iPhone 12 Mini Reportedly Accounted for Only 5% of Sales in First Half of January

[Antes]

if this really is a flop, and retailers clear them out eventually, maybe I'll pick one up

$399 would be sweet

Yeah I feel like this tiny phone is overpriced by $150. Really enjoy the smaller form factor but it’s too expensive for what your getting

 

[gomichaelgo]

So much for all those iphone 5 folks saying they were holding out for the smaller phone... They got one and didn't get it.

 

[senttoschool]

Waiting for the $399 price tag

Wait until people can go outside

 

[Star Brood]

They priced it out of the budget of the target market that such a form factor would appeal to.

Small phone, low price. Instead it costs almost as much as their full size phone which offers not just a bigger screen but also a bigger battery.

iPhone Mini with an equally-mini price would get far more units shipped out. Cut unnecessary features like 5G and switch away from the expensive notch design to a unified bezel.

Also worth noting that prices in Europe continue to be trash. They need to find a way to cut out the VAT as the prices here are just absurdly high compared to flagship Android phones.

 

[senttoschool]

So much for all those iphone 5 folks saying they were holding out for the smaller phone... They got one and didn't get it.

Pandemic. No one wants a small phone if all they do is stay home.

We can't judge until we're back to normal.

Also, no one expects the Mini to outsell the 12 or 12 Pro.

 

[QCassidy352]

I'll be in the minority here but I love the size and would buy one but just haven't upgraded yet because my 8 is a tank! All I want my phone to do is be a phone, apple pay, small convenience apps (like uber, Hilton for room keys), maps (directions) and let me read email. I could care less about the damn camera and wish there was an option for a phone that had just a basic, decent carmera.

Sounds like you’re describing the SE.

Why are people still surprised by this? The fact is most people want a big(ger) phone. The fanatic small phone crowd is a very vocal minority that would like to make you think that everyone wants a small phone.

But the mini isn’t a “small” phone. (It never should have been called the mini, terrible marketing decision.) I’ve had iphones since 2007, and it’s the biggest screen I’ve ever had, with usable space between an iPhone 6 and 6+.

 

[TechLord]

I think people misunderstood the popularity of the iPhone SE as a love for small phones. The SE was more popular due to its old school design, and its price. Apple should have nerfed the mini slightly and priced it better. They should have made it 4g, LCD, maybe even given it a single camera. Then sold it for 549.

 

[senttoschool]

I don't think that's really a valid excuse; if anything I'd go the other way round. If you're all home all the day, it can IMO make more sense to have a small phone like the mini, since you'll have 24/7 access to your tablet, laptop and TV. The advantage of big phones for me, is a big screen that fits in my pocket for when I'm out and about, commuting to work, at work, around the city etc. I'd rather have a bigger display regardless of where I am but still.

No. I have an XR, a Macbook Air M1 connected to a 28" monitor. I still want a bigger phone than the Mini while at home.

But as soon as I can go out more, I will switch to the 12/13 Mini.

 

[Whathappened]

Honestly, I think the biggest issue was the price. There just wasn't enough differentiation between the fat models and the Mini. $600-650 would have been the sweet spot.

That is not a sweet spot at all if you want to have the latest apple tech in your phone. It’s the same as the 12 only smaller. That could also be an argument to make it more expensive than the regular size.
But truth is most people want a big screen and are willing to pay a lot of money for it.
And those not willing will buy a cheaper phone with a big screen like iPhone 11 or xr.
Text is easier to write and videos look acceptably good on screens in the 6 inch area.

 

[LarryJoe33]

But it has a bigger screen than the iPhone SE.

Crap!! I am an idiot, I was confusing it with the SE. My bad.

 

[TechLord]

Pandemic. No one wants a small phone if all they do is stay home.

We can't judge until we're back to normal.

Also, no one expects the Mini to outsell the 12 or 12 Pro.

I still think this is rubbish. If people are at home, they have access to tablets, MacBook's and TVs so a big phone is less necessary since it becomes a text device. The advantage of a big phone is a big screen in a big pocket for when you're on the move. For my 90 minute train commute each way, I'm much more inclined to have a bigger phone to watch content and play games, than a mini.

 

[Bluetoot-]

I love my iPhone12 mini. I guess I'm in the minority. I think if they had put a telephoto lens on it (instead of wide angle), it might have appealed to more people.

The wide angle is a bit of a waste IMO.

 

[TechLord]

I actually considered a mini BECAUSE of the pandemic, not despite of it. I think a lot of people are coping here.

 

[senttoschool]

I still think this is rubbish. If people are at home, they have access to tablets, MacBook's and TVs so a big phone is less necessary since it becomes a text device. The advantage of a big phone is a big screen in a big pocket for when you're on the move. For my 90 minute train commute each way, I'm much more inclined to have a bigger phone to watch content and play games, than a mini.

Absolutely not.

When you're at home, you want a bigger phone so you can watch videos on the toilet, laying on the couch or bed. Holding a phone with two hands makes no difference when you're at home.

But when you're outside, being able to hold the phone with one hand is a huge advantage. And as a guy, a smaller phone is much more comfortable in the pocket.

When you're at home, you rarely put your phone in your pocket.

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

IMO people didn't got the chance to hold and measure the mini due to COVID, my brother bought the pro max and regrets he didn't get the mini, just because he couldn't hold it and thought it is too small... after using mine he said 5.4 is a lot of screen size and loved how thin and light the mini is.

the mini needs TIME, once people realize they don't need an iPad mini in their pocket then the mini will hit his mark.

BTW, IMO the mini is the BEST iPhone ever made.

 

[bklement]

I think people misunderstood the popularity of the iPhone SE as a love for small phones. The SE was more popular due to its old school design, and its price. Apple should have nerfed the mini slightly and priced it better. They should have made it 4g, LCD, maybe even given it a single camera. Then sold it for 549.

I am actually a keen hater of multiple cameras and even camera bumps, and don't really care about the others on your list, so that would be actually a better phone in my eyes.

 

[TechLord]

Absolutely not.

When you're at home, you want a bigger phone so you can watch videos on the toilet, laying on the couch or bed. Holding a phone with two hands makes no difference when you're at home.

But when you're outside, being able to hold the phone with one hand is a huge advantage. And as a guy, a smaller phone is much more comfortable in the pocket.

When you're at home, you rarely put your phone in your pocket.

You must have the worlds smallest pockets. Because I can't feel my 6.1 inch iPhone 12 in any of my pockets, including shorts. I disagree completely; why would I lay on the couch using my phone when I have access to much larger devices? The advantage of a big phone has always been a large display which can fit in your pocket, which for someone like me who has long commutes is very advantageous. When I'm at home, my phone becomes a text device only, except if I watch a video in bed.

 

[bklement]

Absolutely not.

When you're at home, you want a bigger phone so you can watch videos on the toilet, laying on the couch or bed. Holding a phone with two hands makes no difference when you're at home.

But when you're outside, being able to hold the phone with one hand is a huge advantage. And as a guy, a smaller phone is much more comfortable in the pocket.

When you're at home, you rarely put your phone in your pocket.

I have an ipad, when I am home I rarely remember to charge my phone as our only daily interaction.

 

[jonproject]

They nerfed the mini too much. My wife loves her's, but I want the telephoto lens and brighter screen/premium materials. I'd totally go small phone if I can get the Pro features with it.

 

[bluecoast]

I’ve said in another thread, I believe that because people are not going out to the stores to see the mini in person, it’s likely meant that its sales have suffered.

I.e. If you’re wondering if the mini is ‘just right’ or if it’s too small, you have to try it out in person.

Yes, you could order & then return the mini - but in a pandemic I suspect that most people wouldn’t want to go through the hassle & simply get the 12 instead.

 

[TechLord]

people didn't got the chance to hold and measure the mini due to COVID, my brother bought the pro max and regrets he didn't get the mini, just because he couldn't hold it and thought it is too small... after using mine he said 5.4 is a lot of screen size and loved how thin and light the mini is.

the mini needs TIME, once people realize they don't need an iPad mini in their pocket then the mini will hit his mark.

BTW, IMO the mini is the BEST iPhone ever made.

Who are you to decide what people need or don't need? The sales figures speak for themselves. Most people can hold and pocket a bigger phone than 5.4 inches.

 

[mdatwood]

I still think this is rubbish. If people are at home, they have access to tablets, MacBook's and TVs so a big phone is less necessary since it becomes a text device. The advantage of a big phone is a big screen in a big pocket for when you're on the move. For my 90 minute train commute each way, I'm much more inclined to have a bigger phone to watch content and play games, than a mini.

I agree with you. I didn't go max this year b/c I'm home most of the time and have my iPad Pro and now M1 MBA available pretty much all the time. Heck, since getting the MBA I don't use the iPad Pro much anymore.

As far as the mini specifically, I think it's a very vocal minority who say they want one, and a smaller minority who will buy one. Years ago I moved to Android for a bit because Apple refused to make larger screen iPhones. I moved back with the iPhone 7+...

 

[Shalev Lazarof]

Who are you to decide what people need or don't need? The sales figures speak for themselves. Most people can hold and pocket a bigger phone than 5.4 inches.

I was speaking my own opinion, wtf.

 

[senttoschool]

You must have the worlds smallest pockets. Because I can't feel my 6.1 inch iPhone 12 in any of my pockets, including shorts. I disagree completely; why would I lay on the couch using my phone when I have access to much larger devices? The advantage of a big phone has always been a large display which can fit in your pocket, which for someone like me who has long commutes is very advantageous.

Your empathy is quite low.

I wear slim/skinny jeans because I'm fashionable. This makes putting my XR In my pocket very uncomfortable.

I'm not going to use my Macbook while laying on the couch or bed. LOL.

 

[5105973]

Going out sledding or skiing it's the mini I'd take. I did take it sledding because it's small enough to fit in a pocket that won't get in the way of my physical activity.

I think Apple is shortsighted if they don't make this size available post pandemic when we get out again. Also they released this phone going into winter when most people want to stay indoors. Add in the fact it's a pandemic winter, forget about it.

Put a 2x zoom on it. I don't know if they can lower the price. That may also be a factor. People got conditioned by the SE to think of small phones as budgets.