Should I buy an iPad Mini 4

Personally I feel the Mini models are just tad smaller than what I'd like. On the one hand it's great as far as throwing the entire tablet into a back pocket (some of my pants can fit a Mini, others can't, YMMV) and being extremely light weight. On the other hand, the screen is just small.... anything with a list of small words or icons is that much more difficult to interact with. The full size models are just about perfect imho.

You never know what the next model will bring. So I never worry about buying if the new launch is coming, unless it's in the next week or so. The Mini 2 to Mini 3, for example, was a total waste as far as I'm concerned. If I had waited for the 3 I would be disappointed. The 3 to 4 was more significant.
 
If you're in doubt size-wise, go for the iPad Pro. It's easier to live with a device that's a bit too big or low-DPI than to wish the interface elements were larger, or that you had a little more performance.

With that said: if you're going to get an iPad mini and aren't suffering from FOMO, now's a good time to get one. You can probably find a good deal if you hunt around, which would help soften the blow if the mini 5 makes you wish you'd waited.
 
iPad Pro will obviously be able to do more from a power perspective, give you the option to use the Apple branded keyboard as well as Pencil. So it's kind of up to you on whether you want the Pro features or if size is of maximum importance.

For me personally, I'd go Mini, but that fits more into what I need my tablet device to do. I do edits/work on the road with an MBPr. So a tablet wouldn't cross-over into that world for me. In my usage case, it'd be primarily for consumption and social media.
Honestly, I don't think you can go wrong with either, so long as you purchase the one that makes the most sense for your needs.
 
Just thought I would add this.... if you go with the 9.7" pro you can always get a Brydge Air keyboard. Much nicer than the Apple one. I have one for my iPad Air 2. The 9.7" pro and the Air 2 have the same case dimensions, so it would work.

As far as the pixel density goes you have to decide that for yourself. Personally, I love the Air 2's screen, and with getting older (bifocals) the bigger screen is a big plus.
 
Get the Pro 9.7, it will last you a good couple years prior to becoming outdated in any way, shape, or form, whereas the mini will become outdated sooner. Much.
 
As a Mini 3 owner, I can easily appreciate the performance gains going from it to the Mini 4. I bought it for more than performance alone, since the Air/Air 2 was an option at the time, and it's delivered in those ways: portability, the fact I can comfortably hold it with one hand, and still be able to read on the thing for extended time.
 
I'm not really understanding how you think the Samsung Tab S2s aren't competition for the iPads. In any case, my wife has the iPad Mini 2. It's quite a bit faster than the original mini with better resolution which I use from time to time. If you plan to read books, I think you'll like the smaller size/weight of the Mini, but you should go to an Apple store and check them out side by side. Apple used to let you return a tablet after a few days, so that might be an option to see if the Air is really too big or not.
 
The Mini's are fantastic. I have owned all generations of the Mini and the 4 is a great device. Nice and speedy for everything iPad and the size is perfect for me.

The Air 2 / Pro 9.7 size is a bit too big for me, and you don't gain that much realestate due to the resolution difference compared to the mini.
 
I don't really follow Apple products, but I have somewhat reluctantly reached the conclusion that there isn't really any competition for the iPads at this point (I had high hopes for the Pixel C, but then the WiFi bug appeared and it all came crashing down).

So I was wondering: is there any reason why I should think twice about buying an iPad Mini 4 at this point in time? Presumably a Mini 5 will be released around September. On one hand, that's a long time away. On the other hand, I'd hate to buy a 4 and have them suddenly release a substantially upgraded mini like a 4GB Mini 5 or something.

I'm looking at the iPad mini because I want a small*, fast tablet with a dense, LCD (I love OLED, but tablet usage patterns will just be inviting burn-in) display and excellent build.

*I am a little conflicted on whether to get a Mini 4 or Pro 9.7, (in my usage, the times when I'll be wanting the larger screen vs the smaller screen will be split pretty much 50/50), but the extra pixel density of the Mini gives it the edge (I just went from a 400PPI phone to a 300PPI one, and I'm missing the higher density display even there, so I'm definitely not that keen on the idea of a sub-300PPI tablet display).
I've owned a Mini 4 and an Air 2 and then sold both for a Macbook. From my perspective your choice really depends on how you plan on using the tablet.
I used the mini as an e-reader exclusively and the Air 2 was basically my then laptop that I would use on the couch , or to try to do actual productivity work. As a laptop replacement or 'on the go' media viewer, 9.7" is pretty much perfect in terms of size. Watching a movie or browsing the web on the mini 4 felt cramped. Although I don't play a lot of games on my phone you're likely to have a better experience doing so on the Mini as most games will scale less given they were designed for a 4.7" display.

The 9.7" pro interjects a bit more into the mix in that you *could* use it as a note-taker, but for me it simply does what the 9.7" did good better. The speakers are tremendous(the only fault I had with my air 2), and the display gorgeous. My only concern is that it's also now a $750 tablet, and while you certainly get a lot of value for your money, it's not really even in the same league as the mini 4 as a result.

Personally, unless you primarily want a tablet for media viewing (seriously.. those speakers, dat display) but still want an Apple 9.7" tablet, I'd pickup the Air 2. You can still find them new and hardware wise it's still a very powerful laptop.


Get the Pro 9.7, it will last you a good couple years prior to becoming outdated in any way, shape, or form, whereas the mini will become outdated sooner. Much.

How so? The iPad 2 still runs iOS 9.3 and that's a 5 year old tablet.

Both of these laptops have very fast processors, both have 2GB of ram. Frankly I can't see any reason why either will have an advantage over the other in terms of longevity simply because of the Ram and Apple's reluctance to change the amount very often. Both will easily outlive their usefulness.
 
The pro is a prosumer product, the mini is a consumer product. Ultimately Apple will continue adding features, making accessories, ect longer than the mini. Plus, the Pro is a brand new design so it's likely to keep it longer.
 
The pro is a prosumer product, the mini is a consumer product. Ultimately Apple will continue adding features, making accessories, ect longer than the mini. Plus, the Pro is a brand new design so it's likely to keep it longer.

Your logic doesn't follow. blmlozz pointed out the iPad 2 and how long its been supported. Also notable is the iPhone 4S.

What matters the most is the technology each is based on. Which of course is Apple's A series of chips. The iPad Mini 4 uses an A8. Apple won't be dropping support for the Mini 4 anytime soon, just like it won't be dropping the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus (which uses the same processor) anytime soon.

Apple has been making the iPad Mini in the same form factor for some time. Unless there is a radically different size and shape, accessories will continue to work and fit. Finally you're discounting third parties which probably sell far more product than first party (in total of course, not a single manufacturer).
 
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If you're in doubt size-wise, go for the iPad Pro. It's easier to live with a device that's a bit too big or low-DPI than to wish the interface elements were larger, or that you had a little more performance.
You sure about that. Would hate to have a larger heavier tablet than 8. Though for multi window would be good

OP the iPads don't support mice while streaming PC games. Mice are not otherwise particularly useful but a point of consideration depending on need
 
The pro is a prosumer product, the mini is a consumer product. Ultimately Apple will continue adding features, making accessories, ect longer than the mini. Plus, the Pro is a brand new design so it's likely to keep it longer.

Not at all, it is fundamentally not that much different than any other iPad. Just a few more features.

Better Speakers
Slightly, very slightly, better screen
Pencil (stylus) support
Wired Keyboard support
Faster Processor

The OS itself is the same and really does not do anything additional or different.
 
There's the multiwindow ability on the pro, different note app, more optimized large screen apps, ect..
 
Multiwindow is supported on non-pros? I stand corrected then, sorry.
 
Go for the latest gen iPad Pro 9.7. It'll fare through the software updates much better. Pencil support is a great plus.
 
Multi-window is dictated by RAM, not screen size or model line. You can even use it on the iPad mini 4 if you like.
 
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