Has Apple abandoned iPad mini?

jekjones1558 said:
I have an old iPad mini 2 that I still use and love, especially for reading in bed. I bought a new 9.7 inch iPad Pro and I rarely use it. I would love to think that Apple will continue to offer upgraded models of the smaller iPad design but I don't see any rumors or talk of updates. Are the days of iPad mini numbered?
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I think that the future of the iPad Mini is safe.

I'm more concerned by the lack of support from Apple for the 12.9 iPad Pro.

As I continue to try to push the envelope in using my 12.9 iPP, I'm finding that I've reached the limit of how close it can get to that dividing line between tablets and notebooks. It currently isn't close enough to my liking.

So much so that I may take an extended time of using my iPad Mini 4 + my 11" MBA as my mobile solution. (currently it is my 12.9 iPP)

I was never a fan of the Mini before... but now, I think it make a great companion to my Macbook Air.
 
there's no rumours of a new mini though...

what they might do is add it up to this years processor with no other features apart from pencil support
 
jekjones1558 said:
I have an old iPad mini 2 that I still use and love, especially for reading in bed. I bought a new 9.7 inch iPad Pro and I rarely use it. I would love to think that Apple will continue to offer upgraded models of the smaller iPad design but I don't see any rumors or talk of updates. Are the days of iPad mini numbered?
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Only Apple knows.

The current mini is plenty powerful and worth the upgrade if you've got the inclination and the funds.

I doubt it will be abandoned...just not updated as frequently, I think.
 
If they come up with a bezel-less design for the 9.7, then the physical dimensions could be very close to the current Mini. It would be slightly larger than the current Mini, but smaller than the current 9.7.

That, ladies and gentlemen, could be the successor of the Mini and obviously it won't be called Mini anymore.

Give the pencil support to this new baby as well and voila!

Let's face it, if they could shrink the size of the current 9.7 closer to the size of the current Mini, not too many would complain about the current Mini being discontinued.

Oh, and don't forget; this new non-Mini-Mini will obviously cost more then the current Mini ;)
 
bingeciren said:
If they come up with a bezel-less design for the 9.7, then the physical dimensions could be very close to the current Mini. It would be slightly larger than the current Mini, but smaller than the current 9.7.

That, ladies and gentlemen, could be the successor of the Mini and obviously it won't be called Mini anymore.

Give the pencil support to this new baby as well and voila!

Let's face it, if they could shrink the size of the current 9.7 closer to the size of the current Mini, not too many would complain about the current Mini being discontinued.

Oh, and don't forget; this new non-Mini-Mini will obviously cost more then the current Mini ;)
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i totally agree. if Apple does go Bezel-less across the ipad line, then the 9.7" would indeed be closer to mini size, and thered be no need for the mini.
 
I believe Apple will replace iPad Mini with new 9.7 iPad Air 3 and new iPad Pro with 10" screen will replace 9.7 iPad Pro. 12.9 will remain the same.
 
Tim Cook seems to do this, but he fell for a trend in the market, where 7" tablets were popular and everyone was making them.

I am not saying that 7-8" tablets aren't good. The iPad mini is the perfect size and weight for a lot of things. And they certainly do still sell, but I'm guessing the demand has decreased and Apple have limited flexibility with pricing.

I think it's very much treated like an iPod Touch by Apple. In fact, at the time of launch and even now, they are extremely similar in hardware.

But I think they will continue with the iPad mini, but if the bezels are shrinking on the 9.7" model in the future (not the 10.5"), it has the possibility to replace the iPad mini.
 
bingeciren said:
If they come up with a bezel-less design for the 9.7, then the physical dimensions could be very close to the current Mini. It would be slightly larger than the current Mini, but smaller than the current 9.7.

That, ladies and gentlemen, could be the successor of the Mini and obviously it won't be called Mini anymore.

Give the pencil support to this new baby as well and voila!

Let's face it, if they could shrink the size of the current 9.7 closer to the size of the current Mini, not too many would complain about the current Mini being discontinued.

Oh, and don't forget; this new non-Mini-Mini will obviously cost more then the current Mini ;)
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Nope - it would have to be COMPLETELY bezel-less AND about .3" - .5" smaller - Even the fabled "bezel-less 10.5" still has bezels.

The current mini is pretty much at the upper edge of max size - any increase will mean that places where it fit nicely before (like suit coat or lab coat pockets) are now too small. MAYBE they could increase the height, but for many applications the size is maxed out right now.
 
Badrottie said:
I believe Apple will replace iPad Mini with new 9.7 iPad Air 3 and new iPad Pro with 10" screen will replace 9.7 iPad Pro. 12.9 will remain the same.
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Yes the 10.5" or 10" new iPad will like have such small bezels Apple will claim it's the same size as the 9.7" iPad Pro for example my Samsung Note 5 has a 5.7" OLED Display But thanks to Smart design by Samsung less bezels it is actually Smaller and narrower than an iPhone 7 Plus which only has a 5.5" inch Display.

The way I look at it. Is simple. If you already own a 9.7" iPad Pro you already own the new iPad Mini.

It's like McDonalds Drinks Medium is the new Small
 
The Game 161 said:
there's no rumours of a new mini though...

what they might do is add it up to this years processor with no other features apart from pencil support
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"Apple is stopping the Mini" is one of a million reasons why there's no rumors.

Here's a short list of more reasons why there might not be any rumors:
  • The Mini upgrade doesn't bring in the hits - sites like Macrumors and others may not care about an upgrade that doesn't sport something new (esp if the new mini is basically the 9.7" pro in smaller format).
  • Cho bases his information supply chain info - that may not give him visibility to Mini production.
  • Apple may be able to *gasp* keep a secret or two!
  • The new mini may not be launched along side the larger iPads.
  • The mini may be undergoing a complete redevelopment and is being kept in tight secrecy.
  • There may be rumors of the new mini, but Cho may not have considered the source credible.
  • They may be shifting production of the mini to new suppliers (which would explain why it hasn't shown up in traditional chains)
  • The leakers may not care to leak it if it's not interesting.
  • ...and on...
Short of it is that "no rumors" means nothing more than "no rumors".
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TheRealAlex said:
The way I look at it. Is simple. If you already own a 9.7" iPad Pro you already own the new iPad Mini.

It's like McDonalds Drinks Medium is the new Small
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Not really... it would be like having the new iPad mini in a comically large case (in which case it's NOT a mini...).
 
bingeciren said:
If they come up with a bezel-less design for the 9.7, then the physical dimensions could be very close to the current Mini. It would be slightly larger than the current Mini, but smaller than the current 9.7.
Click to expand...

Greenmeenie said:
i totally agree. if Apple does go Bezel-less across the ipad line, then the 9.7" would indeed be closer to mini size, and thered be no need for the mini.
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I'm a fan of the Mini, but if they could fit a 9.7" display into something not much larger, this would be the ideal iPad as far as I'm concerned. It's probably the only thing that would get me to replace my Mini 4 this year.
 
I'm a big fan of the Mini's. I still love and use my iPad mini2 a lot. As soon as it would no longer work I would switch to an iPad mini4 or hopefully somewhere this or next year we will be seeing a mini5 coming a long with up to date hardware (processor, RAM).
 
The min 2 has been (and still) my only iPad ever since I bought it (I sold my larger iPad when I got the mini 2). After all these years, the mini 4 definitely doesn't feel like an upgrade (it is only running a generation newer A8, and it's not even the A8X). I really really hope for a mini pro (A9X with pencil support). If not, I guess I'll keep my mini 2 for longer.
 
pika2000 said:
The min 2 has been (and still) my only iPad ever since I bought it (I sold my larger iPad when I got the mini 2). After all these years, the mini 4 definitely doesn't feel like an upgrade (it is only running a generation newer A8, and it's not even the A8X). I really really hope for a mini pro (A9X with pencil support). If not, I guess I'll keep my mini 2 for longer.
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The Mini 4 is actually a pretty decent upgrade. Yes, the processor is just one gen ahead, but it is slightly over-clocked compared to the A8 chips used in the iPhones, and it also has twice the RAM (which will probably allow it to get iOS updates for some time), a laminated display, better camera, and it still manages to be thinner and lighter. Also, coming from a Mini 2, TouchID is nice too.
 
Personally, I think the Mini's best feature is its physical size. Keep the shell the same size and fit a bezel-less screen as big as possible (8.7 or more?). Keep the 2048 x 1536 resolution. Add Pencil support. Done.

"Best iPad mini we've ever made" is what they'll say, just to keep with the branding they used for iPhone 7.
 
bensisko said:
Nope - it would have to be COMPLETELY bezel-less AND about .3" - .5" smaller - Even the fabled "bezel-less 10.5" still has bezels.

The current mini is pretty much at the upper edge of max size - any increase will mean that places where it fit nicely before (like suit coat or lab coat pockets) are now too small. MAYBE they could increase the height, but for many applications the size is maxed out right now.
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The height wouldn't actually increase with a 9.7" iPad mini, but the width would increase significantly.
Personally, I see all sizes sticking around for a while. If any iPad is going to go it would be the 9.7" due to the similarity with the 10.5" (unless they decrease the bezels). But I think 4 creates a nice lineup if Apple execute it right:

2048x1536, A9, 2GB RAM, 8mp camera, 6.1mm thin:
Small iPad (7.9" @326ppi)
Large iPad (9.7" @264ppi)

2732x2048, A10x, 4GB RAM, 12mp camera, 7.5mm thin, keyboard + pencil support:
Small iPad Pro (10.5" @326ppi)
Large iPad Pro (12.9" @264ppi)

I've probably made it seem more complicated by listing the specs but hopefully you cam see my point.
 
TheRealAlex said:
Apple is killing off the iPad Mini for 3 Reasons

#1. Price point it is more profitable to move consumer up to the 9.7 Pro which will be positioned not named as the new Mini with a 10.5 and a 12.9 models above it. But at least now all IPAd Models will have Pro features.
#2. 10th Anniversary Edition iPhone Pro simply put this has been known for a While Apple will release a 5.5" 7s model and a 5.5" 7s Plus but the real seller will be the 5.7" iPhone Pro with OLED Display
#3. Marketing Apple has 2 Lines across all their Products Regular and Pro. Aka MacBook and MacBook Pro
IPad and iPad Pro. This pushes consumers to upgrade themselves. Who wants an iPhone when there's an iPhone Pro available. Same thing with the iPad it has existed for years. There are Millions of iPad Owners who want to Upgrade now You have no choice all the Models will be iPad Pros.
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All the rumors for the iPhone pro clearly say the larger screen won't be larger phone.... it'd be a wrapped screen, so same space as plus but with side wraps... so #2 is false.
 
joeblow7777 said:
The Mini 4 is actually a pretty decent upgrade. Yes, the processor is just one gen ahead, but it is slightly over-clocked compared to the A8 chips used in the iPhones, and it also has twice the RAM (which will probably allow it to get iOS updates for some time), a laminated display, better camera, and it still manages to be thinner and lighter. Also, coming from a Mini 2, TouchID is nice too.
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Imo it was a nice upgrade if it was released as the mini 3. The mini2 was released in 2013. Getting a "new" mini with just a generation upgrade 3+ years later is not that big for me. The mini 4 is still a great product on its own, but if I wanted to upgrade after all these years, I kinda want a significant jump.
 
pacorob said:
I'm a big fan of the Mini's. I still love and use my iPad mini2 a lot. As soon as it would no longer work I would switch to an iPad mini4 or hopefully somewhere this or next year we will be seeing a mini5 coming a long with up to date hardware (processor, RAM).
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With the new iOS 10.2.1 my old Mini 2 is faster and smoother than ever. Great and light travel device. No need for me to upgrade.
 
All I want is latest SoC inside and 4GB RAM! That is it! Apple can charge more then the Pro iPad and still buy it if it had these features!

Apple stop putting in two year old SoC into the upgraded Mini!
 
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