In my opinion, the modern world does not need an iPad mini. The tablet appeared at a time when the existence of an iPhone with a large screen could only be dreamed of. Now, the iPhone XR is suitable for the role of a mini-tablet or maxi-smartphone, replacing two devices at once. Nevertheless, the updated iPad mini appeared on sale, and we took it for a test. And that’s what happened.

Minimalism is not for everyone

How to use the tablet, everyone decides for himself. But if you can’t live a day without a phone, then such a story doesn’t roll with a tablet. You can leave it at home and not regret it – the iPhone will perform all the same tasks. Planning to take your iPad mini with you? Okay, but think, why carry a tablet with such large frames and such dimensions?

The design of the device, in fact, has not changed since 2012: almost the same dimensions and wide frames have moved unchanged from the very first generation iPad mini. Oh, I wish the design from the new iPad Pro is here!

Let me remind you that seven years ago, the iPad mini was sold in parallel with the iPad 4, iPhone 4s and iPhone 5, occupying an advantageous position. Do you want an iOS device with a large display? The choice is obvious: you buy iPad mini and rejoice. But then came the iPhone 6 Plus, then came the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. Everything, the era of iPhones with small screens is over.

And Apple stepped on its heels when it released the “just” iPad. Inexpensive, convenient, with a large screen and excellent performance – the best tablet for every day. Of course, it is larger than the iPad mini, but using a device with a large display is much more convenient. It is checked up on itself: to return on mini does not pull at all.

According to statistics, almost 70% of iPad owners do not take tablets out of the house. This means that the dimensions of the device do not really matter – everyone can carry the tablet from the sofa to the table in the kitchen. And why then do you need an iPad mini, if it is more convenient to surf the Internet from a large 10-inch iPad?

Dear baby

Russian prices for the tablet are. iPad mini 64 GB costs 32,990 rubles. There is no option with 128 GB, the next step is already 256 GB, and this is an impressive 45,490 rubles. As usual, if you need a SIM card in a tablet, then prepare another 11,000 rubles.

For comparison, the 9.7-inch iPad 32 GB costs 25,414 rubles. We need more memory, we take the version with 128 GB for 32,532 rubles. Given that they mostly buy a tablet with a standard, minimum amount of memory, the difference in price is just in favor of a large tablet.

Why iPad mini is good

This is the smallest iPad – if you want, you can even shove it into the back pocket of your jeans. Although the idea is so-so, the tablet can be stolen. And if you accidentally rest your back against a wall in public transport during rush hour, then you can crush.

The new Apple A12 processor, 3 GB of RAM – the tablet is fast and feels just like the iPad Air (2019).

Added support for Apple Pencil. But keep in mind that you need a “pencil” of the first, not the second generation.

Works for a long time. Battery life has always been a strong point of Apple tablets. The new one also lives an impressively long time, withstanding five hours of games without stopping.

The 3.5mm headphone jack has been retained. But this is a relative plus. For me, this is the era of wireless audio, and it is high time to choose something from the world of Bluetooth.

Excellent Retina-screen with True Tone: bright, pleasant color reproduction, high-quality picture. It will be a pleasure to play or watch videos. But if you plan to read a lot and often, then it’s better to look towards devices with an E-Ink display, “readers” are still out of competition.

Why so much negativity?!

Fortunately, we have the opportunity to express our own opinion on the site. You can agree with him or just throw rotten tomatoes or other waste on the author in the comments. Or to say that the iPad mini, although not the most popular tablet in the family, is nevertheless a device in demand.

At least now you can safely move from the old iPad mini to the new one. It is much faster than the old model, the last time it was updated, scary to say, in 2015. Since then, the family of large tablets has been regularly improved, but the baby has been forgotten.

User opinion

We asked you, our followers, on our Instagram, what do you think about the new iPad mini, whether it is needed or not. For me personally, it was a revelation how many positive responses the small tablet received.

Here are some comments in the author’s style:

• Chose between 9.7 and the new mini. It will be more convenient for me to wear mini to study, plus Pencil is now supported. Plus A12, 3 GB of RAM, laminated display and True Tone. And the minimum memory is 64 gigs.
• On trips and departures from home I take Miik 5, for home I use Proshka 10.5. A large iPad is hard to carry around, and a small one is too small for the house.
• Yuzayu aipad pro 9.7 for the third year. How he lay at home and lies. Normal screen. Replaced the mini just for him. Satisfied!
• A mini is needed, but this design is already outdated and everyone is tired of it.
• For tea in the kitchen, everything is suitable, no more.
• I changed mini 4 to iPad 2018. The first day, the presence of a layer was noticeable, then I got used to it. I think that mini 5 is an absolutely unsuccessful device, and I would not buy it at all. On iPad 2018 I edit photos in Photoshop fix/express, snapseed. Vidosiki, surfing and FaceTime (I would like a 5-7 mp camera), viewing documents and presentations – enough for his eyes!
  The best device in the line in terms of price / quality ratio.
• My answer is “definitely needed”, because there are gamers here who play from platforms such as the iPad. Yes I need it !
• Application instead of a newspaper in a latrine.
• If there were no frames, there would be a top. It’s high time for Apple to update the entire line to frameless. iMac with bezels, iPad with bezels, MacBook with bezels – horror.
• Needed! Convenient, compact, with multitasking and excellent iron!!!
• Fast, compact, holds a charge more than a working day. Just the perfect tool for the job.
• I think it’s necessary! Compact and powerful!
• I love all iPad Minis! In addition, there is support for Pencil. So if I was offered a new iPad Pro and mini 5, I would take Mini. This is a normal design, and all gestures are supported

You may disagree, but I believe the iPad mini is over. And it should go to the same shelf of history as the iPhone SE. These were wonderful devices until a certain period, when habits and conditions changed.

But Apple never does anything for nothing. Since the tablet was updated and released in the old design, it means that the market needs it and you, the buyers. If you buy a fifth-generation iPad mini for yourself, tell us why it is.