iPhone 12 is Most Popular Model in Flagship Lineup, Apple Also Seeing Strong Sales of Pro and Pro Max

[MacRumors]

During today's earnings call, Apple CEO Tim Cook was today asked about iPhone 12 sales and which iPhones were the most popular with consumers during the quarter. He confirmed that the iPhone 12 was the most popular, and sales of the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max were also strong, but there was no mention of iPhone 12 mini sales.

iPhone 12, of the family, it's the most popular. We saw very strong sales of the Pro and Pro Max, and the revenue that you're seeing is a function of unit growth and revenue per unit growth.

There have been multiple reports suggesting that the iPhone 12 mini has not been as popular with consumers as expected, and Tim Cook's commentary seemingly confirms that it is the least popular of the four iPhone 12 models that Apple has released.

Apple is still planning on an iPhone 13 mini that will be released in 2021, but rumors from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggest the 5.4-inch device will be discontinued in 2022.

Article Link: iPhone 12 is Most Popular Model in Flagship Lineup, Apple Also Seeing Strong Sales of Pro and Pro Max

 

[JPack]

It's been over 6 months since launch and Tim has never mentioned iPhone 12 mini during an earnings call.

 

[Analog Kid]

It's a shame that Apple didn't announce that the 12 mini was the 8th highest selling smartphone in the world, then MR could have used the headline they surely have cached: "Apple confirms 12 mini sucks".

 

[SteveW928]

I'm not sure anyone was anticipating the mini being one of the best selling. But, it is an essential model/form-factor in the lineup. If Apple ends up getting rid of it, I'll chalk that up as one of Apple's top 5 blunders. (It is as essential to the iPhone lineup as the Mac Pro is to the Mac lineup. Quantities, even profits, are irrelevant. It just needs to be there.)

 

[neoelectronaut]

Hey yo, screw Apple if they discontinue the iPhone Mini. Best damn iPhone I've owned in almost a decade.

 

[kalafalas]

This headline is just another way to say the mini didn’t sell compared to all three of its siblings

shame really, years and years I said I would love a small phone with minimal compromises and would jump on it in a heartbeat.

But when the time actually came, I still went with the pro. as much as I fantasize about the mini form factor and easy one handed use, minimal pocket real-estate, the way I use my phone has drastically changed since then. I watch way more video/social media, tons more photography, and type way more with two thumbs that I’m now realizing the big screen is necessary. That along with battery life concerns.

All that said I do wish the pro came in aluminum - the extra weight over the regular is not worth the shiny, but I can’t give up that telephoto lens. The brighter screen is nice too.

 

[Abazigal]

I'm not sure anyone was anticipating the mini being one of the best selling. But, it is an essential model/form-factor in the lineup. If Apple ends up getting rid of it, I'll chalk that up as one of Apple's top 5 blunders. (It is as essential to the iPhone lineup as the Mac Pro is to the Mac lineup. Quantities, even profits, are irrelevant. It just needs to be there.)

Why?

One can argue that the Mac Pro is important because there are people who use it to develop for the rest of the Apple ecosystem. So there is strategic value in supporting that 1% of Mac Pro users so they can in term benefit the other 99% of Apple users.

What’s the value add of the iPhone mini to other Apple users?

 

[DVNIEL]

I’ve owned them all and the 12 mini is, by far, my most favorite iPhone. Also, it is the phone that optimally works with the MagSafe wallet in terms of fit and function. Don’t see myself ditching this combo for the next few years.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I am glad Apple is doing well with the 12. It has been a rough year.

 

[JPack]

I'm not sure anyone was anticipating the mini being one of the best selling. But, it is an essential model/form-factor in the lineup. If Apple ends up getting rid of it, I'll chalk that up as one of Apple's top 5 blunders. (It is as essential to the iPhone lineup as the Mac Pro is to the Mac lineup. Quantities, even profits, are irrelevant. It just needs to be there.)

Apple can always replace the mini with another iPhone 5G in the $699 slot. That seems to be what they're doing in 2022 when component prices are lower: offer two mainstream and two premium options with 6.1" and 6.7".

The $699 slot really serves as a price gateway to iPhone 5G rather than a size preference. On the other hand, the Mac Pro is needed to create heavy content for the entire Apple ecosystem.

 

[MedRed]

It's a shame that Apple didn't announce that the 12 mini was the 8th highest selling smartphone in the world, then MR could have used the headline they surely have cached: "Apple confirms 12 mini sucks".

We don't know the incentive situation for it to be the 8th highest selling smartphone. They'd sell everything they'd plan to make, but if it's underperforming and requires higher incentives to move, the sales volume rank alone isn't an indicator of performance.

 

[Acidsplat]

In a non-pandemic year, I think the mini would be selling much better. But since a lot of us are still home, a bigger screen to enjoy content makes the most sense.

 

[goobot]

If only there was a mini pro

 

[JPack]

In a non-pandemic year, I think the mini would be selling much better. But since a lot of us are still home, a bigger screen to enjoy content makes the most sense.

Big screens were growing even pre-pandemic. The Xs Max was launched in 2018.

If anything, the pandemic favored small screens for those at home with iPad and MacBook. Once the pandemic subsides, the big screens will be even more popular for consumers on the road.

 

[The Game 161]

In Uk Seems iphone has the top 4 best selling phones…

 

[Freeangel1]

got rid of my 12 Max after I got screwed out of money for my Trade in.
Now I'm all Android.

 

[Feyl]

Most people say that they don't want a small phone. I say go even smaller Apple. The 12 mini is not mini at all.

 

[snow755]

no surprise there love my iPhone 12 pro max it goes grate with my iPad Air 4 with the same A14 chip

 

[snipr125]

Why?

One can argue that the Mac Pro is important because there are people who use it to develop for the rest of the Apple ecosystem. So there is strategic value in supporting that 1% of Mac Pro users so they can in term benefit the other 99% of Apple users.

What’s the value add of the iPhone mini to other Apple users?

Well it provides more choice/options for those that prefer a compact iphone with all the premium features from the rest of the 12 range. Choice is good, very good, and millions of us 12 mini owners absolutely love our phone with enough sales to make it the 8th highest selling phone worldwide in January. Apologies in advance though that it does not fit into the current mainstream ‘phablet’ trend!

 

[_Spinn_]

I'm not surprised that the 12 is the most popular of the 4 phones. The Pro and Pro Max definitely cater more to the enthusiast crowd. I am surprise that the Mini continues to receive so much negative press since it is still in the top 10 for all cell phones.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Most people say that they don't want a small phone. I say go even smaller Apple. The 12 mini is not mini at all.

Give me the smallest phone feasible, I always say. I ain't watching TV shows and movies on my phone; I have absolutely no need for a screen any bigger than what the iPhone 5/5c/5s offered.

 

[Analog Kid]

We don't know the incentive situation for it to be the 8th highest selling smartphone. They'd sell everything they'd plan to make, but if it's underperforming and requires higher incentives to move, the sales volume rank alone isn't an indicator of performance.

Been seeing a lot of Minis on sale? I’d have thought that would be advertised prominently on this site.

I still think LG would have been satisfied with #8, incentives or no.

 

[JPack]

I'm not surprised that the 12 is the most popular of the 4 phones. The Pro and Pro Max definitely cater more to the enthusiast crowd. I am surprise that the Mini continues to receive so much negative press since it is still in the top 10 for all cell phones.

Apple revolutionized the smartphone industry and is the benchmark that everyone compares themselves against. The iPhone isn't just any smartphone. So for a newly launched mini to sit at #8 or #10, is pretty embarassing.

 

[kerr]

The iPhone 12 is the sweet spot

 

[phr0z3n]

It’s funny how you can have your own small bubble… most people I know opt for the larger screen, but alas it seems the 12 mini is very popular with the MR crowd here, and it’s still top 10 in the world.