iPhone 12 Mini Sales Lackluster Compared to Other Models

[jakja83]

This has nothing to do with preferences and all to do with marketing.

If the iPhone 12 mini was instead sold as the standard "iPhone 12" and then the 12 as a "12 Plus", imagine how sales would be different. Then take that and imagine that the hypothetical "12 Plus" got released 2 weeks later, giving the other an automatic selling advantage.

Not many are staying away from it because it's too small. It's about as large as the iPhone 6/7/8 which are considered normal-sized. The name "mini" is its biggest limitation.

You are probably on to something there.

I compared the 12 and 12 mini tempered glass I had laying around. The difference isn´t that big and most of it is height which on the 12 is just frustrating when handling it because you have to shift the phone in hand to pull down from the corners. Seriously considering flipping back to the mini and cope with images and videos feeling a bit too small, but having the benefits of one-handedness and managebility. It also feels more of a phone when used as one. 12 and upwards feels like holding a slab to your face.

Pricing is higher in EU than US, but I don´t care that much. The cost of a phone is very low when you considered all it can do and replace. I mean, not many years ago we bought compact cameras costing 500-800$ with a lot poorer images coming out of them and our paycheck was half of what it is today.

 

[Denzo]

The mini was perfect. I needed it to be a pro. 3 cameras and lidar. The battery on it I actually found quite good for the size.

 

[Khaleesi Kendall]

Aside from battery life issues I’m shocked it isn’t selling well tbh

 

[macdogpro]

Actually if I use the Mini in 100-20% battery range, it could easily last me 24 hours usage with 4-5 hours SoT.
But since I started using it with 80-30% battery range method, it is difficult not to charge it twice a day.

 

[apple020997]

I have iPhones since 2010 with the iPhone 4, and change them every 4 years. From 4 to 6 non-Plus I became accustomed to its size in less than a week, but from 6 to XR (which I bought only for budget reasons, as it was “only” 50€ more expensive than the 64gb 6 I previously had) I’m still not used to its gigantic footprint.
I miss an iPhone that can be used with a single hand, so in 2022 I’m switching to a 14 Mini. And I have many trousers where my iPhone fits a bit too much tight for my tastes. I don’t need a big screen, since I have an iPad for that. Also, regarding battery, I don’t use my phone that much, around 2.5 hrs of on screen use... despite being “only” 23, I don’t use much social networks and I never game on it (I have a beefy PC for videogames), so my XR lasts 3 days from 100 to 20% (shutting it down at night). I listen to a lot of music (local storage, not streamed), though, and my Apple Watch is a great remote for this use.
So a Mini would be absolutely perfect for me. Can’t wait for 2022!

 

[SmugMaverick]

I remember so many people on here calming this was going to be the biggest selling iPhone of all time LMFAO.

I was told to shut up when I said it won't be popular at all, there's a reason phones are bigger now because thats what people want and the market shows that ffs.

Not everyone can afford an iPad as well as an iPhone so a larger screen is more useful for many more people from all walks of life.

I get the need for a more compact device for some but small phones will never out sell the bigger phones now, and no a Mini pro wouldn't have made any difference because its the screen size that people care about.

It's not 2012 anymore.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I remember so many people on here calming this was going to be the biggest selling iPhone of all time LMFAO.

I was told to shut up when I said it won't be popular at all, there's a reason phones are bigger now because thats what people want and the market shows that ffs.

Not everyone can afford an iPad as well as an iPhone so a larger screen is more useful for many more people from all walks of life.

I get the need for a more compact device for some but small phones will never out sell the bigger phones now, and no a Mini pro wouldn't have made any difference because its the screen size that people care about.

It's not 2012 anymore.

Out of curiosity, how do you know the Mini isn’t popular?

 

[1rottenapple]

Out of curiosity, how do you know the Mini isn’t popular?

Based on reports analyzing sales it is selling 6% to the other phones. Again, as I said it earlier, apple is targeting a small audience that wants a small phone without performance compromise for apple consumers. And apple wouldn’t want the mini to be the big seller as more expensive phones has higher margins. So win-win, people who want a small phone get it in 2020, and apple makes a ton of money during a down cycle economy.

 

[VaruLV]

Based on reports analyzing sales it is selling 6% to the other phones. Again, as I said it earlier, apple is targeting a small audience that wants a small phone without performance compromise for apple consumers. And apple wouldn’t want the mini to be the big seller as more expensive phones has higher margins. So win-win, people who want a small phone get it in 2020, and apple makes a ton of money during a down cycle economy.

Kinda like this, even if its only 6% at the moment, given the quantities they usually sell, its plenty millions of $$$ to make share holders happier.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Based on reports analyzing sales it is selling 6% to the other phones. Again, as I said it earlier, apple is targeting a small audience that wants a small phone without performance compromise for apple consumers. And apple wouldn’t want the mini to be the big seller as more expensive phones has higher margins. So win-win, people who want a small phone get it in 2020, and apple makes a ton of money during a down cycle economy.

Is that global sales or just in the US? I only say that as this thread only talks about one country and many have made their minds up based on this. I’d be interested in any links if you don’t mind sharing.

 

[1rottenapple]

Is that global sales or just in the US? I only say that as this thread only talks about one country and many have made their minds up based on this. I’d be interested in any links if you don’t mind sharing.

I think that report was just the USA.

In my experience traveling in Asian and S. American countries, people have less disposable income and therefore they will buy one device. Therefore their phones on average are larger. You can buy huge phones for much less since they aren't likely to own a laptop or tablet plus a phone.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think that report was just the USA.

In my experience traveling in Asian and S. American countries, people have less disposable income and therefore they will buy one device. Therefore their phones on average are larger. You can buy huge phones for much less since they aren't likely to own a laptop or tablet plus a phone.

You also have Europe though that has more than double the population of the USA where iPhones are very popular. I wouldn’t just assume because it’s not too popular in one country that it’s the same elsewhere. It could well be the Mini only accounts for 10-15% of new iPhone sales, but at this point we don’t actually know. Asia also has some very poor parts but also many wealthy parts.

 

[jakja83]

What are you using your phone to do? I had the mini and work at an office. Phone calls, texts, email all day long. Used all night as well for social media, news+++. Easily 30%+ battery left in the evening. BT+Wifi+4g+5g active all day.

Have had phone off charger for 18 hours with phone calls and normal use today. 67% remaining battery. No battery issues at all.

 

[animatedude]

It's not mini enough

 

[macdogpro]

It's not mini enough

It should’ve been the normal iPhone.
iPhone SE 1 was the real mini size.

Really all the iOS UI and UX are better on the Mini and SE 1. Back swiping from left screen edge, reaching top notifications and control center, even swiping up to go home with one hand.

12 and 12 Pro should’ve been 12 Plus and Plus Pro. Wait, then the biggest one should be 12 Plus Pro Max 🤪

 

[Denzo]

If you are 6'3", then you would be more efficient if you used a larger phone. Simple physics really.

Lol this guy speaking for physics now

 

[robertosh]

I am surprised by this, expected more interest. Maybe the new SE also cannibalised some of the mini interest. I think that the timing was not very good also, making it to launch it along the flagship one. In any case, I think that there is still market for small factor phones (if you sum SE + mini it's a good piece of the cake).

 

[Osamede]

I am surprised by this, expected more interest. Maybe the new SE also cannibalised some of the mini interest. I think that the timing was not very good also, making it to launch it along the flagship one. In any case, I think that there is still market for small factor phones (if you sum SE + mini it's a good piece of the cake).

There are three phones with the IPhone 12 label. Three.

And then another small iphone that’s also ‘new’, called the IPhone SE2020.

The silly dramatics over whether the 12 Mini a flop are pointless, as I’d wager Samsung would chew your finger off if it could get these volumes and margins on a single model.

But it should be obvious that Apple’s strategy is to now carpet-bomb the market with a lot of overlapping models and then adjust from there.

The compact flagship will of course stay,as it serves a significant market of well-heeled iPhone diehards who had not upgraded, so there is clearly aniche for it - and Apple’s strategy is now about leaving no niche unfiled.

PS all business strategy these days is about estimating, putting stakes in the ground and the analysing results and adjusting rapidly on the fly. So anyone that actually manufactures “news” from product mix adjustments is really gutter-scraping. Honestly.

This is everyday moves in flexible planning and manufacturing. Get a life!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple should have named the phone "The mini." That way customers don't get it confused with the other 12 series phones.

 

[theorist9]

I love my 13 Mini. It's light and pocketable in a way that none of the other iPhones are. Plus since I'm not on my phone constantly (I only use it when I need it for a specific task, not for entertainment/distraction), I don't need a big screen.

Apple could easily address the battery life by making it just 1 mm thicker. I recall calculating that would allow them to increase the battery volume by ≈40%.

And they could address sales concerns (more specifically, return on develpment costs) by releasing it on a 3-year cycle. That would give them decent sales, because of pent-up demand. Even better if they let people know they would only be releasing it once every three years; that way people would jump on it rather than waiting for the next year's model. I think making it as a "Pro" version would help as well.

Having said that, Apple may be planning to release a Z Flip-sized foldable, and are thinking that would address the desire for a small form-factor phone—which it would be, when folded, at least for height and width—though not for weight; and its cost might be prohibitive for many.

 

[speechmaker]

I love my 13 Mini. It's light and pocketable in a way that none of the other iPhones are. Plus since I'm not on my phone constantly (I only use it when I need it for a specific task, not for entertainment/distraction), I don't need a big screen.

Apple could easily address the battery life by making it just 1 mm thicker. I recall calculating that would allow them to increase the battery volume by ≈40%.

And they could address sales concerns (more specifically, return on develpment costs) by releasing it on a 3-year cycle. That would give them decent sales, because of pent-up demand. Even better if they let people know they would only be releasing it once every three years; that way people would jump on it rather than waiting for the next year's model. I think making it as a "Pro" version would help as well.

Having said that, Apple may be planning to release a Z Flip-sized foldable, and are thinking that would address the desire for a small form-factor phone—which it would be, when folded, at least for height and width—though not for weight; and its cost might be prohibitive for many.

Yeah, I have an iPhone 12mini and I love it. The screen size is just perfect to hold and to put in the pocket as I don't watch streaming video content nor do I play games on it.

I think naming the phone "mini" gave negative connotations to it. Also the wider public starting to use the phone more at the expense of computers meant that many started to prefer larger screens. However, when people (even on here) used to mock the small-iPhone lovers and its bad sales, the same is happening to the Plus-sized iPhones as they aren't seen as enough value compared to regular and lacking features compared to the pro, which was the exact same problem for the perception of the "mini" iPhones.

As for the foldable iPhones, I don't think they are going to get good very quickly as even companies like Samsung and Moto who have been doing foldable screens for nearly a decade now are not good at it yet. So I expect Apple to have stable and decent foldables latest only by 2030 or so.

More and more people are now getting frustrated and realising that modern phones are too large for human hands though. And the scene is ripe for an Android-phone maker to swoop in with one of those high-density-batteries and premium display technology coupled with good Sony camera sensors and latest Snapdragon processors, I would be the first to buy one if it is around the size of the iPhone minis.

 

[theorist9]

More and more people are now getting frustrated and realising that modern phones are too large for human hands though. And the scene is ripe for an Android-phone maker to swoop in with one of those high-density-batteries and premium display technology coupled with good Sony camera sensors and latest Snapdragon processors, I would be the first to buy one if it is around the size of the iPhone minis.

I'm not familiar with Android phones, but from a quick check online it doesn't seem like there are any high-end Mini-sized models, which is telling—if true, it indicates the Android makers have made the same decision as Apple, to move away from smaller phones.

So while it would be nice to see what you're predicting (and particularly nice if it succeeds, since it might motivate Apple to reconsider the market for small phones), I'd be surprised if it happens in the near future. See also:

The Galaxy S25 May Be Samsung's Last Smaller Phone. Here's Why Small Phones Are Vanishing

Commentary: Samsung is rumored to be cutting the standard Galaxy phone from its lineup in 2026, further signaling a shift away from smaller phones.

www.cnet.com

 

[speechmaker]

I'm not familiar with Android phones, but from a quick check online it doesn't seem like there are any high-end Mini-sized models, which is telling—if true, it indicates the Android makers have made the same decision as Apple, to move away from smaller phones.

So while it would be nice to see what you're predicting (and particularly nice if it succeeds, since it might motivate Apple to reconsider the market for small phones), I'd be surprised if it happens in the near future. See also:

The Galaxy S25 May Be Samsung's Last Smaller Phone. Here's Why Small Phones Are Vanishing

Commentary: Samsung is rumored to be cutting the standard Galaxy phone from its lineup in 2026, further signaling a shift away from smaller phones.

www.cnet.com

Yeah, not much realistic hope for anyone launching a smaller phone in the near future, the trend towards larger phones is obvious in terms of how much people generally use phones for these days.
in my post I was more hoping for like when Apple surprised everyone with the introduction of the 12mini when all the Android and Apple phones were already 6” plus then, except for the iPhoneSEs which were a totally different design aesthetic with the home button in front.
These days I laugh when someone like Vivo is rumoured to be getting out a ‘mini’ phone in the near future and the rumoured size is around 6.3” because the regular model is around a humongous 6.7” 😂

I might in the near future instead go the iPad/tablet route to keep in a bag and carry a feature-phone in the pocket with physical keys and a 5-day battery in it. That would be more likely than me buying the latest and greatest 6.5” phone.

 

[RaoulDuke42]

I might in the near future instead go the iPad/tablet route to keep in a bag and carry a feature-phone in the pocket with physical keys and a 5-day battery in it. That would be more likely than me buying the latest and greatest 6.5” phone.

Rockin a 12” mini here on its second battery cuz ergonomics for the win! I’ll probably give in and get the so called regular sized 17 Pro so I can stop carrying around a compact camera in addition to my iPhone. But to your possible new setup point, I dabbled once with going out with just a cellular enabled iPad mini and my Watch. Didn’t work out super well as there was no way to permanently keep the Watch connected to the iPad hotspot. Apple should let the Watches glom on to cellular iPads like they can with iPhones so one can really cut down on the immediate gratification time suck of the easy to grab phone- but then also have a better glowing rectangle for getting stuff done. Some day perhaps. Here’s a bonus trick specific to the 12 mini (cuz smaller camera bump than the 13)— with the now extinct  leather MagSafe case you can slap the phone to a fridge or whatever metal surface and it stays. Great for FaceTime.

 

[SactoGuy18]

Currently, if Apple could apply the technology of thinner bezels originally developed for the iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max models, they could build an iPhone at about 5.6" screen size. Apply a 0.5 mm thickness increase to allow for a larger battery pack and with the efficiency of the upcoming A19 SoC, the result could be a new iPhone mini almost exactly the same physical size as the iPhone 13 mini but with better than iPhone 16 battery life per charge.