iPad iPad mini 6 vs iPad Pro 11 (2020)

[wasabah]

Hi all,

I got the iPad Mini 6 and love the form factor. After using it for almost 2 weeks now, I am still torn.
The jelly effect on the screen as well as the 60Hz still bother me quite a lot, so much that sometimes I am getting dizzy.
Another minor annoyance is the size of UI elements in iPadOS, but I almost got used to that by now.

Nevertheless, I was browsing the refurbished section and noticed that I can get the iPad Pro 11 (2020) for about 100USD more than the new iPad Mini 6.

My use case is mainly at home and for occasional travel as a casual entertainment device.
Web browsing, media consumption (mostly streaming via YouTube, Netflix), reading (Kindle), FaceTime, chatting (WhatsApp, Discord, Messenger), notes (I do not plan to get a pencil) etc.

I know the technical differences between the devices (see my list below), but I would like to hear some experiences / inputs from all of you.
How portable is the iPad Pro, how do you like it for the use cases above, etc.
Any inputs are welcome!

iPad Mini 6
+ Portability
+ Ultrawide front cam

iPad Pro 11 (2020)
+ ProMotion & brighter display
+ 128GB
+ 4 speaker audio
+ better rear cameras (but I do not care about those as I don't need them)

 

[nightkiller]

Hi OP,

I was in an opposite situation. I had the iPad Pro 11 2020 Cellular since launch last year.

I sold it immediately once Apple announced the new re-design iPad mini 6. Don't get me wrong, the iPad Pro 11 2020 is a very very impressive model, the 120hz screen, the speakers and with the magic keyboard, a very capable machine.

However, with the release of mini 6 which I bought on launch day, it has changes the way I use my iPad.
I use the mini 6 more often now, previously my iPad Pro is always on the magic keyboard, makes it cumbersome for me to use when I am on the couch or bed.

Of course, you can detach it from the magic keyboard, but if you are on the road or in the train/bus, you will know that it is troublesome to do it. You can use the iPad Pro without keyboard but to me it is heavier/difficult to use 1 handed. So, unless you stay home often, you just need a big screen then iPad Pro might be more suitable for you.

I also find that my work flow is better suited on m1 MBP, thus I use my iPad for media consumption and net surfing only.

With the mini 6 5G, I can use it anytime/anywhere I like without having to detach it from the magic keyboard anymore. I am now using it more than my iPhone 13 pro. The 60hz screen is OK for me, because I value portability more. The new front facing cam which has Center Stage is great for me as I FaceTime daily with my parents.

Overall, I had more fun using the mini 6 as it suits me better, the sacrifice will be 60hz and smaller screen. But you can't have the best of both world for 1 handed ease of use.

 

[Rafterman]

The Mini is one you would find grabbing more than any other device. It is a powerful upgrade from the 5. As nightkiller said, it is "fun." But I found that the 11 wasn't much bigger or heavier, yet is very powerful, especially if you want more storage. In he end, it depends what you value more - small or power. If it was a 12.9 inch, the difference is more stark. But the 11 is a "tweener" between the Mini and the 12.9. I personally decided on the 11 because I liked the 2TB storage option and the Magic Keyboard support.

 

[kristalsoldier]

Hi all,

I got the iPad Mini 6 and love the form factor. After using it for almost 2 weeks now, I am still torn.
The jelly effect on the screen as well as the 60Hz still bother me quite a lot, so much that sometimes I am getting dizzy.
Another minor annoyance is the size of UI elements in iPadOS, but I almost got used to that by now.

Nevertheless, I was browsing the refurbished section and noticed that I can get the iPad Pro 11 (2020) for about 100USD more than the new iPad Mini 6.

My use case is mainly at home and for occasional travel as a casual entertainment device.
Web browsing, media consumption (mostly streaming via YouTube, Netflix), reading (Kindle), FaceTime, chatting (WhatsApp, Discord, Messenger), notes (I do not plan to get a pencil) etc.

I know the technical differences between the devices (see my list below), but I would like to hear some experiences / inputs from all of you.
How portable is the iPad Pro, how do you like it for the use cases above, etc.
Any inputs are welcome!

iPad Mini 6
+ Portability
+ Ultrawide front cam

iPad Pro 11 (2020)
+ ProMotion & brighter display
+ 128GB
+ 4 speaker audio
+ better rear cameras (but I do not care about those as I don't need them)

I have been using the IPP 2020 (128GB; wifi only) version from almost its release. And, I use it everywhere and whenever I need a tablet. I don’t use it to simulate a laptop and I don’t intend to under normal circumstances. I carry it with me (long and short distance) all the time with my laptop and phone and, as such, it’s the third indispensable item in my digital kit.

My use case includes heavy use for reading lengthy work-related and casual documents using PDF Expert, Books, Kindle, email, writing/note taking. I sometimes use it to browse Reddit. Less often I use it to interact on Telegram amd Discord. I use Safari and Edge to browse the web all the time (both for work and non-work related reasons). I also watch YT materials on it, but very rarely.

Because I use it a lot for reading, I am partial to Promotion. I prefer it’s screen size and I find it to be portable in virtually all situations and circumstances that I find myself using it in. I have toyed with the idea of getting the Mini, but, the compromises for me would be too high (especially in terms of screen size) in addition to the fact that I am considering replacing my S21U with the new Fold.

As you can judge from the above, my preference will almost always be for the 11” form factor and the IPP 2020 addresses that…for me.

 

[wilberforce]

I have both, iPP 11" and mini 6.
11" is better for web browsing, media streaming (also has better speakers), use in hotels while traveling.
Mini is better for Kindle, messaging, use in vehicles while traveling.

Reasons are probably pretty obvious.

 

[TinaBelcher]

Hi OP,

I was in an opposite situation. I had the iPad Pro 11 2020 Cellular since launch last year.

I sold it immediately once Apple announced the new re-design iPad mini 6. Don't get me wrong, the iPad Pro 11 2020 is a very very impressive model, the 120hz screen, the speakers and with the magic keyboard, a very capable machine.

However, with the release of mini 6 which I bought on launch day, it has changes the way I use my iPad.
I use the mini 6 more often now, previously my iPad Pro is always on the magic keyboard, makes it cumbersome for me to use when I am on the couch or bed.

Of course, you can detach it from the magic keyboard, but if you are on the road or in the train/bus, you will know that it is troublesome to do it. You can use the iPad Pro without keyboard but to me it is heavier/difficult to use 1 handed. So, unless you stay home often, you just need a big screen then iPad Pro might be more suitable for you.

I also find that my work flow is better suited on m1 MBP, thus I use my iPad for media consumption and net surfing only.

With the mini 6 5G, I can use it anytime/anywhere I like without having to detach it from the magic keyboard anymore. I am now using it more than my iPhone 13 pro. The 60hz screen is OK for me, because I value portability more. The new front facing cam which has Center Stage is great for me as I FaceTime daily with my parents.

Overall, I had more fun using the mini 6 as it suits me better, the sacrifice will be 60hz and smaller screen. But you can't have the best of both world for 1 handed ease of use.

this makes me excited to read. I have a 2018 model of the 11-inch Pro and have ordered the mini 6. The only "work" I've ever done on the pro was reading and highlighting pdf/books, which I probably can do even better on the mini 6.

 

[spraycansoul]

I'm in the same boat , trying to decide between 11" iPad Pro (2021) and iPad Mini 6.

The 11" is obviously the better spec'd iPad , but its hard to ignore the mini's form factor.

If going with the mini , id need to stretch to the 256GB , so the price difference reduces between the two.

Apple also has the back to school promotion still on where you get a free set of airpods with the Pro model.

As most people have said , the mini has that fun element about it and is probably the one you will reach for when looking to just browse the web or listen to music , but im still un-decided.

For those of you that have both size's, what is photo editing and file organising like on the mini?

 

[Username-already-in-use]

If jellyscroll is a big issue then no 60Hz display will do, you’ll need to get something with ProMotion which would be a Pro.

 

[Kiki_box]

I had a IPP (2020) and I've bought a mini two weeks ago.
Both are very portable device. Ipad Pro was a joy to use and better in many scenarios than the Mini. But I've decided to keep the Mini and sell my Ipad Pro because I can still do everything I want with the Mini. I don't feel I'm lacking of any features from the Pro. I use to write and read a lot and it is much more enjoyable with a Mini. Writing makes it easier to hold with one hand and reading is the same. Yes, you loose ProMotion, but It has not been a problem for me so far. Writing is almost as the same experience on the Mini. Yes, you loose sound quality: Ipad Pro is much better, but when I'm traveling on a train or plane, I enjoy to have the Mini instead. Because of its portability. When you are in a transport, you can take the Mini and use it as a reader device. I've never done that with a pro. So, I would say that I feel I can do more things now that I have the Mini than when I had the pro, even if it was obviously a better device. Good luck for your choice!

 

[Username-already-in-use]

I had a IPP (2020) and I've bought a mini two weeks ago.
Both are very portable device. Ipad Pro was a joy to use and better in many scenarios than the Mini. But I've decided to keep the Mini and sell my Ipad Pro because I can still do everything I want with the Mini. I don't feel I'm lacking of any features from the Pro. I use to write and read a lot and it is much more enjoyable with a Mini. Writing makes it easier to hold with one hand and reading is the same. Yes, you loose ProMotion, but It has not been a problem for me so far. Writing is almost as the same experience on the Mini. Yes, you loose sound quality: Ipad Pro is much better, but when I'm traveling on a train or plane, I enjoy to have the Mini instead. Because of its portability. When you are in a transport, you can take the Mini and use it as a reader device. I've never done that with a pro. So, I would say that I feel I can do more things now that I have the Mini than when I had the pro, even if it was obviously a better device. Good luck for your choice!

Yes definitely, the Mini is a boon to me. My 12.9 Pro is not suitable to take everywhere. But fortunately I am not in an either/or situation and so I can have both.