It is time for Apple to determine what it needs the iPad mini to be

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

I actually purchased the Wi-Fi + Mobile model, which was 1.46 kilos (0.66 kilograms). That is practically half a pound greater than 2024’s 11-inch iPad Pro — holding it in a single hand was unimaginable 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 today, 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 might’t assist the mini reside as much as its potential, we may see it fall by the wayside utterly, becoming a member of the iPhone mini within the tech graveyard.

What’s flawed with the iPad mini?

Caught within the center

On a {hardware} degree, nearly nothing. The 2024 mannequin nonetheless lacks a Sensible Connector for a Magic Keyboard, in addition to USB 4/Thunderbolt assist, however these aren’t deal-killers for a tool that is not meant to be a (whole) laptop computer alternative. It is onerous to think about myself getting a lot work performed 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 prospects, 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. Avid gamers can connect specialised controller mounts just like the Razer Kishi Extremely, turning it right into a high-powered Change different. And a few auto fans have taken to mounting them on dashboards, making CarPlay really feel weak by comparability.

The true subject is iPadOS. It is useful on the mini — you may open three or extra home windows utilizing iPadOS 26 — but in addition clearly optimized for greater units. The dock alone can take up a major quantity of homescreen house. 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 energetic, it generally appears like my spouse’s tiny previous Home windows pill allowed for extra work room.

Media consumption is the product’s forte, nevertheless it’s more and more onerous to justify a $500-plus price ticket for that in gentle 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 seemingly 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 properly — but I’ve my doubts, contemplating that the iPad Professional solely just lately made the leap.

As issues are, the mini is caught in a wierd middleground. It isn’t 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 numerous iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini house owners seemingly felt the identical manner, they usually’ve been thrown below the bus in favor of Plus and Air units. To carry its personal, the mini could should be totally optimized, doing issues that no different iPad can do past simply being small and light-weight.

The answer to the mini conundrum

A troublesome nut to crack

I am going to admit, it is troublesome to provide you with a complete checklist of modifications to make. I might most likely 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, supposed to be an affordable window into Amazon companies and nothing extra.

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

In the long run, Apple could haven’t any selection 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 house it might consider. Turning on Extra House all the time helps slightly, however Apple is so decided to be pleasant to butterfingers and poor eyesight that its layouts proceed to intrude with onscreen actual property. Sooner or later, it must be acknowledged that folks with dangerous eyes most likely should not be shopping for a small pill. It is like shopping for a fixie bike and questioning why you may’t experience the paths that properly.

All of this could possibly be unpalatable to Apple, which prefers to make evolutionary modifications to merchandise each time 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 true purpose is to nudge most customers in direction of the iPad Air and Professional.