Ondrej Holzman Whoever bought the first iPad mini always did better not to look at the Retina display of the big iPad first. The quality of the display was one of the biggest compromises that had to be accepted when buying a smaller Apple tablet. However, now the second generation is here and it erases all compromises. Uncompromisingly.
Although Apple and especially Steve Jobs have long vowed that no one can use a tablet smaller than the one Apple first came up with, a smaller version was released last year and, to the surprise of some, was a huge success. And this despite the fact that it was practically only a scaled-down iPad 2, i.e. a device that was a year and a half old at the time. The first iPad mini had weak performance and a worse display compared to its older sibling (iPad 4). However, this ultimately did not prevent its mass spread.
Table data, such as display resolution or processor performance, do not always win. In the case of the iPad mini, other figures were clearly decisive, namely the dimensions and weight. Not everyone was comfortable with the nearly ten-inch display; he wanted to use his tablet on the go, to have it with him at all times, and with the iPad mini and its almost eight-inch display, mobility was better. Many preferred just these advantages and did not look at the display and performance. However, now those who wanted a smaller device but were not willing to lose a high-quality display or higher performance can now think about the iPad mini. There's an iPad mini with a Retina display, as well-trodden as it is iPad Air.
Apple has unified its tablets in such a way that you can't even tell them apart at first glance. At a second glance, you can tell that one is bigger and one is smaller. And that should be the main question when choosing a new iPad, the other specifications don't need to be addressed anymore, because they are the same. Only the price can play its role, but it often does not stop customers from buying Apple devices.
A safe bet in design
The design and performance of the iPad mini proved to be optimal. Sales in the smaller tablet's first year on the market showed that Apple hit the nail on the head when developing the new device, creating the perfect form factor for its tablet. Therefore, the second generation of the iPad mini remained practically the same, and the larger iPad was significantly transformed.
But to be precise, if you put the first and second generation iPad mini side by side, you can see minor differences with your sharp eye. The larger space is needed by the Retina display, so the iPad mini with this equipment is three tenths of a millimeter thicker. This is a fact that Apple doesn't like to brag about, but the iPad 3 suffered the same fate when it was the first to receive a Retina display, and there's nothing you can do about it. In addition, three tenths of a millimeter is really not a significant problem. On the one hand, this is proven by the fact that if you can't compare both iPad minis side by side, you probably won't even notice the difference, and on the other hand, Apple didn't even have to produce a new Smart Cover, the same one fits both the first and second generations.
Weight goes hand-in-hand with thickness, unfortunately it couldn't stay the same either. The iPad mini with Retina display became heavier by 23 grams, respectively by 29 grams for the Cellular model. However, there is nothing dizzying here either, and again, if you don't hold both generations of iPad mini in your hands, you will hardly notice the difference. More important is the comparison with the iPad Air, which is heavier by more than 130 grams, and you can really tell. But the important thing about the iPad mini with Retina display is that, despite the slightly higher weight, it does not lose anything in terms of its mobility and ease of use. Holding it with one hand is not as difficult compared to the iPad Air, although you usually resort to a two-handed grip anyway.
We can probably consider the color design to be the biggest change. One variant is traditionally with a white front and silver back, for the alternative model Apple also opted for space gray for the iPad mini with Retina display, which replaced the previous black. It is worth noting here that the first generation iPad mini, which is still on sale, was also colored in this color. As with the iPad Air, the gold color was left out of the smaller tablet. It is speculated that on a larger surface this design would simply not look as good as on the iPhone 5S, or that Apple is waiting to see how the gold, or champagne if you like, will succeed on phones and then possibly apply it to iPads as well.
Finally Retina
After the appearance, design and overall processing part, not much has happened in the new iPad mini, but the less that the engineers at Apple have done with the outside, the more they have done inside. The main components of the iPad mini with Retina display have been fundamentally transformed, updated, and now the small tablet has the best that the laboratories in Cupertino can offer to the public.
It's already been said that the new iPad mini is slightly thicker and slightly heavier, and here's the reason why - the Retina display. Nothing more, nothing less. Retina, as Apple calls its product, was for a long time the best that displays offered, and thus it is significantly more demanding than its predecessor in the iPad mini, which was a display with a resolution of 1024 by 768 pixels and a density of 164 pixels per inch. Retina means you multiply those numbers by two. The 7,9-inch iPad mini now has a display with a resolution of 2048 by 1536 pixels with a density of 326 pixels per inch (the same density as the iPhone 5S). And it's a real gem. Thanks to the smaller dimensions, the pixel density is even significantly higher than that of the iPad Air (264 PPI), so it's a pleasure to read a book, a comic book, browse the web or play one of the big games on the new iPad mini.
The Retina display was what all owners of the original iPad mini had been waiting for, and they finally got it. Although the forecasts changed during the year and it was not certain whether Apple would not wait another generation with the deployment of the Retina display in its smaller tablet, in the end it was able to fit everything in its bowels under relatively acceptable conditions (see changes in dimensions and weight).
One would like to say that the displays of both iPads are now at the same level, which is the best from the point of view of the user and his choice, but there is one small catch. It turns out that the iPad mini with Retina display has more pixels, but it can still display fewer colors. The problem is for the area of the color spectrum (gamut) that the device is able to display. The new iPad mini's gamut remains the same as the first generation, meaning it can't deliver colors as well as the iPad Air and other competing devices like Google's Nexus 7. You won't know much without the ability to compare, and you'll enjoy the perfect Retina display on the iPad mini, but when you see the screens of the larger and smaller iPad side by side, the differences are striking, especially in the richer shades of different colors.
The average user probably shouldn't be too interested in this knowledge, but those who buy an Apple tablet for graphics or photos could have a problem with the poorer color rendering of the iPad mini. Therefore, you need to consider what you intend to use your iPad for and arrange accordingly.
Stamina didn't drop
With the great demands of the Retina display, it is positive that Apple was able to keep the battery life at 10 hours. In addition, this time data can often be playfully exceeded with careful handling (not maximum brightness, etc.). The battery is almost twice as large as the first generation with a capacity of 6471 mAh. Under normal circumstances, a larger battery would of course take longer to charge, but Apple has taken care of this by increasing the power of the charger, now with the iPad mini it supplies a 10W charger that charges the tablet even faster than the 5W charger of the first generation iPad mini. The new mini charges from zero to 100% in about 5 hours.
The highest performance
However, not only the Retina display depends on the battery, but also the processor. The one equipped with the new iPad mini will also require a good amount of energy. In one year, Apple skipped two entire generations of processors used so far and equipped the iPad mini with Retina display with the best it has - the 64-bit A7 chip, which is now also in the iPhone 5S and iPad Air. However, this does not mean that all devices are equally powerful. The processor in the iPad Air is clocked 100 MHz higher (1,4 GHz) due to multiple factors, and the iPad mini with the iPhone 5S have their A7 chip clocked at 1,3 GHz.
The iPad Air is indeed a bit more powerful and faster, but that does not mean that the same attributes cannot be assigned to the new iPad mini. Especially when switching from the first generation, the difference in performance is huge. After all, the A5 processor in the original iPad mini was rather the bare minimum, and only now is this machine getting a chip it can be proud of.
This move by Apple is great news for users. A four- to five-fold acceleration compared to the first generation can be felt practically at every step. Whether you're just navigating the "surface" of iOS 7 or playing a more demanding game like Infinity Blade III or exporting video in iMovie, the iPad mini proves everywhere how fast it is and that it is not behind the iPad Air or the iPhone 5S. The fact is that sometimes there are problems with some controls or animations (closing applications with a gesture, activating Spotlight, multitasking, switching the keyboard), but I would not see poor performance as a poorly optimized operating system as the main culprit. iOS 7 is generally a bit worse on iPads than on iPhones.
If you really stress the iPad mini by playing games or other demanding activities, it tends to heat up in the lower third. Apple couldn't do much with it in such a small space that's crammed to bursting, but thankfully the heating isn't unbearable. Your fingers will get sweaty at most, but that doesn't mean you have to put your iPad away because of the temperature.
Camera, connection, sound
The "camera system" on the new iPad mini is the same as on the iPad Air. A 1,2MPx FaceTime camera in the front, and a five-megapixel one in the back. In practice, this means that you can comfortably make a video call with the iPad mini, but the photos taken with the rear camera will not be world-shattering, at most they will reach the quality of photos taken with the iPhone 4S. Dual microphones are also connected to video calls and the front camera, located at the top of the device and reducing noise especially during FaceTime.
Even the stereo speakers at the bottom around the Lightning connector are no different from those on the iPad Air. They are sufficient for the needs of such a tablet, but you cannot expect miracles from them. They are easily covered by the hand when using, then the experience is worse.
It is also worth mentioning the improved Wi-Fi, which has not yet reached the 802.11ac standard, but its two antennas now ensure throughput of up to 300 Mb of data per second. At the same time, the Wi-Fi range is improved thanks to this.
One would have expected Touch ID to be featured in this detail-focused section, but Apple has kept it exclusive to the iPhone 5S this year. Unlocking iPads with a fingerprint will probably only arrive with the next generations.
Competition and price
It must be said that with the iPad Air, Apple is moving in relatively calm waters. No company has yet found the recipe to make a tablet of such size and capabilities that could compete with Apple's. However, the situation is a bit different for smaller tablets, as the new iPad mini definitely does not enter the market as the only possible solution for those looking for a roughly seven- to eight-inch device.
Competitors include Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon's Kindle Fire HDX, i.e. two seven-inch tablets. Next to the new iPad mini, it ranks especially for the quality of its display, or the pixel density, which is practically identical on all three devices (323 PPI versus 326 PPI on the iPad mini). The difference is then due to the size of the display in the resolution. While the iPad mini will offer a 4:3 aspect ratio, competitors have a widescreen display with a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:10. Here again, it is up to everyone to consider why they are buying a tablet. The Nexus 7 or Kindle Fire HDX are great for reading books or watching videos, but you have to remember that the iPad has a third more pixels. Every device has a purpose.
The key point for some could be the price, and here the competition clearly wins. The Nexus 7 starts at 6 crowns (Kindle Fire HDX is not sold in our country yet, its price is the same in dollars), the cheapest iPad mini is 490 crowns more expensive. One argument for paying extra for an expensive iPad mini might be that with it you get access to nearly half a million native apps found in the App Store, and with it the entire Apple ecosystem. That's something the Kindle Fire can't match, and Android on the Nexus just struggles with it so far.
Even so, the price of the iPad mini with Retina display could be lower. If you want to buy the highest version with a mobile connection, you have to shell out 20 crowns, which is quite a lot for such a device. However, Apple does not want to give up its high margins. A simpler option could be to cancel the lowest option. Sixteen gigabytes seems to be less and less sufficient for tablets, and removing an entire line would reduce the prices of other models.
Verdict
Whatever the price, it is certain that the new iPad mini with Retina display will sell at least as well as its predecessor. If Apple's smaller tablet doesn't sell well, it will be blamed poor stocks Retina displays, not because of lack of interest on the part of customers.
We can ask ourselves whether Apple, by maximally unifying both iPads, has made the customer's choice easier or, on the contrary, more difficult. At least now it is certain that it will no longer be necessary to make big compromises when buying one or the other iPad. It will no longer be either a Retina display and performance, or smaller dimensions and mobility. That's gone, and everyone has to carefully consider how big a display is ideal for them.
If price doesn't matter, then we probably shouldn't even bother with the competition. The iPad mini with Retina display is the best that the current tablet market has to offer, and quite possibly the best at all.
It's often the case that users buy new devices every generation, but with the new iPad mini, many first-generation owners could change that habit. The Retina display is such an attractive item at a time when all other iOS devices already have it that it will be hard to resist. For them, the second generation is a clear choice. However, even those who have used iPad 4 and older models can switch to the iPad mini. That is, those who decided on a larger iPad for the reasons that they wanted a Retina display or higher performance, but would much rather carry a more mobile tablet with them.
However, you can't go wrong buying an iPad mini or an iPad Air right now. You cannot say after a few weeks that you should have bought the other one because it has a better display or because it is more mobile. Although some may protest here, the iPad Air has also taken a big step towards accompanying us more and more often on the go.
[one_half last="no"]
advantages:
[Checklist]
- Retina display
- Great battery life
- High Performance[/checklist][/one_half][one_half last=”yes”]
Disadvantages:
[bad list]
- Touch ID is missing
- Lower color spectrum
- Less optimized iOS 7
[/badlist][/one_half]
A very well written and readable article. mainly I dreamed and thought about the passage: whether apple makes the choice easier for its customers or not. Personally, I'm planning to switch from the old iPad Mini to a new one...but with this merger, the type decision becomes more difficult
I had an iPad mini and finally switched to an iPad Air…
My eyesight has deteriorated, so a larger display is a better solution for me. Although the Air is smaller than the previous iPad 4, the mini is definitely more comfortable to carry. However, I am pleasantly surprised that the weight of the Air is not a problem for me... Compared to the light mini, it is heavier, but it is not terrible! I picked up the Air and compared the colors on the Retina mini. My son and I are both photographers, so we both downloaded the top photo that my son took. Yes, the color resolution of the Retina mini is smaller than that of the Air! But please, who will use mini to edit photos? My son's photo was based on 35MB RAW - perfect light - perfect soft halftones. In ordinary photos, which the ordinary user of the Retina mini will look at, the difference is negligible, and to the untrained eye, I dare say – imperceptible!!! So, if the review's statement about the lower color resolution slowed you down in your decision-making and you don't intend to judge the quality of the photo on the Retina mini (which I consider stupid), then just forget about it!!! And run to buy the Retina mini, it's super fast and the display is as sharp as the eye of God! (I have an Aira, because I feel better on it, but I don't rule out that I will put Jeziska on the Retina mini as well - the side pocket of my winter jacket is exactly the same as his !!!)
Thank you for your response! I really like the size of the mini, especially the fact that you can take it everywhere without even knowing it, the weight is great (even if the mini retina is a bit heavier). but sometimes I found myself hitting some offers, e.g. in safari, quite poorly, some things are simply very small. another thing is the display area for e.g. drawing. there is suddenly a mini too mini :) . In general, I think the Air and its display is such a "wow", the mini is beautiful, but the smaller display plays its part. So the question here is whether to get a super display or some 130 g of weight?
This is exactly what I was dealing with. Small or Big? Mini is super handy, two fingers are enough, especially when reading. But on the other hand, I won't just read, and I want to have better colors just for the feeling that I have a top from Apple. Not only with photos, but also with the web, games and movies, etc. Although I will carry it, not quite every day. And it is the first tablet in the family. So after a tough fight, Air wins.
I'll probably solve it that way too. After all, the Air's display is really beautiful. it will probably bother me a little that I will wear it to work every day (fortunately only a few meters). I borrowed the family's "old" iPad 3 for a while over the weekend and I have to say that its display really impressed me in a good way. that area….the colors….compared to the mini area it's a big difference. well, just the weight... fortunately, Air solved it at least a little.
Very good review, thanks, I have an iPad mini on order.
Only the delivery will probably be JANUARY - FEBRUARY at the earliest.
Anyone who ordered last week has a mini on its way - mine is currently on its way from Taiwan, due to arrive next week.
I'm in the same situation.. I'm expecting the 27th =)
I personally envy you the online Apple store CZ since its launch.
Ordered at Apple Store 12.11. delivered 19.11. despite the fact that the delivery was announced around 27.11.
I'm envious :) Ordered on 12/11 too, delivery advised for 26/11, but it arrived in Germany today, so I'm secretly hoping it could be a bit sooner.
Well, on Saturday he received a message about sending the shipment, and on Tuesday he already had the package on his desk. Fingers crossed that you arrive as soon as possible. Definitely something to look forward to :-)
I just wondered if the delivery does not differ according to the capacity, didn't you order 16GB? I have 32GB
I have ordered 32 GB without Wifi to Prague :)
so everything is the same as I had :) just to clarify, I ordered white
So we have the first difference, I'm space gray or whatever it's called :)
Well, it doesn't matter, I'm not small, I can last until Monday/Tuesday :)
Yes, with those computers, I'm not in a hurry, maybe I'll already have it with a display from Samsung, because Apple asked them for help in production.
I ordered on Saturday 16.11. Today I got a message from the Czech post that they already have it, so I hope it will be home tomorrow :))
I ordered the white version 15.11 and still nothing :-(
I've been holding it in my hand for a week from iStyle.
Very well written!
I also expected Touch ID. However, I am definitely not going to upgrade to the new Retina anytime soon. The "old" mini is more than enough for my school (occasional gaming) purposes.
Strange, for me the retina is no longer the main attraction, or rather it is, but the use of the tablet in my case has settled down to reading in the morning/evening before/after going to bed. Which any tablet can handle today, and it's hard to justify a significantly higher price for a device intended for consumption.
In addition, he was not pleased with the update to iOS 7 for the Mini, which is a very clear signal from Apple - to let the existing device become morally obsolete. But everything could possibly be possible - however, in my case, X purchased apps are downloaded/deleted from the AppStore and replaced with new ones in Flat design - i.e. a great store with half a megabyte of native apps, but with the re-purchase of an already purchased one, it is a crucial moment for me when it doesn't really matter - which platform one uses.
The review will lead them to a good read. I switched to the ipad mini with retina from a samsung galaxy note 10.1 (gtn8010) and i can't praise the ipad enough. Despite the fact that the ipad mini has about half the specifications, it runs great. I'm glad I got rid of the Samsung :)
It's clear to me. I was the case, deciding between iPad mini (1st gen.) and iPad 4... In the end, I brought home an iPad 4 from the store, but with the feeling that Apple forced me to compromise (which I was not used to from Apple – always offered me the ideal solution) and that not a single purchase would completely satisfy my needs. So the release of the current Mini with Retina is a clear impetus for the replacement. The heavy cow iPad 4 will leave the house (due to its weight and dimensions, I ended up not carrying it practically anywhere anyway) and the Mini with retina will be ideal for everyday wear :-)
iPad Air or iPad Mini 2…. ?
I did not solve this problem, but I have ordered a mini. But you have to be aware of one thing, OSX and iOS are applications of different systems and therefore have different uses. It's like comparing a macbook and a tablet. Both devices are designed differently.
I have an iPad 4 and I write on it every day at school. Great thing :) I'll get the mini 2 in a week, so I'll see how comfortable it will be to write on. If it's not convenient, I'll buy a BT keyboard :) I wouldn't worry about it.
More or less, you should decide how big a display you need. I find the 9,7″ much better for composing music in Garageband. In addition, for typing, if you want a folio or cover keyboard, the Air will definitely be better.
ordered via istor, I'm going to pick it up tomorrow :)
Can you give me a page? Could mzone not guarantee the delivery time at all? Thank you
you probably already have it anyway http://istores.sk
Yes, he is already at home, but thank you for your willingness
I was quite happy that Apple didn't put touch ID in the iPad mini, I plan to buy an iPad mini in a year and it will already have touch ID... I appreciate this 2nd generation change, because I can handle both the iPhone 6 and the iPad mini with touch ID. I'm hoping the mini will be lighter and tighter.. :-) for now the iphone5 and the mini without retina will have to be enough.. still nothing about the watch, I hope it wasn't a hoax.. I was really looking forward to it.
And helemese, a visionary :-)
Retina = fine dpi + wide color spectrum (that's how late Jobs defined it), so if this mini doesn't have a color spectrum like all previous retina displays, it's not retina;) just a high-resolution display. And 1GB of ram in this generation of ipad is really small, you start infinity blade and all the spici processes are killed, I'd rather wait for the next generation, the ipad mini that I have will be more than enough
I would like to ask you how you are doing with the delivery from the AppleStore?? I ordered it on 15.11/16. and I still have the status "order is being processed", I have already run out of smart covers, but iPad mini retina 10gb wifi white still nothing. This Friday will be the promised XNUMX day delivery time, do you think that is realistic?
Thank you, have a nice evening
He came today! Ordered 16.11.
did you order the white version 16gb wifi?
No no. Space Gray, 32, WiFi only. Even the idiots especially me, already on 18.11. they delivered a smart cover. Phew, like this on an empty stomach.. :-)
Well, the smart cover came to me immediately on 19.11 ... that is, 2 working days :D That's why I'm angry ... Today my order has already changed to preparation for shipment :D WOW
So it's on its way, the delivery date is December 4th :-(((( so long
Hello, Applejack. I'm reading the comments here and I somehow miss the mention of the services that I get "as if" for free with the iPad. Talking about any other tablet being able to handle this or that seems a little off to me. No other tablet has iTunes. It doesn't even have an Appstore or a reasonably functioning iCloud. And most importantly, it doesn't have iOS. iPad mini with retina is a beautiful piece of iron, it must be left. But what I get with it (even if it's not in the box) has at least the same value (if I use the service and appreciate it).
And that's not even mentioning a number of valuable free applications - Pages, Numbers, Keynote, iMovie, iPhoto...
May I ask, I read that the 16 GB version is said to slow down, so I wonder what the truth is.. :)
It's definitely not true.. I'm writing from it here now and the performance is rocket and never lets up even for a moment.. ;)