It’s a tough decision because I almost wonder if it even matters for me since I feel that the screen is too small for content consumption on the Mini.
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iPad mini Would you buy an iPad mini pro
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The only really 'pro' feature I'd like on the Mini is more RAM, honestly.
These things are so subjective... Some people (like me) think it's too small for content consumption, lack a proper keyboard option and have only a limited (but irreplaceble) use case (essentially in bed). Others think that even the mini 6 is the best iPad ever made and the only one that makes sense.
Having said that, I'll keep my mini 5 for years to come and the feature I would like most in a mini is more RAM
Having said that, I'll keep my mini 5 for years to come and the feature I would like most in a mini is more RAM
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Depends on price. At $899 for A16+, 8GB+ RAM and 512GB cellular, sure.
Alas, I don’t think that’s happening.
Alas, I don’t think that’s happening.
If the Mini Pro unfolds to be the same size as an iPad mini and has Pencil support then I'd buy one for sure.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
First in line for the PRO MAX cameras on this Mini Pro, at even up towards phone pricing. Perfection through my lens would also bring full ApplePay (like phone) and CarPlay (like phone- it's actually in iPadOS, but not accessible without a hack).
I use my cellular Mini to also fully cover telephony (via Voip app with buds) but phone does have a few features I'd love to get in a hypothetical pro. For my phone and texting needs, I'm perfectly happy with the relative bargain that it is... and a few more hundred for a pro version that brings these extras would still be quite the (relative) bargain vs. owning the phone (too).
While I can both see the "jelly" and don't really care that much, obviously a Pro should come with a better screen (though I suspect the actual next one that won't be pro will likely improve there anyway).
If Pro could fold or roll to make it also deliver iPhone's "pocket-ability" (MAJOR) benefit, all the better.
While Pro in iPads generally means using a Mx chip as the brains, I wouldn't really care if this one did vs. sticking with iPhone A-chips. Existing A feels plenty fast to me.
Since this is so open ended so we can imagine this as we each want it, I'd much prefer sticking with current bezel size to keep the camera in bezel vs. adopting either notch or dynamic island. IMO, Touch ID as implemented is terrific, thus I would have very little interest in Face ID being added... but I know others would feel dramatically different about that.
Lastly, since size is not such a premium like phone, I'd 500% welcome a headphone jack resurrection- ideally the same one Apple refined in the latest MBpros. A good DAC is already inside and Bluetooth still doesn't have the bandwidth for Apple's lossless, still can have latency issues, etc, etc. Those happy with bluetooth would be unaffected (as would those happy with USB-C and/or dongles, so no need to begin the deadest of dead horse arguments about "the future" vs. "best audio quality" again). I'm simply sharing what I'd love to see in this hypothetical product for ME.
I use my cellular Mini to also fully cover telephony (via Voip app with buds) but phone does have a few features I'd love to get in a hypothetical pro. For my phone and texting needs, I'm perfectly happy with the relative bargain that it is... and a few more hundred for a pro version that brings these extras would still be quite the (relative) bargain vs. owning the phone (too).
While I can both see the "jelly" and don't really care that much, obviously a Pro should come with a better screen (though I suspect the actual next one that won't be pro will likely improve there anyway).
If Pro could fold or roll to make it also deliver iPhone's "pocket-ability" (MAJOR) benefit, all the better.
While Pro in iPads generally means using a Mx chip as the brains, I wouldn't really care if this one did vs. sticking with iPhone A-chips. Existing A feels plenty fast to me.
Since this is so open ended so we can imagine this as we each want it, I'd much prefer sticking with current bezel size to keep the camera in bezel vs. adopting either notch or dynamic island. IMO, Touch ID as implemented is terrific, thus I would have very little interest in Face ID being added... but I know others would feel dramatically different about that.
Lastly, since size is not such a premium like phone, I'd 500% welcome a headphone jack resurrection- ideally the same one Apple refined in the latest MBpros. A good DAC is already inside and Bluetooth still doesn't have the bandwidth for Apple's lossless, still can have latency issues, etc, etc. Those happy with bluetooth would be unaffected (as would those happy with USB-C and/or dongles, so no need to begin the deadest of dead horse arguments about "the future" vs. "best audio quality" again). I'm simply sharing what I'd love to see in this hypothetical product for ME.
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While I agree with your points I don't see Apple bringing back a headphone jack in a mobile device... ever again, unfortunately, that's one of the reasons I keep my mini 5 dearly (I also use it for music playing, where bluetothh is not an option, and probably never will)
I think it’d be a niche product… but I fall into that niche, so hell yeah, I’d buy one! I’m an artist who already has an 11” iPad Pro for sketching as well as editing photos & videos on which I love. But I also have an iPad mini for when I want an ultra portable digital sketchbook & content creation tool while on the road. So having a faster iPad mini Pro with a much better screen would definitely be on my list if available. Having said that, I don’t think chances are high that Apple will release an iPad Pro mini. I am looking forward to the iPad mini 7 tho. 😉
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I'm one of those guys who'd buy it just for having FaceID. 
I’ll buy one once Apple stop supporting the Mini 6 with iOS updates. Until then, I’ll happily use my mini 6 as I do now everyday.
Yes, likely because I've bought every generation of the mini. However, the price would be eye watering for what would technically be my secondary iPad.
The best feature of the iPad Pro for me is the gorgeous display. For a Mini it just wouldn’t have the same benefit.
No because it won’t change how I use it. I want a mini foldable though. Mini and 11 in iPad in one.
Yes, primarily to support Apple’s decision to prioritize the Mini, something they rarely do. There’s no better endorsement to Apple than giving them your money. If I want regular Mini updates long-term, I will speak with my wallet. The device would theoretically have some nice updates over my current Mini 5, so it’s a win-win.
Here’s what I would Buy the Hell Out Of.
An iPad Mini Pro with a matt screen optimised for writing with the Apple Pencil. With a keyboard case that allows the iPad to pivot when open so you can type in either landscape or portrait mode. OMG yes, that would be my meetings and travel companion and I would be first in line.
It would be my notebook and the tool I would use on planes to clear emails, etc.
Will never happen of course.
An iPad Mini Pro with a matt screen optimised for writing with the Apple Pencil. With a keyboard case that allows the iPad to pivot when open so you can type in either landscape or portrait mode. OMG yes, that would be my meetings and travel companion and I would be first in line.
It would be my notebook and the tool I would use on planes to clear emails, etc.
Will never happen of course.
Q: Would you buy an iPad mini pro?
A: No. Why? Because those "Pro" features won't appreciably improve the user experience on that form-factor but will increase the price.
Even fans of the iPad Mini occasionally complain about the price of the Mini compared to other iPads in the lineup. A hypothetical iPad Mini Pro would begin at $599 for 64GB. (for reference, a little over a year ago, I predicted that the iPad 10th gen would be based on the Air and cost $50 more than the 9th gen... turned out the Air part was correct, but the price increased by $120)
Having said that, I would like to see an iPad Mini Pro that is released alongside a "base" iPad Mini. Apple can then have a reasonable price for the Mini and charge an arm and a leg for the Pro. Everyone's happy. (except the reflexive complaints about how Apple should increase the base storage to more than 64GB 😂)
A: No. Why? Because those "Pro" features won't appreciably improve the user experience on that form-factor but will increase the price.
Even fans of the iPad Mini occasionally complain about the price of the Mini compared to other iPads in the lineup. A hypothetical iPad Mini Pro would begin at $599 for 64GB. (for reference, a little over a year ago, I predicted that the iPad 10th gen would be based on the Air and cost $50 more than the 9th gen... turned out the Air part was correct, but the price increased by $120)
Having said that, I would like to see an iPad Mini Pro that is released alongside a "base" iPad Mini. Apple can then have a reasonable price for the Mini and charge an arm and a leg for the Pro. Everyone's happy. (except the reflexive complaints about how Apple should increase the base storage to more than 64GB 😂)
If the mini "pro" got a brighter screen, a little bit better resolution, and improved battery life I think I would even sell my M1 12.9" pro for that. The jelly scroll thing didn't really impact me when i used my mini (child has it now), but I also didn't scroll things fast enough to really notice, but if it got ProMotion then icing on the cake.
I would definitely buy an iPad Mini Pro the next time I need an iPad update.
Bigger iPad’s, nah, then I rather use Mac's.
iPad Mini is the perfect device between my iPhone Mini and Mac’s
Bigger iPad’s, nah, then I rather use Mac's.
iPad Mini is the perfect device between my iPhone Mini and Mac’s
Totally agree. It really won’t make a huge difference on how people use it.Q: Would you buy an iPad mini pro?
A: No. Why? Because those "Pro" features won't appreciably improve the user experience on that form-factor but will increase the price.
Even fans of the iPad Mini occasionally complain about the price of the Mini compared to other iPads in the lineup. A hypothetical iPad Mini Pro would begin at $599 for 64GB. (for reference, a little over a year ago, I predicted that the iPad 10th gen would be based on the Air and cost $50 more than the 9th gen... turned out the Air part was correct, but the price increased by $120)
Having said that, I would like to see an iPad Mini Pro that is released alongside a "base" iPad Mini. Apple can then have a reasonable price for the Mini and charge an arm and a leg for the Pro. Everyone's happy. (except the reflexive complaints about how Apple should increase the base storage to more than 64GB 😂)
Yeah, I don't think the changes would make enough difference to me to make the upgrade worth it; I enjoy the Mini 6 as is.