Could Apple's OLED iPad Mini Finally Be a Kindle Killer?

[noraa]

The answer is an unequivocal “No.”

What’s makes dedicated e-readers so good for reading is that the eink display is not backlit - I.e. there is no light shining into your eyes while reading. This is not only easier on the eyes, it is also better for reading at night as you’re not subject to the blue light tint that all backlit (LCD) or direct lit (OLED) displays suffer from.

Further more, while most e-readers at this point do have a built in light, the way the light works is very different from LCD/OLED panels. The light is actually in front of the display, and reflects off of it just like any other ambient light around you. In addition, most e-readers let you adjust the color temp of the light, so you can have a nice warm light at night, and a cooler light during the day.

Finally, eink displays are wonderful in direct sunlight, as the more light reflecting off the display the easier it is to see it (basically the exact opposite of LCD/OLED displays).

 

[xraydoc]

While it's definitely not going to be Kindle killer, I might switch back to an OLED mini after leaving it for the OLED 11" iPad Pro.

 

[mw360]

Reading experience on an iPad:

It was a dark and stormy ni--

Oh, I wonder what the weather will be tomorrow. *Swipe*. Travel disruption? Better check the news. *Swipe*. Trump did what, now? I wonder what they're saying about that on Twitter? *Swipe*. Oh, jeez no, I gotta correct this jerk...

 

[Tagbert]

Are you kidding me? The PWM of OLED is eye-straining.

Does the switch to disable PWM on the iPhone 17 Pro help you? They might bring that to more devices as they move into OLED more widely.

 

[Rradcircless]

I would love Apple to offer a nano-texture option on the iPad mini. Would be an instant buy for me. Reading on my nano texture iPad Pro is very easy on the eyes.

Paper like.

 

[KENESS]

If you don't want a Kindle, this won't change that, and if you do want a kindle, this won't change that either.

Extremely well put.

 

[allenvanhellen]

Are you kidding me? The PWM of OLED is eye-straining.

How is that different than LED lighting in homes and offices? I don’t understand.

 

[allenvanhellen]

I would pay for an iPad mini if it had an e-ink or some sort of hybrid e-ink & OLED/LCD screen. Otherwise it just doesn’t make much sense: iPhones are almost as big now (for media consumption), and MacBooks make better computers (for productivity).

 

[ugahairydawgs]

Some people read all manner of things just fine on an iPad, including books, regardless of the screen technology, which is great. Good for them. Others (like myself) purposefully seek out dedicated eReaders due to eInk screens, much better battery life, and a separation from the distractions of a more general purpose device like an iPad.

A handful of incremental technology improvements to the iPad doesn't change that calculus. I'd still choose the eReader every time.

Beyond click-bait (worked on me!), what's even the point of asking this question over and over again? Best tool for the job, always.

Problem for me is that my books are all on Apple Books, so an iPad is my option (or phone in a pinch). Personally I would be much more interested in a Mini if it had a nicer screen and Face ID.

 

[Black_Mage]

I don't see these 2 things as products that compete directly. Yes, the iPad can be an eReader, but a dedicated eReader will have an eInk display and will last much longer on a single charge. People who want to just read will get the Kindle.

 

[Entilzha]

Must be a slow news day. No non-eInk display will ever replace a Kindle.

 

[New Mexico Bob]

Nope. Not an e-ink display.

 

[iDento]

the best thing about my kindle is i DONT get e-mails, texts, notifications etc. also battery good for MONTHS!!!

You can easily achieve that using Focus modes. I use an eInk because I don’t want to go blind though.

 

[Hornby]

If I read outside more I’d probably prefer the E-ink type displays (of which I’ve owned a few over the years and currently have a Kobo reader), but I read mainly inside and the E-ink displays, even with the lighting they have never do it for me. I prefer my iPad to read books.

A new iPad with OLED would be a big yes for me.

 

[ke-iron]

Not a kindle killer and never will be. E-ink displays are superior for lengthy reading, much easier on the eyes.

 

[segfaultdotorg]

Maybe, if they make it the iPad Paperwhite.

 

[votdfak]

I am using Kobo.

 

[VanillaStar]

I'm very happy with my iPad mini. The compact size is great for both use at home and travel. I'm not buying books from Apple—I use the free Libby app to borrow books and magazines from the public library for free. I also use the Kanopy app on the iPad mini to watch movies for free using my public library card. Hoopla is another free app that gives you free access to books, music, and movies using your public library card. Freegal Music is another great app to use with your library card, which lets you stream and download music (with limits of course).

That said, I won't buy a new one unless it has Face ID. That narrow little Touch ID button never works. It probably annoys me so much because the Face ID on my iPad Pro works so well.

 

[leehericks]

If Apple is this committed to making and updating the niche iPad mini, the least popular iPad, they really should make and keep updating the iPhone mini.

I love the size of my iPad mini thanks.

 

[baconcat_8964]

The shift from LCD to OLED could make the iPad mini far more appealing as a reading device.

OLED with low frequency PWM make it far less appealing as a reading device.

 

[Siriosys]

Nope. Never gonna happen for at least these three reasons:

Display technology
Battery life
Price

…moving on.

 

[Momof2.1107]

I use my Mini 7 as my kindle replacement and I have no issues with it. I don’t read for hours and hours on end, so my eyes do not get fatigued. I just turn on a focus mode when I’m reading so that I do not have any notifications come through my iPad while I’m reading.

 

[qacjared]

If Apple is this committed to making and updating the niche iPad mini, the least popular iPad, they really should make and keep updating the iPhone mini.

100%. I never understood why we got iPhone [Main Series #] Minis two years in a row instead of iPhone Mini 1/2/3, etc updated on a slower cadence like the iPad Mini or the SE series.

 

[Madonepro]

You can easily achieve that using Focus modes. I use an eInk because I don’t want to go blind though.

The issue I found, and you are spot on with using focus modes, is that the device you are reading on, is capable of lots of things, so as you are reading, your brain distracts you. Might be something in the book, a place, etc, and so if using a iPad, you flick out of it, open up safari, and then potentially distracted for hours.
With a Kindle, you just read, and learn to accept, that everything else can wait. Love it...

 

[platinumaqua]

How is that different than LED lighting in homes and offices? I don’t understand.

PWM is typically a problem when the brightness is less than 100%. Home LED bulbs are typically run at 100%.