Kuo: Apple Betting 6.1" iPhone 12 Will Outsell 5.4" iPhone 12 Mini

[ActionableMango]

yeah, it would destroy the opinion that price was the only reason people bought the OG SE, not the size. Can’t tell you how many times I read here that there was no market for smaller phones anymore.

Kuo is living in a fantasy world if he thinks there isn't going to be a mass appeal for the smaller form factor, so long as Apple doesn't artificially gimp it all to hell in favor of pushing sales of the larger models. When my wife found out about this size she flipped, as she has been mourning the loss of her original SE since she decided to upgrade to the 11 Pro due to the improved cameras last year. She hates the thing, HATES it, and only tolerates it because of the camera sensors.
I tend to agree with her, as I've been using a second gen SE for a little over a month after selling my 11 Pro in anticipation of the 12, and though I miss the OLED screen and better cameras I had forgotten how nice a smaller, thinner form factor can be. I honestly forget I'm carrying the thing sometimes when it's in my pocket, and actually spent ten minutes looking for it the other day until remembering I'd slipped it in my back pocket. It's not that I wasn't aware on some level it was back there, rather I'd just gotten so used to the freaking brick that is the X and later form factor that it didn't register in my mind as "phone in pocket."

The problem is, a lot of us who like small screens bought the SE2 thinking that Apple wasn't going to release a smaller more premium phone. Although the iPhone Mini is what I really wanted in the first place, there's no way I'm buying a new iPhone just a few months after buying a new iPhone. I worry SE2 has effectively preempted iPhone Mini sales for many of us, and that the lack of demand from us will make it a sales failure.

 

[dcpmark]

The problem is, a lot of us who like small screens bought the SE2 thinking that Apple wasn't going to release a smaller more premium phone. Although the iPhone Mini is what I really wanted in the first place, there's no way I'm buying a new iPhone just a few months after buying a new iPhone. I worry SE2 has effectively preempted iPhone Mini sales for many of us, and that the lack of demand from us will make it a sales failure.

No offense intended, but there was AMPLE info out there that Apple was most likely coming out with a 5.4” in a small form factor at the time the SE2 was released. I remember because I said myself that once the 6/7/8 size of the SE2 was confirmed at release, I knew my last hope was the 5.4“.

Now I agree that the SE2 will take away from the 5.4 sales for all the people that want a cheap iPhone rather than a small iphone.

 

[aakshey]

He’s likely spot on about that. I used to be a phone reseller years back and remember it being more difficult to sell an iPhone SE than the iPhone 6 despite the better specs of the SE. Most people want the bigger phones.

Most people do NOT want the biggest headphone. Most people want the latest iPhone to show off.

1. SE looks exactly like the 5s. People assume you’ve a 5s. That’s not cool for most people.

2. SE was extremely small. So for some that ended up being a deal breaker.

Kuo doesn’t have special powers or insight to know which phone will sell better. He might be sharing Apple’s guesswork or providing his guesswork. Regardless, I’m confident it amounts to zilch.

I am confident 5.4 will sell 50-100% more pieces compared to the 6.1 basic. Most people want the cheapest up to date iPhone. Many people want the right size/smallest iPhone. Not many people want a phablet if they have to pay a premium for it. Those that do usually want the most expensive iPhone (which usually happens to be the largest Pro Max) so they go that way.

I am guessing regular 6.1 will probably be No 3 or maybe even No 4 in terms of units sold globally this year. It will be close to the Pro.

 

[femike]

The iPhone 5.4in is the same physical size as the iPhones from 6 to SE, not a small phone, but more manageable than the other models. It will be a big seller but Apple wants more of the other models sold for obvious reasons.
I hope for us smaller phone fans that the 5.4in is the biggest seller out of all the models.

 

[aakshey]

The problem is, a lot of us who like small screens bought the SE2 thinking that Apple wasn't going to release a smaller more premium phone. Although the iPhone Mini is what I really wanted in the first place, there's no way I'm buying a new iPhone just a few months after buying a new iPhone. I worry SE2 has effectively preempted iPhone Mini sales for many of us, and that the lack of demand from us will make it a sales failure.

I am guessing that’s only you. Everybody with basic awareness knew about the Mini for a few years now. And the lay person certainly didn’t dispose off their 11 Pro or 11 or whatever to downgrade to the SE2. They’ll be happy to do so now.

 

[DexBell]

If the iPhone mini had all three lenses, I would get that. My main goal is a good camera system.

They make actual cameras for that you know? Dont have to use your phone. So get your mini and a nice compact camera. You'll get the phone you really want and better quality photos.

 

[Scoob Redux]

Apple believes the 6.1-inch iPhone 12 will outsell the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini...

Not a surprise. At the low end of the market, buyers was the largest screen they can afford (e.g., 6.1" iPhone 12), since it is their only device for consuming content. At the higher end, consumers have multiple devices (MacBook Pro, iPad, Apple TV) and can afford to purchase a more purpose-focused (i.e. smaller) phone such as the iPhone 12 mini, or the original iPhone SE.

 

[mozumder]

They make actual cameras for that you know? Dont have to use your phone. So get your mini and a nice compact camera. You'll get the phone you really want and better quality photos.

The best camera is the one you have.

Don't be the dork that carries a dSLR to parties.

 

[DexBell]

The best camera is the one you have.

Don't be the dork that carries a dSLR to parties.

Im a professional photographer, I carry my camera lots of places. The chicks dig it.

Seriously. Id rather carry a camera that can get those party shots in low light then have to depend on my PHONE and its tiny, sucks in anything but bright sunlight, sensor.

 

[NBAasDOGG]

Not by much.
[automerge]1602536960[/automerge]

That would mean you have to go with crappy Android.

Crappy?
Most cheeps I know don’t disagree...

 

[ActionableMango]

No offense intended, but there was AMPLE info out there that Apple was most likely coming out with a 5.4” in a small form factor at the time the SE2 was released. I remember because I said myself that once the 6/7/8 size of the SE2 was confirmed at release, I knew my last hope was the 5.4“.

Now I agree that the SE2 will take away from the 5.4 sales for all the people that want a cheap iPhone rather than a small iphone.

I am guessing that’s only you. Everybody with basic awareness knew about the Mini for a few years now. And the lay person certainly didn’t dispose off their 11 Pro or 11 or whatever to downgrade to the SE2. They’ll be happy to do so now.

No offense taken. But if I'm on MR roughly once or twice a week and I somehow missed this, I have to wonder how the general public would know.

 

[kerr]

I wonder what the real interest is in a small form factor iPhone today? It's one thing to think back to how nice it was to carry a phone that fits in the palm of your hand. But as devices grew and the things we do on them took advantage of the larger size, I think the limitations caused by a smaller size will steer people away from an iPhone mini. I know this isn't an apples to apples comparison, well it is actually but not in the same way, but the iPad mini is an example of how going small doesn't always drive the volume that some thought it might. Same thing with the MacBook 12" or MacBook Air 11".

By your logic, Apple should not sell a 13" MacBook Pro because they also sell a 16" model.

 

[venom600]

Most people do NOT want the biggest headphone. Most people want the latest iPhone to show off.

1. SE looks exactly like the 5s. People assume you’ve a 5s. That’s not cool for most people.

2. SE was extremely small. So for some that ended up being a deal breaker.

Kuo doesn’t have special powers or insight to know which phone will sell better. He might be sharing Apple’s guesswork or providing his guesswork. Regardless, I’m confident it amounts to zilch.

I am confident 5.4 will sell 50-100% more pieces compared to the 6.1 basic. Most people want the cheapest up to date iPhone. Many people want the right size/smallest iPhone. Not many people want a phablet if they have to pay a premium for it. Those that do usually want the most expensive iPhone (which usually happens to be the largest Pro Max) so they go that way.

I am guessing regular 6.1 will probably be No 3 or maybe even No 4 in terms of units sold globally this year. It will be close to the Pro.

Your entire argument is asinine. You lambast Kuo and the original poster for not having insight into anything, then declare that you're confident that your numbers are correct. Based on what? Because you really believe with all your might that you're right and they are wrong? Your opinion is based on conjecture as much as theirs are, only Kuo has a reputation for having inside information and you're just a dude on a web forum with an uninformed opinion.

 

[Candlelight]

I prefer smaller phones. The Mini would be the only one I’d consider.

 

[jacjustjac]

I want a scale digital mock-up so I can see how small the iPhone mini will look on my Pro Plus Max screen 😂

 

[cibonak]

Ill buy the 6'1 and will chiise the ine with the best camera/value...

 

[H.E. Pennypacker]

5.4" is a mini! My iPhone 5 "nano" disagrees.

Lineup looks, let's goooooooo....!

iPhone 5? Wooooooow.

 

[mailman199]

6.1” will be smaller which will be nice

 

[Ramrod82]

I'm sorta happy I traded in my iphone xs max in. I loved it but after last update it began to lag. The widgets are a nice addition, but when I read two weeks ago or so that the phones wouldn't be that much different than the 11 series I decided to give android another chance. I have flipped flopped back and forth over the the yrs. I loved the my pixel 3 xl. The xs max did its job but with a $1000 trade in for the note ultra 20 I couldn't resist. The phone runs smooth as heck!! I used to hate Samsung!! Dang TouchWiz!! We will see I have only had it only 10 days. Plus side I can pay it off pretty fast. The 5G is nice but honestly it's sorta gimmick right now. It does drain the battery. There is supposed to be an update for this issue.

120hz is amazing! I wish apple would at least do 90 or 95hz. I mean there is so only so much phones can do now. Ya I miss imessage, facetime no I love google duo but we will see tomorrow. Cross fingers. I guess I'm in the minority who love face ID!!! Touch id is ok on samsung but face id is just perfect.

 

[UltimateSyn]

I want a scale digital mock-up so I can see how small the iPhone mini will look on my Pro Plus Max screen 😂

Wait. That already exists. https://www.macrumors.com/2020/07/28/5-4-iphone-12-images-in-hand/

 

[aleni]

Mannn I can’t wait to get myself an iPhone mini pro.

Sigh....

 

[aleni]

I love the bigger screens, but I hate handling them. I have an SE 2 that works very well for me, the bigger ones are harder to hold and use. The mini intrigues me as I think it is roughly the same size as the SE 2, though I am not sure how much bigger it is. I think it’s just a tiny bit wider or something.

Good news for you. The iPhone 12 mini will be smaller in footprint compared to your SE2.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Well, if I were to get a new phone, it’d probably be the 6.1” 12. Currently have a 7 Plus.

So I suspect Kuo is correct.

 

[incoherent_1]

“Betting?” That’s probably a safe bet given that they’ll almost certainly gimp the smaller model. Classic Apple logic — intentionally withhold features from the smallest phone, then later claim no one wants a smaller phone when other models outsell it.

 

[MartyvH]

I see the Mini like the Second Coming of Christ - in smartphone terms 😁 - all my hope was lost after seeing the XR/XS/XS Max and the three 11 models. But I'm leaning towards the 6.1 being more popular. The market is like that now. Look over the sizes in any store.

I couldn't stand to have a 6.1 myself. My impression from 2 years with the iPhone XS 5.8 was the sheer bulk and heaviness, also with a sense that it's more screen than I need and more premium features than I make use of. But people love the large sizes, for some reason. It was the only fault in an otherwise excellent phone.