iPhone 12 Mini Faces Production Cut Due to 'Far Lower' Demand Than Expected

[ericwn]

When users see names like “mini” they assume it means really small like a gen 1 SE.

These people will be very confused by the Air products!

 

[citysnaps]

I say it shouldn’t cost more than $599

It should cost whatever it takes for Apple to reap a proper 38% GPM. I suspect it does at its current price.

 

[bubulol]

Why people dont get it they cant make 12 Mini lower priced simply because it belongs to iPhone 12 series
Pricing coherence among iPhone 12 range
iPhone 12 Mini starts from 599$ then suddenly jumps to iPhone 12 829$?
SE 2020 and 12 Mini arent even comparable
4'7 inches vs 5'4 inches (same screen size difference as iPhone 12 and 12 Mini)
IPS LCD display vs OLED display
Touch ID vs Face ID
This is a mistake that everyone does, size doesn't matter
Better to watch specs and you can compare
iPhone 12 Pro and Max belongs to same iPhone 12 sub range
iPhone 12 and 12 Mini same sub range
SE (first gen and 2020)

 

[HandITOVER]

SMH.

 

[HandITOVER]

SMH.

 

[HandITOVER]

SMH.

 

[Ankaa]

If people want a smaller phone, they might go with the SE 2 over the iPhone 12 mini. SE is less expensive anyway. I can't see why it is still so expensive. 700 dollars is expensive for the 12 mini because it is smaller. Most people prefer bigger devices anyway.

This is the same fallacy Apple seems to be doing.

Just because someone want's a SMALLER form factor do they also want LESS functionality.

It's really not rocket size.

In literally every market outside of America, people demand the largest possible screen size.

Funny, because my impression as a non-American was that only Americans and Asians love BIG phones because for the former bigger=='better' and the latter just generally love big screens.

My hands haven't grown in decades and I had already a hard time with my previous 5S. Whatever happened to 'The thumb goes from here ... to here'?

I not only want but kind of need a smaller phone than my current X. But I'm not willing to sacrifice functions or tech development (by buying a new phone with components from two years ago).

I want a small phone. Not a budget phone.

I'm not currently in the market because, heaven forbid, as a student I don't have the need nor the means to upgrade my phone every year, but otherwise I'd totally go for the Mini12. As a matter of fact, my husband is currently looking to replace his 8 and he's also favoring the 12 mini over the 12 (let alone the 12 pro, because those prices are just obscene...). The 12 mini has an even larger screen size than his current 8, which is plenty enough for him.

Not everyone feels the need to buy the "biggest" and 'most expensive' and 'maxed out' version of everything to somehow make themselves feel better and important. Some actually buy what fits their needs. And yes, for some folks a smaller phone is more convenient in their specific everyday use case.

 

[I7guy]

IMO, all size of iPhone need to include PRO model and that's what the PEOPLE are complaining about lack of equality in specifications due to minor differences between screen size and that's beyond stupidity from Apple and Tim Cook.

Sounds like Apple knew exactly what they were doing with that last record breaking quarter. Apple may view the mini as a loss leader and not really care about the sales. But it lets them say they offer something for everyone, even if Apple didn't build the mini to the specifications that some want.

 

[Ankaa]

But it lets them say they offer something for everyone

No they don't.

If you want or need telephoto and/or LiDAR and/or 512 GB capacity and/or Night mode .... you're forced to a bigger minimum screen size.

Someone above mentioned it already, Apple is back to where they were in the early 90s when Steve Jobs had to come back to save the company.

They have way too many different models.

What exactly is the point between the 12 and the 12 Pro? A 'cheaper' option for those who don't need all the functionality of the Pro? Fair enough.

But it makes zero, absolute zero, sense that the Pro comes in sizes 1 and 2, while the non-pro models of the same year come in sizes 0 and sizes 1.

It's confusing and inconsistent as f and the only reason they do this is trying to force you to spend more money by going "Pro" if you want certain features. Still missing the point that size =/= features.

But reading through this and similar threads in the past, a lot of people don't seem to get this.

The fact that allegedly the Mini isn't selling as well is proof enough that Apple did in fact not exactly know what they were doing.

 

[Zorori]

Not sure why MacRumors loves to attack the mini and ignore everything else in the article, if you read the article you will notice that 12 Pro is also not selling as expected:

Jeff Pu, a veteran smartphone analyst with GF Securities, told Nikkei that Apple had misjudged demand for both the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 mini.

It’s kinda weird having the XR and 11 being cheaper that the 12 mini. Not many people will be stoked to pay more for a much smaller phone.

I really hope people aren't that stupid; otherwise, Apple should just put the iPhone 5 guts in a 8" screen device and price it above the Pro models. Why get the Pro/Pro Max -- they aren't as big right?

 

[I7guy]

No they don't.

If you want or need telephoto and/or LiDAR and/or 512 GB capacity and/or Night mode .... you're forced to a bigger minimum screen size.

Someone above mentioned it already, Apple is back to where they were in the early 90s when Steve Jobs had to come back to save the company.

They have way too many different models.

What exactly is the point between the 12 and the 12 Pro? A 'cheaper' option for those who don't need all the functionality of the Pro? Fair enough.

But it makes zero, absolute zero, sense that the Pro comes in sizes 1 and 2, while the non-pro models of the same year come in sizes 0 and sizes 1.

It's confusing and inconsistent as f and the only reason they do this is trying to force you to spend more money by going "Pro" if you want certain features. Still missing the point that size =/= features.

But reading through this and similar threads in the past, a lot of people don't seem to get this.

The fact that allegedly the Mini isn't selling as well is proof enough that Apple did in fact not exactly know what they were doing.

"even if Apple didn't build the mini to the specifications that some want."

This disclaimer, which I posted above and is more like a truism, means that Apple doesn't build their products so that everybody will be happy them. That's life in the big city I suppose. This means you choose, you choose if you want a product from Apple and if not, you choose who you want your android vendor to be.

And if Apple is back to where they were in the early 90s when Steve Jobs came in, success must be absolutely amazing.

As I said, Apple did this purposefully. Maybe they were surprised at the sales of the mini, I don't know, and no we can know. This is the point, we don't know Apples' expectations. By some yardsticks here unless a product sells in the hundreds of millions, it's a resounding failure. We don't know Apple's take on this and they ain't talking.

 

[Zorori]

So Nikkei Asia are making claims that the iphone 12 mini sales have been lacklustre, yet GizmoChina are saying that the 12 Mini was the 10th most highest selling phone of 2020 with approx 14.8M units sold, even higher that the 12 Pro which did not make the top ten. Who to believe?

Most Shipped Smartphones in 2020: iPhone 11, Galaxy A51, Redmi Note 9 Pro & more - Gizmochina

Market research firm Omdia has published a report on most shipped smartphones in 2020. As per the report, only three brands made it to the top 10, just like 2019. These companies were none other than Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. According to the chart released by Omdia, the iPhone 11 was the most...

www.gizmochina.com

Interesting sales figures, which actually align with the original article: the 12 Pro also sold badly. Unfortunately, someone at MacRumors hates the mini and didn't want to mention that. Maybe the Mini is actually selling ok and these stories are just clickbait, they seem to get people here talking!

If those figures are true, Apple expected the Mini to sell exceptionally well -- but it only sold well. Pretty good, when the top 3 phones are the devices that the Mini competes with (11, 12, SE)

If this is the case, then I think for sure, the iPhone "14" will only come in 3 variants - 14, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max. Bye bye Mini....it only ever worked with the iPad, it seems....when it comes to touch-enabled iDevices that is...

Going off both articles, and again presuming both articles are truthful, Apple could make the "14" in only 3 variants as you suggest; however, a different 3 devices - 14, 14 Pro Max, and 14 Mini, good bye "base Pro". That makes sense when the Pro competes with the base model (and many people state it's not worth the upgrade) and the more popular Pro Max (better camera).

I do, however, expect Apple will sell all 4 models next time around. The Pro/non-Pro division should be clear if they implement 90/120hz screens (and whatever else).

 

[Ankaa]

And if Apple is back to where they were in the early 90s when Steve Jobs came in, success must be absolutely amazing.

... before Steve Jobs came back in.

You know. When they almost went bankrupt. And he saved Apple.

Because they had too many goddamn product categories and versions.

Steve Jobs concept of drastically streamlining products worked wonders and did so well until he died and Tim Cook took over, who's trying to satifsy just about every last one's wishes.

You either do it right or you don't do it. What Apple is currently doing with its products is a massacre.

As I said in an earlier comment, it's confusing and inconsistent af. You don't need like 3 different "budget" versions and 2 different "current" versions that are fragmented beyond any system.

 

[DeepIn2U]

SE is killing the Mini sales. Nearly half the price and not that much larger.

THIS! THIS is the killer of the 12 mini ... the 2020 iPhone SE.
It's not just the price ~ there is a LOT more you get out of the 12 Mini vs the SE ...
but the SE offers more than just value for dollar ... it's that home button. There are people that just love TouchID, the pandemic need to wear masks has boosted this value/ease of use for iOS users too wanting the SE.


The issue honestly here is Apple's marketing!
1. they are NOT advertising the 12 Mini (not showing the need it's appeal, etc).
2. 12 Mini is premium level device, just not top end like the Pro / Pro Max.
3. the 12 mini using the same A14 cpu should've been able to video record in ProRAW! Nothing in the camera prevents this. So too should the 12.

The issue is people think the 12 mini is a designed to be a budget device with a premium devices price. THAT is the issue, it's not a budget device.

I love the 12 Mini and I'd pay >$1,000 for it. I hope Apple continues to make a small flagship. The tiny size is incredible, I have no problem paying for it if they continue keeping it premium.

I'm with you there. Love my 12 Mini.

I loved the 5S (my first iPhone), but the 12 Mini is an acceptable compromise for me on the size.

I also loved the 5S and the OG SE ... but the weight and size and features of the 12 mini has made it my favourite iPhone. I love it.

They can just keep the price tag for the education market.

It’s really weird because what the students really want is the iPad Pro 12.9. Go to any university and look in STEM classes, you can pretty much see two type of devices, Surface Pro/Book and iPad Pro 12.9.

That basic iPad is for underfunded public k-12 schools.

Can you make up your mind? Is the schools paying for iPad Pro 12.9 in university or is the public schools paying basic iPads ... if so where does the students come into paying for the cost?

I don’t ever expect them to, but Apple needs to stop putting inferior components to their mini offering. Simple as that.

I love the mini but was put off my the inferior camera and battery (although the battery I get).

12 Mini or the 12 does NOT have an 'inferior camera' ... it has the same camera's as the Pro and Pro Max ... it's just the latter two have a distinctive 3rd camera that that 12 / 12 Mini does not have. The other 'components' are the exact same.

 

[incoherent_1]

Give us a model with the same camera as the big boys. Stop gimping the smaller phones.

 

[0924487]

Can you make up your mind? Is the schools paying for iPad Pro 12.9 in university or is the public schools paying basic iPads ... if so where does the students come into paying for the cost?

Individual students are paying for iPad Pro 12.9, of course. In private schools students just have their own Mac and iPad, so the schools only have iMacs and carts of MacBooks and Lenovos for loan and lab use. In universities, it's the same thing. It's only the public schools that are buying the entry level iPads.

 

[iSayuSay]

You’d rather spend $500 more now to save $50 in 3 years? That’s not really rational.

So spend an extra $400 to avoid a $49 battery replacement? That makes sense. 🙄

Except it's not about spending $500 extra to save $50 battery later on.. It's the decaying process along the ownership. Smaller battery = faster wear.

Like I said earlier, I've been there with iPhone 5s, battery life was okay at first, but getting worse pretty fast and I've tolerated it for more than a year before I switched to 7Plus, bought 11 Pro Max for the wife, then me to 12 Pro Max.

Back then Apple didn't have any bigger phone so I just had to endure. So nope.. no more petite iPhones for me.

 

[Black Belt]

The mini was released to great acclaim and no sales. You can’t pay mortgages with acclaim. There’s a vocal very small minority that never puts its money where it’s mouth is. They should learn.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Why? I thought you guys want a mini flagship. But seems like people just want a cheap iPhone, which what the 11 and SE are for.

Exactly.

I remember all the posts from people who wanted smaller and so forth. Something for everybody. All talk maybe.

I think this rumour is from Nikkei though, and every year they say Apple is cutting iPhone production - and they lie every year too! . They just want to make a story that moves the needle on the stock price.

 

[BuddyTronic]

Not surprising. The very loud but minority small phone crowd duped even Apple into thinking that everyone wants a small phone.

I see I’ve upset the small phone fans. I mean if small phones are your thing there’s nothing wrong with that but you absolutely cannot argue that most people want a small phone and the sales numbers of the 12 Mini prove that. Big phones are what are popular.

Totally - it just reminded me back in the 1990s when my graphic illustrator friend was saying man if Apple came out with a 17 inch power book I would be all over it and buy it instantly. So then it actually came out! I I asked my friend if he ordered one and he said no it’s too expensive. I said yeah, but you really wanted a 17 inch PowerBook I thought? I can’t remember the rest

 

[iSayuSay]

Yes, but then you would end up with a large, heavy phone that doesn’t fit in pockets and offers very little in additional benefits other than more unused battery capacity. Someone in the market for a smaller phone is not necessarily “settling”. Even if the price were the same, I would chose the mini over the max.

On the flip side, smaller battery in the Mini may not be able to stand a really full business day to the point it requires you to get a battery pack that is also heavy and cumbersome? It's not "unused battery capacity" because with light usage, the Max allow you to get a much longer standby time, and less recharge which is very good for long-term battery health.

I love the Mini form factor too, btw. So really I have nothing against the phone, nor was I trying to justify my purchase or anything.. to me it's really about the battery.

 

[Shirasaki]

Apple got caught off guard by the noise on this one. Then again, with all thats been going with the pandemic, anticipation turned into, I need to save that $700 for emergencies. Also, that price is just absurd. A maxed out Mini should not cost no more than 650. There is someone at Apple I believe who likes to pull big numbers out of thin air. Price certain things reasonably. When they were a humble company in the 90’s with the iMac, they recognized they had to be reasonable with pricing. These days, they feel like, they can build anything, overcharge for it and there will be a market.

Welcome to United States of America where freedom seems to be absolute and unquestionable.

I’d say Apple at this point can literally invest anything they want and can turn into some sort of profit thanks to million loyal apple buyers and thousands of shareholders. Which surprises me even more when they want to cut the production of iPhone 12 mini. Greed rules all I think.

 

[bluecoast]

One other point: a phone whose major selling point is that you don’t notice it it in your jacket/pants pocket, handbag etc. and is easy to use one-handed on the metro etc is obviously at a disadvantage when hardly anyone is going to work.

 

[Mimiron]

Do explain why it is too expensive considering that it has the same hardware features as the more expensive iPhone 12, and it is $100 cheaper.

The hardware upgrades are so abysmal that people won't dish out that much money for a Mini if they can buy an 11 or 11 Pro with a much better camera and a bigger battery. Heck, there's even the XR that costs less, and those on a budget who want a smaller form factor will buy the SE. That's why.

 

[dz5b609]

14.6 million in 3 months is hardly a "very small vocal minority". It outsold the 12 Pro, and by a lot.

Just like Trump won, by a lot.

But just like that this is just misinformation and the iPhone 12 mini didn't and doesn't outsell the 12 pro. No idea where you think you got that information from but the 12 pro (non-max) outsells the mini by about 3 to 1.