I wrote an opinion piece last year speculating on Apple’s plans for its 2017 iPad line-up. A couple of factors led me to suspect that Apple may be planning to drop the iPad mini.
First, there was the fact that the starting price for the iPad mini 4 is exactly the same as for the iPad Air 2: $399. You’d already have to have a very strong preference for the smaller form-factor to want to shell out the same cash for the mini – especially given that you could combine phone and small tablet functionality by buying the Plus model iPhone.
Second, a KGI report suggesting that the 10.5-inch model would be the successor to the current 9.7-inch iPad Pro, while the new 9.7-inch model would be a low-cost model. That made it seem possible that Apple might be targeting an even lower price than $399, putting further pressure on the mini.
And now, consistent rumors of what we can expect from the iPhone 8 give a third reason to wonder whether the iPad mini has a future …
All the reports are pointing to a near bezel-free iPhone 8. This is said to feature a 5.8-inch display – though there is some doubt as to whether all of that screen size will be usable by apps. The belief is that Apple will squeeze a larger display into the same chassis size as the current iPhone 7 Plus.
Nor will it end there. While we’re currently expecting the iPhone 8 to drop a physical Home button and Touch ID sensor in favor of one embedded in the display, we’ve heard no such reports of Apple removing the ‘forehead’ of the iPhone 8 that houses the camera and speaker. But that does seem to be the end-goal – Jony Ive’s reported goal of a single slab of glass – so at some point the company will be squeezing even more display size into the same size case.
At the point at which Apple can get say a 6-inch screen into an iPhone, what role does that leave for a 7.9-inch iPad mini at a price at or above that of a 9.7-inch one?
Don’t misunderstand me: I’m well aware that the iPad mini has its fans – and not just those buying on price. As a couple of our readers recently commented, for some the iPad mini is exactly the right size.
But the same would be true for any size. For some people, 6.5-inches would be the perfect size; for others, 7-inches … and so on. No matter what Apple does or doesn’t offer, there will always be people who ideally want an in-between size.
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The mini fits perfectly in cargo pockets. Which for a contractor is actually pretty useful. When I was doing field work the mini was my go to. Now its on my coffee table as an e-reader because I’m no longer doing field work. But its perfect for reading.
It’s also notable that, while we’ve heard multiple reports of Apple’s plans for the standard-sized iPads, we’ve heard almost no rumors of a new iPad mini.
My guess, then, remains that Apple plans to drop the mini from the line-up. I wouldn’t put money on whether it will do so this year or next, but I do think the smallest iPad is now living on borrowed time. The most recent model will likely remain on sale for a year or two after it’s discontinued, but I’m expecting one more mini at best – and very possibly none.
Last time we asked, more of you agreed with me than disagreed. Have the iPhone 8 rumors made it seem more likely? Let us know your views by taking our poll and sharing your thoughts in the comments.
