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Cellular iPad Mini Doesn’t Feature mmWave 5G Support, Unlike iPad Pro
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I was not aware that there was an old model? There was the iPad mini5, I got that, but it is no comparison? You get a bigger screen on the same footprint (you pay $100 for that alone from the iPhone 13pro to the pro max, only difference to the pro) you get USB C, you get a brighter display, a better camera, faster data, better sound, did I mention a bigger, better and brighter screen? In the same footprint? Holdable in one hand?
I am getting it mainly because it hat a bigger screen. AND it's brighter. iPad mini is the same perfect size.
These things last for ever, supported until we all have implants.
Oh, it has a bigger and brighter screen!
Trading in my 12,9" pro 2020 and my mini5 where I have a private buyer and have to pay very little if anything on top.
since the arrival of the MBA M1 the big iPad is collecting dust, so what better then getting this adorable little replacement. So powerfull and portable.
It also hat a bigger and brighter screen 😎
I love this iPad! However I have a 3rd generation iPad Pro… I don’t know if I can live with a smaller screen lol! But I do love everything about this (except the lack of promotion)… I’m half tempted to trade in my pro for it! 🤣 smallest note taking device ever!
People still associate "Mini" with cheap. But this iPad is actually more up to date than the iPad Air.
Mini is just small, not less.
Would have loved so see the colors from the Air though.
Mini is just small, not less.
Would have loved so see the colors from the Air though.
I was hoping to use the mini for photos, but it doesn’t have the Portrait Lighting, and probably not even a portrait mode, which is very disappointing. Does anyone knows which camera modules are in it? Maybe same as iPhone XR? If yes, those support Portrait mode and lighting. Why not mini?
They're way easier to carry around and use. Basically a consumption device and the perfect size for that.
No worries about no mmWave here, we barely have good 4G (LTE)!
And I have an iPad Pro (11"), and barely ever use it, but I use my mini, and I'll use my new mini every day.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, been using a Mini as my "phone" too for years. Free VOIP app like Google Voice, Comcast Voice, Talkatone, etc will make it able to make and receive calls, send and receive texts. Get yourself some buds with microphone and use it for calls just like many people do with their phones (when they also want to see the screen).
Yes FaceTime, Messages, Mail, etc all work just fine with Mini- use them every day. I think they work better with the extra screen space.
This option can be MUCH CHEAPER than iPhone + ongoing iPhone cell service... and much, much cheaper than iPhone + service plus tablet. AT&T offers 2GB for 3 months for $30 on demand. If you mostly operate in free wifi zones- like I do- buy cellular only when you really need to connect and can't find any wifi. My ANNUAL cell bill has been $90 per YEAR for the last few years this way.
Mini makes for a great "phone"... and tablet in ONE single device to carry around.
The five people who have mmWave in their neighborhood are gonna be really disappointed.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
So a non-Pro product doesn't have a Pro feature.
That headline is intentionally incendiary.
Well played, MacRumors.
That headline is intentionally incendiary.
Well played, MacRumors.
Awesome reply! Thank you will strongly consider doing this.
It’s got the pro look, price, and Apple marketed it as capable of doing professional work. It’s a pro in everything but name and features.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
If you happen to already have an iPad or iPhone, download a VOIP app, set it up and try it yourself. It will give you a feel for how it works. I just leave Google Voice open and my Mini "rings" when I get a call and I get pop up notifications with texts.
BONUS: if you happen to still use a land line at home (alarm system? occasional fax need? etc), look up the Obihai device on Amazon or similar. That little box will let you "share" the same GV phone number with the landline connections. Alarm & faxing works for me that way. And when someone calls, my Mini rings as does some portable phones in the home. That all works great too. Calls to North America this way? ZERO dollars/month.
There are some downsides: Mini is not as pocketable (but suit pockets work well for me and purses for women. Else, I just tuck it under an arm if I need my "mobile" with me). Camera is not quite as good as iPhone Max. If Watch is very important to anyone, Apple has pretty much married Watch & iPhone- some functionality won't work as well trying to sub in Mini as "phone." Select CarPlay functionality may also be "married" to phone, though bluetooth to my stock (not CarPlay) system seems to work just fine for calls, music, voice instructions with maps, etc.
since the air starts from $599...then if the mini is lowered than the air must be lowered too...and the pro as well and so on...because mini is no slouch, slightly better than the air even
iPad - Compare Models
Compare resolution, size, weight, performance, battery life, and storage of iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini models.
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So they can sell you the next phone when they barely make any changes and need something to talk about
Shoot. Forgot about watch. I use it for step counting and you’re right, no watch app on iPad. Yes will be funny to see what iPad looks like in my pocket. The biggest concern I have with using GV is sometimes there are websites that want a phone number and when I use GV it says this number is not compatible or something. Somehow they know a number is not from a cellular network.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
You mean it's got the Air look and price, and is an Air in everything but name and size.
Thank g-d for veteran's discounts! I was able to get the 256gb for $584 down from $649--WiFi only; I use my personal hotspot when out and about. The cost is steep, but the mini for me is my 'take everywhere' device when I don't need the full capacity M1 Air.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Yes, that GV number can sometimes be a problem for cell number verification requirements. But iOS offers easy & free workarounds. Example: just needed to use Uber app and they wanted to confirm with a cell number (only option). My GV number was not usable for that with them (though other companies will use it). So I fire up free Talkatone app. They assign a cell phone number for free. Used that to confirm with Uber then went into Uber later to switch it back to GV number. That worked fine. I basically keep Talkatone on my Mini for just such occasions. Have to use it maybe once or twice each year like that. Most companies want to text verify and some seem to "think" that GV can't receive texts but it certainly can.
As to Watch, does the step counting work without your phone? Not everything on Watch requires the phone so you may want to see if your particular uses have a direct dependency on iPhone. If not, this could still be an option. Or maybe your existing phone can continue to do dependency things for Watch until its wheels fall off?
To save upwards of $1000-$2000 (depending on cell service cost) each year, there will obviously be SOME compromises. I find iPads tend to work fine & get upgraded for more time than iPhones, so I seem to be on an every 4-5 year upgrade cycle (coming from Mini 2 here) instead of coughing up $1000+ every year or two. Mini 2 is still working pretty great but iOS updates have been terminated and a few apps important to me seem to need new iOS versions. I expect this new 6 to last another 4-6 years.
At least for my own purposes, I don't feel like I'm missing a thing (but I don't have Watch or CarPlay)... and enjoy the extra $1000-$2000/yr or so for other stuff. New Macs approacheth! 🎉
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it would be nice to have mini version of base iPad for cheaper. For people who want very portable device but not overkill just for reading and watching videos.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
If those are your sole wants, look to Android tablets. Fire HD 8" (4.5 stars) is currently $90 on Amazon. Modestly better version for $20 more. User expandable to at least 1TB storage to hold upwards of 4X more movies and books than I'll be able to fit on my incoming & maxed iPad Mini 6.
Yes Android 🤮 Yes sacrilege. 😱 But Android tablets can easily play videos and be a reader for a fraction of Apple pricing. Is it equivalent to iPad Mini 6? Of course not. That's part of why it is a fraction of the price. And I'm not saying Android is better than or equal to iOS. However, for very simple uses like those, Android will deliver those uses about as good as iPad can.
Else, look back a generation or two. Mini 4 or 5 are cheaper. And that will get you iOS. There will likely be special deals now to clear stock of older ones and others will be selling their 4s and 5s because they are getting a 6: "renewed" Mini 4 128GB on Amazon is $270 as I write this. Again for simple uses like videos & books, older, cheaper Minis will deliver good enough. State of the art has no special advantage for either of those wants.
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Really? I could have sworn in the keynote they said download speeds of up to 3.5gbps. Maybe that was for the iPhone 13 lineup. Maybe I’ll have to go rewatch it.
Either way, millimeter wave is a joke. It’s only if you’re walking down the middle of the street, in a big city. The range and availability of it is a joke.
Either way, millimeter wave is a joke. It’s only if you’re walking down the middle of the street, in a big city. The range and availability of it is a joke.