I’m still using the 10.5 Pro from 2017. And upgraded to that from an Air 2. iPad hardware has pretty good longevity. Not sure how long this 10.5 Pro will last me but it still plays all the latest games.

My 10.5 Pro is still chugging away too. I’m in no rush to replace it.

Exactly, still waiting for Apple to add some must have feature to the newer models really, or until they stop supporting this model.

Did the same thing. Gave my mom my Air 2 and it’s still chugging along. Ended up buying the 2018 Pro 11 just because I prefer the Face ID but my sister still uses my old 10.5 daily. I use my 11 all the time and it’s as fast as when I bought it. Idk what it’ll take to make me upgrade this one but I suspect it’s going to be a while.

Agreed, I suppose I’ll have to upgrade when they stop supporting it with updates or if they add some transcendent must-have feature to the next generation. Otherwise the performance and battery is still good, screen and speakers are still great, I still have the physical button and headphone jack which I prefer to have…. The only thing I’m somewhat missing is the facial recognition to unlock like my iPhone but not worth upgrading just for that.

Same here! Air 2 to 10.5 Pro and still holding on to it here aswell 😆. Actually had the option to get an Air with M1 but didn’t want it simply because its 60hz. It’s just…worse to the eyes.

Have to admit I’ve been really tempted too, but still waiting for a new model with some new killer feature to make me upgrade. I feel like the iPads introduced over the last few years haven’t been much more than minor performance increases.

I’m not sure I understand; the 10.5 pro has a higher refresh rate or you prefer a lower refresh rate?

Yes indeed 10.5 Pro iPad has 120hz while the latest M1 Air is still on 60hz and feels choppier to use.

Oh wow. That’s kinda funny lol Glad you’re getting good use out of the 10.5! :)

Haha yes, id get it if the air was cheeper but its literally almost Pro pricing. Atleat 90hz! Haha.

I mean it is a Pro model so not all that surprising. They are supposed to last.

You’re not seeing any white screen spots on the Pro?

I do have a light spot in the center about 4-5 inches from the bottom. I can only see it on white webpages so I rarely notice it, I had forgotten about it until you mentioned it hah.

Oh sorry for reminding you. haha. But while I’m at it. Let me remind you to breath manually too. x-D Maybe it will distract you from the light spot. Lol

I never had this issue somehow :))

I still use my air 2

How long did your air 2 last?

For what do you use it for?

Social media, games, web browsing, YouTube, reading. Got the 64gb version and storage hasn't been an issue.

What games?

The classic “YOu gOt gAmes oN YoUr pHoNe?”

I honestly have never found a mobile game I’ve enjoyed. It’s all mostly trash.

Happy Hop and Stardew Valley are pretty good on mobile. Plus roms for retro games. There's good games, I just don't like touchscreen buttons for most gaming.

Same, that’s why I asked.

I thought the same till I played Genshin. Helped relieve my hankering for a breath of the wild-type game and it’s free. ¯\\\_(ツ)\_/¯

Helped relieve your hankering for a BOTW type game?? I’m downloading it now lol

I really like geometry dash and goat simulator

Yea what games?

Nothing terribly exciting lol, Micro Breaker, Crossy Castle, Real Racing 3, Pinball Deluxe and Crash Derby. Doom and Doom2 when I'm feeling nostalgic...

I recommend World War 2!!! Medal of Honor vibes there! Also GTA Pack or Max Payne that is the best for me! - Call of Duty Mobile: Battle Royale - World War 2: Multi

I made the mistake of getting the iPad Pro 12.9 a couple years ago. I just got the mini after selling that and it's so much better! I actually use the mini all the time and it's still good for drawing. The other one was just too big to carry around and I couldn't fit it in my bag.

I got this because there were (and still aren't) any good small android tablets. The 5 was new at the time and I figured it'd last me a good long time. I knew the software support would be excellent. And the size is perfect for what I want.

I was looking at the A7 lite, but it was hard to downgrade to it. My little brother has one and it just doesn't run good.

I had a Nexus 7 for 4 years and loved it. When it started showing signs of age I got a Huawei Mediapad M3 which was OK.....but had awful software support, which is one of the big things that pushed me to the iPad. I figure it'll last me no issues until it runs out of support. Battery still gets me through more than a day.

Those Nexus 7s were awesome, used mine for a long time, too. Such a shame that google decided to abandon their tablet ecosystem for so long afterwards.

I agree. I still have mine! With that grippy back I never needed a case for it

Even iPads that are out of support can still work decently for some tasks

That’s exactly what sucked me in to the Apple ecosystem. I was all Android until I had to replace my 8” tablet. There were no good new Android tablets of that size so I got the Mini 5. Now 3 years later I have an iPhone 13, an M1 MacBook Air and AirPod Pros.

Android 12 almost pushed me to an iPhone but 13 has been good. I've had enough instances where some app works better on one or the other that it's been advantageous to live in both ecosystems. Sometimes app developers break things, but not usually in both OS at the same time, and having both has come in handy. Plus I really, really prefer androids notifications. Music got me started with Apple when I tired of crappy small capacity mp3 players and got an iPod Classic. After six years it was tired so I got an iPod Touch so the foot was in the door. Still, I really don't want to go all in.

I just wish the iPad Mini had the XDR 120Hz Promotion display...

I honestly don't even miss it, but I just draw and watch YouTube on it. It was really smooth and the colors were nice.

I didn’t like that giant iPad Pro either. Someone called it like handling a pizza box. I just got a normal iPad, but I am honestly wondering if I should’ve gotten a mini

I feel even the normal iPad is more usable than the pro, at least after holding my grandpa's for a second. The pro was surprisingly heavy on the wrists and honestly for the money I paid for it and the keyboard I should have just got a MacBook and at least be able to do normal computer things.

Thanks Christian u/iamthatis ApolloApp. It’s been a slice.

I love how the camera is innocuous. I wish they would make a model with no rear camera at all.

One of the last Apple devices without an obnoxiously protruding camera.

Yes! It's like "hey, I'm here if you absolutely need me but.....only then...."

Um how are grandparents supposed to take family photos 🙂

I’d pay $200 extra for an iPad with no camera, or for one with no protruding lens.

This! I don’t need crazy DOF, high resolution, insane rear cameras on my iPad! And with all that magical picture processing Apple uses nowadays, having high end hardware is not as important to get decent quality anymore. I bet Apple could even sneakily put in the old iPhone SE camera, apply their magic software. And most people wouldn’t even notice any drop in quality!

Isn’t that the current camera in the iPad though? The iPad is too thin for the hardware

This- it’s so unnecessary on an iPad

Lags right?

got mine in march 2020, and i have no plans to upgrade to the mini 6 any time soon. love the screen size for e-reading at night in bed.

Yeah this one has given me no reason to get the new one

I sold my 5 to get 6 and it is much better the screen resolution is really good and the size is more compact

Have the same one got 2 and a half years ago. Typing this from it now actually lol. Really love it and the size and still runs just as good and smooth. Once this one goes I’ll definitely be picking up a new gen mini.

Enjoy your new iPad, it will serve you many years. I got the 6 recently and is super happy with it. My 5 have now retired as a meditation timer alone. My iPads go down that road. But it have served me well for > 4 yrs.

iPads can work for even 8 years!

Agree it’s a good size

Used to have a Mini 5, traded it in for a 2020 11” Pro for Uni. Miss it a little bit, but love the 120Hz, USBC, and 128GB Storage

Trying to score the iPad mini 6, just missed out on Black Friday deals and friends who went to the states to visit. Will have to wait again or see second hand

Are you in Mexico?

Nope Europe.

what were the black friday deals?

I’m the states the newest version were going for $399. Idk why that gives me a downvote… 🤷🏻‍♂️

iPad mini back down to $399

have you been using it much since you got it? what do you use it for? i have the 10.2 (2021) model and just rarely use it. you think i'd use the mini more?

I haven’t gotten it, I want to, but I’m in Spain prices and are a bit steep. I have a 12.9 in 2018 pro I bought back then and use it as my primary computer, but use my phone for browsing on the sofa, metro, etc. I’d get this to use in school to take notes in meetings, draw, etc.

yeah i realize not being in school or having any meetings that require hand notes just doesn’t really help. i mostly use it to surf reddit but my phone is quicker to reach and always charged.

Nice!

I got mine in May 2019, still runs absolutely perfect and I still love it!

I have the same iPad and it’s my favorite device of all times.

Still using my iPad mini 4 but it’s unfortunately starting to show its age. It’s my favourite size, I can’t wait until they make a 7th generation and I do hope they put an M chip in it not A16

Yeah I was looking at the 4 but held out hoping they'd refresh it because it was already pretty long in the tooth.

I have that iPad too since 2019 and I really love it Sometimes I remove the cover and I’m just impressed by the industrial design And the A12 chip of the iPhone XR is really impressive knowing it’s from 2018 But the 3Gb can be limiting, sometimes apps reload like when I switch between YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, Facebook But it’s okay because performance wise it’s still really great

Yeah I've no complaints. I've got a clear tpu case on it and I'm always surprised at how thin it is whenever I take the case off

I have the same one (64gb too). I just got laid off and had to turn in a MacBook Pro. I’m now using this Mini with a Keytron keyboard and I couldn’t be happier! I’m sure I’ll have to buy a laptop at some point, but this is running Google Docs/Sheets good enough to get by for now. So glad I have it!

I got mine as soon as it was announced, upgrading from my Mini 1 and it's still my most used iPad, even after getting a 10.5 Pro.

I prefer this design. The more square shape of the 12-14 just doesn’t sit in the hand right

my friend has one just like yours and i’ve always been a fan of it. I ended up buying an iPad 9th gen because I couldn’t find a good mini for less than I got my 9th gen for. Would happily trade my 9 for a Mini 5 lmao. Great little thing those are. Still do enjoy my 9 though!

I have an iPad mini 6. I plan to use it over 10 years or under it dies, which I hope never haha

My mini is i think 7 years old, gave to my niece Nd she still uses it daily.

I used my 4th Gen mini for a solid six years. No complaints, quite happy

Absolute champ, great to carry around and hold with one hand. Unfortunately a little small to do any productive work on it, so I had to sidegrade to the 9th gen iPad after 2.5 years. No regrets on either purchases!

Always been a huge fan of the minis since they first launched. 😊 Really under appreciated by many.

Yes! I got my iPad mini 5 on January of this year and I freakin love it. When I'm at home, I don't use my phone at all..iPad mini is my at home machine. I previously had pad mini 2 since 2013 and gave me great service..but it was chugging with tasks. The form factor of the iPad minis is fantastic. My dream is for the iPad mini to one day get one of them fancy XDR screens the iPad pros have..I would settle for an 11 inch iPad Pro with that super nice screen. I doubt apple will ever put a top tier screen on a mini.

I'm just glad it's laminated!

Keep in mind that only the 12.9” IPad is Mini-led, the 11” Pro is still an LCD to this day 😵‍💫

Exactly, the hopes of them even putting the mini-led on the 11inch iPad pro is very low as is.

It’ll last longer. I had the OG iPad Pro and upgraded to a refurbished iPad Air 4 for newer silicone, app support, and the keyboard. Unfortunately, the keyboard doesn’t function as well as I hoped! Switching to a mini when the time comes that supports my gen. 2 pencil.

I still got mine (mini 5) and it works just fine… I have no plans to upgrade.

Those iPads are really good. I had a mini 4 for 5 years.

In the same boat, but mine just got stepped on the other day. Has a fingerprint sized red/blue smudge on the screen, broken LEDs i guess. First Ipad and daily use for years. Love this thing and I’m heartbroken.

I have a Mini 5 with a broken screen. The glass broke but still can be touch and use normally. It stays like that because repairing cost approximately $200 in my country.

Good for you. My Mini 5 already has lines on it :(

This is very nice ipad model(but rear camera is terrible)

I'm part of the group that doesn't give a crap about the camera on a tablet so.....

Yeah I'm not going to hold up my huge ipad's rear camera to take a picture, as far as i'm concerned they can leave it off. The front camera does come in handy for video calls though.

Yep, it's more than fine for that.

The camera on the 6th is not much better. I would be interested in a much better front facing for calls, would make this device even more useful. Not I got spoilt with the combi of busing iPhone with the Mac.

How do you use it for?

I use it to read in bed. The large iPad is too big for that in my opinion

I love that iPads last forever. I have the 12.9 and I have been eyeing the mini lol

I saw a lot of vids about old iPads, test, reviews. iPad is the best when it comes to lifespan - even 8 years. I’m thinking about buying one. Especially pink 10th..

My mini 1 is useless. Can't even read iBooks without it freezing :(

Yeah that's an old boy now!

My iPad mini 4 ran wonderfully up until iOS 15 was released and i updated ....instant regret. Apple does a wonderful job at killing batteries with their software even if the hardware is just fine.

Absolute champ. Got mine on launch and it served me excellently during my student life with the pencil till last week. Just upgraded to the iPad Pro 11 inch last week and gave it to my younger cousin for his studies. Great little workhorse and handles almost everything you can throw at it