Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad Mini 4 Rumored to Be Smaller Version of iPad Air 2, A9-Based iPad Air 3 Still Possible for 2015

There is obviously some confusion as to how the mini iPads relate to their larger counterparts. Here is a rundown:

• iPad mini 1 was essentially a smaller iPad 2 (therefore much slower than the iPad 4)
• iPad mini 2 had the exact same specs as the iPad Air 1 (this is the only generation where the mini and Air had the same specs)
• iPad mini 3 had the same specs as mini 2 (therefore much slower than the iPad Air 2)
• iPad mini 4 would thus have the specs of the iPad Air 2 since we missed on that last year

iPad Air 3 meanwhile will be the next generation of iPads and presumably have the same processor as the iPad Pro: A9. Personally I hope the Air 3 is a bit thinner. I know, I'm crazy, but after using the new 12" MacBook I feel the Air 2 is to thick. :D

Edit: here's an easier comparison:

iPad mini 1 = iPad 2 < iPad 4
iPad mini 2 = iPad Air 1
iPad mini 3 = iPad Air 1 < iPad Air 2
iPad mini 4 = iPad Air 2 < iPad Air 3
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech, Val-kyrie and TruthWatcher412
iPadCary said:
What insane nonsense is this?!? The iPad Mini 3's "essentially" an iPad Air.
So the iPad Mini 4's being "essentially" an iPad Air 2 is "news"?!?
Balderdash, I say!
Click to expand...

Actually Mini 2 was essentially an iPad Air 1 and they released at the same time meaning the Mini was equal to the full size flagship.

The Mini 4 could potentially be either a small iPad Air 2 or iPad Air 3, so it is news to find out that it's the former.
 
iPadCary said:
What insane nonsense is this?!? The iPad Mini 3's "essentially" an iPad Air.
So the iPad Mini 4's being "essentially" an iPad Air 2 is "news"?!?
Balderdash, I say!
Click to expand...

Not even; the Mini 3 has Touch ID. That's a huge plus. If the Mini 4 doesn't even have Force Touce (if it gets added to the Air 3) I would be mad.
 
Jsameds said:
Actually Mini 2 was essentially an iPad Air 1 and they released at the same time meaning the Mini was equal to the full size flagship.

The Mini 4 could potentially be either a small iPad Air 2 or iPad Air 3, so it is news to find out that it's the former.
Click to expand...

I actually think it will be somewhere in between, like the original Mini was in between the iPad 2 and the iPad 4. Say the Air 3 adds better internals, better battery life, better cameras and Force Touch, the Mini 4 will probably only have better cameras and Force Touch. We'll see.
 
It's folly to believe that Apple won't put out an iPad Air 3. Apple spent a lot of time telling us about all the new features on iOS 9, some of which will only run on the iPad Air 2 ... now why would they only have an OLD iPad version running a new operating software ... makes absolutely no sense.

There will be an iPad Air 3.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
I hope they don't delete the iPad mini after the 4.
I don't like the ipad. I have an iPad 2 since it release, and it's just laying round. I can't really find a use for it. Or I'm on my rmbp, or I'm on my iphone.
I find the iPad too big to take outside and too small to actually work on it at home.

My next planned purchase is an iPad mini, as I think that it will be much easier to take outside and is more useful in certain cases than my iPhone.
 
taptic said:
MacRumors, you always manage to blow me away with new insights such as the idea that the word 'mini' might be significant in determining it's size!
Click to expand...
Congratulations on being the 5000th comment not understanding the newsworthiness of the article. It is going to be a mini version of a previous gen, is the interesting news. That wasn't really the case with iPad mini 2, so that's different.
 
I'm really exited for this. I keep jumping back and forth between the mini and full sized ipad and decided to buy the mini this round and give it a shot.

I just hope the new mini doesn't have the structural issues that the iPad Air 2 had (which is why I returned it). But I do hope ther is a good update to the iPad Air 3 because if I decide I don't like the mini, I don't want to get a year-old iPad Air.

After getting burned with the iPad 3, I want to get the fasted iPad this time around.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Billy95Tech
Cuban Missles said:
very strange article. mini's have always been a smaller version of the ipad. all this article is saying is that they will bump the new mini specs to the level of the current ipad.
Click to expand...
What is strange in saying that the next iPad mini will have the exact same specs as the iPad Air 2, except for its smaller screen size (and smaller battery & lower weight)? What else could be meant with: "Smaller Version of iPad Air 2"?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arran and cfedu
I think the only differential factor should be the screen size.
Imo the iPad mini 2 = iPad Air Generation was the best. You didn't have to compromise on specs, you just bought your preferable screen size.
(Ok, there where minor inferiorities like not the best screen on the mini)
 
bushido said:
god i hate the coating on my iPad Air 2. it is nearly impossible to remove the finger prints and its not as easy to slide over the screen compared to my old iPad 3 if that makes sense
Click to expand...

I put tempered glass on my iPad Air 2 a few days ago and have been very pleased, so far. No lag, removing of finger prints is easier to me than on iPad glass itself. I haven't had it out in the sun light to see how bad the reflection is yet. Since I do not have my iPad in a super protective case, my one main concern has been cracking the glass. Understanding that not all advertisements are 100% reliable I still wanted to put the tempered class on to (hopefully) prevent cracking the iPad glass should I drop it or have something dropped on it.
 
Please keep that anti-glare crap away from the Mini. It's near impossible to remove fingerprints from the Air 2 because of that coating.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bushido
CmdrLaForge said:
No new iPad Air would not make any sense in a declining market. I bet we see the Air 3 with the A9
Click to expand...

I get what you are saying but I don't know what Apple is going to do with all these SKU models. I am guessing they will again have:

Ipad Air
Ipad Air 2
Ipad Air 3
Ipad Mini 2
Ipad Mini 3
Ipad Mini 4
 
And what will they call it?

Probably not iPad Mini4, but iPad Air Mini. I sure hope they give us a reason to upgrade from the iPad Mini 2, we love it but didn't see any reason to upgrade to the 3.
 
Mackinjosh said:
Please keep that anti-glare crap away from the Mini. It's near impossible to remove fingerprints from the Air 2 because of that coating.
Click to expand...
i know right? whats the point in anti glare when you end up with a screen full of finger prints instead.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back