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iPhone 6s Plus vs. iPad Mini 4: Can A Tablet Replace A Phone?

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iPhone 6s Plus vs. iPad Mini 4: Can A Tablet Replace A Phone?


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Can a tablet take on a smartphone?


Michael Grothaus

16:58, 9 Nov 2015

With the rise of phablets, the line between large phones and smaller tablets has blurred. This is no more obvious than when looking at the iPhone 6s Plus and the iPad mini 4. Matter of fact, I actually have a friend who doesn’t have a smartphone at all. Instead she carries around a Wi-Fi+ Cellular model of the iPad mini 4 because she wants a “phone” with a really, really big screen.

I’m not saying her decision is a practical one for most people, but it does provide an interesting option if you’re so inclined–and don’t make a lot of “regular” phone calls (she uses Skype for almost every call she makes). So just how does the new iPhone 6s Plus compare to the brand new iPad mini 4? Let’s take a look to find out.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Specs

Here’s the specs for the iPhone 6s Plus:

  • Display: 5.5-inch Retina HD display with 1920×1080 resolution at 401 pixels per inch (ppi)
  • Dimensions: 158.2mm  x 77.9 mm x 7.3 mm
  • Weight: 192 grams
  • Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Processors: A9 chip with 64-bit architecture and M9 motion coprocessor
  • Front camera: FaceTime HD camera. 5 MP photos and 720p HD video.
  • Rear camera: iSight camera. 12 MP photos. ƒ/2.2 aperture. 1080p video. True Tone flash. Optical image stabilization.
  • Battery: 2750 mAh. Up to 12 hours battery life mixed usage
  • Touch ID: yes
  • NFC: yes
  • Colors: Space Grey, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold

And here’s the specs for the iPad mini 4 (Wi-Fi+Cellular model)

  • Display: 7.9-inch Retina display with 2048×1536 resolution at 326 pixels per inch (ppi)
  • Dimensions: 203.2mm  x 1348 mm x 6.1 mm
  • Weight: 304 grams
  • Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Processors: A8 chip with 64-bit architecture and M8 motion coprocessor
  • Front camera: FaceTime HD camera. 1.2 MP photos and 720p HD video.
  • Rear camera: iSight camera. 8 MP photos. ƒ/2.4 aperture. 1080p video.
  • Battery: 5124 mAh. Up to 9 hours battery life mixed usage
  • Touch ID: yes
  • NFC: no
  • Colors: Space Grey, Silver, Gold

Okay, let’s preface all of this with the fact that we are only comparing the iPhone 6s Plus versus the cellular model of the iPad mini 4. Since the Wi-Fi+Cellular model can give you a constant Internet connection anywhere a phone can this makes sense–so Wi-Fi-only models need not apply.

On the RAM and storage front, the iPhone 6s Plus and the iPad mini 4 are similar. Both have 2GB of RAM and come in 16, 64, and 128GB options. But when it comes to the processor the iPhone 6s Plus kicks the iPad mini 4’s butt. The iPhone has a A9 chip, which is up to 40% faster than the iPad mini 4’s A8 chip.

Another place the iPhone wins is in the Touch ID department. Yes, both the iPhone and iPad mini have the Touch ID sensor, but only the iPhone has an NFC chip. This means while both allow you to make purchases using Apple Pay in apps, only the iPhone 6s Plus will allow you to use Apple Pay at contactless terminals.

Finally, though the iPad mini 4 has a battery that is almost twice as large as the one found in the iPhone 6s Plus (5124 mAh vs 2750 mAh), the iPhone gives you almost three more hours of mixed usage than the iPad mini.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Display

Where the iPad mini 4 wins, of course, is in the display department. It’s got a monster 7.9-inch display at a much higher resolution of 2048×1536. That compares to the iPhone 6s Plus’ display of 1920×1080.

What’s also interesting is despite its larger display and battery, the iPad mini 4 is actually thinner than the iPhone 6s Plus. The iPhone is 7.3mm thick while the iPad mini 4 is only 6.1mm thick.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Cameras

But things swing back the iPhone 6s Plus’ way when you look at the cameras. The iPhone 6s Plus features a killer 12MP rear iSight camera with optical image stabilization and True Tone flash. I also has a killer 5MP FaceTime front camera with Retina flash. That compares with the iPad mini 4’s 8MP rear iSight camera with no flash nor optical image stabilization and the iPad’s paltry 1.2MP front FaceTime camera.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Cost & Verdict

The iPhone 6s Plus will cost £619 (16GB), £699 (64GB) and £789 (128GB). The iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi+Cellular model will cost £419 (16GB), £499 (64GB) and £589 (128GB).

Look, this was never going to be a fair fight–even if the iPad mini 4 is £200 cheaper. The iPad mini 4 is a great small tablet–probably the best on the market, but it doesn’t compete with the camera, speed, or, let’s face it, the practicality of owning an iPhone 6s Plus.

I mean, most people aren’t like my friend. They need an actual phone–not a tablet with a 4G connection that can make and receive VOIP calls. And that’s the main reason the iPad mini 4 will never truly complete with the iPhone 6s Plus: even though it has a cellular connection it never has an associated phone number.

So props to my friend for being unique, but the iPad mini 4 is no replacement for an iPhone.

Vs

Can a tablet tackle a telephone?

Michael Grothaus 16:58, 9 Nov 2015

With the upward push of phablets, the road among massive telephones and smaller pills has blurred. This is not more glaring than while taking a look on the iPhone 6s Plus and the iPad mini 4. Matter of reality, O in reality have a family member who doesn’t have a phone in any respect. Instead she consists of round a Wi-Fi+ Cellular style of the iPad mini 4 as a result of she needs a “telephone” with a actually, actually large display.

O’m now not pronouncing her choice is a realistic one for most of the people, nevertheless it does supply a fascinating choice should you’re so susceptible–and don’t make a large number of “common” telephone calls (she makes use of Skype for just about each and every name she makes). So simply how does the brand new iPhone 6s Plus examine to the up to date iPad mini 4? Let’s have a look to determine.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Specs

Here’s the specifications for the iPhone 6s Plus:

  • Display: 5.5-inch Retina HD show with 1920x1080 solution at 401 pixels in line with inch (ppi)
  • Dimensions: 158.2mm  x 77.9 mm x 7.3 mm
  • Weight: 192 grams
  • Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Processors: A9 chip with 64-bit structure and M9 movement coprocessor
  • Front digital camera: FaceTime HD digital camera. 5 MP pictures and 720p HD video.
  • Rear digital camera: iSight digital camera. 12 MP pictures. ƒ/2.2 aperture. 1080p video. True Tone flash. Optical symbol stabilization.
  • Battery: 2750 mAh. Up to 12 hours battery lifestyles combined utilization
  • Touch ID: sure
  • NFC: sure
  • Colors: Space Grey, Silver, Gold, Rose Gold

And right here’s the specifications for the iPad mini 4 (Wi-Fi+Cellular type)

  • Display: 7.9-inch Retina show with 2048x1536 solution at 326 pixels in line with inch (ppi)
  • Dimensions: 203.2mm  x 1348 mm x 6.1 mm
  • Weight: 304 grams
  • Storage: 16, 64, or 128GB
  • RAM: 2GB
  • Processors: A8 chip with 64-bit structure and M8 movement coprocessor
  • Front digital camera: FaceTime HD digital camera. 1.2 MP pictures and 720p HD video.
  • Rear digital camera: iSight digital camera. 8 MP pictures. ƒ/2.4 aperture. 1080p video.
  • Battery: 5124 mAh. Up to 9 hours battery lifestyles combined utilization
  • Touch ID: sure
  • NFC: no
  • Colors: Space Grey, Silver, Gold

Okay, allow’s preface all of this with the truth that we're most effective evaluating the iPhone 6s Plus as opposed to the mobile style of the iPad mini 4. Since the Wi-Fi+Cellular style can come up with a continuing Internet connection any place a telephone can this is sensible–so Wi-Fi-most effective fashions don't need to follow.

On the RAM and garage entrance, the iPhone 6s Plus and the iPad mini 4 are identical. Both have 2GB of RAM and are available 16, 64, and 128GB choices. But with regards to the processor the iPhone 6s Plus kicks the iPad mini 4’s butt. The iPhone has a A9 chip, that is as much as 40% quicker than the iPad mini 4’s A8 chip.

Another position the iPhone wins is within the Touch ID division. Yes, each the iPhone and iPad mini have the Touch ID sensor, however best the iPhone has an NFC chip. This way whilst each help you make purchases the use of Apple Pay in apps, most effective the iPhone 6s Plus will assist you to use Apple Pay at contactless terminals.

Finally, even though the iPad mini 4 has a battery that may be virtually two times as massive as the only discovered within the iPhone 6s Plus (5124 mAh vs 2750 mAh), the iPhone provides you with virtually 3 extra hours of combined utilization than the iPad mini.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Display

Where the iPad mini 4 wins, in fact, is within the show division. It’s were given a monster 7.9-inch show at a miles upper solution of 2048x1536. That compares to the iPhone 6s Plus’ show of 1920x1080.

What’s additionally fascinating is in spite of its higher show and battery, the iPad mini 4 is in reality thinner than the iPhone 6s Plus. The iPhone is 7.3mm thick whilst the iPad mini 4 is handiest 6.1mm thick.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Cameras

But issues swing again the iPhone 6s Plus’ means while you take a look at the cameras. The iPhone 6s Plus includes a killer 12MP rear iSight digital camera with optical symbol stabilization and True Tone flash. S additionally has a killer 5MP FaceTime entrance digital camera with Retina flash. That compares with the iPad mini 4’s 8MP rear iSight digital camera without a flash nor optical symbol stabilization and the iPad’s paltry 1.2MP entrance FaceTime digital camera.

iPhone 6s Plus vs iPad mini 4: Cost & Verdict

The iPhone 6s Plus will value £619 (16GB), £699 (64GB) and £789 (128GB). The iPad mini 4 Wi-Fi+Cellular type will value £419 (16GB), £499 (64GB) and £589 (128GB).

Look, this used to be by no means going to be a good battle–although the iPad mini 4 is £200 less expensive. The iPad mini 4 is a smart small tablet–most certainly the most productive available on the market, nevertheless it doesn’t compete with the digital camera, velocity, or, allow’s face it, the practicality of proudly owning an iPhone 6s Plus.

A imply, most of the people aren’t like my family member. They want a real telephone–now not a tablet with a 4G connection that may make and obtain VOIP calls. And that’s the primary explanation why the iPad mini 4 won't ever really whole with the iPhone 6s Plus: even if it has a mobile connection it by no means has an related telephone quantity.

So props to my family member for being distinctive, however the iPad mini 4 isn't any alternative for an iPhone.

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