Will the iPad mini replace the iPhone? Explained in comparison with the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which is similar in size

The 6th generation "iPad mini" released in September 2021 attracted the same attention as the iPhone 13 announced on the same day due to its evolution. As of November 2021, when Apple products on sale are arranged in order of size, the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPad mini are next to each other, but since the iPhone and iPad are products in different categories, voice calls and collaboration with Apple Watch, etc. There are also differences in the functions that can be performed. Can people who want a large screen smartphone use an iPad mini instead of an iPhone as their main device? Compare and explain what each can and cannot do.

Start by comparing the size and weight of the main unit. The screen size is 6.7 inches for the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 8.3 inches for the iPad mini, so the iPad is naturally larger. If you put them on top of each other, you can see the difference in size.

Next, when you hold the main unit in your hand. For people with large hands, both are large enough to be held with one hand, but for people with small hands, the iPad mini is a little too big to hold with one hand, as the fingers just barely reach the other side. If you want to hold the iPad mini with one hand, you may want to devise a special band.

Next, let's compare the features. Although the iPhone and iPad may seem to differ only in size from the outside, they are products in different categories of phones and tablets, respectively, and there is a big difference in terms of functionality. First, let's take a look at what the iPhone and iPad (cellular model) can and can't do.

[What only iPhone can do]・You can have a voice conversation on iPad by using voice call LINE, Facetime, Messenger, etc., but the so-called “telephone” that supports answering machines is only iPhone, not iPad. I think that there are many people who usually use LINE for communication and don't use the phone, but there are cases where the other party has only a landline phone, such as contacting a store or contacting a support desk when in trouble, so use an iPad. Be careful when using it as your main machine. Similarly, when registering two-step authentication with SMS or call authentication as security, such as SMS authentication, it is not possible to authenticate with the iPad alone. Even when registering a new LINE, it is not possible to verify the identity of the iPad alone with the SIM inserted, and it is necessary to authenticate the call with another landline phone, so if the iPad is the main device, this will be one hurdle. .

・Linking with Apple Watch As Apple calls the Apple Watch an “iPhone peripheral,” as of November 2021, the Apple Watch can only be paired with an iPhone.

・FeliCa linkage function (Wallet, etc.) The FeliCa function is also installed only on the iPhone, and Suica, which utilizes the Wallet function, cannot be used on the iPad.

・Measuring in activities The iPad is also equipped with a 3-axis sensor and speed sensor, but only the iPhone is equipped with a health care application.

[What only the iPad can do]・There are third-party pens that support the touch operation of Apple pencil compatible iPhones, but only the iPad is compatible with the Apple pencil.

・Open two apps at the same time Only iPad can open and operate two apps at the same time on the same screen.

・Support for horizontal orientation of the home screen Not only can you browse web and videos, but you can also use the home screen vertically or horizontally like a PC, only on the iPad.

・Although it is not an iPad-specific creative application function, it has a full range of iPad-specific creative applications (drawing, photo and video editing, etc.).

When you compare like this, you can see that there is a big difference between the iPhone as a phone and the iPad as an information terminal. Next, let's take a look at the detailed differences between the 6th generation iPad mini and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

・Camera function Of course, both the iPad mini and iPhone 13 Pro Max have cameras, but the iPad mini has a single lens, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max has a triple lens that supports wide-angle and macro lenses. is.

In addition, considering shooting in cinematic mode and shooting with one hand, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is probably better for those who value easy and high-performance shooting. On the other hand, if you don't want that high-performance camera lens performance, you can say that the iPad mini is enough.

・Although it depends on the web browsing site, the iPad often displays the site for PC. It's up to you which one is better, but it's good to know before you buy that there are differences in how they look.

・Viewing photos, e-books, and videos The iPhone 13 Pro Max also has a 6.7-inch LCD screen, which is sufficiently large compared to other smartphones, but when viewing photos and videos, the iPad mini's large screen is an 8.3-inch LCD screen. is of course easier to see. The display aspect ratio is also 9:19.5 for the iPhone 13 Pro Max and 3:4.6 for the iPad mini. I didn't feel that much of a difference in terms of brightness and visibility, so it's a good idea to choose the size and angle of view that you like.

In addition, many e-book applications for the iPad mini are more compatible with spreads, so for those who usually view content a lot, the iPad mini with a large screen is recommended.

・If you are accustomed to character input flick input, the iPhone 13 Pro Max will definitely win from the viewpoint of one-handed operation. With the iPad, both hands are assumed to be operated, and because many people use wireless keyboards, the basic Qwerty keyboard is displayed.

・Charging cable The iPad mini is a USB-type C and the iPhone 13 Pro Max is a Lightning cable, but if it's just for charging, there's not much difference between the cable terminals. Depending on the equipment you have, it will be about whether there is something that can be easily linked.

・ Fingerprint authentication / face authentication iPad mini uses Touch ID, and iPhone 13 Pro Max uses Face ID. Considering the possibility of mask life continuing, there are many scenes where Touch ID is more convenient, but if you mainly live without a mask at home, you can see that there is not much difference between them.

Looking at it like this, depending on how you use it, there is an option to choose the cellular type of iPad mini and use it as the main device, but for those who use SMS or voice two-step authentication services, It seems better to have it as a sub-machine because it is necessary to prepare another call authentication method for .

When I saw the 6th generation iPad mini, I also considered changing the model from the iPhone to the iPad mini as the main device due to its evolution. From the three points of correspondence, I gave up on using the iPad mini as the main machine.

However, when comparing prices, the iPad mini is nearly 50,000 yen cheaper on Apple's official website. With such a price difference, it is possible to think that even if you change the main smartphone to an economy model and have an iPad mini as a new sub-machine, the price is about the same as the iPhone 13 Pro Max. What will you do with your iPhone or iPad in your future life? You should choose depending on how you use it.

In 2021, not only the iPhone but also the iPad mini has undergone an attractive evolution, and the number of model selection options has increased. Please select the most suitable device according to your purpose of use.