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

It is nearly powerful to recollect now, however the authentic iPad mini (launched in November 2012) was an answer to a recurring criticism with iPads: dimension and weight. Certainly, earlier that 12 months, Apple launched the third-generation 9.7-inch iPad, seemingly 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 inconceivable for greater than two or three minutes. The mini lacked a Retina show, however at not more than 0.69 kilos (312 grams), you possibly can plausibly deal with it like a high-powered Kindle. And with a 7.9-inch display, it was quite a bit simpler to stash in a bag or backpack.

To at the present time, every new mini has constructed up a loyal fanbase. However even these individuals 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 probably’t assist the mini stay as much as its potential, we might see it fall by the wayside utterly, 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} 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 substitute. It is onerous to think about myself getting a lot work achieved on an 8.3-inch display, 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 often 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 various. And a few auto fanatics have taken to mounting them on dashboards, making CarPlay really feel weak by comparability.

The actual problem 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 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 possibility, discovered below Settings > Show & Brightness > Show Zoom, which crams extra content material onscreen. Even with that energetic, it typically appears like my spouse’s tiny previous Home windows pill allowed for extra work room.

Media consumption is the product’s forte, however 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 ok for books and movies, however seemingly higher than what Apple has deliberate for the following 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 effectively — 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 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 quite a lot of iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini house owners seemingly felt the identical approach, and so they’ve been thrown below the bus in favor of Plus and Air units. To carry its personal, the mini might should be absolutely optimized, doing issues that no different iPad can do past simply being small and lightweight.

The answer to the mini conundrum

A troublesome nut to crack

I will admit, it is tough to provide you with a complete listing 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 Hearth HD 8, however that is an under-powered product, supposed to be an affordable window into Amazon providers and nothing extra.

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

In the long run, Apple might haven’t any alternative however to revamp iPadOS, or just fork the way it presents on the mini. It might begin by shrinking the dock additional on smaller screens, and eliminating every other instance of wasted house it might probably consider. Turning on Extra House at all times helps a bit of, 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 effectively.

All of this could possibly be unpalatable to Apple, which prefers to make evolutionary adjustments to merchandise each time potential. 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 possibly issues are buzzing alongside completely if the true objective is to nudge most customers in the direction of the iPad Air and Professional.