Kuo: Apple Likely to Launch Refreshed iPad Mini Early Next Year

[Stromos]

Too small to be usable as an iPad.
Too large to be a pocket tablet.
Too expensive for all of the above to not matter.

Who tf buys the iPad mini?

Ah yes the speaker for all of us has spoken.

I guess I will too.

Who uses anything bigger than an iPad mini? Anything bigger there is this thing called a laptop...

I for one have tried iPads twice and think they are completely pointless. They are always heavy and I feel dumb for not just using my laptop.

The mini has always been the ideal size for wanting to surf or watching something and have it bigger than a non plus phone. (Also don't like the monster plus phones).

That being said, the Mini is the device I would always pay more than I do now if they would treat it like a real iPad. The main new features are all gated to M1 devices and Mini owners literally are just shut-out right now.

Give me an M2 mini with a nice screen and all the bells and whistles it will be an instant buy.

I will never purchase a tablet bigger than the mini size.

 

[PauloSera]

A whole lot of people buy it. Some get it and some don’t. To each their own. Since getting mine, 256GB on sale new for $549. I sold my M1 iPad Pro 256GB since it was no longer being used. The mini just suits me better and use it all the time.

It's just an iPad, but worse. It's like not its size enables any kind of new portability. I've seen some very specific use cases where its size helps because it fits into some kind of installation better, but thats it.

 

[sracer]

Hopefully they fix the jelly scroll.

They most likely will. The Apple user community will most likely respond:

Those who deny jelly scrolling exists: "See! Apple listened and responded, now stop complaining!"
(which is amusing since they denied it existed in the first place)

Those who claimed jelly scrolling always existed: "It's still there, you just can't see it."

Those who held off buying the Mini 6 because jelly scrolling was noticeable and bothersome: "Shut up and take my money!" or "Ouch! It's too expensive"


I replaced my Mini 4 with a 256GB Mini 5 because I knew it would be the last mini of the classic form-factor. I use it heavily every day as an ereader, puzzle gaming, digital planner/project notebook/journal/brainstormer, content consumption, and mobile productivity tool. It's still a little beast of a device.

I would be willing to give up the home button and headphone jack and move up to a hypothetical Mini 7 if....

1. The form-factor were adjusted to support a smart cover (not a folio)
2. Remove the camera bump

That is highly unlikely to happen, so I'll happily continue using my Mini 5.

 

[blairh]

iPad Mini needs a better screen. It is lifeless compared to an OLED iPhone or an iPad Pro.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Sounds like they're going to do away with the Smart Covers then? Makes sense considering the back cameras are more usable in the iPads now and the cover has to be moved to use them.

 

[sracer]

Sounds like they're going to do away with the Smart Covers then? Makes sense considering the back cameras are more usable in the iPads now and the cover has to be moved to use them.

Apple has already discontinued smart covers for their new iPad models. The iPad Mini 5 and 9th gen iPad were the last two iPads to have them. They now only produce smart folios for the new iPad models. The primary reason for that is to mask the camera bump.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Give it a two MagSafes on the back so we can clip it to our car dashboards easily.

It is a bit more complex than that, because car dashboards are seldom ferrous metal.

 

[Jessica Lares]

Apple has already discontinued smart covers for their new iPad models. The iPad Mini 5 and 9th gen iPad were the last two iPads to have them. They now only produce smart folios for the new iPad models. The primary reason for that is to mask the camera bump.

Yeah, sorry, that's what I meant. I have both the Smart Cover for the 1st gen and the Folio for the 6th. The 1st gen didn't have that good of camera, but the 6th has as good if not better one than my 2016 iPhone SE.

Don't see them getting rid of the bump, probably masking it again with the kickstand...

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Who tf buys the iPad mini?

Folks who read, but prefer not to hold a one-pound-plus device.

Folks who play simple games (e.g. solitaire, etc.) but find the iPhone a bit small; and prefer not to hold a one-pound-plus device.

Those folks comprise a substantial market.

Personally I owned an original iPad and an iPad Air, and I prefer the Mini size. I use a Macbook Pro for real work.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

It's just an iPad, but worse. It's like not its size enables any kind of new portability. I've seen some very specific use cases where its size helps because it fits into some kind of installation better, but thats it.

Reading is not some kind of very specific use case. It is a primary use case, and the Mini size excels.

And yes, it is like its size enables additional portability. The lighter weight makes holding a Mini and reading with one hand much more comfortable. And the size allows workplace usages where the 10" size is just too unweildy. The Mini fits in the pocket of a typical safety vest, for instance, while a 10" iPad does not. And a Mini fits in a pocket to climb a ladder, while a 10" iPad does not.

 

[Howie Winer]

When will apple FINALLY fix the ipad mini 6 landscape keyboard. It's unusable now 🤮

And it also has really bad responsiveness. Totally sucks 🤮

 

[svish]

Looks like no new iPad releases any time soon. A lower price point for the iPad mini may increase its sales.

 

[zachcsnyder]

just imagine how amazing an iPad mini with a promotion OLED display, faceid, camera from a 13 or 14 pro, usb/tb4, 8gb ram, a 512 or 1tb option, and MagSafe, would be. Basically, make a 14/15 pro max max. (Titanium chassis while we’re dreaming). My mini just might be my answer to the, you can only keep one device forever question. Absolute workhorse, it has meaningfully improved my workflow (oddly specific) more than any speed bump, however large. (Love my M1 Pro mbp)

 

[4nNtt]

I’ve almost bought a mini many times since my 13” sometimes feels too big. If this has an A17 or M3 I’ll probably pick it up. Especially if a 16” iPad comes out and I want an additional smaller iPad.

 

[kiranmk2]

I highly doubt you will see the 9th generation get the a14 not gonna happen that iPad will probably be dropped from the lineup this year along with the 10th to make room for the 11th generation 🤨

The 9th gen (or at least that design) isn't going anywhere. If that design goes, Apple will lose the $329 price point (and the cheapest iPad will be $499) and likely lose the school market who value the low cost, headphone jack and non-laminated display (less $$ if it gets broken)

 

[wbeasley]

Have to agree Apples pricing in Europe lately, is nothing but hostile.

Apple pricing just reflects currency rates... everywhere. The USD has been strong for so long and why?

Much preferred Apple prices when Aussie dollar was parity and not 70 cents (+GST).

While iPad min is niche, I would love to see a small keyboard/folio for this.
Whole screen for viewing content and real keys (even tiny ones) for easier typing.

 

[sam_dean]

So from a 2021 A15 Bionic 5nm chip to a 2023 A17 Bionic 3nm chip by Sep 2023 or later?

 

[RickTaylor]

Apple has already discontinued smart covers for their new iPad models. The iPad Mini 5 and 9th gen iPad were the last two iPads to have them. They now only produce smart folios for the new iPad models. The primary reason for that is to mask the camera bump.

It's a pity Apple won't make iPads without cameras. Why would I want a camera on my 12.9" iPad Pro? At the very least, I don't need a camera on the back of it.

 

[jerrah]

It's a pity Apple won't make iPads without cameras. Why would I want a camera on my 12.9" iPad Pro? At the very least, I don't need a camera on the back of it.

I find it occasionally use for scanning documents with the 12.9" but I wouldn't use it for taking photos of anything.

 

[The Game 161]

had to nab another ipad mini 6 after selling forgot how much i missed it and the portability when taking to work and when i go to the gym it's ideal for on the bike

 

[DeepSix]

I want enhanced jelly roll. Love this feature on the mini 6.

 

[AriaAmaris]

IMHO, the iPad Mini is the best Apple device besides the 16 inch MBP. It just needs ProMotion, an M1 chip, and a bit more RAM. Yes, the blacks are not as good as the 12, but the pixel density is superior to all iPads. It’s perfect for on the go. Touch ID is nice. I don’t need Face ID.

 

[J&JPolangin]

I too would replace my iPad mini 5 if they Mx #'d the SOC from an A series & gave it 120 Hz; an iPad Pro 11" 4th gen is growing on me but would prefer similar specs in the mini form factor!