Can't wait the day when I see ppl putting their Minis up to their ears.
Why is there always this kind of comment (as if the only way to use any device as a phone is by holding it up to an ear)? Ever made a Skype call on a laptop? Did you hold the laptop up to your ear? How about a Desktop Facetime call? Use earbuds plus microphone just like millions of people with smart phones do when they might want to have the screen out in front of them to browse while talking to someone. It works great (I think even better than holding an iPhone up to an ear).
And then there's always 1+ what-if scenarios where the concept of using a mini as a phone too is messy...
Dude, I tried to use the iPad Mini as a phone and you know what? It doesn't freaking work. It's obnoxious to carry around an 8" tablet and try to make calls from it. Can you run at the gym with an iPad Mini strapped to your chest like Iron-Man's first Arc Reactor? No. You look like a troll.
To which I would offer 2 points:
- why not focus on the workout instead of taking/making phone calls while working out?
- In the money you save by using VOIP plus maybe the $20/month data plan, you can buy your own gym equipment for home so that no one will see you "looking like a troll"
iPad Mini can be a great iPhone alternative in the right scenario. For example, in my own case, I only need to make calls occasionally- when I'm traveling, when I'm away from home or office (which is not that frequent), etc. The vast majority of the time I can stop where I know there is some wifi and make my calls on "free" wifi with the mini. No monthly toll.
Occasionally, I can't wait for wifi or can't locate it when I need it so I might buy 1GB of data for $20 on the spot from Verizon. If I had to do that 4 times a year, my annual "cell service" toll will be $80, as opposed to a Verizon iPhone plan at $100+ times 12 months or $1200+ each year. I much prefer to keep the $1120 in my pocket- even if I had to "look like a troll" on that workout machine (though I actually go with the first option- almost no call is so important that it must be made or answered in the middle of a workout).
I've had the mini since it launched but only had to pay Verizon once so far ($20). I don't feel like I've missed a thing. It feels like I have "unlimited text, unlimited* voice, unlimited data" as I'm pretty much always around accessible wifi (but have that Verizon $20 data as a backup when needed). Instead of carrying 2 devices, I carry just one. It all works great for me.
Is this for everyone? No. But it can work for many... especially if the voice portion of your iPhone use is not that important to you. For instance, if most of your iPhone use is texting & Internet, an iPad mini can be great. And when you need some voice, the right VOIP apps and 4G as a anytime, anywhere backup works great (and saves huge dollars vs. iPhone 3G/4G service on contract over even a single year).
People happy with the iPhone and/or iPhone + iPad with cell service money to burn won't get it. People who like to keep more of their hard-earned money in their pocket do have a great alternative that yields a pretty iPhone-like experience on a bigger screen.
I don't agree with OP that a Mini with Retina is a huge threat to Android phones as the masses will always take the free* phablet over the $329 & up Mini. But some will choose this option over a phablet much like some choose a Mac over Windows computers. No big threat but a good option. If anyone should feel threatened it's AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc who like $100+ per month instead of $20 per month for those who decide they can live with the minor difference of service to keep $80+ per month in their pockets.
