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I don’t really care what a phone looks like since I immediately put it in a case. Phones seem to have matured to the point that there aren’t any compelling new features. I realize I’m in the minority, but having a smaller phone is a very high priority for me. That will drive my next purchase more than any other factor.

Six percent is not an insignificant market share. In fact it is approximately Apple’s, and many other corporation’s, share of the global computer market.
 
They didnt learn that the hard way, they just dont care about the actual LARGE group of very vocal people.

If you want to have some kind of giant sized brick in your pants bulging out of your front pockets in public and look ridiculous, you have a plethora of choices for that. Many of us don't want that and have basically ZERO options.
Actually, they go by sales. Apple is a corporation that makes things to sell for a profit. If a large group of very vocal people, wanted a phone with a 2” screen, Apple would sell it. Actual sales numbers proved there is no large group.

I can see where a large phone would be inconvenient if you’re wearing really tight jeans, but there’s just not enough people out there willing to accept the downsides of a small phone.
 
I enjoy the latest and greatest. I have bought every single new iPhone since 2006 and when iPhone 14 Pro with dynamic island came out I needed to have it because it was the newest and greatest. Having been on the smaller phones for a few years, the switch over to the larger device was drastic and uncomfortable. Usage in one hand was nearly impossible (I don’t care for reachability) and took up so much space in pockets that it was a quick return to the store.

I’ll hold onto my mini as long as I need to.
 
This information was already pretty obvious. Apple does incremental upgrades and devices perform better longer. People keep devices longer and need new features or equipment upgrades that appeal to buy.
 
Everyone in my extended family has a small phone. And they don't upgrade very often because a phone is just a phone. They all use computers when computers are needed and tablets when tablets are needed.

Now I completely understand that if one can only afford one device, then a large phone is needed or that a small phone is not a positive fashion statement. Now it is time for all of the laid off tech workers to realize that having the latest and greatest so you can brag to your friends is not so important when you don't have a job.
That's the thing. What you described is generally developed markets, and as you implied, growth is quite stagnant with people are upgrading less often. Smartphone market penetration and growth are mainly in emerging markets, where people are buying smartphones as their first, or only "computer." And as such, the demand is for larger screen. As that's where the growth market is, that's where companies will tailor their products to match.
 
I hold out hope for the return of the mini form factor, perhaps some day when it comes with the "Dynamic Island" feature as well. In the mean time, I will roll with my fantastic 13 mini; at the end of 2023 I might pay for a battery replacement to make her run like new again.
I´Ve just sold my iphone 13 after one year used, and bought an iPhone 13 mini, feel so much better in my hand
 
I will replace my iPhone XR on day one when an iPhone with USB-C is available.
I was certain that my next iPhone purchase would be USB-C, but after some soul searching, I’m happier (for lots of reasons I won’t list) sticking with Lightning and a sim tray for a few more years.
 
No one I’ve ever met on android or iOS wanted a smaller phone.

Even older people who at first would gravitate to smaller phones, figured out quickly that they can’t see what’s on the screen.
Nice to meet you! :)

I love my 13 mini and I am 60. Hope to hang on to it for as long as I can. I have an advanced corneal condition called keratoconus (KC). I can see the phone okay with custom scleral lenses (big contact lenses) + reading glasses. Without correction I can read the screen well enough at 6" from my nose with one eye. I will not buy a bigger phone, ever, if I can help it.
 
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I don't think a full redesign is in the cards for 2023 - what else can they do with a device that is mostly a big touchscreen anyway? I suspect the 15/15 Plus will get the dynamic island (but still a 60Hz OLED panel), A16, USB-C, and probably some modest camera upgrades along with new camera upgrades. For the Pros A17, USB-C (with an actual jump in transfer speeds) and probably some more substantial camera upgrades along with something else to entice people who tend to upgrade yearly. Perhaps the 16 series may bring some tweaks to screen sizes along with other design tweaks.
 
Nice to meet you! :)

I love my 13 mini and I am 60. Hope to hang on to it for as long as I can. I have an advanced corneal condition called keratoconus (KC). I can see the phone okay with custom scleral lenses (big contact lenses) + reading glasses. Without correction I can read the screen well enough at 6" from my nose with one eye. I will not buy a bigger phone, ever, if I can help it.
I am 72. I have a mini 12 which I love. I use it for calls and music. For everything else (books, video, youtube, web) I use an iPad and a Mac. On very rare occasions with my mini in my pocket when I needed to check something on the web or use the maps app never had a problem with the smaller screen since I aleays wear glasses (like most seniors I know).
 
So 1 in 12 users want the mini back. Given that Apple currently has “only” 8 different iPhone models on sale (not counting color/storage variants) (and which includes the mini 13 at present), it may be a tough call.
How many of those people aren't buying an iPhone 14 though? Even if it's "only" a 5% sales bump by offering the mini model, that's still around 10 million phones.
 
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There is going to be a form factor refresh on the 15 (non pro) as the dynamic island will be included. The Pro models just had a refresh going from 13 to 14
 
And if the iPhone Mini drops to a once-every-three-year cadence like the iPad Mini… that sounds great! That's exactly the right update cycle for most people and their phones.

I'd love this too, but I can't see Apple doing it. I think our best bet is for the SE to be their "small form factor" phone, which I'll grudgingly accept.
 
How many of those people aren't buying an iPhone 14 though? Even if it's "only" a 5% sales bump by offering the mini model, that's still around 10 million phones.
Surely Apple has the best data insight into who is using which iPhone model, and is switching or not switching, or is defecting to Android, to make that judgement. I’m hoping for an eventual new mini model as well, though.
 
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