Maybe some people like a smaller phone to carry around. The form factor is roughly similar to the iPhone 6/7/8/SE and they were quite popular for years.
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iPhone Mini Might Be Discontinued Following Apple Event This Week After Three-Year Run
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I went from iPhone 13 Pro to 13 mini. The form factor advantage is immediate, or let's say the phone goes back to a manageable size weight ala the Steve Jobs era.
But then the disadvantages are also immediately noticed: battery life absolutely lacks, and the heat building is considerably worse especially in summer. If I didn't run a certain apps / games on the phone I can imagine those two factors being less detrimental though. All in all I cannot see myself going back to heavier phones unless there is no choice, but now according to this news eventually I will have to...
But then the disadvantages are also immediately noticed: battery life absolutely lacks, and the heat building is considerably worse especially in summer. If I didn't run a certain apps / games on the phone I can imagine those two factors being less detrimental though. All in all I cannot see myself going back to heavier phones unless there is no choice, but now according to this news eventually I will have to...
It is the ideal form of the iPhone as it was originally meant to be:
i.e. used for short interactions.
But that time seems to be gone.
The insane amounts of times that we are now spending with our phones compared to 10 years ago, means that the screen is too poky for that.
And the mini's smaller battery gets burnt through too fast.
It gets worse: the iPhone 12-15 6.1 screen and chassis is a pretty good size for most people.
And the sucker punch for most people, is that's a lot money for a small screen, when just $100 more gets you the bigger model (the Plus has the opposite problem).
No doubt it will live a good life for the next 3-5 years in the hands of 3rd party resellers as reconditioned units.
i.e. used for short interactions.
But that time seems to be gone.
The insane amounts of times that we are now spending with our phones compared to 10 years ago, means that the screen is too poky for that.
And the mini's smaller battery gets burnt through too fast.
It gets worse: the iPhone 12-15 6.1 screen and chassis is a pretty good size for most people.
And the sucker punch for most people, is that's a lot money for a small screen, when just $100 more gets you the bigger model (the Plus has the opposite problem).
No doubt it will live a good life for the next 3-5 years in the hands of 3rd party resellers as reconditioned units.
This just goes to show that Internet echo Chambers don’t always translate into real products that the masses want to buy.
Mini iPhone is and always will be an extremely niche thing.
Mini iPhone is and always will be an extremely niche thing.
They could but they've chosen not too. Most likely other countries would follow the EU if they didn't and it would become logistically problematic.
Apple gave you what you wanted and it was a commercial flop.
Time to stop blaming Apple about being a part of the “tiny hand” niche.
This is a very strange thread. There are a handful of folks here who seem to be positively delighted that those of us who prefer small iPhones won't have that option anymore. 🤷♂️
I don't think only the size has been the reason for the poor sales. Yes, everyone here in Macrumor's forums knows that the difference between regular/mini is only the size and battery, but normal people who are not into technology may not know that. The "Mini" name may have led people to believe that it was a "downgraded model" - also because the price was a bit less, it then made them choose the regular model because they were afraid to buy something that wasn't good enough, and when the price difference had been so small, it was a no brainer.
Apple should have launched iPhone 12/13 without using different names like Mini. But quite simply launched iPhone 13, same phone, choose between 2 sizes.
I saw it coming. That's why I replaced my iPhone 13 Mini, which I've had since release, with a brand new one for approx. 1 month ago when there was a good offer on it.
The iPhone Mini is a perfect phone for those who understand how devices "should" be used. An iPhone must be easy to carry in your pocket, it must handle the day's quick tasks. Reading an SMS, replying to a quick email, searching for information on the web, listening to music and making calls, the iPhone Mini is perfect for that. You should not watch movies or play "big" games on a phone. Movies must be watched on a large TV with surround sound. Work must be done on a Mac, and entertainment and light work is done on the couch with an iPad in hand.
If you choose to do everything on a phone, I understand that you don't choose an iPhone Mini.
RIP iPhone Mini. I hope you will be resurrected in a later version, and preferably with Dynamic Island aned a"matte glass" back, like on the Pro models. It's also perfectly okay if you come back as the new iPhone SE 4th gen.
Apple should have launched iPhone 12/13 without using different names like Mini. But quite simply launched iPhone 13, same phone, choose between 2 sizes.
I saw it coming. That's why I replaced my iPhone 13 Mini, which I've had since release, with a brand new one for approx. 1 month ago when there was a good offer on it.
The iPhone Mini is a perfect phone for those who understand how devices "should" be used. An iPhone must be easy to carry in your pocket, it must handle the day's quick tasks. Reading an SMS, replying to a quick email, searching for information on the web, listening to music and making calls, the iPhone Mini is perfect for that. You should not watch movies or play "big" games on a phone. Movies must be watched on a large TV with surround sound. Work must be done on a Mac, and entertainment and light work is done on the couch with an iPad in hand.
If you choose to do everything on a phone, I understand that you don't choose an iPhone Mini.
RIP iPhone Mini. I hope you will be resurrected in a later version, and preferably with Dynamic Island aned a"matte glass" back, like on the Pro models. It's also perfectly okay if you come back as the new iPhone SE 4th gen.
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Apple has more than enough money to offer 3 phone sizes. I got the mini because I value 1 handed use, and want something small to slip in my pockets on the go.
We are not asking for much, all Apple has to do is put the latest processor in the mini to keep it current and I'm happy.
Really? There’s loads of complaints about the iPhone weight. For the pro’s anyway.
I think it’s more because a lot of mini fans are very obnoxious and also a bit insecure and also loud about it which is a very annoying combination.
It’s great if people enjoy a small phone. But there are very few threads where it isn’t mentioned at least once by someone.
My daily driver is still my SE first gen. I have a spare. Phones are too big.
I’m shocked… that this is news. I thought this was already a foregone conclusion. I already (A YEAR AGO! lol) made peace with the fact that Apple wasn’t going to make any new iPhone Mini models (and that eventually the 13 Mini would go away).
They removed the iphone mini and they made the pro as thicker as a brick? Well done Apple! As always!
If they remove the iPhone 13 Mini when the iPhone 15 launches, don't wait until next year.
Absolutely. The lineup is too confusing and messy anyway. Personally I believe, like my signature says, the lineup needs serious cleaning up. I’d make a smaller mini to absolutely own the mini name and I’d make the 5.4” bigger.
iPhone Mini - 5”
iPhone - 5.6” (perfect for many)
iPhone Plus - 6.2” (ultra thin bezel)
iPhone Max - 6.8” (each one 0.6” bigger)
SE1 iPhone in two sizes as the budget option (5” and 6”)
One phone in four sizes and one budget phone is two sizes. Feature parity across both lines and the smaller a phone the thicker it should be, to give smaller phones better battery life than prior lineups).
Kill every other iPhone and “Pro” naming and all numbers, and update the iPhone internal hardware only biennially. In the gap year add some additional colours. All four non-budget give tri-camera and aluminium housing (for weight reduction). If aluminium is good enough for a $5,000 “pro” notebook it's good enough for the premium phone—the best material for a smartphone re cost and weight.
An iPhone for every size and budget. Give both lines all the same chips (to streamline the iPhone marketplace and their app development and future-proofing) and start even the budget line at 128 GB. Plenty of other obvious ways to differentiate: Face ID, tri-camera, full-screen design, 120 Hz brighter display, giant storage size options like 2 TB and the bigger screen design options.
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Make the SE the new mini and make it thicker with similar battery life to standard size, non-pro iPhone. Instant win.