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at that speed the performance is nearly identical to the iPad Air (doesn't seem like Apple updated the P-core this year, just gave it a clock speed bump). maybe they didn't want to overshadow the Air? still weird though, considering the iPhones have much smaller batteries and a 10% clock difference wouldn't make a huge difference especially with the display being so much bigger and therefore consuming more power. I'm also doubting the binning theory here, the mini is such a low volume device compared to the iPhone, not sure how much value there is in binning this processor.

EDIT: since the volume is so low, I guess that could be a good reason for binning. it's possible that the mini is getting the small volume of chips that have worse thermal characteristics, and therefore are set to a lower clock speed? you wouldn't be able to put those chips into an iPhone because of the smaller body, but the mini is big enough to deal with it.
 
The regular iPad. Only $329. $299 with educational discount.


So I should buy the regular ipad and, what, shave off an inch here and there? Maybe to get it to fit in my pocket and reduce the weight by the necessary 40%? And how do i get my Apple Pencil 2 to work with that? And when did an A13 become an A15?

I mean you are comparing two completely different products. “This sports car should cost the same as this grapefruit!”
 
at that speed the performance is nearly identical to the iPad Air (doesn't seem like Apple updated the P-core this year, just gave it a clock speed bump). maybe they didn't want to overshadow the Air? still weird though, considering the iPhones have much smaller batteries and a 10% clock difference wouldn't make a huge difference especially with the display being so much bigger and therefore consuming more power. I'm also doubting the binning theory here, the mini is such a low volume device compared to the iPhone, not sure how much value there is in binning this processor.

The low volume is exactly why binning makes sense. Remember that speed bins like a bell curve. iPhone gets the top 80% of the curve, and then you’re stuck with 20% that doesn’t make the cut.
 
The heat reduction and/or longer battery life, I guess?
to get 8-10 hours of heavy usage on that mini tablet is impressive...i think , like the iphone mini, this ipad is the best portable tablet on the market
Apple is the only one on the market who let users to have access to compact devices like the ipad mini and iphone mini with high end specs. A lot of people (not the majority) still use and like these compact devices...i hope for them Apple will really bring that even lighter and more compact M2 Macbook Air next year
 
So basically I should wait until the next version? I plan on using it for basic things like browsing and maybe doing work/college.
 
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The regular iPad. Only $329. $299 with educational discount.

Powerful. Easy to use. Versatile. The new iPad is designed for all the things you love to do. Work, play, create, learn, stay connected, and more. All at an incredible value.

The new iPad mini has a newer chip, better cameras, 5G, supports 2nd gen Apple Pencil (hence being able to charge it wirelessly), has a fully laminated display, anti-reflective coating, P3 color gamut...

wouldn't say it's that comparable. The mini is more comparable to the new Air, not the new base iPad
 
I know y’all love to complain but the vast majority of people won’t know or care, or even need that extra performance. Those who care about this kinda thing already know what device is best suited for their needs.

I seriously doubt ANYONE will notice the difference, even less so when you consider the iPad Mini is half the cost of the iPhone 13 Pro...
I agree completely.

I think this is a great example of too much information, more than most of us know how to really interpret.

If I decide to purchase one of these new mini's, this will have absolutely no impact on my decision.
 
The low volume is exactly why binning makes sense. Remember that speed bins like a bell curve. iPhone gets the top 80% of the curve, and then you’re stuck with 20% that doesn’t make the cut.
Exactly. It's a common practice... and makes sense for both the company and consumers. But it's difficult to resist engaging in hyperbole when describing the issue. To claim that a slightly slower clockspeed will hobble the Mini 6 is a bit silly. But not any sillier than most comparative claims... like "iPads without ProMotion are a laggy stuttering mess".
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Exactly. It's a common practice... and makes sense for both the company and consumers. But it's difficult to resist engaging in hyperbole when describing the issue. To claim that a slightly slower clockspeed will hobble the Mini 6 is a bit silly. But not any sillier than most comparative claims... like "iPads without ProMotion are a laggy stuttering mess". View attachment 1833028

True. I still can’t see any difference with promotion. Must be a “young eyes” thing.
 
I can think of 2 reasons why Apple did this:
  • chip shortage: they are worried about yields on the A15 and they to use the "perfect" chips for their iPhones and anything less than perfect can go into the iPad Mini, which isn't their primary cash cow
  • battery life: upon testing, they found out that the battery life suffers on the iPad Mini when a "normal" A15 is put into the iPad Mini
 
They must be worried about battery life with such a small mini battery. :)
Wrong, even the under-clocked A15 chip is fast for what the iPad mini 6 is designed for. People are not using it to create 4K movies though a limited option/capability exists. Even the A12 in the iPad mini 5 is still a beast for its purposes and no hamper on battery life.

It is to differentiate the iPad mini 6 and the upcoming iPad Air 5 plus bigger display to drive.
 
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Apple should be focusing its resources on future chips instead of crippling the current ones for lower models.

True, even though I think people do not choose Mini for its performance, but rather for its size & convenience. FWIW, if under-clocking it slightly extends its overall longevity, the battery included, it may not be such a bad trade-off.
 
True. I still can’t see any difference with promotion. Must be a “young eyes” thing.
ProMotion depends on what the observer is viewing for most there will be little to no noticeable difference but it does have the ability to drop the refresh rate that may even out or provide a slight edge for battery life but it all depends on how often higher than 60 Hz is being engaged. I notice it for some content or action not all the time it’s a hyped up feature a nice to have but not a must.
 
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