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For the first time in several weeks, Apple has repopulated its Refurbished and Clearance store with a range of iPhone 12 mini models, just days before the smaller form factor is expected to be dropped from Apple's flagship smartphone lineup.

iphone-12-vs-iphone-12-mini.jpg

For the upcoming iPhone 14 series, Apple is believed to be removing the 5.4-inch iPhone "mini" size in favor of larger device dimensions. Available options are expected to include a 6.1-inch ‌iPhone 14‌, a 6.1-inch iPhone 14 Pro, a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14‌ Max, and a 6.7-inch ‌iPhone 14 Pro‌ Max.

The 5.4-inch iPhone "mini" size was originally introduced in 2020 with the debut of the iPhone 12 mini, which was greeted with much fanfare for its compact size. The device was followed by last year's iPhone 13 mini, a largely incremental update. Apple still sells both models on its main store page, but despite the smaller devices' clear popularity among enthusiasts, Apple has deemed the form factor to be not popular enough to make a new iteration for the third year running.
It remains to be seen whether Apple will decide to continue offering brand new iPhone mini models after it launches its next-generation flagship iPhone 14 series, and given its successor model has yet to be listed in Apple's refurb store, the returning availability of refurbished iPhone 12 mini units is likely to be noteworthy for consumers who favor the smaller size.

Apple began selling certified refurbished ‌iPhone 12 mini‌ devices in July of this year – a full 21 months after they were originally launched – but demand has made them hard to get hold of for the last several weeks after news of their imminent demise in Apple's upcoming new flagship range.

The iPhone 12 mini provides the same feature set as the ‌iPhone 12‌, just with a more compact design, 5.4-inch display, and 15 hours of battery life during video playback, while the ‌iPhone 13‌ mini's upgrades over the ‌iPhone 12‌ mini are mostly iterative, offering refinements in terms of a brighter display, a smaller notch, performance improvements, and new camera software features.

The more significant upgrades include camera hardware and longer battery life, but at face value there is likely not enough to justify getting the new model over the ‌iPhone 12‌ for most customers.

refurb-iphone-12-mini.jpg

In Apple's Refurb store, iPhone 12 mini models are now available for as little as $529 for a 64GB version (a saving of $100), and as much as $659 for a 256GB version (saving $120).
Refurbished iPhones come unlocked and SIM-free. All refurbished iPhones come with a new battery, a new outer shell, and a new white box that includes all manuals and a USB-C to Lightning cable. All refurbished iPhones are covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty and are eligible for extended AppleCare+ coverage.

Apple says its refurbished iPhones are thoroughly tested and cleaned, and in our view, they are virtually indistinguishable from brand new iPhones. One of the only notable differences with a certified refurbished ‌iPhone‌ is that it comes in a plainer box.

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 14 series at its "Far Out" media event on Wednesday, September 7. Check out our guide for everything we're expected to see at Apple's upcoming event and be sure to visit MacRumors over the coming week for comprehensive minute-by-minute coverage of all the breaking developments.

(Thanks, Jason!)

Article Link: iPhone Mini Models Hit Apple's Refurb Store Just Days Before Debut of Larger iPhone 14 Series
 
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Are they going to adjust pricing when the 14 launches? $529 would be the price of a non-refurbished 12 mini when the 11 is eliminated from the line-up.
 
So you can buy a used iPhone 12 mini for $170 less than a brand new one when it came out almost two years ago? What a steal!
 
Yeah, insane pricing. Makes me worry about if the 13 mini will get a much or any cut next week.
I mean are the really going to cut the price of the 13 mini 128GB $100 to $599 when the 12 mini 128GB refurbished is $579?
Not sure where this narrative came from that Apple would lower the price of the 13 Mini. They didn’t lower the MBA M1 price and with the 14 series supposedly getting a price increase if the Mini does stay in the lineup there will be no price drop. Literally the same thing they did with the MBA lineup.
 
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I'm curious if Apple is going to convince me to upgrade from my 12 mini on Wednesday. My plan is to get the battery replaced (I'm down to 84% and the battery life was never great to begin with) and get another year of use out of it. But I can't count out that Apple might persuade me to make a move and sell my 12 mini and get one of the 14s.
 
My wife’s 8 was dying so I just bought her a 13 mini. She wanted a smaller phone and The battery life on the 12 mini was an issue for her. Didn’t want to Run the risk that Apple will discontinue the 13 mini. She keeps her phones until they break so the price difference wasn’t a major concern.
 
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My wife’s 8 was dying so I just bought her a 13 mini. She wanted a smaller phone and The battery life on the 12 mini was an issue for her. Didn’t want to Run the risk that Apple will discontinue the 13 mini. She keeps her phones until they break so the price difference wasn’t a major concern.
I can understand why you would choose the 13 mini over the 12 mini, but the 12 mini battery life was better than the iPhone 8 even when both were new.

Sorry, so many people have posted untrue exaggerations about supposed limitations of the mini that I’m a little touchy about it.
 
I'm curious if Apple is going to convince me to upgrade from my 12 mini on Wednesday. My plan is to get the battery replaced (I'm down to 84% and the battery life was never great to begin with) and get another year of use out of it. But I can't count out that Apple might persuade me to make a move and sell my 12 mini and get one of the 14s.
You may want to consider upgrading the battery through the Apple iPhone Battery service.
 
I can understand why you would choose the 13 mini over the 12 mini, but the 12 mini battery life was better than the iPhone 8 even when both were new.

Sorry, so many people have posted untrue exaggerations about supposed limitations of the mini that I’m a little touchy about it.
There was nothing untrue or exaggerated about what I said. We wanted the best battery life possible for a small phone. That’s all. I made no other comparisons other than to say the battery life of the 12 mini was an issue for her

You should read posts more carefully before criticizing and critiquing.
 
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