iPad Pro Mini 5 or ipad pro 9.7 2016

[vijayvasa]

Hope someone can help. I bought an ipad mini 5 and loved it a lot due to the size.

But I also have ipad pro 9.7 at home, but I do notice the weight especially using in bed. Where as mini 5 is so nice to use, but the major disadvantage of mini 5 for me is not to have a apple smart keyboard.

Can anyone help me to understand if Ipad mini 5 is worth more than 9.7 and do we have keyboards like smart keyboard for 5 ?

vj

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hope someone can help. I bought an ipad mini 5 and loved it a lot due to the size.

But I also have ipad pro 9.7 at home, but I do notice the weight especially using in bed. Where as mini 5 is so nice to use, but the major disadvantage of mini 5 for me is not to have a apple smart keyboard.

Can anyone help me to understand if Ipad mini 5 is worth more than 9.7 and do we have keyboards like smart keyboard for 5 ?

vj

The smart keyboard for the iPad Pro 9.7 inch isn’t even worth it. Key spacing is pretty bad.

 

[Shanghaichica]

Can you keep both?

I have the 10.5 inch pro and the mini 5. I like the weight of the mini when I’m on the go or in bed but if I’m at home I usually use my pro with the keyboard.

 

[*~Kim~*]

There is no Apple Smart Keyboard for the Mini 5 but it can be used with Bluetooth keyboards.

As for whether it is worth more, I guess that’s a question that’s best answered by weighing up the specs. The Mini 5 has more RAM, at 3GB as the 9.7” Pro was only had 2GB (half that of the other Pro models, the exception being the 1TB 3rd Gens.) The Mini 5 also has a processor that is 3 generations newer, albeit the Pro uses an X variant and the Mini does not. Camera wise the Mini is has 7MP on the front vs 5MP on the Pro, but the Pro is better on the rear with 12MP vs 8MP on the Mini. The quad speakers are unique to the Pro models.

The 9.7 Pro WiFi is priced at £399 refurbished, for 32GB storage. The base Mini 5 is £399 for 64GB. So, price wise, Apple seem to consider the Pro as being worth more (half the storage and refurbed for the same price, the original price being listed as £519.) Incidentally the £519 given for the 32GB 9.7” WiFi Pro is the same price as the 64GB Mini 5 Cellular.

The 9.7” Pro is the next lightest device after the Mini, lighter than the 2018 iPad which benchmark wise isn’t far ahead of your Pro and lacks other features that your Pro has (quad speakers, better cameras, laminated display, True Tone.) Are you wanting to either keep/return the Mini and sell/keep the Pro, or might having both be useful to you? The Pro could be used for keyboard work or when you want a larger screen for watching videos on, with the Mini useful when you want a lighter device. The Mini 5 is bound to receive iOS updates for longer if you don’t plan on getting another device for some time. At the moment it is unclear whether Apple plans to keep the 9.7” size around (Air 3 went to 10.5” and the 2018 iPad has the A10, a 2 and a half year old chip.) The Mini might be the only option going forward for those not wanting anything bigger.

 

[vijayvasa]

Can you keep both?

I have the 10.5 inch pro and the mini 5. I like the weight of the mini when I’m on the go or in bed but if I’m at home I usually use my pro with the keyboard.

I have the iPad Pro 12.9 for home
Hence the confusion about 9.7 vs mini 5.

 

[vijayvasa]

There is no Apple Smart Keyboard for the Mini 5 but it can be used with Bluetooth keyboards.

As for whether it is worth more, I guess that’s a question that’s best answered by weighing up the specs. The Mini 5 has more RAM, at 3GB as the 9.7” Pro was only had 2GB (half that of the other Pro models, the exception being the 1TB 3rd Gens.) The Mini 5 also has a processor that is 3 generations newer, albeit the Pro uses an X variant and the Mini does not. Camera wise the Mini is has 7MP on the front vs 5MP on the Pro, but the Pro is better on the rear with 12MP vs 8MP on the Mini. The quad speakers are unique to the Pro models.

The 9.7 Pro WiFi is priced at £399 refurbished, for 32GB storage. The base Mini 5 is £399 for 64GB. So, price wise, Apple seem to consider the Pro as being worth more (half the storage and refurbed for the same price, the original price being listed as £519.) Incidentally the £519 given for the 32GB 9.7” WiFi Pro is the same price as the 64GB Mini 5 Cellular.

The 9.7” Pro is the next lightest device after the Mini, lighter than the 2018 iPad which benchmark wise isn’t far ahead of your Pro and lacks other features that your Pro has (quad speakers, better cameras, laminated display, True Tone.) Are you wanting to either keep/return the Mini and sell/keep the Pro, or might having both be useful to you? The Pro could be used for keyboard work or when you want a larger screen for watching videos on, with the Mini useful when you want a lighter device. The Mini 5 is bound to receive iOS updates for longer if you don’t plan on getting another device for some time. At the moment it is unclear whether Apple plans to keep the 9.7” size around (Air 3 went to 10.5” and the 2018 iPad has the A10, a 2 and a half year old chip.) The Mini might be the only option going forward for those not wanting anything bigger.

There are pros and cons on both sides which I see.

Pro has 4 speakers where sometimes is useful when kids are watching. But mini 5 is an absolute joy to carry to office and use it as a notebook. I can only have one as having 3 is not a choice

 

[*~Kim~*]

As you already have a 12.9” which has the better speakers, bigger screen and keyboard support, I would say Mini 5. The 9.7” Pro is essentially an underspecced version of its 12.9” sibling, whereas the 10.5” and 12.9” 2nd Gen Pros were on par with each other.

The Mini 5 better ticks the portability box as you already have a 12.9” for home use.

 

[vijayvasa]

As you already have a 12.9” which has the better speakers, bigger screen and keyboard support, I would say Mini 5. The 9.7” Pro is essentially an underspecced version of its 12.9” sibling, whereas the 10.5” and 12.9” 2nd Gen Pros were on par with each other.

The Mini 5 better ticks the portability box as you already have a 12.9” for home use.

Yeah that’s what the heart says as well. Might as well sell my 9.7 pro to fund mini 5 and enjoy life.

 

[Digitalguy]

I have the iPad Pro 12.9 for home
Hence the confusion about 9.7 vs mini 5.

I have the pro 12.9, the 9.7 pro and the mini 5. And I like and use the 3 of them.
For home/desk use the 12.9 is best. The pro and mini 5 are used more on the go (both cellular).
First, concerning keyboards, the best you can buy for the mini is the brydge 7.9. It's a much better typing experience than the 9.7 smart keyboard. Personally I use the logitech create for the 9.7 and 12.9 and love them (especially the 9.7). But honestly I can write as fast on the 3 of them (brydge and 2 Logitech), even if the one I enjoy most is the 9.7 create.
What has the 9.7 more compared to the mini 5. It's more "lappable".... Also the create protects it completely (contrary to the smart keyboard and the brydge). And it's less than 900gr with no need for extra protection. Brydge + mini is 630gr but you need extra protection.... Also, if I know I need to do things that work better on a larger screen like remote desktop into my pc, I bring the 9.7 ans the mini is too small for that. And to be honest I use the 3 of them at home. Mini is good for one handed use. 9.7 is good for watching videos while doing other things around the house, propped by the smart cover (12.9 is more tiring to move around, especially when you are moving other things around and have only one hand free)
So personally I love the 3 of them.
One last thing. When you use more than one ipads they tend to last longer since you wear the battery of each one less (if you use them a lot as I do).

 

[vijayvasa]

I have the pro 12.9, the 9.7 pro and the mini 5. And I like and use the 3 of them.
For home/desk use the 12.9 is best. The pro and mini 5 are used more on the go (both cellular).
First, concerning keyboards, the best you can buy for the mini is the brydge 7.9. It's a much better typing experience than the 9.7 smart keyboard. Personally I use the logitech create for the 9.7 and 12.9 and love them (especially the 9.7). But honestly I can write as fast on the 3 of them (brydge and 2 Logitech), even if the one I enjoy most is the 9.7 create.
What has the 9.7 more compared to the mini 5. It's more "lappable".... Also the create protects it completely (contrary to the smart keyboard and the brydge). And it's less than 900gr with no need for extra protection. Brydge + mini is 630gr but you need extra protection.... Also, if I know I need to do things that work better on a larger screen like remote desktop into my pc, I bring the 9.7 ans the mini is too small for that. And to be honest I use the 3 of them at home. Mini is good for one handed use. 9.7 is good for watching videos while doing other things around the house, propped by the smart cover (12.9 is more tiring to move around, especially when you are moving other things around and have only one hand free)
So personally I love the 3 of them.
One last thing. When you use more than one ipads they tend to last longer since you wear the battery of each one less (if you use them a lot as I do).

Thank you that was very well worded.