iPhone 12 Mini Missing From Top 5 Best Selling Smartphone List of January 2021

[EugW]

It’s one of the top 10 selling models, beating all but 3 Android models, selling 1% in January means it sold millions. Millions of people in one month alone wanted it. Millions.

Let’s put this in simple terms. iPhone production had to be cut 20% in general. That’s bad. However, the mini production had to be cut 70%. 70! That’s really, really, REALLY bad.

It’s pretty obvious that Apple vastly overestimated the potential sales of the mini. This puts the mini line in a very, very precarious position.

 

[cygy2k]

This is a great example of when all the "experts" on here say something like "oh man Apple is stupid for not releasing a/an xxxxx in this size or that size or with this config, it'd sell lot hotcakes". For like 10 years there is a vocal minority that kept saying Apple is stupid for not making a small size phone, because if that person wanted it, it must mean everybody does.

Apple is a large company with many talented teams evaluating market trends, options, feedback, etc. While obviously this hasn't been as successful as many had hoped, and by initial sales projections and supply chain orders Apple had hoped, it's a good lesson for the so called "experts" that base their world view on a sample size of one.

 

[manwithashoe]

They bought the seventh best selling smartphone in January? (And to get it out of the way, I have the 11 Pro Max because I love big, but I feel for those who love small and up until now couldn't get what they want.)

I think that pretty much sums it up. Some people love big, some people love small..

..and sometimes a little bit of both.

I usually carry a iPad mini 5 around for reading and typing (with a keyboard) and have a 12mini for everything else.

I’d be happy with an iPad mini and an Apple Watch.. but Apple and/or the carriers won’t let that happen

As an unnecessary footnote: I’m strangely more comfortable one handing an iPad mini than a 12pro max.

 

[jayducharme]

I don't care what they say, the 12 mini is #1 in my book.

 

[snipr125]

The shops are opening in the UK from Monday onwards and probably other parts of the world, so people will actually be able to go into stores and get a feel for the device, rather than just ordering online and taking the 'safe' option of buying the 12, 12 Pro and Max.

I've got a 12 Mini, and its the best iphone i ever owned, just love this thing.

 

[dugbug]

The mini is the greatest iphone ever made. I plan on switching to it from my 11 at some point. PLEASE keep it apple.

 

[JosephAW]

It’s missing because it’s so small and fell between the cushions on the couch right next to the remote control.

 

[Krizoitz]

Let’s put this in simple terms. iPhone production had to be cut 20% in general. That’s bad. However, the mini production had to be cut 70%. 70! That’s really, really, REALLY bad.

It’s pretty obvious that Apple vastly overestimated the potential sales of the mini. This puts the mini line in a very, very precarious position.

Assuming all the rumors reports about it are true it MIGHT mean that. Or it means Apple simply overestimated where in the order of popularity the mini would fall and adjusted accordingly. Apple continued (and continues) to make and sell models that do far worse. They also make Macs and AppleTVs and other products that don’t sell as many.
And again, we have no actual evidence any of these claims of 12 production being cut by 70% are even real.

 

[FreeWoRLD83]

Mini is I guess the stick shift of that car everyone says they’d want it but don’t.

 

[d5aqoëp]

Wife said it’s small but loves it.

 

[Supra Mac]

The Mini was never intended to be a big seller, it was there to boost sells of the regular 12 at its increased price to give the perception of it being an upgrade. So basically the Mini was just a place holder for the "entry" level price of the 12, hence why you will see it next year. My wife has one and likes it.

 

[MikeAK]

Like many have said, and even though people still try and debate it, the Mini is just flat out too expensive. Apple overpriced the phone thinking the novelty would blind people's eyes from it. They were wrong. I guarantee if the phone was $100 cheaper it's on this list and a run away success.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

That might be the answer.

The Mini outsold the SE in January, and it almost surely has a higher unit margin on sales. What it doesn't have is the SE's extended product cycle which may (or may not) lead to a less favorable ROI than that model.

Just like the iPad Mini is updated on a slower cadence than other iPad models, so too might the iPhone Mini eventually be compared to other iPhone models.

Put the mini and se on 3 year cycles. Maybe don’t overlap them. Drop the price on the mini.

I don’t think Apple will make their ROI numbers if they release the Mini every year.

another thing to keep in mind is—how accurate are these sales numbers, anyway? Only Apple and carrier partners (to some extent) can know for sure.

 

[GermanSuplex]

I was seriously considering the mini, but was a tad worried about batter life. If I was want on the move as often, I wouldn’t care as the battery isn’t that bad, but I’ve been pleased with the regular-sized 12 Pro and its cameras/battery.

 

[IllinoisCorn]

The Mini was never intended to be a big seller, it was there to boost sells of the regular 12 at its increased price to give the perception of it being an upgrade. So basically the Mini was just a place holder for the "entry" level price of the 12, hence why you will see it next year. My wife has one and likes it.

My wife has one and loves it.

I just think she’s an outlier. It’s too small for me. I have a Max model.

Also—if it’s the lowest cost newest iPhone, wouldn’t it be expected to sell better? It’s the “cheapest” “newest” you can get

 

[SactoGuy18]

In the end, what happened was that the iPhone SE (2020) cannibalized a lot of sales of the iPhone 12 mini with its lower price for the 64 GB and 256 GB models. Especially given the fact that the face mask mandate made Touch ID on the iPhone SE (2020) a lot more useful than anticipated.

 

[Aston441]

SE2020 with LCD>oLED and TouchID>fuID and $$>$$$ and 🚫notch>fu-notch is an arguably superior phone.

 

[nquinn]

I really hope Apple keeps selling this. Just because something isn't 'best selling' doesn't mean that segment shouldn't exist.

When you are a trillion dollar company it is OK to give consumers a little choice with lower profit items.

I despise the large phone trend.

 

[nquinn]

In the end, what happened was that the iPhone SE (2020) cannibalized a lot of sales of the iPhone 12 mini with its lower price for the 64 GB and 256 GB models. Especially given the fact that the face mask mandate made Touch ID on the iPhone SE (2020) a lot more useful than anticipated.

Not to mention the SE has a screaming fast A13 processor!

 

[nt5672]

iPhone mini is the result of listening to a vocal minority that made the business case seem much bigger than it actually is.

Yep, Apple should not support diversity of opinion and only support to most popular top few models.

Only someone indoctrinated into the Apple walled and protected garden would have such an opinion. While we are at we only need 2 or 3 models of cars, everything else is just a waste. Right, and lets quit building custom homes and appartments, all you need is a bed, kitchen, and someplace to consume your high tech fix. Heck, lets pad the walls and let you chose your color. Choice is so wasteful and any certified nanny would be appalled.

 

[EugW]

I really hope Apple keeps selling this. Just because something isn't 'best selling' doesn't mean that segment shouldn't exist.

When you are a trillion dollar company it is OK to give consumers a little choice with lower profit items.

You mean like with my beloved 12” MacBook?

I think the writing is on the wall for the iPhone mini.

 

[jonnysods]

I love my Mini, I just wished it was a bit cheaper. Hope they keep making them though, its a great size for me.

 

[ChrisMac47]

I really hope they keep the Mini, or better, make it smaller, say SE-sized. A phone screen is never going to be "immersive" ... wait for the AR glasses for that. To me, functionality is important, so I'd like to see the Pro features on the Mini.

 

[Mick-Mac]

I still have an iPhone 6s and was going to buy the mini last year but held back because of the compromised battery life and disproportionately high price. If they fix those shortcomings year then I'll buy it. I really don't live for my phone - I don't get that many calls and am not a heavy app user so I just want something that fits in my shirt pocket. If Apple won't make a mini I'll just get something from somebody else who does. I also wouldn't trust a device that folds into the smaller form factor.

 

[one more]

It is still on the list, though! ✌️ I personally really like mine and would not swap it for a regular, bigger 12, unless I had absolutely no other choice.