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So other 12s outselling is a reason to call the mini a failure (and discontinue it) according to some users?

By that logic they should also cut the Mac lineup to just the MBAir and 1 size of iMac (both in just 1 stock config off course ).
... kill off their other failures like the Apple TV, Apple TV+, News+, HomePod,...


:p
 
I'm not sure where you're getting that somewhat binary take on it from.

I was obviously overstating what others have written above to the point of satire.

In the end it is quite simple:
- how much extra R&D did Apple spend to shrink the normal 12
- if there was no Mini, what would these 6% have bought? A "full" 12? An SE? Something Droid?

As to what "people want", I couldn't care less for the camera, in fact the only camera that I use regularly is the iPhone5 I carry at work and even that is overkill.
As mentioned in another of these threads, the Mini would have been the only sensible option for me if I was in the market for a new phone. But since I bought an Xr "just" 2 years ago that is not an option.
 
The mini is simply too expensive
I’ve seen this take repeatedly and find it so bizarre. In the 12 series, the mini and 6.1” 12 are way, WAY better values than the pro and PM. The pro and PM offer far less additional value over the 12 and mini than their predecessors (X, xs, and 11 pro) did over the 8, Xr, and 11, respectively.
 
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I love my mini! I don't want them to make it cheaper. Well, of course I want to pay less... but I don't want an iPhone SE. I want a full featured top of the line iPhone with a screen size of the mini. I love mine! Hopefully it's not a product line that gets canceled. To me it's the perfect size.
 
I’ve seen this take repeatedly and find it so bizarre. In the 12 series, the mini and 6.1” 12 are way, WAY better values than the pro and PM. The pro and PM offer far less additional value over the 12 and mini than their predecessors (X, xs, and 11 pro) did over the 8, Xr, and 11, respectively.

It’s right there in your second line (in the 12 series...)

The problem is trying to determine who the more typical buyer for the mini is.
(I don’t honestly know...even Apple might not be too sure)

It seems to split sort of down the middle between people who want a small phone but don’t care about price and those who just want the best bang for the buck and for whom the SE is always going to be the best choice due to the value

As I just submitted this… Check the post above mine...case in point
He just wants a small phone and doesn’t care about the price much.

The 12 mini is in an interesting spot.

They should probably consider two sizes of the SE
 
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isn't unemployment skyrocketing? how are folks affording 1k+ phones like this, I'm fortunate enough to still have a steady income but been frugal about it since the pandemic hit.
 
People are getting too worked up about what phone OTHER people pick to use. As long as Apple keeps making the mini, I don't care what phone everyone else uses or if I'm the minority. I don't need everyone to like the mini, I love it and I'm happy it exists.

People are treating phone sizes like god damn sports rivalries.
 
I love my mini but I can see a few reasons it seems to be selling less than expected.

- Probably priced about $100 too high
- A lot of people who prefer smaller phones jumped on the 2020 iPhone SE and aren't ready to upgrade yet.
- Some people were/are holding out for a Pro version

Even with that, might make sense to make the mini a 2 year upgrade cycle rather than every year.
 
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It’s right there in your second line (in the 12 series...)

The problem is trying to determine who the more typical buyer for the mini is.
(I don’t honestly know...)

It seems to split sort of down the middle between people who want a small phone but don’t care about price and those who just want the best bang for the buck and for whom the SE is always going to be the best choice due to the value

As I just submitted this… Check the post above mine...case in point
But it’s not overpriced. It’s the cheapest 12 and compromises on nothing except having 1 hr less battery life. It’s the best value in the 12 lineup.
 
I am fairly certain you are in a small minority on this point...

In being content with an iPhone5 level camera? For sure.

How many user would really see the difference with just 1 generation between, or pro vs. non-pro?

How much is just a sale pitch like speakers having a range up to 30/40/...000kHz?
 
I thought I wanted a smaller phone and tried to replace my 11 Pro with a 12 mini (very cool Product Red color) but ended up returning the latter. The new design looks better, but my 11 Pro felt better in my hand. Also, apparently I became spoiled by the 11 Pro battery life.
 
Good news for Apple since the Pro definitely has higher profit margins. Bad news for the Mini, which I think could have a lot of potential if they were able to get it in more people’s hands and pockets to test. I don’t think the promise of a small phone is enough, since it feels like a compromise on paper (why not spend $100 more for the standard 12 is probably the thought that goes through most people’s heads) unless they did a better job marketing the benefits.
 
I thought I wanted a smaller phone and tried to replace my 11 Pro with a 12 mini (very cool Product Red color) but ended up returning the latter. The new design looks better, but my 11 Pro felt better in my hand. Also, apparently I became spoiled by the 11 Pro battery life.
No interest in a 12 or a 12 Pro?
 
But it’s not overpriced. It’s the cheapest 12

You’re missing what I’m saying.

The 12 mini is competing with the SE underneath it also.

Whether it should or not is very debatable but consumers are fickle beans and for whatever reason the size of something does factor into peoples debate on value here.

Being “the cheapest 12” isn’t necessarily relevant for a lot consumers.
 
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But it’s not overpriced. It’s the cheapest 12 and compromises on nothing except having 1 hr less battery life. It’s the best value in the 12 lineup.

Yeah but if you don't care about size, then why go with the Mini over the regular 12 for only $100 more and much better battery life and a screen that's easier to see/read (default text size is a bit larger as well)? And if you do care about size, then the SE is almost half the cost for 80-90%% of the ability of the Mini.

The Mini is a great phone, but it's stuck in a weird spot in Apple's line-up right now.
 
Love my 12 mini, so as long as they keep on making them in the future, I am not really worried about its overall market share. 🖐

As for a high percentage of iPhone 12 in China, the reason can be very simple - the price.
 
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I know the mini isn't for everyone, but I love it very much and hope it will continue to be offered for years to come.
 
Knock $100-$150 off the mini across the board and it slots much more intelligently into the lineup
Based on the estimated cost to produce iPhone 12 at around $400, and with the Mini sharing most of the same components, the profit margin would be laughably low to the point it wouldn’t be worth it unless they wanted to liquidate the Mini and write it off.
 
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