The iPhone is great, but some people want something bigger. With the iPad mini, you can get a device with a massive screen that you can take almost anywhere.

Phones seem to be getting bigger every year, but if the massive iPhone 13 Pro Max isn't big enough for you, you might want to check out the iPad mini. You can connect it to the same cellular network as your iPhone, the same chip powers it, and Apple claims it can fit into your pocket.

So should your next phone be an iPad mini?

It's Just Like An iPhone

In many ways, the iPad mini isn't that different from an iPhone. The latest iPad mini packs the same A15 Bionic processor that powers the iPhone 13 lineup. That means everything that the iPhone is good at, the iPad mini is also good at.

Having the power of the A15 Bionic means the iPad mini has no problem running demanding apps and games, can manage to have multiple apps open at once, and can handle split-screen multitasking without skipping a beat. Making the iPad mini your daily carry device also means you'll get access to all the benefits of a bigger machine. You'll get much more screen real estate to work with, whether you're checking emails, watching a movie, or playing a game.

Since it's an iPad and not an iPhone, the iPad mini also has many other advantages. Not only will you get a much bigger screen, but you'll also get access to apps and programs that aren't available on the iPhone.

Being able to use Photoshop, Lightroom, and Procreate helps creators take their projects anywhere, and gamers will love being able to play titles like Divinity: Original Sin 2 and FTL: Faster Than Light, which just aren't available on the iPhone. And that's only scratching the surface.

How Big Is Too Big?

Although the iPad mini is the smallest tablet in Apple's lineup, it's still absolutely massive compared to the iPhone. After all, the latest iPad mini packs an 8.3-inch display. To put that into perspective, the iPhone 13 Pro Max's display only clocks in at 6.68 inches, and many people consider it a monster of a phone.

Apple says the iPad mini can fit into a pocket, but that'll depend on how big your pockets are. Unless you're a cargo pants aficionado or rocking some throwback JNCO jeans, you'll probably find that the iPad mini will be more than a handful to carry around.

The iPad mini is probably too big to be their daily driver for most people. That being said, some people really do want the biggest device they can get their hands on. If that sounds like you, the iPad mini might be right up your alley.

Texting on the iPad mini

Similar to a Mac, the iPad mini can access the iMessage servers any time you're connected to the internet. But just like on the Mac, you'll only be able to send messages to other iMessage users. That means if you need to get in touch with someone who uses an Android phone, you'll be out of luck.

Even if you've got an iPad with cell service, you're still only connected to the data network, not the voice network. You might be surprised to learn that texting or SMS actually operates through the cellular voice network, not the data network. So without an iPhone to forward through, you can't send SMS messages through an iPad.

Can You Make Calls On It?

The short answer is kind of. Just like on other Apple devices, you can forward calls from your iPhone to your iPad mini.

When it comes to making calls directly from your iPad mini, one of the easiest solutions is to use FaceTime. The iPad mini's large display makes it great for video calls, and if you want a more traditional phone call experience, you can always use FaceTime audio to make a voice-only call.

While FaceTime is a great way to connect with other Apple users, just like iMessage, you won't be able to contact anyone who doesn't own an iPhone or other Apple device.

If you want to use your iPad mini as a standalone device, you'll need a few tricks up your sleeve.

What Are Some Workarounds?

Although there are options for texting and calling built right into iPadOS, it's not the exact same experience you'd get on a traditional smartphone. The limitations of iMessage and FaceTime mean the ways you connect with people are much more limited than on a regular phone. Nevertheless, you can get around these issues. Google Voice is a great way to turn your iPad mini into a proper phone replacement. Signing up with Google Voice will get you a virtual phone number which you can use to call and text almost anyone.

Skype is another great option to expand your iPad's reach. You can get set up with a phone number which you can call or be called from almost any phone. You can also use it to send SMS messages to anyone. It's not just for video conferencing anymore.

And of course, the iPad mini also has access to services like WhatsApp and Telegram, which you can use for instant messaging, video calls, and voice calls. Because they operate through the web, you don't need a phone plan to use them. But just like iMessage, you can only communicate with other users of your chosen app.

Should You Make the iPad Mini Your Next Phone?

The iPad mini isn't a phone, but it can get pretty close to one.

While the iPad mini can't make phone calls or send SMS messages directly, as long as you've got your iPhone handy, you can forward all your calls and texts to the iPad mini, turning into an extension of your phone. But if you really want to use the iPad mini as a standalone smartphone replacement, you'll need to take some extra steps to get off the ground.

If you're a big-screen aficionado and willing to make some sacrifices, you might want to think about making your next iPhone the iPad mini.