Apple has a history of innovating with smaller devices, but will they make another mini phone? The iPhone SE, released in 2016, was a compact version of the iPhone 6s. It was a surprise hit, but its sales didn't quite meet expectations.
The iPhone 12 series, released in 2020, saw Apple shift focus towards larger devices with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. This move was likely a response to consumer demand for bigger screens and more powerful cameras. Apple's decision to discontinue the iPhone 11 Pro, which was a smaller device, suggests they may be phasing out the mini phone line.
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Reasons Against a New Mini Phone
Apple has no plans to release another "iPhone mini" device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. They've shifted their focus to making larger iPhones, aiming for a roughly 6-inch display as the base size.
The iPhone 13 mini was a hard sell, with a price difference of $100 / £170 / AU$200 compared to the standard iPhone 13. Would you pay that much less for a smaller version of the same phone with less screen and worse battery life?
Most competitor phones are even larger than the iPhone, and the difference shows. The Google Pixel 7 costs about the same as an iPhone 13 mini, but offers a much bigger, brighter, and faster display, as well as a massive battery.
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No New Apple Release
Apple has no plans to release a new "mini" version of the iPhone, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
Apple shifted its focus away from smaller iPhones and is now trying to make the base size roughly 6 inches.
There's been no indication that Apple was working on a new iPhone mini form factor.
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini were the last mini-sized iPhones released by Apple.
The iPhone 13 mini remained a product in Apple's lineup until 2023 when it was discontinued.
The iPhone 14 Plus replaced the "mini" form factor, and it seems the "Plus" strategy didn't pan out either.
Apple is expected to replace the iPhone 16 Plus with the iPhone 17 Air, which will be ultra-thin.
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Mini Screen Too Small
The mini screen is just too small to be worthwhile. It's unlikely that Apple will make another small iPhone mini, and you shouldn't hold out hope for a small iPhone SE 4 either.
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The current iPhone SE (2022) is only small because it resembles older iPhone 8 devices. An iPhone SE 4 launching in a year or two would likely resemble a current iPhone, so I'd expect a larger display – more than six inches, at least.
A small phone is a hard sell. The current iPhone 14 is $799 / £849 / AU$1,339. Would you pay $100 / £170 / AU$200 less for a smaller version of the same phone, with less screen and worse battery life?
The actual size difference between an iPhone 13 and an iPhone 13 mini is 7mm, or 0.3 inches. They are equally thick, so there is no benefit there.
Most competitor phones are even larger than the iPhone, and the difference shows. The Google Pixel 7 costs about the same as an iPhone 13 mini, giving you a much bigger, brighter, and faster display, a massive battery, and sharper text.
Not enough people bought the iPhone 13 mini, that’s why Apple made the iPhone 14 Plus as its fourth model for the family. Analyst reports claim that Apple has purchased 59% more iPhone 14 Plus display panels than it did iPhone 13 mini screens, over the same period in each phone’s lifespan.
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Potential Sales Impact
Apple's decision to discontinue the iPhone 13 mini and not release an iPhone 14 mini suggests that the smaller phone isn't selling well.
Analyst reports claim that Apple purchased 59% more iPhone 14 Plus display panels than iPhone 13 mini screens, indicating that the Plus model is selling better.
You might be thinking, "But what about the price difference?" The current iPhone 14 costs $799, and the iPhone 13 mini was priced $100 less, but is that really worth it for a smaller screen and worse battery life?
The actual size difference between an iPhone 13 and an iPhone 13 mini is only 7mm, or 0.3 inches, which is hardly noticeable.
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Apple's Plans
Apple has no plans to release another "iPhone mini" device, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. They're shifting their focus to making their base size roughly 6-inch displays and going bigger.
In fact, Apple abandoned the "mini" form factor with the iPhone 14 lineup in 2022, replacing it with the iPhone 14 Plus. The iPhone 13 mini remained a product until 2023 when it was discontinued.
The iPhone 13 mini just didn't sell well, with Apple purchasing 59% more iPhone 14 Plus display panels than it did iPhone 13 mini screens. This suggests that the Plus model is a more successful strategy for Apple.
It's likely that the Plus model creates more synergy in the supply chain, using parts similar in size to other models, rather than creating an entirely new form factor. This allows Apple to charge more for the larger-display iPhone Plus and realize a wider profit margin.
The market seems to be telling Apple that they're not working on a new "iPhone mini" device, and Gurman's report confirms this. It's time to move on from the idea of a new mini iPhone.
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