There is no reception where I live so I use neither as they do not work in the hills. You might want to check on reception where you want to go.
I think you would have to Skype for phone calls on the Mini.
While you can do face time with the iPad,you can’t actually make phone calls. The larger iPhone has a really good camera, but might be difficult to use to edit video. For your hiking needs I’d suggest the iPhone, and edit your video when you get home. FWIW, editing isn’t that easy on an iPad either.
Seriously?
Personally, I believe it is best to hike with a basic digital camera (and perhaps an emergency locator if you will be doing a riskier hike) and completely disconnect from the outside world.
I went to India and back with an iPad mini in my cargo shorts. Fits like a glove.
If you are going “way out” then neither.
The map functions work ok in the city, but you get up on a mountain and they will not work without cellular service.
Plus, they are battery hogs. How are you going to charge them?
That’s just the reason I bought my iPhone 6 Plus. Big enough for maps, yet fits in the pocket. Get GaiaGPS app — best out there. I bought a Mophie juice pack for it as well as a big 30,000 mAh battery pack. It weighs close to a pound, but you won’t run out of power. The Mophie gets me through any day hike.
Just be sue
Re to download maps before you go and turn on tracking.
Suggestions:
1) Get a digital camera, from Nikon or Canon or whatever, that uses AA or AAA batteries.
2) Get a GPS device, from Garmin, that uses AA or AAA batteries.
3) Don’t count on having cell reception of any sort when you’re out in the boonies.
4) Bring whatever brand of cellphone and/or tablet you like. If you follow (1) and (2) above, you won’t get burned when your cellphone/tablet battery dies.
BTDT.
I would suggest neither...unless where you’re going actually HAS service. 4G-LTE preferred.
FWIW, I own both iPad and iPhone but in the back country where service is scant, I don’t need to haul in and out something that has little to no value where there is no signal.
I was initially very hopeful for the Trimble Off-the-Grid maps but found it to be a clunky app and expensive. The maps for GaiaGPS are free OpenMap maps and are high quality. You just need to remember to download them. Trimble allows you to buy a entire state which is a big plus.
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Also, I use the iPhone for calls to family when I’m near cell reception, listening to Podcasts, Rush and music, taking photos (which you can take within GaiaGPS so they are automatically geotagged and connected to map waypoints), monitoring heart rate with a chest monitor, and monitoring noisy aircraft overhead w FlightRadar (FAA just rerouted all flights into the SF Bay Area over the mid peninsula).
It is an amazing collection of things in such a small device.
Samsung Galaxy S6.
There are satellite phones for rent by the day.
Where I’m at, handheld FM or CB w/SSB works about half as good as smoke signals...
Cell coverage outside urban corridors is spotty. Hiking makes coverage even more unlikely.
Get a good digital camera with glass, Delorme and a 2m license/handheld. Leave the Apple stuff at home. Maybe carry a Blackberry with a Paratek antenna technology?