“When Apple announced the iPhone 6 Plus on Sept. 9, I entertained the idea that it might be a replacement for my iPad mini,” Jason Snell writes for Six Colors. “Then I used the iPhone 6 Plus. And while it will have its fans — in fact, I’ll wager that the iPhone 6 Plus will have rabid fans — it’s just not for me, because I wasn’t seeking a bigger iPhone. I was seeking an iPad nano, and that’s not something the iPhone 6 Plus is willing to be.”
“Apple also seems to have decided that some iPad features simply won’t fit on the iPhone 6 Plus, even with the larger screen. The four-finger gestures that let you navigate around an iPad without clicking the Home button aren’t there. Nor is the iPad’s split keyboard, which might be a helpful option to make it easier to type on the iPhone 6 Plus without really streeeeeetching your thumbs,” Snell writes. “And let’s not forget the ultimate iPad litmus test: You can’t buy a Smart Cover for the iPhone 6 Plus.”
“I’m not saying the iPhone 6 Plus is wrong for not being an iPad. Not at all,” Snell writes. “What I’m saying is, it’s not an iPad — and that I think people who expect it to be one are going to be disappointed. If the question is, ‘Big iPhone or small iPad?,’ the answer is clear: The iPhone 6 Plus is called iPhone for a reason, and it’s not the Phone app.”
Read more in the full article here.
Still selling the mini. iPhone Plus will serve my needs just fine as a mini pad.
I think Jason is picking less prominent features as reasons for it not being an iPad mini. Gestures are gimmicky and the smart cover isn’t very good protection.
I think the most important difference will be the apps. Will the Plus get upsized iPhone apps from publishers or will they put their iPad UI on the Plus?
Will the iPhone 6 Plus run iPad only apps?
I suppose not, but that’s a very good question. Some iPad apps should be able to come over, though.
I say, duh…. It’s the author is right.
Not an iPad, don’t toss your iPad or Mini out, it has its place.
Thanks for confirming the reality that is obvious to everyone.