It is time for Apple to resolve what it desires the iPad mini to be

It is nearly powerful to recollect now, however the unique iPad mini (launched in November 2012) was an answer to a recurring criticism with iPads: measurement and weight. Certainly, earlier that yr, Apple launched the third-generation 9.7-inch iPad, probably its heaviest pill ever.

I personally purchased the Wi-Fi + Mobile model, which was 1.46 kilos (0.66 kilograms). That is almost half a pound greater than 2024’s 11-inch iPad Pro — holding it in a single hand was unattainable for greater than two or three minutes. The mini lacked a Retina show, however at not more than 0.69 kilos (312 grams), you may plausibly deal with it like a high-powered Kindle. And with a 7.9-inch display screen, it was lots simpler to stash in a bag or backpack.

To this present day, every new mini has constructed up a loyal fanbase. However even these folks must admit that the lineup has been spinning its wheels for some time. I really feel like Apple is approaching a crossroads, and if it could’t assist the mini reside as much as its potential, we may see it fall by the wayside fully, becoming a member of the iPhone mini within the tech graveyard.

What’s incorrect with the iPad mini?

Caught within the center

On a {hardware} stage, just about nothing. The 2024 mannequin nonetheless lacks a Good Connector for a Magic Keyboard, in addition to USB 4/Thunderbolt help, however these aren’t deal-killers for a tool that is not meant to be a (complete) laptop computer alternative. It is onerous to think about myself getting a lot work finished on an 8.3-inch display screen, by no means thoughts a keyboard sufficiently small to match it.

Its show is sharp and colourful. On the within, it has an A17 Professional chip, which is quick sufficient for Apple Intelligence, in addition to most apps you’d wish to run. Its dimensions allow some distinctive potentialities, too. Pilots continuously carry a mini as an digital flight bag (EFB), making it simpler to go over charts and manuals in a cramped cockpit. Players can connect specialised controller mounts just like the Razer Kishi Extremely, turning it right into a high-powered Change different. And a few auto lovers have taken to mounting them on dashboards, making CarPlay really feel weak by comparability.

The actual situation is iPadOS. It is practical on the mini — you possibly can open three or extra home windows utilizing iPadOS 26 — but additionally clearly optimized for greater gadgets. The dock alone can take up a big quantity of homescreen area. I am unsure that I might need to use a mini in any respect if it weren’t for the Extra House choice, discovered below Settings > Show & Brightness > Show Zoom, which crams extra content material onscreen. Even with that lively, it typically appears like my spouse’s tiny previous Home windows pill allowed for extra work room.

Media consumption is the product’s forte, but it surely’s more and more onerous to justify a $500-plus price ticket for that in mild of what you get with an iPhone. The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch show that is not solely adequate for books and movies, however probably higher than what Apple has deliberate for the subsequent mini. That is as a result of it ought to have a 120Hz OLED panel, enabling smoother framerates and higher distinction than the 2024 mini’s 60Hz LCD. Some rumors have pointed to the mini 8 leaping to OLED as nicely — but I’ve my doubts, contemplating that the iPad Professional solely not too long ago made the leap.

As issues are, the mini is caught in a wierd middleground. It is not as versatile as an iPhone — not to mention a foldable, just like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 — but it isn’t as succesful at productiveness duties as different iPads. The individuals who want a mini actually want one. However lots of iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini house owners probably felt the identical means, and so they’ve been thrown below the bus in favor of Plus and Air gadgets. To carry its personal, the mini could must be totally optimized, doing issues that no different iPad can do past simply being small and lightweight.

The answer to the mini conundrum

A tricky nut to crack

I will admit, it is tough to give you a complete record of adjustments to make. I might in all probability be working at Apple if I had one, and it isn’t like different small pill makers have not struggled with the identical scenario. In North America, Samsung not sells any tablets below 10 inches. The closest to one thing purpose-built is Amazon’s Fireplace HD 8, however that is an under-powered product, meant to be an affordable window into Amazon providers and nothing extra.

One thing which may rapidly change the sport for the mini is a change to an M-series processor. That might let minis use exterior shows as an expanded workspace, making it attainable to get actual work finished at dwelling or the workplace, if not on the street. Apple would want to pair that with a USB 4/Thunderbolt port, since most displays depend on some type of DisplayPort compatibility lately.

In the long run, Apple could don’t have any alternative however to revamp iPadOS, or just fork the way it presents on the mini. It may begin by shrinking the dock additional on smaller screens, and eliminating every other instance of wasted area it could consider. Turning on Extra House all the time helps somewhat, however Apple is so decided to be pleasant to butterfingers and poor eyesight that its layouts proceed to intervene with onscreen actual property. Sooner or later, it needs to be acknowledged that folks with unhealthy eyes in all probability should not be shopping for a small pill. It is like shopping for a fixie bike and questioning why you possibly can’t experience the paths that nicely.

All of this may very well be unpalatable to Apple, which prefers to make evolutionary adjustments to merchandise at any time when attainable. However clearly, the present path is not working — in November 2024, CIRP pegged the mini as accounting for simply 9% of iPad gross sales. Or perhaps issues are buzzing alongside completely if the actual purpose is to nudge most consumers in direction of the iPad Air and Professional.