I miss my iPad mini. Carrying an iPhone *and* an 11" iPad Pro is too cumbersome. The iPhone and iPad mini combo was perfect. Yeah, I shouldn't have given up on the iPad mini, but then again, I couldn't just dismiss my frustrations each time the Touch ID misses. The accuracy of the Touch ID is way lower compared to the old below the screen Touch IDs found on the iPhone SEs. And don't get me started with the display - scrolling made me think that my eyesight was rapidly deteriorating. Yeah, I exaggerate, but there is still the weird display jelly scrolling issue. Other than these, I still loved that iPad mini.
There is an Apple event this May 7, but rumor has it that the iPads will be refreshed with new display technologies (among other things), but the iPad mini is not primed to be one of those models. I still wish that the rumors are wrong and that the iPad mini will also be refreshed. So what do I want on my next iPad mini?
First is the obvious processor upgrade. I wish that it gets at least an M1 processor, like the Pro and Air models that are primed to have the M3. Why I am looking forward to this? There are software applications and software improvements that will be unlocked with the iPad mini having an M-series processor.
Jelly scrolling be gone! An upgrade, no matter how small since I am not expecting iPad Pro level displays, to rid of that scrolling issue should be one of Apple's top priorities. It is difficult not to see it, and difficult to unsee it as well.
The iPad mini with an M-series processor should be equipped with Face ID. Rid of that Touch ID that is frustratingly inaccurate, IMHO. If support for Face ID is expensive, perhaps an under-the-display Touch ID would be best - a first for Apple, too. Yeah, I can wish, right?
Higher entry-level storage. The current 64GB entry level storage is pathetic. Apple should start the iPad mini models with 128GB at the very least.
Whilst the under-the-display Touch ID seems to be a far-fetched idea, well, maybe a front-facing camera oriented for horizontal mode is a tad more realistic. FaceTime on horizontal mode is simply how you do it on a tablet! Add Continuity support and pair it with the Apple TV, you'd get a perfect travel companion.
An improved USB-C connector with Thunderbolt/USB 4 support is a nice to have. This opens a whole new array of accessories that are only available on the Pro models. This is a long-shot, but it is a nice to have.
Finally, nobody wants to see an expensive iPad mini. I am hoping that Apple either retains the same price points, or better yet, a lower price for the entry-level model.
I cannot wait for May 7 and hope that the iPad mini is one of the iPads that gets refreshed.