iPhone mini

There is a slim chance of this happening, but with the iPad mini recently released, it got me thinking.

Apple is catching a lot of flack from "hardcore" users who want a giant screen like on Android devices. At the same time, the mainstream market probably prefers something easier for one-handed use. Possible solution? Six iOS devices:

- iPad
-- iPad mini

- iPhone (4.3"?)
-- iPhone mini (3.5")

- iPod touch (see iPhone)
-- iPod mini (essentially the iPod nano)

The more I think about it, the more it makes sense as a long-term strategy as more and more Android devices begin to make inroads. If Apple doesn't offer the selection and choice, people may abandon the ecosystem. Yes, there would be some fragmentation at first, but because the user base is so large, most apps would be quickly updated, and the "mini" iPhone would use the same resolution that's been around since 2007 anyway.

ucfgrad93 said:

I'd say that there is no chance of this happening.

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A lot of people said the same thing about the iPad mini. Apple is not immune to market pressures. I think it could solve a lot of their problems.

sevendust said:

lol people here are confusing prolly Tim Cook is thinking, "What the hell do you guys really want?! Big Screen or Small Screen?!

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That's the whole point. If there were two iPhone models, just like there are two iPad models, then everyone could have what they wanted. The "iPhone mini" would essentially take the place of the discounted last-gen models that most carriers sell for cheaper.

gfunk1122 said:

I had a 4.3" screen years ago. Make a 4.5-4.9ish" iPhone with up to date functionality and it would be the best phone on the market and would put a lot of Android phones out of the picture. Widgets, ability to change icons, and direct access to the settings of an app within the app and some customizable toggles for WiFi, Bluetooth etc in the notification window. This can't be that hard to implement. Oh and totally revamp the contacts so u can have pictures and a working navigation/maps program and nobody would buy a different phone. That would be my ideal phone and most everybody else's too. With the right form factor that wouldn't be too big.

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A 4.5" screen would be nice.

To me, the 4" screen on the iPhone 5 seems like a bad compromise in many ways. It's not big enough for those who want something on par with the Android flagships, and yet it's probably bigger than necessary for those who were perfectly happy with the old size. That's why I think an iPhone mini would be the perfect solution (I'd be purchasing the larger one).

Jordan921 said:

Not gonna happen. Why would they make an iPhone mini with the same screen size as previous iPhones?

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Because many people prefer a much larger screen, while many others prefer the original size. Why not give people both instead of forcing everyone to use the compromise of a 4" screen? Apple needs to give more choice if they want to stay dominant in the long run. They already realized that with the iPad.