iPad Mini 4 Again Rumored to Be Smaller Version of iPad Air 2 in New Design Renders

[anshuvorty]

I don't believe that Apple will produce a truly converged device (a la Surface) until they can create a device that can run both OSX and iOS and fully implement Continuity. Without the keyboard, it runs iOS... with it, OSX.

Now that will be something that certainly peaks my interest and possibly worth buying. If battery technology can get to the point where plugging in an external keyboard automatically charges the battery on the futuristic version of this iPad concept (because OS X would definitely be less power-efficient than iOS) and switching between iOS and OS X would also be detrimental to battery life (because restarting is not good for battery life). Interesting stuff!

 

[Yebubbleman]

I'm not sure what Apple's incentive to really do anything with this release. Every major competitor to the original iPad mini has been discontinued in favor of selling larger alternatives (as evidenced by the discontinuation of the Google Nexus 7 in favor of the Nexus 9 as well as Amazon focusing on 8.9" Kindle Fires instead of the smaller 7" models it originated with). The mini tablet is on the endangered species list, cannibalized by the phablet and further incentivized by more full-featured full-sized (8.9" to 11") tablets. That said, as someone who will be getting the phone I assume will be called "iPhone 6s Plus" as well as the tablet I assume will be called "iPad Air 3", I do have a fondness for the iPad mini line and I do hope it continues to be sold. But I think that hoping for a long lasting future past this point is hoping against hope.

 

[nutmac]

although for nitpickers the screen carried a higher density/ppi than the Air, to fit in the same number of pixels in a smaller size screen, but a fractionally lower colour gamut.

I think it's more to say iPad mini has significantly worse screen. And at 62% vs. 107% sRGB, color gamut difference is far more than fractionally lower.

It's not as bad as TN screen of course, but mini's screen has terrible color accuracy and there's tremendous color shift when displaying images/video that quickly goes from dark to bright and vice versa.

In fact, the screen is the sole reason why I would never buy iPad mini (I have 2 and looked at 3 in details) until it gets more proper screen.

 

[CEmajr]

I wish they'd do what they did with the Mini 2 - have it as a smaller version of the current "big" iPad. I don't see the need for the spec difference.

It's most likely for profit margin reasons.

 

[iChrist]

GROUNDBREAKING!!
This should make a big boost to sales.

 

[patent10021]

I was going to get the rMini 3 for testing but I guess I can wait for the Mini4. These Minis are great for testing because you can basically test for an iPhone (iP6+) and iPad (Air2) using one device.

 

[dampfnudel]

Anyone else think this will be the only iPad announced in September?

It's looking that way. It would make sense to add it to the iPhone 6s/6s Plus intro next month because an October presentation with only the mini 4 would be short and a waste of resources. Might as well kill two or possibly three (ATV 4) birds with one stone and give people 3 full months before Christmas to pick one or two or three up.

 

[driceman]

Shame it won't be a miniature iPad Air 3. It irritates me when Apple is being cheap.

 

[dampfnudel]

Shame it won't be a miniature iPad Air 3. It irritates me when Apple is being cheap.

It looks like the iPad Air 3 won't be released until next year so it wouldn't make sense to release a smaller version of an iPad that will only exist in a lab this year.

 

[Jsameds]

iPhone 6S Rumored to Be Smaller Version iPhone of iPhone 6S Plus.

You don't understand what they're saying. The Mini 4 could be a small version of the Air 3 but it won't be, it'll be a small version of the Air 2.

Huge difference.

 

[KJL3000]

RIP silent/rotation lock switch, again.

 

[iPadCary]

I know, but I found the size uncomfortably small. I could have magnified what was on the screen, but why see less content than on the iPad Air when the iPad Mini wasn't offering me any real benefit. It's a great device and perfect for some, just not me.

OK.

 

[Alenore]

You don't understand what they're saying. The Mini 4 could be a small version of the Air 3 but it won't be, it'll be a small version of the Air 2.

Huge difference.

You don't get sarcasm, it seems.

 

[Jsameds]

You don't get sarcasm, it seems.

Oh I do. I'm English.

I just think you missed the point regarding the Mini being a small version of one generation as opposed to another.

 

[driceman]

It looks like the iPad Air 3 won't be released until next year so it wouldn't make sense to release a smaller version of an iPad that will only exist in a lab this year.

This would be the first year they've ever not updated the main iPad line then... Still skeptical that that's going to happen.

 

[iPadCary]

Anyone else think this will be the only iPad announced in September?

There will be no iPads announced in September.
iPads are an October event.