over 6 years ago from Taron Ghazaryan, Product Designer
During yesterday's keynote, Apple spent about 20 seconds on the "new" iPad Mini. The only update the mini will get this year is touch ID. No new camera, no A8X chip, none of the new sensors. It seems like the terrible screen stayed the same as well.
What do you think Apple is planning with the mini? Are they phasing it out in favor of the iPhone 6+?
It seems they've been on a push to upsell users to their higher-margin products (e.g., introduction of a more expensive iPhone, doubling the value of the storage upgrades). I believe they came to realize that the configuration of the last year's cheaper iPad mini to be (nearly) at parity with the larger sibling was a mistake that cost them in more lucrative iPad Air purchases. I see this as a step to differentiate the sizes through performance, though I suspect they took it a little too far.
Apple said the iPad mini with Retina display scored a 100% customer satisfaction rating.
This seems like a pretty good reason to only add the touch ID for now. People are getting used to expect too much from Apple. Sometimes one year is just not enough time to add new stuff or to innovate.
Plus, a lot of the focus there is what's new in iOS 8, so there may not be much need for hardware changes at the moment.
I sold my iPad Mini when I got my 6 plus, I wonder if they are expecting the plus to cut into mini sales.
Terrible screen? It's got a Retina display.
It's notorious for poor color gamut. There are a few articles about it... and it was the main motivating factor for me choosing the Air over the retina mini. I could see a significant difference in the store while debating which one to get.
http://www.cultofmac.com/266892/the-retina-mini-is-so-bad-i-switched-to-the-ipad-air-opinion/
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7519/apple-ipad-mini-with-retina-display-reviewed/3
http://www.cnet.com/news/is-apples-ipad-mini-retina-display-problem-serious/
As Benjamin pointed out, it had a terrible color gamut. Now a days, retina technology is old news and is expected of any new device to have. What sets screens apart is luminosity and color reproduction.
Compare the colors of your iPhone 5/6 to the iPad mini retina and you will notice a huge difference. Everything looks washed out on the iPad.
lol. probably not. they had a lot on their hands this year.
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