iPhone 12 Mini Sales Lackluster Compared to Other Models

[The-Real-Deal82]

One small thought:

It's bizarre how discourse has become so factional nowadays - even when discussing tech!

Surely it's OK to have different phone sizes?

Why does it have to be that the 'other guy's' phone has to lose?

You are correct

For some reason, people take it personally if a device choice they've made isn't desired or agreed upon by others.

Unfortunately that’s the theme on here and many tech sites. If you don’t use a Pro model iPhone, a lot of posters simply look down their nose at you and often think you are poor or aren’t into tech. It’s my main frustration when discussing things to be honest.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Holding a 12 and 12 pro side by side you can feel the difference in build quality.

You might be able to but many can’t, myself included.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Reminds me of people clamoring for more manual transmissions in cars that aren’t the base model or more manuals in general. People wanted a smaller iPhone, but clearly the mass public isn’t having it.

I’m guessing you’re not from Europe then where the vast majority of cars on the road are manuals lol. We learn to drive a car here .

 

[chanchowancho]

I doubt Apple will be unhappy with how many minis are sold. Anecdotally it seems to be a pretty popular phone, a company I worked for is replacing their fleet of iPhone 8s with 12 minis.

I also think “Mini” is a misnomer. I have a friend who went from SE to the X (very keen on mini) and he was super disappointed when he saw mine in person because it “wasn’t that small”. It just feels like a sleeker, lighter full-screen iPhone 8.

The Mini should be the default iPhone size, and the 12 and up should be the “plus” or “Max” models.

Side Note: I had the 11 prior to the mini. What a behemoth! I’d guess become used to how wide and heavy (close to 200g) it was (Apple silicon case too).

 

[aakshey]

I doubt Apple will be unhappy with how many minis are sold. Anecdotally it seems to be a pretty popular phone, a company I worked for is replacing their fleet of iPhone 8s with 12 minis.

I also think “Mini” is a misnomer. I have a friend who went from SE to the X (very keen on mini) and he was super disappointed when he saw mine in person because it “wasn’t that small”. It just feels like a sleeker, lighter full-screen iPhone 8.

The Mini should be the default iPhone size, and the 12 and up should be the “plus” or “Max” models.

Only sane guy in this thread.

 

[ian87w]

MR members: we want small flagship and we're willing to pay for it
Apple : actually made one
Also MR members: it's too expensive!

 

[iGüey]

If I were 10 years younger, the Mini would be a perfect choice for me, but sadly nowadays my eyes demand a bigger screen (6.1). I just really hope I never get to need +6.5 screens, and if that occurs, I’m pretty sure a flip iPhone will exist at that time.

 

[ksec]

Comparing launch month doesn't tell a lot of about its popularity. People who want a no nonsense iPhone are also the group of people who doesn't rush to get their phone upgraded. They just need to know they have the option.

The iPhone SE + 12 Mini represent 10%+ of total iPhone. Not bad for its phone size.

Next year iPhone 12 Mini would be, I assume $599. Which seems to be the price point everyone were expecting in the first place.

 

[ian87w]

The numbers presented makes sense. We already know that the market in general prefers larger screen. 6.5" with tall aspect ratio seems to be the current sweet spot, as this is what almost every Android OEMs are targeting for every price points in their lineup.

Now back to the mini, I have mentioned it in other threads, that Apple seemed to make the mini just so they cna still have an iPhone at the $699 price point, putting the smoke and mirrors to the fact that they increased the price of the regular iPhone from the iPhone 11. I'm sure Apple knows that the big seller will still be the regular iPhone 12 itself.

That's not saying that the mini is not a good phone. I managed to physically handled it in a reseller recently, and it feels like a solid compact phone. Screen is too small for me though, as many people clearly think as well.

I feel like the mini is a precursor for the next iPhone SE design. I'm guessing by 2022.

 

[ghanwani]

The MR iPhone 12 poll as 20% bought a Mini.

 

[ncc1701d]

Shame. Best phone I've ever had.

 

[iGüey]

No matter how few iPhones Mini are being sold. Trust me or not, we will see flip iPhones that when folded would perfectly fit in the palm of our hands while will sport big screens when unfolded, all this in the mid-term future (3-4 years), that will be the trend. Cycles tend to repeat, and when the current glass slate design is wear enough, we will see cell market full of flip and foldable phones, iPhone included. And I insist, no matter what MR readers think or opine, that’s the inevitable future.

You might want to save this comment to that future. 😉

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

No matter how few iPhones Mini are being sold. Trust me or not, we will see a flip iPhone in the mid-term future (3-4 years), that will be the trend. Cycles tend to repeat, and when the current glass slate design is wear enough, we will see cell market full of flip and foldable phones, iPhone included. And I insist, no matter what MR readers think or opine. You might want to save this comment for that future.

I hope not. I don’t want to go back to folding phones with broken and loose hinges. I really don’t to the benefit of them nowadays as a flat design is pocketable and we now have screens big enough for everyday use. I’ve seen Android test the water with foldable displays that effectively give you an iPad that folds in half and I can’t imagine using those or wanting one.

 

[The Loaf]

Boy, I’ll never understand the vitriol that some have for those of us who wanted a smaller phone... Why? You don’t have to buy one, no one is forcing it on you. Some of us prefer a smaller phone—what’s the big deal? And this idea it’s only for someone with tiny hands? So absurd. I have normal sized hands (can palm a basketball, so not tiny by most measures) and I still find it a little large if anything. Preferred the size of the 5s I had, honestly, but also appreciate the larger screen. I think it strikes a pretty good balance. Battery is not the best of the best, but more than good enough for me. Are you never around a source of power? Do you work on a rowboat all day? This worry that you will constantly run out of juice is overblown, IMO.

I’m glad Apple listened to a number of it’s customers and brought the Mini to the market. Thank you. Thank you for letting us choose. My biggest questions were how it would feel in hand and to see the color of the green one IRL before purchasing it. And b/c of COVID I couldn’t get into an Apple store to check it out. No appointments available for weeks. Now that’s something to complain about.

 

[ghanwani]

You might want to save this comment for that future. 😉

What year are we talking? That way I can set a reminder.

 

[borntrouble]

It's the battery life.

 

[iGüey]

What year are we talking? That way I can set a reminder.

3 or 4 years from now.

 

[arobert3434]

I knew it! It used to be so fashionable to go around tirelessly complaining that Apple needs to make smaller phones, but this proves it — nobody actually wants that.

Harsh but apparently true. People really prefer desktop replacement phones.

 

[iGüey]

I hope not. I don’t want to go back to folding phones with broken and loose hinges. I really don’t to the benefit of them nowadays as a flat design is pocketable and we now have screens big enough for everyday use. I’ve seen Android test the water with foldable displays that effectively give you an iPad that folds in half and I can’t imagine using those or wanting one.

I’m not talking about what we hope, I’m talking about what seems obvious. Or do you really think that the current smartphone design is the final and most refined design for this product? Do you really think that the market will afford 10 more years with a design so many years dated? The common people will need to perceive a design change, something fresh and even something innovative to justify keeping yearly phone updates (although a flip phone doesn’t seem so innovative to us). So to achieve this perception among the consumers, the manufacturers will have to launch new designs sooner or later, and if you consider that the people will be wanting bigger screens every year, the only way to keep having bigger screens will be by launching flip and foldable smartphones. That’s it!

Or tell me, how would you think manufacturers will deliver a fresh design to the market within the next 5 years? Please don’t think in the MR readers profile, but common people.

Beyond that, I really think that Apple is the only one that can achieve the refinement and excellence that flip smartphones need to give the market a game changer once again.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I’m not talking about what we hope, I’m talking about what seems obvious. Or do you really think that the current smartphone design is the final and most refined design for this product? Do you really think that the market will afford 10 more years with a design so many years dated? The common people will need to perceive a design change, something fresh and even something innovative to justify keeping yearly phone updates (although a flip phone doesn’t seem so innovative to us). So to achieve this perception among the consumers, the manufacturers will have to launch new designs sooner or later, and if you consider that the people will be wanting bigger screens every year, the only way to keep having bigger screens will be by launching flip and foldable smartphones. That’s it!

Or tell me, how would you think manufacturers will deliver a fresh design to the market within the next 5 years? Please don’t think in the MR readers profile, but common people.

Beyond that, I really think that Apple is the only one that can achieve the refinement and excellence that flip smartphones need to give the market a game changer once again.

I very much understand how design works as I studied Product Design and have worked as a designer for the past 20 years. Like anyone though I have a subjective opinion and products don’t always have to change in terms of complete physical form in order to enjoy decades of success. The iPhone has very much been about slight incremental aesthetical changes with leaps forward in terms of camera technology and software utilisation. Many products we use haven’t changed a great deal in terms of looks over many years. I’m not saying what you are suggesting won’t happen, I just hope it doesn’t.

 

[Jabet]

I doubt Apple will be unhappy with how many minis are sold. Anecdotally it seems to be a pretty popular phone, a company I worked for is replacing their fleet of iPhone 8s with 12 minis.

I also think “Mini” is a misnomer. I have a friend who went from SE to the X (very keen on mini) and he was super disappointed when he saw mine in person because it “wasn’t that small”. It just feels like a sleeker, lighter full-screen iPhone 8.

The Mini should be the default iPhone size, and the 12 and up should be the “plus” or “Max” models.

Side Note: I had the 11 prior to the mini. What a behemoth! I’d guess become used to how wide and heavy (close to 200g) it was (Apple silicon case too).

You're right, especially with "mini" being a misnomer. The 12 mini should be the regular iPhone, the regular 12 should be the 12 Plus or Max. I've owned nearly every iPhone generation from 1 to 11 Pro. Just swapped from 11 Pro to the 12 mini and it's by far the best iPhone I've ever experienced. Gone are the days with the brick in my pocket and the weight of a dumbbell in my hands while chilling. My god, what did they intend with the huge sizes and the associated weight from iPhone X to 11?! Form factor of the mini is close to perfect still being a slightly too big for me (male with regular hands) as iOS still emphasizes the upper left corner of the screen. For my girlfriend (who actually "lifts" a regular 11) it is still too big.

It's lightweight, it's handy (even one handed), it's blazingly fast, it has great cameras (never used tele), battery lasts for 24 h with no issues (for a semi geek like me), there is just no compromise in technology. There is nothing I miss about screen size. For me it's very close to perfect and I really hope they don't discontinue it.

 

[ds2000]

I wanted the mini but battery life and lack of the top camera features pushed me to the Pro. Its great but I'd prefer a smaller phone thats for sure

 

[Burebista]

I checked it out in the store. Great hardware. Perfect size and grip, reminded me of my old SE. The back is probably the worsting case of a fingerprint magnet I’ve ever seen though (black/blue colors). It’s a shame because thanks to that ceramic shield and grippability it would’ve been possible to go with no case if it had a matte or other non smudgy finish on the back.

But in terms of camera now I could never go back to no zoom and no astrophotography which I both have on my twice cheaper Pixel. Apple needs to at least improve the sharpness of its digital zoom if it doesn’t ship a phone with a telephoto camera. There are a lot more use cases for zoom than there are for an ultrawide.

 

[Wanted797]

Most consumers who would chose the mini do not upgrade within 2 months of launch...

🤦‍♂️

 

[macdogpro]

I’ve suggested this in numerous threads, we can always mimic / achieve a telephoto result by cropping in post, but it’ll take more effort to mimic ultra wide result by stitching multiple images for instance.

In family gathering, group shot is taking the ultra wide lens as advantage rather than a telephoto lens. Of course some would use telephoto lens more than the ultra wide for better reach without loosing resolution (cropping) or distortion free portrait shot, but in terms of production cost wise, if one among the three lens has to go to lower cost, it’s the telephoto.

On the side note I would never use digital zooming, unless the iOS has some digital enhancements like the Pixel phone.