iPad mini Why iPad Mini w/ Retina is a huge threat to Android Phones

[Jessica Lares]

An iPad Mini is just a tablet. People are always going to want the phone over the tablet because it's a phone and can run apps and browse the internet. It won't kill Android phones, especially when it's still cheaper to sign a 2 year contract for $0.01 to $99 for them.

I would actually like an iOS Phablet. Mostly just for bigger iPhone apps. They wouldn't be blown up at all, but they would work better. Especially stuff like iWork and GarageBand. Maybe some iPad apps could support the screen size, but it's not necessarily needed.

 

[cdmoore74]

I sold my Nexus 7 when I got my Note 2. Not because the Nexus 7 was a bad device but because the Note 2 was more powerful in a smaller package. I got sick of trying to take the tablet everywhere I go. I treat my Note 2 like you guys would treat your iPhone. Never had a situation where I thought it was too big to leave at home. It is truly a class leading device in it's own category.

The iPad mini will never replace a phablet that is still pocket friendly. You just can't take a tablet over 7" and make it your primary everyday device especially if you have a career and a social life. And to have 2 devices are so redundant. I don't want a phone and a tablet anymore. One device is enough in my life. Apple will just keep missing out on another sale.

 

[roxxette]

You are right, it isn't selling well. Except on this planet. Geez, you do not need to see the numbers. iPads are the best selling tablets, guess which one blew the larger ones away?

Nope, the Nexus 7 has no chance whatsoever to dominate when the mini 2 with retina is released.

Sure buddy

 

[JobSteves]

I sold my Nexus 7 when I got my Note 2. Not because the Nexus 7 was a bad device but because the Note 2 was more powerful in a smaller package. I got sick of trying to take the tablet everywhere I go. I treat my Note 2 like you guys would treat your iPhone. Never had a situation where I thought it was too big to leave at home. It is truly a class leading device in it's own category.

The iPad mini will never replace a phablet that is still pocket friendly. You just can't take a tablet over 7" and make it your primary everyday device especially if you have a career and a social life. And to have 2 devices are so redundant. I don't want a phone and a tablet anymore. One device is enough in my life. Apple will just keep missing out on another sale.

And anything you need a phablet for wouldn't be easy to do, or should I say make sense to when at work or in a social setting anyway. I mean what are you going to do, be at a party, whip out your note 2 and start playing a game, or draw something or write a document? In that case you might as well be at home and not at the party lol.


I mean it might be a little better to some to have a device that can function as a phone and function similar to a tablet but not when The device is too big for a phone and a poor excuse as a "tablet"


I'll take my iphone + ipad mini please.



But that's only my opinion. If you like the having only one device that go for it.

 

[takeshi74]

Once the iPad mini w/ Retina shows how ideal it is for number 2 above, then we will start looking at our phones as just phones. Which means the "small" screens of iPhones will remain in our pockets, and we will love the "small" form factor for not feeling like we're carrying bricks.

Nonsense. No one device is ever one-size-fits-all. If Android users wanted IOS they wouldn't be using Android. You're oversimplifying the situation based solely on your preferences. The market has plenty of room for various niches. It's ironic that you criticize phablets as jacks-of-all-trades and masters of none yet assume that the Mini can be a jack-of-all-trades in regard to fitting every possible small tablet user's preferences. Retina isn't going to convert everyone out there. People have various needs/wants and the retina Mini isn't going to fulfill them all for every person out there.

In other words, phablets are station wagons.
The iPad mini is a SUV crossover.
The iPhone is a Porsche 911.

When you have a SUV crossover, and a Porsche 911, there is no longer a need for a station wagon.

YOU don't see the need. That doesn't mean that others wouldn't. I have 2 crossovers despite your "logic". Owning one doesn't mean that I don't need the other. Despite the various flaws in your analogy there will still be those that prefer station wagons whether you understand why or not.

Use what works for you but stop assuming that your needs and preferences are universal. Observing the real world will easily demonstrate that's not the case.

The iPad mini does those things BETTER than a 5 inch plastic phone.

Better is always highly subjective -- regardless of topic.

 

[cdmoore74]

And anything you need a phablet for wouldn't be easy to do, or should I say make sense to when at work or in a social setting anyway. I mean what are you going to do, be at a party, whip out your note 2 and start playing a game, or draw something or write a document? In that case you might as well be at home and not at the party lol.


I mean it might be a little better to some to have a device that can function as a phone and function similar to a tablet but not when The device is too big for a phone and a poor excuse as a "tablet"


I'll take my iphone + ipad mini please.



But that's only my opinion. If you like the having only one device that go for it.

I respect your need for 2 devices but here's how I look at it.

I use my Note 2 100% of the time. I have no desire to babysit 2 devices. I get my money's worth because for me it's the ultimate "personal" go everywhere device. All I have to do is remember to swap the battery before the start of the day and take the phablet with. No need for direct charging because I always get over 24 hours a day. I would rather have cheap plastic with removable battery doors than premium metal with sealed batteries.

You use your iPhone xx% and your iPad XX% of the time. It is impossible (and idiotic) to use both 100%; you have to make a sacrifice. You have to make a decision every time you leave the house. Do you take the iPad mini when leaving the house? Do you take both? Do you take the iPhone? You have to make this decision every day of the week or else one just collects dust making you purchase questionable. You can live without the iPad mini. Even if the iPad mini could make calls it would be extremely bulky.

Apple is not dumb (but a mistake was made with the mini and Steve knew this). They know that if they make a bigger iPhone (5" and above) people will not have a desire to buy a iPad. Just look at what the iPad mini did to the 9.7" iPad. It killed the iPad 4 release party and not one sold out story could be found on the net. This is why I doubt that you will see a retina iPad mini for $329. Apple would totally kill any interest in the larger iPad and everyone would flock to that model. The same thought holds true for a 5" plus iPhone.

 

[AppleRobert]

Sure buddy

Will see how great the new all powerful Samsung 8" tablet does for $399, bet not much threat at all to a Mini 2.

I own a Nexus 7. It isn't even my go to andriod tablet in that size range any longer. It isn't 4:3 and too much screen real estate is lost.

 

[cdmoore74]

Will see how great the new all powerful Samsung 8" tablet does for $399, bet not much threat at all to a Mini 2.

I own a Nexus 7. It isn't even my go to andriod tablet in that size range any longer. It isn't 4:3 and too much screen real estate is lost.

As a Note 2 owner I'm not buying a Samsung 8" with s-pen. Why should I? It just duplicates what I already have but on a bigger screen. Even if the tablet was $200 it would be a waste for me. But I give credit to Samsung because they understand that there is no such thing as a one size fits all device. Apple is not even trying with a 5 inch iPhone because they know what's going to happen to their iPad lineup; decreased sales.

 

[AppleRobert]

I'll let anyone pick any android tablet they want and the Mini 2 will kill it in sales if it includes retina. It does not even matter to some, already seen posts elsewhere it doesn't need anything more than retina but we all know the specs will beat the current mini for that to be possible.

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As a Note 2 owner I'm not buying a Samsung 8" with s-pen. Why should I? It just duplicates what I already have but on a bigger screen. Even if the tablet was $200 it would be a waste for me. But I give credit to Samsung because they understand that there is no such thing as a one size fits all device. Apple is not even trying with a 5 inch iPhone because they know what's going to happen to their iPad lineup; decreased sales.

Rather have the next gen ipad in a heartbeat rather than a 5" iPhone. One obvious reason is no contract.

 

[Infinite Jest]

'Nuff said.

 

[elchorizo]

The Note 2 is Awesome

I was at the Apple store yesterday looking at iPad mini's.

I have a 3rd generation iPad, and even though I love my device, the iPad mini form factor is just outstanding. The weight, size, and finish is something to behold. I am definitely getting one when the retina models are available.

As more and more people buy the mini's, especially when the Retina version comes out, I think you will see decreased interest in these phablet monstrosities in the android system, because the phablet tries to do two things at once:
1. Be a phone
2. Be a portable content consumption device (web browsing, email, games)

The phablet is a jack of both trades, yet master of none.

Once the iPad mini w/ Retina shows how ideal it is for number 2 above, then we will start looking at our phones as just phones. Which means the "small" screens of iPhones will remain in our pockets, and we will love the "small" form factor for not feeling like we're carrying bricks.

In other words, phablets are station wagons.
The iPad mini is a SUV crossover.
The iPhone is a Porsche 911.

When you have a SUV crossover, and a Porsche 911, there is no longer a need for a station wagon.

I disagree very strongly. The Note 2 is a fantastic phone. I LOVE it. Some of us prefer larger screen phones and are not put off by plastic, which you keep mentioning

I use my phone to surf the web, and read tweets, and read kindle books, and do some light gaming, and tons more. I do all these things all day long in those little breaks we all get. Like when I'm taking a ****, or waiting in the drive thru line, or in a meeting waiting for the slackers to show up. These things are all done very well on my Note 2 thanks to its relatively large screen.

Am I going to be able to use a mini for all that? Well I could, but since it doesn't fit in my pocket I won't, because I’m not carrying it with me! You completely neglect this point as though its not worth mentioning. The mini is too big to carry everywhere (unless you have a purse I guess, but being a man, I don't). Meanwhile, the Note 2 fits in my pocket just fine, and sure enough, is with me almost everywhere I go.

Currently, I have an iPad 3 and a Note 2, both of which I love. When the retina mini comes out I'll get one on day one, cause the mini form factor and weight are so badass (as you said). But guess what? It will be replacing my iPad 3, not my Note 2.

If you'd come at this differently it might be a more interesting conversation, alas your condescension and assumptions completely undermine your credibility. You may think my phone is a plastic "monstrosity" but I think it’s the best phone I've ever had, and far better than my last phone, and the iPhone I had before that.

As a previous poster said, the only real threat to large Android smart phones is a large iPhone. I happen to think Cook is making a blunder by not exploiting that market. At a minimum, he's leaving money on the table.

All that said, bring on the retina iPad mini cause I want it BAD!

 

[TheWheelMan]

There are some really silly affirmations in this thread.

* If one doesn't like a plastic phone, don't buy a damn plastic phone, but don't treat the rest of us like mindless twits that don't know what we might like. I just got a Galaxy SIII and I like it just fine, along with my iPad 3.

* To suggest the iPad Mini is going to somehow kill off Android devices is delusional. There's no way in hell anyone's going to want to carry around the iPad Mini form factor as cellphone replacement. Besides, why on earth would a device the size of the iPad Mini kill off Android devices when the smaller, more portable iPhone has failed to do so?

I think some iPad fans are more threatened by Android than Apple itself is. Apple's already the default king of the hill and I don't see that changing any time soon, yet people think they need to come up with completely non-reality-based conclusions to artificially boost the profile of a product that is already outstanding as it is? Geez! Just enjoy your iPad Mini and stop worrying about the other products you obviously don't like. No one's coming to your house and force-feeding you an Android phone. It's all good. My iPad 3 and my Samsung Galaxy get along just fine. I'm sure you can find peace with both sides too.

 

[cynics]

If I was going to go thru the effort of carrying around two devices it would be and iPhone and a full size iPad. That is what I typically do anyway when travelling but not in my daily routine. Personally, and I know this isn't true for everyone but I consider the iPad mini a budget model iPad. If I wanted to concern weight I'd prefer a phablet, thankfully I don't need a large screen in my daily routine so an iPhone does the trick.

 

[Toltepeceno]

I don't know how anyone could claim an 8"tablet will kill off 5" and below phones. I am waiting to see what happens with the new ipad mini and plan on getting one, but it will in no way replace my 4.5" android phone. They are 2 different devices that to me have two different functions. The only way apple will have a major affect on the larger android phone market is release a larger phone AND make some changes to ios. Just having an aluminum case won't do it alone. I would consider going back to iphone for a 4.5" phone, I would prefer ios improvements also.

I think most people here in mexico would go for affordable over aluminum and out of reach anyway.

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I think some iPad fans are more threatened by Android than Apple itself is. Apple's already the default king of the hill and I don't see that changing any time soon, yet people think they need to come up with completely non-reality-based conclusions to artificially boost the profile of a product that is already outstanding as it is? Geez! Just enjoy your iPad Mini and stop worrying about the other products you obviously don't like. No one's coming to your house and force-feeding you an Android phone. It's all good. My iPad 3 and my Samsung Galaxy get along just fine. I'm sure you can find peace with both sides too.

Yup, I agree. I like mac's and ios is fine on the tablets, but I prefer android phones (at this point). I don't understand why some believe apple to be a family member or similar.

This pic from above says it all about the ipad and phablets being in different categories.

https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/17145881/

Funny we have gone from 5" phones being too HUGE to an 8" ipad mini replacing them. Ah, the fluidity of some.

 

[bag of kittens]

At the end of the day, plastic phones still suck.