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points by gyomu 3 days ago | 0 comments

The original iPad had a 9.7" screen; it was later bumped to 10.2", and today the smallest iPad/iPad Air screen is 11".

The iPad Mini started with a 7.9" screen, bumped today to 8.5".

The iPhone Duo inner display is 7.6", there are already rumors saying a gen 2 or gen 3 might be 7.9".

It's interesting how smooth the iPhone/iPad continuum is becoming.

Unlike the iPhone getting bigger, the iPad with the 9.7/10.2/11" screen is still basically the same size though. It's just the bezels getting smaller.

Quick look at the Mini dimensions also seems like it barely got bigger overall since 1st gen.

[–] idreyn 3 days ago

Still waiting for a 13 Mini refresh :(

[–] mi_lk 3 days ago

iPhone Air is leaps and bounds better (source: owned 13 Mini)

[–] red369 3 days ago

The iPhone Air is larger than an iPhone 17 in height and width. Every non-plus/max iPhone since the 13 Mini came out is smaller than the Air in height and width. Wouldn't they be a more logical upgrade than the Air?

The main body of the iPhone Air is thinner, of course, but including the camera bulge, I think it's thicker than all non-pro iPhones up to the 16.

Is there something about making the main body thinner that makes the iPhone Air more comfortable to hold than other smaller phones? Is it the weight? The 17e is only 4 g heavier than the Air, and the 16e is only 2 g heavier.

I have never been interested in the Air because of the size, so I can't even remember if I have picked one up in an Apple Store.

[–] rwbt 2 days ago

Forget the dimensions and size on paper. I tried the iPhone 17 for two weeks, came running back to the Mini. Later on, I upgraded to the Air and I'm very pleased. Yes, it's slightly larger in hand but it's still delightful to use like the Mini. Even though its 25g heavier than the Mini, it feels lighter because it's less dense.

[–] red369 2 days ago

Interesting! Thanks for the opinion. I'm very skeptical that I'll feel the same way, but I'll check it out next time I'm near one.

I just replaced the battery in my Mini, and got the bonus free screen (I understand it is hard even for Apple to replace the battery without breaking the screen), so I'm probably set for a while, but it would be nice to have an upgrade path in the future!

[–] wffurr 3 days ago

It's bigger in all the wrong ways: https://phonesized.com/compare/#2739,1863

[–] wtch98 3 days ago

Make it 3/4 an inch narrower and an inch shorter and I'll get one

[–] rwbt 3 days ago

I reluctantly upgraded to the Air from the 13 Mini after I accidentally dropped it in water. After 3 weeks of using it now, I completely agree.

[–] mrheosuper 3 days ago

How is it better exactly, apart from the new SOC ?

[–] jghn 3 days ago

There's an obvious gap where the iPhone mini used to be. Please fill that gap Apple!

[–] dd8601fn 3 days ago

I kinda feel that way too, but I can see why 3% of iphone sales wasn’t a compelling case at apple.

[–] s4i 3 days ago

An easy fix, just name it iPhone 18 and all the people will buy it because it’s the default. Have a Max for all the actual big screen addicts.

[–] gtirloni 3 days ago

I see what you did there!

[–] LtWorf 3 days ago

I love this dude's "reviews" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTiiZTi3aC8

when he goes "iphone small (big)" "iphone big (bigger)" and so on. He has a bunch of them.

[–] 1-6 3 days ago

What isn't smooth is the separation between the iPad and iPhone teams. I'm pretty sure new things being visited on the Duo such as the split keyboard interface have already been tried on the iPad side.

[–] klausa 3 days ago

This iPad mini is actually slightly smaller than the previous gen; it's just the bezels that got smaller; the device footprint didn't grow.

[–] alberth 3 days ago

The outer dimensions are largely the same, it's mostly a reducing the bezel size to increase the display size.