I think the idea of a "smaller cheaper" iPhone is where the misconception lies. I want a smaller, much more expensive iPhone. Small should not mean "low-end" or "cheap". It's like buying a Porsche 911 GT3 RS instead of a BMW 7-Series. The 911 packs a lot more performance into a much smaller package, justifying its $241k starting price vs. the $95k starting price of the 7 Series. Everyone has different needs. I prefer phones like I prefer cars, small with high-performance specs.
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Larger 6.3-Inch and 6.9-Inch Displays to Be Exclusive to iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
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It's not because the huge size is good for a mobile phone. It's because many (most?) of Apple's customers can only afford one device. They are cash-strapped teens, pre-teens, and other price-sensitive market segments. They live on their phone. They can't afford a second device. They can't afford an iPad or a MacBook or a Studio Display. They are lucky if their roommate has a TV they can share. For the low end of the market, a large phone is the only choice. For the rest of us, we're stuck with the huge format popularized by entry-level buyers.
That’s how I feel. I’m not interested in the 15 series rumors.
Yep.
If they won’t bring back the mini at least do a 5.8” phone. I liked my iPhone X.
I am a 12 mini user as well, so was commenting on the “give us a mini Pro” sentiment. Also, despite both 13 and 13 mini being “packed” inside, the heat distribution is better in a larger phone, due to its extra room.
That being said, Apple could still update a mini with a modern chip and a USB-C port, leaving the rest as it is.
Not kidding. 7” seems to be the limit for non-folding phones though.
As the market keeps maturing (aka more and more people already own a high-end smartphone), Apple will increasingly make sure that only iPhones Pro have good value/$ and mid-range and SE are lower and lower value/$.
The lackluster specs and upgrades on iPhones 14 and 14 Plus and the conservative spec bump SE 2022 got indicates what kind of iPhone lineups Apple is moving towards.
-More and more reasons to spend $999 or more, and vice versa.
I agree with those here saying that the iphone lineup just gets TOO big. And too complicated.
There was a time where there were small iPhones and there was NO choice, just storage options and colors. And the 5C. That was it. You could buy the iPhone or let it be if it was too big, too small, too light whatever. It was THE IPHONE.
Now this and that and something for everyone buy not really everyone. Why does Apple wants everyone to have an iPhone? It is all about profits these days, of course it was back then too but it had much more finesse and much more logic. Buy it or leave it. Apple was too "cool" to do it like all other companies. They had the image so they didn't need to make it complicated.
Of course nowadays Apple has gotten too big for its own good. So I agree with those shrinking the lineup.
If I would be boss I would have three normal iPhone size options as someone said here. 5inch, 6inch, 6.8-7inch. Mostly the same specs (which can be included in a small phone, otherwise the 5inch model needs a specs down). And a cheaper SE. That's it. No normal and Pro, no same size options with more and less specs. Three options. Small, middle, big. And a cheap iPhone. I wouldn't even sell a cheap iphone i think because most people nowadays can buy an expensive iPhone, even if it is on loan and debt (even so I would never do that, if you don't have the money you don't have the money). Then make each bigger size 200-250$ more expensive and here you go.
No one really needs the normal lineup. And you can make the device much lighter by getting rid of the stainless steel (pretty but heavy). But there is already a rumour for this years pro lineup regarding titan. Weight makes a big difference too in handling a device.
But 6.9inch and 6.3inch? The phones must get bigger then, the bezels aren't that big that there is room for 0.2 more inches to fit in. See size difference between 11 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max. 12PM is bigger even though bezels got smaller too.
I WILL STAY WITH MY IPHONE 13 MINI AND IPHONE SE 2016 TILL APPLE FINDS A WAY MAKING SMALLER DEVICES AGAIN (5.8 IS MAXIMUM FOR ME).
There was a time where there were small iPhones and there was NO choice, just storage options and colors. And the 5C. That was it. You could buy the iPhone or let it be if it was too big, too small, too light whatever. It was THE IPHONE.
Now this and that and something for everyone buy not really everyone. Why does Apple wants everyone to have an iPhone? It is all about profits these days, of course it was back then too but it had much more finesse and much more logic. Buy it or leave it. Apple was too "cool" to do it like all other companies. They had the image so they didn't need to make it complicated.
Of course nowadays Apple has gotten too big for its own good. So I agree with those shrinking the lineup.
If I would be boss I would have three normal iPhone size options as someone said here. 5inch, 6inch, 6.8-7inch. Mostly the same specs (which can be included in a small phone, otherwise the 5inch model needs a specs down). And a cheaper SE. That's it. No normal and Pro, no same size options with more and less specs. Three options. Small, middle, big. And a cheap iPhone. I wouldn't even sell a cheap iphone i think because most people nowadays can buy an expensive iPhone, even if it is on loan and debt (even so I would never do that, if you don't have the money you don't have the money). Then make each bigger size 200-250$ more expensive and here you go.
No one really needs the normal lineup. And you can make the device much lighter by getting rid of the stainless steel (pretty but heavy). But there is already a rumour for this years pro lineup regarding titan. Weight makes a big difference too in handling a device.
But 6.9inch and 6.3inch? The phones must get bigger then, the bezels aren't that big that there is room for 0.2 more inches to fit in. See size difference between 11 Pro Max and 12 Pro Max. 12PM is bigger even though bezels got smaller too.
I WILL STAY WITH MY IPHONE 13 MINI AND IPHONE SE 2016 TILL APPLE FINDS A WAY MAKING SMALLER DEVICES AGAIN (5.8 IS MAXIMUM FOR ME).
I can tell you having a 13 Pro 6.1” the phone WILL physically have to get bigger to accommodate a bigger screen. 6.9” is ridiculous, small tablets used to be 7”, now they want to release a none folding phone at 6.9”? I suspect the market for it will be limited, and you know they will increase prices too. And rumours still state the periscope lens will be exclusive to the biggest iPhone model.
If Apple wants to rejuvenate sales it needs a folding phone. I really like the Pixel Folds design, it’s too expensive sure but it’s a nice design.
And in 5 years, when the normal sized iPhone is 6.9 inches, people will ask if anyone misses the 6.3 inch iPhones.
Guess I’ll have to hold on to my iPhone 13 mini for years and years.
Don’t mix up “can‘t” afford with “don’t buy”. Most people can afford a second device. But they don’t need it so they don’t buy it.
Kids have their parents who can afford it.
These devices are still named “phone” but it’s only one small functionality of these devices. The age of Nokia and cell phones are long time ago.
For all the other tasks besides phoning a bigger display gives you an advantage.
This argument makes sense and sounds like the logic behind the iPhone 14 Plus, which should be best seller, right?
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I never had the X or XS. I bought a XR (with the slightly bigger screen) instead. I have had a 13 mini since the release date, and after having it for a while, I feel that the sweet spot would probably be slightly bigger than the mini but slightly smaller than the X. So like 5.6 inch screen would be perfect. And I really wish they didn’t include the hardware in the smaller phones for MagSafe charging because the battery on my mini doesn’t get me through a whole day, and if there was more precious space inside the mini dedicated to a larger battery instead of inductive charging hardware and magnets, that would be a superior choice.
For me MagSafe on my 13 mini is what makes it. It’s easy to charge in the car with a mount and I have the MagSafe battery pack.
One way the pack is great is it can be in the other room charging while I’m still using the phone then put the two together when it’s needed.
I don't know if my post was clear enough. I meant that the possible price increase this year will be worth it.