6th generation iPad mini review

　Do you need this? what do you use it for? why did this happen?

　I tried using the "6th generation iPad mini" that appeared with a lot of noise for several months. We will consider and review.

Index

• 1 Do you really need an iPad mini?
• 2 Why did this happen? Solve the Mystery of Appearance
  • 2.1 Mystery size
  • 2.2 Orientation-changing volume buttons
  • 2.3 Jelly scroll problem
• 3How to use
  • 3.1 Excellent as an e-book device
  • 3.2 As a notebook
  • 3.3 Touch ID is useful
  • 3.4 USB Type-C is the best!
• 4 Again. Need an iPad mini?
• 5 Bonus

Do you really need an iPad mini?

　A little digression before reviewing.

　The first generation iPad mini that first appeared in 2012. However, the first generation is a low-resolution model that does not have a Retina display. However, because it can be held with one hand, it was a big hit with some people in Japan, where small devices are preferred. The following year, the iPad mini with a Retina display was released, and I immediately made a reservation for it, but even so, it took almost a month to deliver, and it was a big hit. However, with this iPad mini, the quality of the display was not good enough and I gave it up within a year.

　In 2014, when the phablet (this is also a dead word) boom arrived, the iPhone Plus series equipped with a large 5.5-inch screen was released. As a result, the demand for the iPad mini gradually decreased, and there were no major changes, with only minor changes to update the chip about once every two years.

　The iPad has also changed with the times, with the advent of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro series, along with a change in the UI specialized for large screens, and the name change to iPadOS, a fork of iOS. At first, I thought, "What are you going to use such a stupid big iPad for?", but now I'm so fond of large screen iPads that I say, " I don't need anything other than a 12.9-inch iPad ."

　Therefore, in my opinion, the iPad mini will soon be discontinued. I was just wondering, but I was surprised to hear that the 6th generation iPad mini is coming, and it's the first full model change. Who would buy such a small device? I thought. This is the review I used.

why did this happen? Solve the Mystery of Appearance

　The 6th generation iPad mini has many mysteries that were not found in previous iPads.

mystery size

　The first impression of the 6th generation iPad mini is that " Isn't the display too long? "

　The previous iPad mini had a 7.9-inch size and a 2,048 x 1,536 4:3 (1.33:1) display. The 6th generation has a 2,266 x 1,488 1.52 :1 display in an 8.3-inch size. This ratio is close to the 3:2 (1.5:1) ratio of the original iPhone and iPhone 4 series. The iPad always has a 4:3 display, and as far as I know, this is the first time this ratio has changed. I think. Why did you throw away the 4:3 so far and go to this 1.52:1? You can tell by looking at the dimensions of the iPad .

　The 6th generation iPad mini has a width of 134.8 mm. The width of the 5th generation iPad mini is also 134.8mm. I think it was probably developed under the rule that the width should never be changed during the development stage . Along with that, the conventional iPad mini has been made bezelless as it is. However, as it is, the volume button on the right side and the Apple Pencil interfere. On the other hand, if you try to create a 4:3 ratio without changing the width, the Apple Pencil will slightly exceed the size of the housing, resulting in a "cheesy" design, so I think it's this subtle resolution.

　Fortunately? The iPad provides the Auto Layout function for developers because it is necessary to make the app compatible with a wide variety of resolutions such as Split View and Split Over. It is said that you can easily support full screen just by setting the item to Yes .

Orientation-changing volume buttons

　In order to support the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, it is necessary to remove the button from the right side of the main unit. However, if you install a Smart Cover on the left side and put the iPad upright, you will not be able to press it. Therefore, it means that the volume button was attached to the top. Well, I agree with you so far.

　However, if you hold both the iPad and the iPhone vertically, pressing up will increase the volume, and pressing down will decrease the volume. If the volume button is mounted on the top, I don't know if the right will go up or down, or the left will go up or down. The answer is right is up and left is down. I understood by looking at the display of the software.

　Right is up, left is down, got it! If you rotate it to the right and hold it sideways, it will be the opposite. Apparently, when you hold it horizontally, the one that comes up is the top, and the one that comes down is the bottom. Well, if you think about it calmly, it's more natural, but as a person who has been using an iPad until now, I can't help but be confused . I wish I could at least turn this feature off in the settings, but I can't find it. I always get lost momentarily which one to press, so I change it in the control center. The same operation can be done in any direction, so it is the most reliable.

　This feature was only available on the 6th generation iPad mini, but it seems that it has become available on all iPads since iPadOS 15.4.

jelly scroll problem

　The most talked about 6th generation iPad mini is the jelly scroll problem. There is a problem that the screen looks distorted when scrolling at high speed when held vertically, but according to iFixit, this is due to the layout of the controller board. So it seems that the jelly scroll phenomenon does not appear when held horizontally. Apple is also aware of the symptoms, and it is supposed to be a specification .

　In the first place, the jelly scroll problem is a problem that can occur on all devices .

how to use

　As I mentioned at the beginning, I belong to an extremist organization where only the 12.9-inch iPad Pro can win the iPad, but how do I use such a small iPad? what should i use it for? Just when I was thinking about it, I came up with a good use.

Excellent e-book device

　I usually use Kindle Oasis as an e-book device, but because of the lack of capacity and using the Wi-Fi model, dissatisfaction with downloading on the go and instability of operation are becoming conspicuous. I was.

　However, I thought that iPad mini could solve those dissatisfactions. You can choose between 64GB or 256GB storage. Furthermore, this time it is a cellular model, so you can purchase new publications anytime and anywhere and download them immediately. Moreover, since it is 5G compatible, the download will be completed in an instant when you tap it. It has the same A15 chip that works as the latest iPhone, and iPadOS that can handle multitasking, so there's no complaints.

　The only weak point is that Apple has issued NG for in-store payments, so you can't purchase books within the Kindle app. I want you to lift the ban as soon as possible.

As a notebook

　You can also use it like a notebook by taking advantage of being able to hold it with one hand. I personally recommend GoodNotes. GoodNotes can be synced with iCloud with iPhone, Mac, and other iPads, so even the author who uses many Apple devices can rest assured. Also, GoodNotes is an app that I would like to recommend because it is easy to manage various notes, and it is very easy to input under any circumstances.

　Handwriting input with Apple Pencil, but since I usually use the iPad Pro, it's not as satisfying as ProMotion (120Hz variable drive), but it didn't cause much stress. Well, can I use it normally? That's what it means.

　If you use iPad Pro and iPad mini together, you need two Apple Pencils, right? I thought, but the pairing of Apple Pencil is very smooth. Attach it to an unpaired iPad and it's ready to use in seconds. Conversely, it is smooth when returning to Pro. I thought this would be fine with just one.

Touch ID is useful

　It's very convenient to be able to use Touch ID in an era when you have to wear a mask. However, unlike Face ID, it is only in one place, so if you hold it upside down, you have to change it.

　Face ID can also be unlocked with eye information from iOS 15.4, but it seems that it will not be unlocked on the iPad. Is it a sensor issue? If you can use Face ID with a mask on an iPad, is it okay to use Face ID separately? I think.

USB Type-C is the best!

　With USB Type-C, it became possible to connect to various devices, and it became possible to use it as a charger as well as a Mac. The amount of luggage is minimal, and you don't need a card reader when importing camera data. It is easy just to insert the USB Type-C cable directly.

again. Need an iPad mini?

　It's convenient to have, but definitely buy it! It is not a device called If you like it and have a clear purpose, you should buy it. If you don't like it, don't buy it.

　An iPad that can be held in one hand. You can read books and enjoy SVOD even on crowded trains in Japan.

　However, although this size is good, looking at other manufacturers, the size close to 8 inches is a size that can be realized by folding. If you think so, isn't the flat 8 inch already obsolete? I also feel.

　The display is a jelly scroll and does not support ProMotion to differentiate it from the high-end. Not yet waterproof. Still, the price is about 80,000 (for the cellular model), which is quite a price. Then you can buy Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 for the price of iPhone + iPad mini. In this case, one unit can be used as a smartphone and a tablet, and it can be folded with a high drive of 120Hz and waterproof. It's annoying, isn't it?

　The advantage of this iPad mini is that you can use iPadOS, that's all. If it doesn't have to be iPadOS, other models are fine. If you really want to use the Mac integration function, need to use Apple Pencil, or are already using Apple's ecosystem, then this is a good choice.

bonus

　I usually carry a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with a 14-inch MacBook Pro, but this is very convenient. While holding video conferences such as Zoom and Teams on the MacBook Pro, taking notes on materials on the iPad Pro, writing notes on GoodNotes, using Sidecar to develop communication tools such as Slack and Gmail while editing with Premiere. A very useful combination. What happens when you add an iPad mini here? You can read comics and magazines on your iPad mini while commuting, and even if Slack or LINE calls, you can reply directly on your iPad mini without switching to your mobile phone.

　The downside is the cost vs cost is the worst. And the bag becomes heavy. Also, people usually ask me, “Why are you carrying two iPads? And they all have SIM cards. surely. Why? I couldn't get rid of the otaku smell with cute pink. regret.