A Most Perfect iPad
Ever since the very first version, I've been a huge fan of the iPad mini. Apple took the iPad itself and distilled it down to a far more wieldable touchscreen device. This was a time before iPhone screens were massive. For certain tasks, it seemed like the perfect portable computer. And with the latest version Apple has just released, I think they've perfected the iPad line they originally set out to create.
That last bit is important because it calls back to Apple's own vision for the device. And it allows me to make such a statement without needing to acknowledge that the software still leaves quite a bit to be desired. Because Apple never wanted this to be a "big iPhone" and certainly not a "mini Mac", it has existed in this sort of in-between state for many tasks. And that's fine – again, I'm a huge fan. And yes, I think this is the best version of that vision. Perhaps the best possible.
And it comes at an interesting and perhaps perfect time, at least for the mini. While the aforementioned growing iPhone screens have long called into question the need for the smaller iPad, now the iPhone Duo kicks that debate into hyperdrive. No, they're not the same thing, but when the Duo is unfolded, they are fairly similar in size. Similar enough that it's unreasonable to think that people would buy both. I mean I did, but I'm crazy. But even I can't imagine regularly carrying around both at the same time. It's 7" to 8" screen size overkill.1
Of course, it must be pointed out that one device starts at $699 while the other starts at $1,999. The latter is a high enough price point that it's reasonable to think that the iPad mini can still have a nice, long life from here as the majority of consumers won't be buying the foldable iPhone at that price point any time soon.
But would they buy an iPad mini when there is also a cheaper iPad with a larger screen (the $449 "regular" iPad with an 11" screen)? That's a fair question, one Apple made a little harder with the recent price hikes. Then again, if you're at all partial to a smaller iPad, this new mini – with a top-of-the-line A20 Pro chip – will also be far more powerful than the cheaper iPad variant.
It's so fast that it's almost, dare I say, an iPad Pro mini. Yes, yes there's no ProMotion (read: better refresh rates), which is a bit weird, but also not a big deal in my usage. Bigger is the inclusion of an OLED screen at last. Again, this almost feels like Apple checking the last few remaining boxes to perfect the device.
Speeds and feeds aside, what strikes me about this new iPad mini is just how striking it is. From a pure hardware perspective, it's gorgeous. Certainly the best-looking iPad ever, and one of the most beautiful Apple products ever, period. It's so sleek and slick. The new placement of the speaker behind the screen (wild how well this works) means the removal of the speaker holes. And that makes for a device that looks and feels literally seamless.
This seemingly airtight machine also allows it to be water resistant for the first time. Again, more boxes checked. Speaking of, the bezels have also now shrunk a bit, and while you might think an edge-to-edge screen would be one obvious thing yet to come, it's not clear how you would comfortably hold such a device without obscuring part of the screen. Again, it seems pretty perfected right now...
And at ever-so-slightly more than a half a pound in weight (technically 0.56 pounds), and 0.21" in depth, it's hard to imagine how Apple could possibly shave more weight and depth off of this device. Incidentally, it's the exact same weight as the iPhone Duo – but because that device is often folded and as such, smaller, that feels far heavier, as many reviewers (including myself) have noted.2 The 0.56 pounds spread over a 7.69" by 5.22" frame makes it feel almost like holding an empty shell. It's wild just how light it feels to walk around with when holding in your hands. And while yes, you could fit in in a large pocket, the iPhone Duo is always going to have an edge there...
I opted for the "nano-texture" (read: matte) display which is an option (read: an extra $100) on the higher-end (read: higher storage) models.3 This also makes it match that inner screen of the iPhone Duo, with uses the matte finish to help hide the crease. The iPad mini, of course, has no such obfuscation needs, so you don't need the nano-texture. I simply prefer both the look and feel. And because I anticipate using the device outdoors, perhaps near pools especially with said water resistance, which is admittedly more aspirational as it's current literally freezing in London at the moment with a sun that sets around 4pm.
Anyway, I hope Apple keeps making the iPad mini. There were one or two times in the past when it seemed like it was going away in a world of those aforementioned ever-larger iPhones, yet it has somehow lingered long enough to now reach this new pinnacle. It would be a fitting end if the Duo eventually does it in. But again, there's hope in that price gap alone, which may make that moment years away still.
For now, this is simply the iPad, perfected.
One more thing: as I noted in my iPhone Duo thoughts, another subtle, but interesting difference between using the Duo versus the iPad mini despite the similar screen sizes is the inclination to use the former horizontally (the natural orientation when you unfold it) while using the latter vertically (the natural orientation when you open the cover). And with the iOS design tweaks for the Duo, it's clearly built for that horizontal usage, while accommodating the vertical, versus vice versa.
By the way, the new "TechWoven" case is a fantastic change from the old polyurethane variety. It feels much more like carrying around an actual nice notebook now, albeit an insanely thin one. It also changes the way it you use the cases to prop up the iPad mini, with magnets in the case now cleverly providing a couple different viewing angles. And yes, it pairs beautifully with the iPhone Duo TechWoven Folio...
1 And yes, there's bleed into the iPhone Pro Max screen size as well, at 6.9". ↩
2 Fine, technically it's one gram heavier. Really a single gram separates the two! The WiFi version of the iPad mini, at least. ↩
3 Perhaps this helps solve the Duo dilemma for some: if you want a non-matte screen on a 7" to 8" Apple device, the non-nano-texture iPad mini may be fore you! ↩