Other iPhone Mini 15 coming?

[macdaddy43]

I have been saddened by the removal of the iPhone Mini from the Apple lineup. But I have been thinking about if Apple would bring it back on a 2 year basis - almost like an SE model?

Hear me out... What would/could Apple have done to the iPhone Mini 14 to differentiate it from the iPhone Mini 13? Both the iPhone 13 and 14 are in most respects identical: same chip, same screen technology, form factor, etc. The iPhone Mini 14 likely would have still had the A15 just like the iPhone Mini 13, identical screen, etc. It literally would have been the same phone.

Is there a chance we see a refresh of iPhone Mini 15? New chip - more efficiency, better battery, better performance, updated Wi-Fi and BT? There definitely seems to be a following for this form factor.

I wouldn't hold my breath but seriously, Apple didn't have anything new to give the iPhone Mini 13 so that's why they are still selling it. Maybe we will see a spec bump refresh once a new chip is ready for it? A16 perhaps - likely for the regular iPhone 15 models and saving the 3nm A17 for the Pros which we know Apple needs to differentiate as much as possible now on that line.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

SE will essentially be the new Mini once the button/chin design is removed.

 

[xxray]

Unfortunately, there have been near zero rumors, if any, about a new Mini model. In fact, the iPhone Pro models are supposed to get bigger displays in 2024. This is different compared to the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini models where we knew months to years before that they were coming based on rumors.

iPhone 15: Should You Buy? Advice, Features, Ordering

The 2023 iPhone 15 models feature USB-C instead of Lightning, faster A16 chip, the Dynamic Island instead of a notch in the display, upgraded camera...

www.macrumors.com

iPhone 16: Should You Buy? Advice, Features, Ordering

New Action and Camera Control buttons, A18 chip, camera improvements, longer battery life, and more. Available now.

www.macrumors.com

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don't think we will ever see a mini again. Too many people are in love with their luggage phone.

 

[estabya]

I don't think we will ever see a mini again. Too many people are in love with their luggage phone.

This. During the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 cycles estimates I’ve seen put iPhone 12/13 minis at 5% or less of the total sales for the 12 and 13 lines. The 14 plus seems to be about double that share at 8-10%.

As a 13 mini user I am dreading the day I have to switch to a brick of a 6.1”+ device. Really hoping someone at Apple gets a wild hair and we see another mini or similar in a year or two or three. Maybe similar to the iPad mini with ~3 year update cycle much like OP suggested. But I’m definitely not getting my hopes up.

 

[JPack]

Zero chance of it happening.

DSCC Reports June Panel Shipments for the iPhone 14 Series to Fall 22% M/M - iPhone 15 Series Panel Shipments Start Strong - Display Supply Chain Consultants

www.displaysupplychain.com

 

[snipr125]

Its unlikely OP but Apple may view the iphone Mini in the same way as the Ipad Mini, and will update it after 2-3 years. There are no rumours for a iphone 15 mini at all though, so maybe the 16 Mini?

 

[JPack]

iPad mini was kept in the lineup, just not updated. iPhone mini is getting completely booted from the lineup this year.

Besides, we already know the display sizes of iPhone 16 and there is no mini. Display panels always get locked in no later than 18 months before launch. For example, we knew in April 2019 that 5.42-inch was coming in 2020.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

After many years of big phones my spouse finally downgraded to the 13 Mini last week from the 13 PM. They no longer take lots photos so while the camera isn't the best the portability factors makes up for it. What really sold them is realizing spending 6hrs+ on an app when looking at the battery statistics meant they would literally not do anything, or very little, the rest of the day so the smaller screen and battery reduces the consumption urge. Phone addiction is real folks.

 

[maerz001]

SE will essentially be the new Mini once the button/chin design is removed.

Rumors say it will just be based on the 11 body

 

[one more]

I guess right now there is not so much incentive for Apple to upgrade 13 mini, with its A15 chip it should be totally fine to run most day-to-day tasks for the next 2-4 years.

So if you are really into this form factor, perhaps buy a 13 mini this summer before they disappear from official sale channels?

 

[estabya]

I guess right now there is not so much incentive for Apple to upgrade 13 mini, with its A15 chip it should be totally fine to run most day-to-day tasks for the next 2-4 years.

So if you are really into this form factor, perhaps buy a 13 mini this summer before they disappear from official sale channels?

This was my thought exactly. I just upgraded from a 12 mini to 13 mini in early May under the assumption they could drop the mini from the lineup this year.

 

[klasma]

Is there a chance we see a refresh of iPhone Mini 15?

No. They wouldn’t release a new model using the old design (notch), and they won’t spend the effort to reengineer the mini to the new design (dynamic island). Maybe they’ll start a new “mini” attempt in the next supercycle, or when they finally lose the notch/pill. But it doesn’t seem very likely.

 

[klasma]

SE will essentially be the new Mini once the button/chin design is removed.

I don’t see that happening. The SE has always reused a prior popular mainstream design, which the mini isn’t.

 

[snipr125]

The Asus Zenphone 10 is a very nice compact phone as an alternative to the 13 Mini. Amazingly you can also select between Stock android and ASUS's Android overlay. Has all the flagship features you could dream of in a small phone (up to 144 Mhz refresh). Obviously its not an iPhone though.

If Apple do not release another compact phone, then all we can do is wait for their foldable and hope they have similar options to the Galaxy flip and fold.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

This is pretty much your line up for iPhone 15 - 2023.

 

[rambo47]

My guess is that an iPhone 15 Mini depends on sales of the SE3. If the SE3 keeps selling Apple will skip the 15 Mini and perhaps release a 16 Mini, relying on the SE3 to fill the niche. I do expect to see another Mini model, but the longer Apple puts it off the more pent up demand they generate.

 

[StandingGoose]

The Asus Zenphone 10 is a very nice compact phone as an alternative to the 13 Mini.

No. The Zenphone 10 is not "compact". It is the same size as the iPhone 14. It is definitely not in the same size class as the iPhone Mini 13.

Asus Zenfone 10
5.77 × 2.68 x 0.37 inches | 6.07 oz

Apple iPhone 14
5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 inches| 6.07 oz
Thickness with camera - 0.44 inches

Samsung Galaxy S23
5.76 x 2.79 x 0.3 inches 5.93 oz
Thickness with camera - 0.36 inches

Apple iPhone 13 Mini
5.18 x 2.53 x 0.30 inches | 4.97 oz

 

[snipr125]

No. The Zenphone 10 is not "compact". It is the same size as the iPhone 14. It is definitely not in the same size class as the iPhone Mini 13.

Asus Zenfone 10
5.77 × 2.68 x 0.37 inches | 6.07 oz

Apple iPhone 14
5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 inches| 6.07 oz
Thickness with camera - 0.44 inches

Samsung Galaxy S23
5.76 x 2.79 x 0.3 inches 5.93 oz
Thickness with camera - 0.36 inches

Apple iPhone 13 Mini
5.18 x 2.53 x 0.30 inches | 4.97 oz

Yes its not the same dimensions as the 13 mini, but it has been specifically designed for one handed use (narrower than iphone 14).

 

[klasma]

The Asus Zenphone 10 is a very nice compact phone as an alternative to the 13 Mini.

It is as tall and as heavy as the regular iPhone 14, and also closer in width to the iPhone 14 than to the iPhone mini (it is a bit wider than the current iPhone SE even), so not really an alternative. I'm saying this as someone who found the iPhone 6 (same as current SE) slightly too wide for one-handed use, and who would prefer the weight of the iPhone 5/SE1, the mini already being somewhat on the heavy side.

 

[JPack]

My guess is that an iPhone 15 Mini depends on sales of the SE3. If the SE3 keeps selling Apple will skip the 15 Mini and perhaps release a 16 Mini, relying on the SE3 to fill the niche. I do expect to see another Mini model, but the longer Apple puts it off the more pent up demand they generate.

Who is cross shopping between a $429 and a $699 device?

 

[rambo47]

Who is cross shopping between a $429 and a $699 device?

I think most are size shopping and hoping for a deal.

 

[Paulokc]

I was hoping the mini would come back in the iPhone 15. Apparently it will not be coming back this time.

 

[sjperformance]

The iPhone mini died since iPhone 13 mini. It’s going to be almost 2 years now. It’s not coming back.

 

[RRC]

Nope, not going to happen. If you want a mini, get one quick as it may well get discontinued completely from genuine Apple Store inventory.