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iPad mini iPad Mini 4 Upgrade to Mini 5 or Air 3?

dmk1974

dmk1974

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 16, 2008
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I figure it's time to upgrade from my iPad Mini 4. Other than size and $100 price difference, are the current Mini 5 and Air 3 about equal? Is there a major preference from users here? I'm leaning towards the Mini 5 just because I'm used to the form factor, but just wanted to see if I'd be missing on any performance or other feature by not going to the Air 3. Thanks!
 
Air 3 and mini 5 shares essentially the same internals. Both are A12, 3GB ram, first gen Apple Pencil support. Pretty much the biggest difference is the screen size and the fact that iPad mini does not have smart connector.

If you aren’t sure, buy iPad Air 3 and try it out for 14 days because why not?
 
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I second the advice - if possible in your country, buy from a place with a good return policy and try the bigger form factor to see how good it works for you.
 
As mentioned, just the size and Smart Connector.

For what it's worth, the iPad Air 3's 10.5" display in landscape is around the size of two iPad minis in portrait side by side.
 
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I’ve had my mini 4 since they were introduced and have had it in my bag almost everyday, it just ‘works’ for me. Thought the mini 5 would be the replacement, but I was hoping for more - promotion and quad speakers would have been nice - but, the newer processor and (old) pencil support is about it. Not an exciting upgrade, just ok.

So, I ended up finding a new (made April 2019, sealed box, 0 cycles on the battery) cellular 256gb iPad Pro 10.5 ‘refurbished’ on the APPLE website, which saved me $100 over same configuration new AIR, and has some advantages. 10x processor is snappy, 4gb RAM, great display with promotion, 6-element optical image-stabilized (the new 11” cut this feature) camera with flash (not that I use a large iPad for photos normally but it’s there), 4 speakers are what I was looking for. It’s not mini sized (which I’ve loved), but has advantages for media and work paired with a magic keyboard. And, since APPLE would give me only pocket-change to trade in my mini 4, I’m just going to keep it and use it as an ‘easy to carry around’ as I did before.
 
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dmk1974 said:
I figure it's time to upgrade from my iPad Mini 4. Other than size and $100 price difference, are the current Mini 5 and Air 3 about equal? Is there a major preference from users here? I'm leaning towards the Mini 5 just because I'm used to the form factor, but just wanted to see if I'd be missing on any performance or other feature by not going to the Air 3. Thanks!
Click to expand...
They’re both identical (excluding size).
 
If portability is important, I recommend the mini 5. Since getting mine, I am using it more than my XS Max. In fact, I am going to be starting a test this coming week, whereby I use my mini 5 as my daily driver. Using the mini 5 in this way gives me the best of both worlds in a compact size, in my opinion.
 
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The mini is great, and small portability has advantages, but now that I’m on this larger 10.5 screen I’m enjoying it.

The mini 5 and AIR are the same except for the size, pick either for that fact. The iPad Pro 10.5 adds a few ‘advantages’ so throw that into the mix if you want complications ;-)
 
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BasicGreatGuy said:
If portability is important, I recommend the mini 5. Since getting mine, I am using it more than my XS Max. In fact, I am going to be starting a test this coming week, whereby I use my mini 5 as my daily driver. Using the mini 5 in this way gives me the best of both worlds in a compact size, in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Don’t you miss having a larger iPad?

I have a 10.5 Pro but I’ve been using my mini 5 almost exclusively since I got it. Even at home on the couch I find it mor comfortable to use my mini.
 
Shanghaichica said:
Don’t you miss having a larger iPad?

I have a 10.5 Pro but I’ve been using my mini 5 almost exclusively since I got it. Even at home on the couch I find it mor comfortable to use my mini.
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I had the Air 2 years ago and I don’t miss having a larger tablet. If I had a larger iPad again, I doubt I would go mobile with it, not to mention I would probably reach for my 12” MacBook instead. If Apple develops an excellent folding tablet down the road, I would a larger iPad a serious look again.
 
Thanks for all of the comments. I think in reality I need to go to a store and handle them side-by-side. In the past, other than the size of my thumbs relative to the screen, I just figure holding the Air a little further from my face makes it effectively the same viewing size as the Mini (also considering the Mini has a more dense pixel size). I'm leaning towards the Mini 5 since it's the form I have been used to, but of course open to the Air.

I'd be moving over my existing T-Mobile LTE chip into the new device...are there any good deals out there on the LTE version of the Mini 5 that don't require some type of contract? Thanks.
 
dmk1974 said:
Thanks for all of the comments. I think in reality I need to go to a store and handle them side-by-side. In the past, other than the size of my thumbs relative to the screen, I just figure holding the Air a little further from my face makes it effectively the same viewing size as the Mini (also considering the Mini has a more dense pixel size). I'm leaning towards the Mini 5 since it's the form I have been used to, but of course open to the Air.

I'd be moving over my existing T-Mobile LTE chip into the new device...are there any good deals out there on the LTE version of the Mini 5 that don't require some type of contract? Thanks.
Click to expand...
If you already have service with T-Mobile, you can get unlimited iPad data for $20 a month. They also offer other data sizes, if you don't plan on using much data. I found the prices for smaller increments high, and chose to get unlimited.
 
dmk1974 said:
Thanks for all of the comments. I think in reality I need to go to a store and handle them side-by-side. In the past, other than the size of my thumbs relative to the screen, I just figure holding the Air a little further from my face makes it effectively the same viewing size as the Mini (also considering the Mini has a more dense pixel size). I'm leaning towards the Mini 5 since it's the form I have been used to, but of course open to the Air.

I'd be moving over my existing T-Mobile LTE chip into the new device...are there any good deals out there on the LTE version of the Mini 5 that don't require some type of contract? Thanks.
Click to expand...
I do like my iPad Pro (same size as the air 3) but there is just something to be said about the mini. I’ve had every generation of iPad mini and the original was my first iPad.
 
BasicGreatGuy said:
If you already have service with T-Mobile, you can get unlimited iPad data for $20 a month. They also offer other data sizes, if you don't plan on using much data. I found the prices for smaller increments high, and chose to get unlimited.
Click to expand...

In my current iPad Mini 4, I have a free 6gb/mo w/rollover data plan from T-Mobile (Magenta Friday promo from a few years back). Just plan to move that to whatever new iPad I get.
 
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dmk1974 said:
Thanks for all of the comments. I think in reality I need to go to a store and handle them side-by-side. In the past, other than the size of my thumbs relative to the screen, I just figure holding the Air a little further from my face makes it effectively the same viewing size as the Mini (also considering the Mini has a more dense pixel size). I'm leaning towards the Mini 5 since it's the form I have been used to, but of course open to the Air.

I'd be moving over my existing T-Mobile LTE chip into the new device...are there any good deals out there on the LTE version of the Mini 5 that don't require some type of contract? Thanks.
Click to expand...

No contract: T-Mo 5G/$10/150 days, AT&T: autorenew $34.99/30 days/unlimited data. Both use the built-in eSIM.
 
I tried the mini 5 and if you have good eyesight It’s fantastic. I’m getting old and my eyes are not what they used to be, I could hardly read the comment section in the youtube app.
 
Maurier said:
I tried the mini 5 and if you have good eyesight It’s fantastic. I’m getting old and my eyes are not what they used to be, I could hardly read the comment section in the youtube app.
Click to expand...

I’m in the same boat I guess (but hard to admit it ;-). Coming from a mini 4, my new iPad Pro 10.5 screen icons/text looked unnaturally big. Now I’m appreciating it, and it will be a benefit helping in document work. But I still like the mini physical size!
 
dmk1974 said:
Well, I ordered a Mini 5 64gb cellular model. Should arrive on Friday. Hope it "feels" a lot faster than my Mini 4!
Click to expand...

I think that’s a solid choice. I upgraded from a 1st generation 12.9 to an IPad mini 5 256gb. It was an easy decision. I was after portability and chose the mini over the air due to owning a 9.7 also. It’s a great device. Love it.
 
Thanks. It finally arrived today. Easy restore from the old iPad Mini 4. Definitely feels much zippier (as it should) since same processor as in my XR. In some ways, it's a larger screen version of my XR and much cheaper too (albeit with a lower quality rear camera).
 
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