The iPad Pro 9,7 inch - New Mini Power Tablet from Apple (Early 2016)

Keynote on Monday, March 21, 2016, which also includes the new iPhone SE was presented, there was the successor to the 2014 presented iPad Air 2 or the one presented in 2015 iPad mini 4 to see: that iPad Pro 9,7” – also unofficially called “iPad Pro mini”.. The 9,7-inch tablet with a lot of power under the hood has earned this name. In this article I would like to show you a few specs and features, but also a small disadvantage of the device that I noticed.

Technical specifications of the iPad Pro mini

The new iPad Pro mini comes with many technical innovations that combine the technology from the iPad Pro and the iPhone 6s (Plus) are. For the components from the iPad Pro, for example, speaks A9X processor with 64 bit architecture. Among other things, the camera and the ability to use the Display as a replacement for flash to use for the front camera.

Here's that Data sheet of the iPad Pro mini in a compact overview:

To get an impression of the device, I can recommend Apple's product video:

True Tone and Night Shift: Special display features of the new Apple tablet

This will be most likely for users and especially those switching from other tablets (including the iPad) True tone display catch the eye. The ambient light is analyzed by four sensors and a white balance is set in the background of the system. This adapts the display to the environment, so that the colors on the display also appear warmer (and thus “normal” again) in an environment with warmer light.

At the Apple Keynote in the Cupertino Townhall explained it like this: a white sheet of paper reflects the current light. Be it cold neon light, warm sunlight or something else. Until now, tablets have not been able to adapt to their surroundings – the iPad Pro mini can now.

There is also a mode called Night Shift. Using the geographic data of the iPad Pro mini and the currently set time, this recognizes when twilight sets in or when the sun is still shining and when it has set. Towards the night, the blue tones (which have been proven to keep you awake) are reduced and the color temperature is generally shifted to the warmth. This should enable you to fall asleep better.

In short: adaptation to the environment by means of true Tone is a fine thing and will surely prevail. Thanks on the iPad Night Shift to fall asleep, I don't find that really worth striving for. My tip for falling asleep better would therefore be: Don't take your iPad to bed with you, read a nice book and then - Eyes closed! ;-)

Apple Pencil: Use with the iPad Pro mini with timpani and trumpets

On the current Keynote As has been the case with Apple for almost 40 years, the company's own products were praised to the skies and only the best and reputation-boosting comments were included in the presentation. Quotations from leading companies in the graphics and animation sectors were shown and read out, which stated, among other things, that the Combination of iPad Pro and Apple Pencil get closest to pen and paper in digital image processing; before all other systems, of course.

Personally, I haven't been able to test the Apple Pencil, but I already had a Wacom and various stylus models for the iPad. For me, everything was not so enlightenment because there was a lack of resolution and precision. With the Apple Pencil, not only do these things improve, but you also have the simulation of the pressure and inclination of the pen - important features when drawing by hand.

Audio playback on the new Apple tablet

The new 9,7-inch iPad also has a Pro audio system. But what does that mean exactly? This means that a total of four loudspeakers were installed and intelligently integrated into the system. Compared to the last 9,7-inch device, the volume has doubled, according to Apple. In addition, the playback of audio tracks - especially with films and the like - depends on how the tablet is held. An intelligent system for pure multimedia enjoyment.

A little addition: for them too Editing of multimedia (Photo, audio and video editing) became that ipad mini recommended on the corresponding keynote from Apple. Even with 4K recordings, which place enormous demands on the processor due to the amount of data, everything should run smoothly.

The camera: pros and cons

Rear main camera

The main camera is borrowed from the iPhone 6s (Plus) and thus provides the option of taking photos with 12 megapixels and live Photos in Full-HD to create. With regards to filming, there is one 4K resolution makeable. Anyone in the field Slow Motion want to try, he can with a resolution of 720p with a frame rate of 240 fps operate.

On my iPhone 6 (without the “s”) I only have 120 fps for the slow-motion shots, but I can still make impressive films with it.

Front camera

Of course, there is also a camera on the front (for Selfies, Face time, etc.) installed. This brings a resolution of 5 megapixels With; an increase compared to the previous 1,2 megapixel front cameras on iPads. In addition, there is now a kind of flash for this camera, which - as with the iPhone 6s (Plus) - is implemented via the display lighting, which briefly lights up three times as brightly as normal.

Camera hump on the iPad - a novelty

But now the announced Disadvantage: the camera literally stands out from the body. There is again the often criticized iPhone 6 “Camera hump” (which the big iPad Pro doesn’t have, by the way!). Laid flat on the table, the device will wobble around unattractively and quickly annoy the user. But Apple wouldn't be Apple if a solution hadn't already appeared during the keynote without naming the problem:

The Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro mini

The Smart Keyboard is a cover or tablet case into which a keyboard has been inserted. Not a very new invention, but for use and for Improvement of the workflow A good thing in terms of word processing, sending messages and emails, and many other things that have to do with letters and numbers. But who instead of one QWERTYVersion one QWERTZ-Version, must also with the Smart keyboard for the 9,7 tablet access Apple alternatives.

iPad Pro 9,7 inch (mini): Prices in Germany

A total of six different prices can be named here (source: Apple Lossless Audio CODEC (ALAC),). Because also with ipad mini there is a version for pure WLAN use (iPad Pro mini WiFi) and a version that also supports cellular communications up to LTE (iPad Pro mini Wifi + Cellular). There are also various internal storage capacities:

iPad Pro mini WiFi

• 32 GB storage: 689 euros
• 128 GB storage: 869 euros
• 256 GB storage: 1.049 euros

iPad Pro mini Wifi + Cellular

• 32 GB storage: 839 euros
• 128 GB storage: 1.019 euros
• 256 GB storage: 1.199 euros

Conclusion on the new iPad Pro mini

Anyone who was already fascinated by the iPad Pro and is looking for a more compact version of this top tablet can now consider it found. The only "big" problem caused by the camera hump can be elegantly solved with a case or the Smart Keyboard - an accessory that most people will use anyway. Other than that, there's really only positive things to say about the new iPad Pro 9,7” mini. Of course, the price could be a bit lower - some people seem to have been really surprised here - but it's not just the content that's "pro" here, but the pricing as well.

For me, the new small iPad Pro is not one of the choices, as I've decided to invest in the next version of the large 12,9-inch iPad Pro. Until then, I still have to deal with my old iPad 3 from the beginning of 2012 (the first model with a Retina display).

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He acts as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with technical problems. In his spare time he rides electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with the iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions to current bugs.