iPhone 17 Base Model Rumored to Feature Larger Display

[nathansz]

Given the size increase of the 17 to 6.3", even if Apple relented and reintroduced a Mini it would probably come in at 6.1".

I honestly would be fine with an iPhone a bit bigger than 5.4” mini

not 6.1” though, otherwise I’d already have a new iphone

Whatever size the screen would be if its was the size of the mini 12/13 but with very thin bezels would be pretty nice

 

[turbineseaplane]

There's nothing wrong with the Mini phones not selling in the numbers of the other ones.

They were selling .. and it's good to have product lines catering to niche cases on high and low ends (size and price wise).

Ultimately you want to keep a diverse group of customers in your ecosystem and appeal to a vast array of use cases and scenarios.

It's crazy to me that people denounce this concept.
Are folks on the payroll at Apple?

If you don't want a smaller iPhone, why does it bother you if they were to offer one?

This is just nuts to watch.

 

[thiscatisfat]

Just 3% of U.S. iPhone Sales in March Quarter Were iPhone 13 Mini Models

The 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini continues to be unpopular with customers, according to U.S. iPhone sales data for the March quarter that was shared by Consumer Research Intelligence Partners (CIRP). The iPhone 13 mini had the smallest share of sales of all the iPhone 13 models, and it made up just...

www.macrumors.com

The 12 mini and 13 mini saw some of the worst sales numbers in iPhone history.

Still, Apple sold over 50 mil units combined. That’s not too bad given they has what, 5 other models to choose from?

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'd love to see how a renewed smaller iPhone effort would go when also not in the shadow of COVID (couldn't get to stores and try them as easily, or at all, when the 12/13 Mini were offered) as well as in this era where many are trying to reduce their screen time and tech exposure more to the essentials.

There's a market here that's interested in something appealing in this niche.

 

[TechRunner]

I honestly would be fine with an iPhone a bit bigger than 5.4” mini

not 6.1” though, otherwise I’d already have a new iphone

Whatever size the screen would be if its was the size of the mini 12/13 but with very thin bezels would be pretty nice

Something like 5.8" with thinner bezels than the 13 Mini seems like it would hit. It would be able to take a slightly larger battery and more camera tech, too.

 

[thiscatisfat]

I honestly would be fine with an iPhone a bit bigger than 5.4” mini

not 6.1” though, otherwise I’d already have a new iphone

Whatever size the screen would be if its was the size of the mini 12/13 but with very thin bezels would be pretty nice

Hear me out: iPhone 14 Pro premium build, 13 Mini size, edge to edge screen with no bezels and no notch/island, 16e camera, $899 without contract and no other models in their line-up (except for a larger Pro phone, loaded, priced for prosumers). It would sell like hot dogs during lunch time. The old Apple would and could do it, today’s Apple can barely pull off an exciting keynote let alone release an exciting product.

 

[EugW]

Something like 5.8" with thinner bezels than the 13 Mini seems like it would hit. It would be able to take a slightly larger battery and more camera tech, too.

More camera tech than the 13 mini would be going the wrong direction cost-wise. Apple took the more pragmatic approach here and gave consumers what they really want, which are modern features and a decent sized screen.

Actually before all the leaks came out, what I was expecting was a more expensive SE 4 with something like a 5.8" screen, 6 GB RAM, A17, and Face ID. Apple made it even better (for the masses) with a 6.1" screen, 8 GB RAM, A18 (with AI support), and Face ID, but unfortunately for $50 higher than I had hoped. For the next iPhone "e", they can keep the 6.1" size but reduce the bezels a bit more. And compared to the current 16 Pro Max, for the mainstream that 6.1" looks tiny in comparison.

For reference:

 

[turbineseaplane]

More camera tech than the 13 mini would be going the wrong direction cost-wise. Apple took the more pragmatic approach here and gave consumers what they really want, which are modern features and a decent sized screen.

Actually before all the leaks came out, what I was expecting was a more expensive SE 4 with something like a 5.8" screen, 6 GB RAM, A17, and Face ID. Apple made it even better (for the masses) with a 6.1" screen, 8 GB RAM, A18 (with AI support), and Face ID, but unfortunately for $50 higher than I had hoped.

For reference:

View attachment 2523841

For the next iPhone "e", they can keep the 6.1" size but reduce the bezels a bit more.

And compared to the recent Pro Max line of phones, that 6.1" looks tiny in comparison, for the mainstream.

What is your graphic supposed to be showing us or what point is it making?

It doesn't include anything before the X

 

[EugW]

What is your graphic supposed to be showing us or what point is it making?

It doesn't include anything before the X

It's showing that by today's standards, 6.1" is a small phone at Apple. And the same is true for Android phones as well. The world has largely moved on from sub 6" phones.

 

[digimc]

Yeah you’re right but that’s compared to all other iPhone models. The mini’s still likely sold millions or even tens of millions of units.

What I can’t understand is they still make an iPad mini which I’d estimate sells less than the iPhone minis. What makes that worth the effort to update and continue selling vs the iPhone?

Battery life was the biggest issue with the iPhone minis. The iPad mini is still big enough to get comparable battery life to the other members of the iPad family. whereas the iPhone mini lagged behind the bigger iPhones considerably. The concept of an iPhone mini was not the problem, it was just hard for the mass iPhone buyers to justify purchasing a iPhone that got such poor battery life compared to the larger models.

I think a lot of people really underestimate how important battery life is on a mobile phone and how instrumental that factor is in deciding which model to purchase.

 

[macbookj0e]

There's nothing wrong with the Mini phones not selling in the numbers of the other ones.

They were selling .. and it's good to have product lines catering to niche cases on high and low ends (size and price wise).

Ultimately you want to keep a diverse group of customers in your ecosystem and appeal to a vast array of use cases and scenarios.

It's crazy to me that people denounce this concept.
Are folks on the payroll at Apple?

If you don't want a smaller iPhone, why does it bother you if they were to offer one?

This is just nuts to watch.

Great post!

I find it weird how Apple make high end, niche, low volume products like the Mac Pro, studio, Hermes watch etc yet won’t make a low volume, niche, small phone in their best selling and most profitable market.

I’d love to hear Apple’s reasoning for this but of course doubt we ever will.

 

[Paul6s]

I think it all comes down to what people use their phones for. If you use it primarily for gaming and watching movies, a huge screen is a great benefit. For me, gaming and movie watching is all done on much larger device like a computer or TV. I want a small phone because for me the phone is primarily just used for messaging and email, communication things where a huge screen isn't needed or wanted. Being able to fit in my pocket and be unobtrusive is a bigger benefit for me. Plus I already can barely reach the top of the screen with my fingers when holding it, so it's annoying to use as is.

Fair comment. I use my 16 Pro Max for all of the above which is why I really adore large iPhones. I do at times miss the design and size of my iPhone 5 when it was more primarily used for messaging and calls like you commented but now it’s my go to device for many reasons.

 

[macbookj0e]

It's showing that by today's standards, 6.1" is a small phone at Apple. And the same is true for Android phones as well. The world has largely moved on from sub 6" phones.

The world has moved on only because they are the only size options we have a choice from. In other words we’re forced to move on to bigger phones.

 

[Paul6s]

You should consider buying a tv for your house, trust me, movies are so much better on a tv.

I do have a couple which I primarily use for my PS5 Pro / and my daughter’s Switch 2 and of course movies but there is something about being able to pull out my 16 Pro max in the car and watch a movie or watch you-tube videos at any time with that large screen is a really nice thing. 😎

 

[macbookj0e]

Battery life was the biggest issue with the iPhone minis. The iPad mini is still big enough to get comparable battery life to the other members of the iPad family. whereas the iPhone mini lagged behind the bigger iPhones considerably. The concept of an iPhone mini was not the problem, it was just hard for the mass iPhone buyers to justify purchasing a iPhone that got such poor battery life compared to the larger models.

I think a lot of people really underestimate how important battery life is on a mobile phone and how instrumental that factor is in deciding which model to purchase.

You’re spot on however I would say that for those that the mini’s sold to size was more important than battery life. For me it was anyway.

Maybe a good compromise (not that Apple are listening 🤣) would be for 5.8” mini like others have said. At least the battery would be bigger and I’d even have the phone 1mm thicker for even better capacity.

 

[digimc]

Still, Apple sold over 50 mil units combined. That’s not too bad given they has what, 5 other models to choose from?

I am merely speculating that Apple felt that continuing to offer an iPhone mini in the future would see sharper sales declines mostly due to poor or (poorer) battery life.

I think that Apple got concerned that a small/mini phone was always going to be somewhat compromised by its poor battery life. This wasn't so much a factor in the past, but I think it would have been a glaring weakness for a current mini iPhone compared to the battery life of a larger phone these days.

I think again, just speculating here, that it's also possible that Apple saw an already small market for a mini, getting even smaller as time went on.

Yes the minis sold ok for a while, but Apple has always been sensitive to battery life of it's mobile products. It's been something that they have chased for a long time. It's why they are concerned that even the iPhone 17 Air that isn't even released yet might need a battery pack, because Apple knows that is exactly the kind of thing that could doom the 17 Air sales, much like it did the mini.

 

[thiscatisfat]

It's showing that by today's standards, 6.1" is a small phone at Apple. And the same is true for Android phones as well. The world has largely moved on from sub 6" phones.

The world certainly didn’t move on, hands didn’t get bigger over the last 5 years.

I love the chart you posted earlier, I never realized how much bigger the 16 Pro Max was. That’s not even an iPhone anymore, what the hell?! 😀

I just recalled I owned the Xs too, I loved that phone! Bezel-less XS sized iPhone without a notch wouldn’t be too bad!

 

[TechRunner]

The world has largely moved on from sub 6" phones.

They have, but wouldn't it then make a 5.8" phone an enticing option not only for Mini worshippers, but for Android users seeking a smaller phone who find themselves stuck in a 6"+ phone universe?

I don't have a horse in this race, just enjoying the thought exercise. I've had a pretty slow day at work lol.

 

[thiscatisfat]

there is something about being able to pull out my 16 Pro max in the car and watch a movie or watch you-tube videos at any time with that large screen is a really nice thing. 😎

I’m calling the police.

 

[thiscatisfat]

Fair comment. I use my 16 Pro Max for all of the above which is why I really adore large iPhones. I do at times miss the design and size of my iPhone 5 when it was more primarily used for messaging and calls like you commented but now it’s my go to device for many reasons.

How do you do carry that thing around? Backpack?

I have the iPhone 5 on iOS 6 on my desk, just to remind myself of the “good old days”.

 

[EugW]

The world has moved on only because they are the only size options we have a choice from. In other words we’re forced to move on to bigger phones.

That's backwards. The manufacturers moved on to larger sizes because that's what the customers wanted. As I've said before on Android, even the el cheapo phones have screens bigger than 6". People would rather get a slower SoC, less RAM, lower end camera, and a lower quality screen, rather than compromise on screen size. In fact, a lot of the budget $200 Android phones are actually 6.5", bigger than the 16 Pro.

The other issue is that Apple has been gradually changing the OS to better suit the bigger screen sizes. Older minis work fine in iOS, but IMO the interface is extremely cramped now, since it is designed with mainly 6"+ screens in mind. 5.4" screens are basically an afterthought now with iOS design, since Apple knows that the 5.4" screen size will no longer be supported in a couple of years.

The world certainly didn’t move on, hands didn’t get bigger over the last 5 years.

I love the chart you posted earlier, I never realized how much bigger the 16 Pro Max was. That’s not even an iPhone anymore, what the hell?! 😀

I just recalled I owned the Xs too, I loved that phone! Bezel-less XS sized iPhone without a notch wouldn’t be too bad!

Hands didn't get bigger, but usage patterns and consumer preferences have changed, and as discussed above, OSes are also changing in response.

They have, but wouldn't it then make a 5.8" phone an enticing option not only for Mini worshippers, but for Android users seeking a smaller phone who find themselves stuck in a 6"+ phone universe?

I don't have a horse in this race, just enjoying the thought exercise. I've had a pretty slow day at work lol.

As mentioned above, I was actually predicting a 5.8" iPhone SE 4 before the leaks came out. However, I think more consumers will be even more happy with a 6.1" iPhone than a 5.8". I think the main valid complaint here for a phone aimed at the lower budget masses is the price. Mind you I think ALL of the iPhone 16 series is overpriced, not just the 16e.

 

[digimc]

The world certainly didn’t move on, hands didn’t get bigger over the last 5 years.

I love the chart you posted earlier, I never realized how much bigger the 16 Pro Max was. That’s not even an iPhone anymore, what the hell?! 😀

I just recalled I owned the Xs too, I loved that phone! Bezel-less XS sized iPhone without a notch wouldn’t be too bad!

😛

Yeah the Pro Max is actually really pushing the line for me. I think the sweet spot in 6.3 or 6.5 inches. Honestly the battery life isn't that much better on the Pro Max compared to the regular Pro and you still got all the other features, i.e. cameras, pro motion, decent sound, mics and antennas.

I think I will stay in that realm for the foreseeable future.

 

[Paul6s]

I’m calling the police.

lol! You know what I mean!

 

[EugW]

Yeah the Pro Max is actually really pushing the line for me. I think the sweet spot in 6.3 or 6.5 inches. Honestly the battery life isn't that much better on the Pro Max compared to the regular Pro and you still got all the other features, i.e. cameras, pro motion, decent sound, mics and antennas.

Apple states the 16 Pro Max has approx. 22-32% longer battery life than the 16 Pro. That's a very big difference. The 16e is similar to the 16 Pro, and both are longer lasting than the 15 Pro. What's truly shocking though is the 16e's battery life is almost double that of the 12 mini according to Apple. Apple says the 16e lasts 73-110% longer than the 12 mini.

 

[digimc]

Apple states the 16 Pro Max has approx. 22-32% longer battery life than the 16 Pro. That's a very big difference. The 16e is similar to the 16 Pro, and both are longer lasting than the 15 Pro. What's truly shocking though is the 16e's battery life is almost double that of the 12 mini according to Apple. Apple says the 16e lasts 73-110% longer than the 12 mini.

Oops sorry you are correct I was looking at the battery specs on my 16e as compared to the 16 Pro.