u/Asmodeus41 — reddlx

Title:
iPad Mini OLED vs used iPad Pro 11 M4 when I already own a MacBook Air M4 and iPhone 15 Pro Max

Post:
I already own an iPhone 15 Pro Max and a MacBook Air M4 and was pretty set on buying the upcoming iPad Mini OLED when it launches later this year around September to November 2026.

But the more I think about it, for roughly the same money I could get a second hand iPad Pro 11-inch M4 with a Smart Keyboard from eBay for around £900 and the one I’m looking at still has 96% battery health.

Now I’m a bit torn.

The Mini OLED appeals because of the portability and one handed use, especially for travelling, sofa use, YouTube, browsing etc. But the more I look at the 11 inch Pro, the more it feels like the better overall device long term. It’s still portable, has the OLED display already, 120Hz, better speakers, better multitasking and works really nicely alongside a MacBook.

I know I can use Sidecar with both too, which is a big plus alongside the MacBook Air.

Mainly my use would just be media consumption really, YouTube, films, browsing, social media, a bit of typing, Sidecar and maybe a little gaming now and then.

Part of me thinks the Mini OLED would complement my setup better because I already own a MacBook Air, but another part of me thinks the 11 inch Pro would simply feel more premium and enjoyable for content consumption overall.

Anyone here gone from Mini to Pro or vice versa? Did you regret the size difference either way? Curious what people would pick in my situation.

I keep going back and forth on this and it’s doing my head in a bit.

I’ve got an iPhone Pro Max and I’m on my phone a lot already, so this would mainly be for home use, sofa, bed, just relaxing. Not really taking it out much.

I’ve looked at the iPad Pro 11 M4 and yeah, it looks unreal. Proper premium bit of kit, amazing screen, loads of power. But at the same time I know I’m not going to be editing videos or doing anything heavy on it.

Realistically I’d use it for:

YouTube / Netflix
Browsing and scrolling
Just something nice to pick up and use at home

Part of me thinks the Pro is overkill for that, even though I like the idea of having something top end.

The other part of me is thinking just wait for the iPad Mini 8 (OLED one when it comes out), because it’ll be lighter, easier to hold, and probably suits how I actually use stuff day to day.

I’ve used older iPads before (like the 8th gen) and they were fine, but I want something that actually feels good to use, not just “does the job”.

So I’m stuck between:

Going all in with the Pro 11 M4
Or being realistic and getting the Mini 8 when it drops

Anyone else been in this situation? Did you go big screen or smaller and easier to use?