I ne something.

Do you mean a "dumbphone"? I doubt that, unless there is one that has iMessage and FaceTime and can run apps like WhatsApp and Evernote.

The reason I have all three is mainly because of the main advantage of iOS and OSX against the competition. Everything just works so well between each other. The way I can pick up whichever device and have everything I need synced up across all of them is something we could only dream about 5 years ago. It's what Apple is all about with its "closed" systems - it all just works.

So believe it or not, you don't have to be an extreme user to use all three of the devices.
 
Well tell me, why is anyone excited for it?

I'm on an iphone 5 and passed on the 5s last year because I didn't see touchID as that big of a deal (and my speed and camera are still pretty darn good). That has changed with the release of iOS 8. Now that touchID can unlock any app that wants to use it (1password being the biggest one) and also be used for purchases, it would make a very big difference in how I use my phone. Unlocking the phone with it is cool, but it's the in-app uses that really make it appealing to me.

----------

No. I don't think you should. As I posted in another thread, IMO out of the three categories:

1) iPhone or iPod Touch
2) iPad or iPad Mini
3) Macbook Pro or Macbook Air

you should pick two. I cannot imagine a scenario where someone would get three, and extensively use all three. Sure, a few people might, but they are almost certainly in the extreme minority.

I don't know about people generally, but what you said is true for me. I do have all 3, but the ipad is the odd man out. It only gets used for times when I want a bigger screen than the iPhone but a laptop is somehow impractical. So not too often.
 
i was sure they would put 2gb ram in it last year...
was also missing touchID
decided to vote with my wallet and not buy it. (as if they cared...)

might buy it this year if they fix both. not sure yet.
 
No. I don't think you should. As I posted in another thread, IMO out of the three categories:

1) iPhone or iPod Touch
2) iPad or iPad Mini
3) Macbook Pro or Macbook Air

you should pick two. I cannot imagine a scenario where someone would get three, and extensively use all three. Sure, a few people might, but they are almost certainly in the extreme minority.

What you want is a portable work machine, and a more portable play machine. If you get a third device, what would its purpose be?

I intend to have, within a month or two, an iPad. Then I will have a cheap (~$100 off contract) android phone (only used for calls/sms/maps/tethering), an iPad for mobile entertainment, my MBP for portable work, and my desktop for work and entertainment at home. All bases covered, but little overlap.


EDIT: Further note, I think the iPhone+ is encroaching on category 2 territory a bit too much. I think you might be able to justify getting a full-size iPad, if you don't also have a notebook, but choosing an iPad Mini over an iPad, when you already own an iPhone+, seems insane to me.

I have all 3. iPhone 5S, iPad rMini, Macbook Pro.

Obviously the iPhone and Macbook get the most use but the Macbook is pretty heavy to carry in my bag all day long so usually I just leave it at home and bring the iPad Mini unless I need to do something that requires a full computer. I think the size of the Mini is what finally made iPads viable for me. I always felt the full sized iPads were too big and close to the Macbook Pro so I could never find a use for them. The Mini is small enough to stand out on its own and be ultraportable.

I won't be getting the iPhone 6 or 6+ even though I have upgrades available. Planning to wait for the 6S next year.

Just recently upgraded from the 1st Gen Mini to the rMini and don't plan to get the iPad Mini 3 this year as all I expect to see is TouchID and performance increases. I'm fine with what I have for now.
 
I have all 3. iPhone 5S, iPad rMini, Macbook Pro.

Obviously the iPhone and Macbook get the most use but the Macbook is pretty heavy to carry in my bag all day long so usually I just leave it at home and bring the iPad Mini unless I need to do something that requires a full computer. I think the size of the Mini is what finally made iPads viable for me. I always felt the full sized iPads were too big and close to the Macbook Pro so I could never find a use for them. The Mini is small enough to stand out on its own and be ultraportable.

I won't be getting the iPhone 6 or 6+ even though I have upgrades available. Planning to wait for the 6S next year.

Just recently upgraded from the 1st Gen Mini to the rMini and don't plan to get the iPad Mini 3 this year as all I expect to see is TouchID and performance increases. I'm fine with what I have for now.

you're exactly like me.. except i bought the 6+ LULZ.

debating if i should get the ipad mini 3.
 
Maybe

I might--I really like my rMini. I am kind of hoping the size stays the same--I have a LOT of cases on hand . . .
 
But a 5.5" phone is still nowhere close to as good at any of that stuff as a 7.9" tablet. The tablet will be better for reading, watching movies and browsing the web. I can't imagine annotating a large PDF on a 5.5" phone, while it's incredibly simple on my iPad mini.

The most common explanation given is that the customers in Asia do not have the money to buy several $x00 device to satisfy all those niches of use perfection. They buy one ~$600 device that covers a phone, tablet and maybe even an entry level computer.

Compromise is a rich man' dilemma. If you don't have the money, it's not such a big deal.
 
Yeah I tried the 5s. I don't get how it's a feature people are excited for. I pretty much turned it completely off
If you didn't have a passcode on your phone, used a very weak passcode, or very rarely unlock your phone (or other devices), then the benefits of TouchID might seem minimal. It's hardly a hassle to use, though; just press down on the home button to turn the screen on, leave your finger resting on the button, and the phone unlocks. It's faster and involves less effort than swiping the screen or typing in a passcode. As an added bonus, you don't even need to be looking at your screen, and it's a one-handed operation that doesn't involve any extra movements.

The real beauty of it comes in when you're frequently locking and unlocking a device, particularly if it has a passcode that is longer than the default four-digit code. In my case, I use my iPad for work. It has a passcode that is much longer than four digits, and it gets locked and unlocked multiple times per hour. While I'm pretty fast at pounding out that code, TouchID would save me a lot of time and effort, and it would probably be more secure (because as fast as I am, someone who is really dedicated could probably note the code that I type in).

As of iOS 8, normal use cases will be able to benefit as other apps will be able to utilize the TouchID sensor as well. It's a wonderful technology. It was intriguing when it was announced, but once I bought an iPhone 5S and saw how well it worked, I felt that it was a "must-have" feature on the iPads as well.
 
If you didn't have a passcode on your phone, used a very weak passcode, or very rarely unlock your phone (or other devices), then the benefits of TouchID might seem minimal. It's hardly a hassle to use, though; just press down on the home button to turn the screen on, leave your finger resting on the button, and the phone unlocks. It's faster and involves less effort than swiping the screen or typing in a passcode. As an added bonus, you don't even need to be looking at your screen, and it's a one-handed operation that doesn't involve any extra movements.

The real beauty of it comes in when you're frequently locking and unlocking a device, particularly if it has a passcode that is longer than the default four-digit code. In my case, I use my iPad for work. It has a passcode that is much longer than four digits, and it gets locked and unlocked multiple times per hour. While I'm pretty fast at pounding out that code, TouchID would save me a lot of time and effort, and it would probably be more secure (because as fast as I am, someone who is really dedicated could probably note the code that I type in).

As of iOS 8, normal use cases will be able to benefit as other apps will be able to utilize the TouchID sensor as well. It's a wonderful technology. It was intriguing when it was announced, but once I bought an iPhone 5S and saw how well it worked, I felt that it was a "must-have" feature on the iPads as well.


i couldn't have said it any better. touchID is a powerful hardware. i love it.
 
I never used a pass code on my iPhone in all these years until the 5S with Touch ID. It made it so easy to unlock my phone although I can never get it to work with my right thumb.

I don't think it's a feature that is worth buying a new iPad for however. They will have to add in other things to make me want to get a new iPad so soon. I bought my Air in March and my Retina Mini last December.
 
The most common explanation given is that the customers in Asia do not have the money to buy several $x00 device to satisfy all those niches of use perfection. They buy one ~$600 device that covers a phone, tablet and maybe even an entry level computer.

Compromise is a rich man' dilemma. If you don't have the money, it's not such a big deal.

That is still not a reason to "second guess" and not update the mini this year as the guy above said.

I know that a 5.5" device will work for many as a compromise between a phone and a tablet, but many people seem to think that a 5.5" phone is too close to a 7.9" tablet and that it will canibalize the sales (some even say that it will make it irrelevant). All I'm saying is that there is no way that will happen, as they still are different devices.
 
7.9 is the sweet spot for a tablet.

and 4.7 is the sweet spot for the phone.

the 5.5 is a good size for the phablet too.

i don't like it when people compare the rMini to the 6+ and say one is better than the other. they're not. they are complimentary to each other. rMini is great but it doesn't have phone capability. 6+ is great but it's not as visually big as the rMini.
 
i was sure they would put 2gb ram in it last year...
was also missing touchID
decided to vote with my wallet and not buy it. (as if they cared...)

might buy it this year if they fix both. not sure yet.

oh yeah, forgot the bad color gamut. yet another turnoff.
 
That is still not a reason to "second guess" and not update the mini this year as the guy above said.

I know that a 5.5" device will work for many as a compromise between a phone and a tablet, but many people seem to think that a 5.5" phone is too close to a 7.9" tablet and that it will canibalize the sales (some even say that it will make it irrelevant). All I'm saying is that there is no way that will happen, as they still are different devices.

I agree that the mini will definitely be updated. But, you cant discount the fact that the two product lines are getting close to each other. The iPad's got smaller a couple of years ago and the iPhone's got larger this year. They are within a couple of inches of screen size from each other. There is bound to be some interaction in market dynamics between them and it will be interesting to see how Apple manages to maintain niche separation between the two in the long run. The iPod Touch may feel the pinch of these two giant product lines moving closer to each other. If anything, the Touch maybe in real danger of being relegated now.
 
I agree that the mini will definitely be updated. But, you cant discount the fact that the two product lines are getting close to each other. The iPad's got smaller a couple of years ago and the iPhone's got larger this year. They are within a couple of inches of screen size from each other. There is bound to be some interaction in market dynamics between them and it will be interesting to see how Apple manages to maintain niche separation between the two in the long run. The iPod Touch may feel the pinch of these two giant product lines moving closer to each other. If anything, the Touch maybe in real danger of being relegated now.

Will there be a convergence? Mini will stay at 7.9 and I doubt the plus will grow upto 7.9 territory. If Apple is smart it would stay in 5.5 possibly max 5.8
 
I recently sold my rMini, since October is new iPad announcement month. I got the iPhone 6 on Friday, and I'm rethinking upgrading to a new iPad when they're released. Even though it's only a 4.7" screen, and there is a big difference between it and even the 6+ and the rMini, I can't help but feel like the iPhone 6 screen is good enough. In between my rMBP and my iPhone 6, I am seriously considering if an iPad of either sort would provide too much overlap.

I'm a big proponent of "enough."
 
The larger iPhone could never satisfactorily replace the iPad mini for what I do, particularly reading pdf documents. On the other hand, because I have an iPad mini, I have zero desire to get a larger phone. Anything that would benefit from a larger screen I'd rather do on the mini anyways, and I'd rather my phone be small and out of the way. My phone gets used for phone calls and listening to music, where screen size isn't an issue.
 
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