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How magnanimous of you to inform Apple as to how they should price their iPhones given your extensive knowledge of their supply chain, marketing and R&D costs.

I’m sure Tim Cook is having his assistant call in your Fruit Of The Month Club order as I type this reply.
How dare anyone speculate that Apple's choice on pricing is likely a factor in "Far Lower Demand Than Expected"!!! Get out the pitchforks & torches!
 
I would pay the same price as a comparable 12. More actually, but most wouldn’t.

If you’re asking about screen size, I don’t think you understand what’s required to take pictures. My 5D IV has a screen probably a quarter of the size of my iPhone, but it’s more than sufficient to frame shots and navigate menus...

Thanks for the assumptions. I would like to point out that the size is absolutely personal preference and I didn’t want to express that a tiny screen cannot be used for framing. It’s just smaller, hence not everyone’s cup of tea.
 
Or maybe the 12 Mini isn't selling as expected because people actually want a Pro Mini - which isn't offered. This really is such a strange thought that it doesn't even occur to you?

Y'all say Apple knows what they're doing and has done their research. The company that proudly brought you the voice-controlled iPod nano, iTunes Ping, or the Newton.



Choice is good. The current product line is beyond choice, though.

My husband spend an entire day on the weekend comparing the different models - most people don't go to that length and either buy the cheapest, the flagship (because 'the best') or what's thrown at them through their cell phone carriers (as someone else commented, and most of them default to the 12).

Have you even looked at ALL the currently available options for "iPhone"? There's FIVE different models (12 Pro, 12, SE, 11, XR), each with different sub-options for e.g. screen size, GB, etc.

For example, why have THREE options that I assume are supposed to be "budget options"? Great, offer choice of FaceID vs. TouchID. You still don't need two options for the basically same size (11 vs. XR).

Why have inconsistent sizes between the "Pro" and the "standard" "latest model" line? (12 vs. 12 Pro) It's purely marketing trying to get more money out of people and to be able to say that in theory they offer choice. It's not that they actually listened to people.

It's fragmented, inconsistent, and confusing. But if you always default to the Pro flagship of either size, you wouldn't realize this anyways because you didn't have to bother.

Let them explore the Pro mini niche then with the next iteration. I bet you they know their audience better than anyone on this forum.
 
Yes they did. It sold well and at the time had the highest customer satisfaction of all the iPhones being sold at the time.
That's what I thought. So I think the SE2 deserves it's place in the line up. A classic body with more modern hardware inside.
 
Or maybe it's because the phones look and feel cheap. I couldn't believe how crappy all of the none Pro phones looked in personal. The colors are bad, the edges and backs don't look good together, and they can't even get the screws on the bottom to match the edge colors. There was no attention to detail with this design.
 
To this... what baffles me is they went with an ultrawide instead of the 2x optical lens for the 2nd one. Why? I wouldn't say I constantly use my 2x today, it most certainly gets far less burn... but what I know I've only ever used for novelty is the ultrawide.

That's the thing, everyone is different. I've found the ultra wide lets me take some quite cool looking pictures outside, particularly with skies - its a nice perspective, especially if you angle the camera up to get more sky compared to your subject or the ground.

The optical zoom on the Pros, whenever I used it outside, it was never really enough. I wished it had ten times the range of zoom, so I found it a bit pointless. Using it inside, its easy enough to move closer to whatever I'm taking a picture of.
 
The next mini iPhone is an instant purchase for me. I upgrade every 2-3 years, and can't wait to downsize from the 11.
 
Or maybe the 12 Mini isn't selling as expected because people actually want a Pro Mini - which isn't offered. This really is such a strange thought that it doesn't even occur to you?

Y'all say Apple knows what they're doing and has done their research. The company that proudly brought you the voice-controlled iPod nano, iTunes Ping, or the Newton.
Failure is the precursor to success. Tell me one large corporate conglomerate that has never, failed ever, with a product release.
Choice is good. The current product line is beyond choice, though.

My husband spend an entire day on the weekend comparing the different models - most people don't go to that length and either buy the cheapest, the flagship (because 'the best') or what's thrown at them through their cell phone carriers (as someone else commented, and most of them default to the 12).

Have you even looked at ALL the currently available options for "iPhone"? There's FIVE different models (12 Pro, 12, SE, 11, XR), each with different sub-options for e.g. screen size, GB, etc.

For example, why have THREE options that I assume are supposed to be "budget options"? Great, offer choice of FaceID vs. TouchID. You still don't need two options for the basically same size (11 vs. XR).

Why have inconsistent sizes between the "Pro" and the "standard" "latest model" line? (12 vs. 12 Pro) It's purely marketing trying to get more money out of people and to be able to say that in theory they offer choice. It's not that they actually listened to people.

It's fragmented, inconsistent, and confusing. But if you always default to the Pro flagship of either size, you wouldn't realize this anyways because you didn't have to bother.
Cars are also fragmented, inconsistent and confusing and expensive. And somehow people manage to get around a totally incomprehensible and disingenuous sales process. All Apple did was expand the price difference between low and high with varying tech in each phone. In 2021, choice is good and people can get the closest to what they want, even if Apple (or any other manufacturer) doesn't make exactly what they want.
 
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...

It would be logical that the Mini will become the new SE. They keep the cameras and rest of the tech same with the forthcoming 13 mini and just update the processor after a few years. Apple needs a cheaper phone to lure in new customers, and SE 2020 will be really antiquated in a few years.

For example, not many parents would spend close to 1000$/€ for a phone for their kids. If they end up buying an Android phone, the kids will more likely stick with that OS when they start to buy their own phones.
 
Ok, I'll bite. Whats the right price? Anyone expecting top of the line specs and the newest hardware in a cheap phone is dreaming...
You can come in EU and buy one of those for 30-40% more of US prize and then we can have real conversation here. OK? If it was around 599$ that would be more reasonable.
 
It would be logical that the Mini will become the new SE. They keep the cameras and rest of the tech same with the forthcoming 13 mini and just update the processor after a few years. Apple needs a cheaper phone to lure in new customers, and SE 2020 will be really antiquated in a few years.

For example, not many parents would spend close to 1000$/€ for a phone for their kids. If they end up buying an Android phone, the kids will more likely stick with that OS when they start to buy their own phones.
Kids or teenagers are rather flexibles, they are more prone to switch
Anyway its a matter of budget, they start with Android phone because its affordable
Parents that only buy Apple devices to their kids, impose their own way
Kids are free to pick whatever they want
Most of my family have switched to Android, we all started with iOS, i switched to Android when they were still in iOS and vice versa
They are happy with their phone and ecosystem and myself i dont wanna change either
I would say its impossible for Apple to make cheaper iPhone than Android
SE2020 is almost twice more expensive than most of mid Android phones, budget is not expendable
 
Or maybe it's because the phones look and feel cheap. I couldn't believe how crappy all of the none Pro phones looked in personal. The colors are bad, the edges and backs don't look good together, and they can't even get the screws on the bottom to match the edge colors. There was no attention to detail with this design.

Not my experience at all. The green mini we have at home looks, and feels, stunning.
 
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If you don’t care the bells and whistles, why not just get the 2020 SE? Doesn’t make sense if you said you don’t need bells and whistles, yet you want the current 12 mini, which is a flagship hardware and features, to be cheaper.
You will have to show me where I said I want the 12 mini. I would never buy an SE or a mini. The iPhone 12 would be my choice, but I've been hanging on to my XS, I need something exciting to make me upgrade. No notch and some form of Touch ID would be good.
 
Mine worked perfectly fine for the first few years as well. But today there are a lot less developers who make the 4” experience a priority when they design apps and websites.

(As an example: I’ve come across a lot of apps and websites in the last couple of years where half the screen is taken up by some banner or other things and if you need to enter text the keyboard cover what’s left so you can basically not see what you type..)

There is no way Apple could guarantee a “high end Apple experience” for the next 3-4y if they released another 4” device today.

They made the best decision with keeping the size as small as possible while still providing a good experience
Yes, developers make stupid decisions fairly often. But I tend to browse all sites in Desktop Mode whenever possible—after all, Steve promised us the real internet in our pockets, not the baby internet, so I insist on not using awful gimped mobile sites—and I really don’t have too much of a problem with the screen size. I’d be good with a full screen SE1 form factor, so long as it had an under-screen fingerprint reader.
 
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Or maybe it's because the phones look and feel cheap. I couldn't believe how crappy all of the none Pro phones looked in personal. The colors are bad, the edges and backs don't look good together, and they can't even get the screws on the bottom to match the edge colors. There was no attention to detail with this design.

Not my experience at all. The green mini we have at home looks, and feels, stunning.
This is known as YMMV. I haven't seen the mini in person, but I doubt the mini looks and fees cheap. Sounds like nitpicking to the nth degree.
 
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This is known as YMMV. I haven't seen the mini in person, but I doubt the mini looks and fees cheap. Sounds like nitpicking to the nth degree.
Having seen both the 12 mini and the 12 in person, I have zero idea what the first poster is raving on about. Both are tightly designed and impeccably put together. The screen melts into the chassis and looks like a solid piece. Matching color screws?!? Hardly important given how tiny the screws are and how little one actually will look at that particular design detail. Sounds more like someone looking for something, anything, to complain about because of a personal beef with Apple.
 
This is known as YMMV. I haven't seen the mini in person, but I doubt the mini looks and fees cheap. Sounds like nitpicking to the nth degree.

Having seen both the 12 mini and the 12 in person, I have zero idea what the first poster is raving on about. Both are tightly designed and impeccably put together. The screen melts into the chassis and looks like a solid piece. Matching color screws?!? Hardly important given how tiny the screws are and how little one actually will look at that particular design detail. Sounds more like someone looking for something, anything, to complain about because of a personal beef with Apple.
it's nitpicking, and I will imply it. but biased comment.

I'm sure that people who remember me (i've been awol) know I am extremely nitpicky and pick apart Apple constantly.


There is absolutely ZERO cheap feeling about the mini. it's built with the exact same materials as the larger 12. it's built to the same standards. it feels great. the perfectly flat edges and perfectly flat screen in my opinion make it the easiest phone. not a seem is out of place. Not a loose panel. it is up to the standards of Apple build quality that should be expected of anything else in the iPhone lineup.
 
this is what happens when apple listens to a very small group of people(pun intended)😂 I'm waiting for an 8" iPhone! and a 47mm Apple Watch!
 
Or maybe it's because the phones look and feel cheap. I couldn't believe how crappy all of the none Pro phones looked in personal. The colors are bad, the edges and backs don't look good together, and they can't even get the screws on the bottom to match the edge colors. There was no attention to detail with this design.
The mini isn't cheap looking (or feeling) at all.

Are you looking to put the iPhone under lock and key where you can take it out once a year and hold it with white gloves, or are you wanting to impress others with what model phone you have?

There I a lot of attention to detail with the iPhone 12's. The problem is Apple didn't know they were supposed contact you for approval ahead of time.
 
I would really like to purchase an iPhone Mini as my OG SE's battery is hovering around 85% battery life, but there's one really good reason why I've not yet pulled the trigger... I'm not spending much time outside my home given COVID restrictions.

Why would I spend over $1,000 CAD on a new iPhone that will barely get used right now as anything other than a phone or for text messages? I'm not shooting many photos or videos, I'm rarely on public transit or eating out, video calls are done on my computer or iPad and I barely use my iPhone to check social media or emails.

If it was not for my sweet grandfathered month-to-month contract with my mobile service provider, I would have dropped the size of my data plan to save a few bucks.

While demand might be less than Apple's expectations, the company sold almost 15 million iPhone Minis during the final few months of 2020 when they were finally available for purchase. It's not as if they're losing money on them.

As others have mentioned, I also think the second generation SE along with the less expensive XR and 11 are cannibalizing iPhone Mini sales. If Apple drops the XR and the 11 from the line-up later this year, I would expect Mini sales to rise given its cheaper price point compared with its larger brethren. The SE will still grab sales, but I feel Apple needs to keep this model or its risk losing market share to Android at the lower price point level (and of course the knock-on will be diminished App Store sales).

Hopefully, Apple keeps the Mini around for this year's refresh and I will be able to buy one once life returns to some sense of normalcy.
 
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And what photography enthusiasts would pick the smallest viewfinder/screen and the smallest battery as a platform for their camera hobby?

If you’re asking about screen size, I don’t think you understand what’s required to take pictures. My 5D IV has a screen probably a quarter of the size of my iPhone, but it’s more than sufficient to frame shots and navigate menus...

Real 'photo enthusiasts' realize that all the best and most stunning picture quality a phone can give you are nothing compared to the power of actual, interchangeable, lenses.

Just because there's been quite a bit of "proof of concept" of the kind of photos an iPhone <can> produce, doesn't mean it owuld be the device of choice for actual 'photo enthusiasts'.

And most of those actual prefer using the view finder over the screen, which is a fraction of the screen size. As incoherent_1 has mentioned, the smaller screen is more than sufficient to navigate menues.

The battery size point is mute with interchangeable batteries in most pro and semi-pro cameras... I at least can tell you I've NEVER considered battery size when buying a new body even once. Nor the size of the screen. It's simpli not important to what I want and need for photography.
 
Real 'photo enthusiasts' realize that all the best and most stunning picture quality a phone can give you are nothing compared to the power of actual, interchangeable, lenses.

Just because there's been quite a bit of "proof of concept" of the kind of photos an iPhone produce, doesn't mean it owuld be the device of choice for actual 'photo enthusiasts'.

And most of those actual prefer using the view finder over the screen, which is a fraction of the screen size. As incoherent_1 has mentioned, the smaller screen is more than sufficient to navigate menues.

The battery size point is mute with interchangeable batteries in most pro and semi-pro cameras... I at least can tell you I've NEVER considered battery size when buying a new body even once. Nor the size of the screen. It's simpli not important to what I want and need for photography.

We are not discussing the niche of dedicated cameras compared to the lower picture quality of mobile phones. That is well known. As well as the decline of the dedicated camera market is well know. Point and shoot cameras are dead, sales elsewhere declining.

Those who solely use an iPhone for their photography and videos will however tend to the model that works best for them. For some, having the best camera plus the big screen plus the biggest battery is a no brainer. YMMV
 
there's one really good reason why I've not yet pulled the trigger... I'm not spending much time outside my home given COVID restrictions.

In my opinion this is an excellent phone released at an unfortunate time. People don't see the benefit of a highly portable phone in the modern style.

I could have gone with the regular 12 but it's so big, bigger than I need, and Australia's restrictions are very low being so isolated therefore there is more freedom to move around than in most other countries.

The 2020 SE is powerful enough but it feels like a step backwards. Some people are happy with a 2014 design for a still highly priced smartphone, but I'm not and I think a lot of other people will not be either. So the 12 mini it is, with a big enough screen and XS-like battery life.
 
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