I hope this isn't an either or decision for Apple, but rather they can both exist in the lineup. The two iPhones are for totally different users and use cases.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Report Suggests iPhone 14 Plus More Popular Than iPhone 13 Mini
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
A better comparison will would be with the same period as the 12 mini.
Only deluded fools think a smart phone can replace a lap top, in poorer country's they have cheap lap tops as well and they're certainly not buying Pro Max's 😏
The reason Pro Max is outselling the Pro, is predominately a bigger battery and often it gets better camera specs as well
Eh, Apple was right about what they were referring to. A larger phone is much more awkward to use, and the size of the 5S remains imminently more pocketable, portable, and one-handed friendly.
That people prioritize a larger screen, or bigger battery, or any other features above ease of use doesn't make them "wrong" or Apple "wrong", it's just prioritizing differently. Apple often zags when others zig, but no company selling consumer products is immune to market forces.
You're not! a poor battery & second tier materials is the main reason I reluctantly went with the 13 Pro, instead of the Mini (I can do without the telephoto lens) which is now impossible to fit into a mini....I would be even happier if the Mini became a 5.7" which in my opinion is the optimum size for a smart phone
I agree there is potential for this, but one small nit: the original SE didn’t “brung back” the 5S form factor in the strict sense. In fact, it replaced the 5S while it was still on the market.
Later, the SE 2020 did the same with iPhone 8. There were rumors the “SE 4” would genuinely bring back the now discontinued XR form factor, but it looks increasingly unlikely, with a design based on an in-production model perhaps getting the nod instead.
None of this means Apple won’t ever bring back an iPhone chassis that is out of production, but it does suggest a possible pattern for their re-use strategy. However, even if true, this might not be doom and gloom if…
Or, what if they keep the 13 Mini around in September instead of retiring it? How? Allow the 13 to drop off instead of moving down into the $599 slot, and just leave the 13 Mini there as is. Maybe even remove the 13 designation from the Mini too, signaling its new place as a “generation-less” product.
That not only keeps a Mini for the niche that buys it (just like the iPad Mini and Mac Mini are now permanent fixtures with lengthy update cycles because that’s all the market requires of them), but also rids the lineup of the overlap between the 13 and 14 which have very similar specs including the same processor, with the $100 price gap no-doubt costing Apple margin in cannibalization from the cheaper product.
Last edited:
I think that number was pretty small as it was only $100 different whereas the 14 Plus is $200 different than the 14 Pro Max. I think that is one of the reasons the mini didn't sell well. It was $100 too high IMO and really wasn't a good value compared the the regular 12 and 13 which got much better battery life in addition to having the larger screen. The mini really only appealed to people who wanted a smaller device (like myself).
What "legit" news has been saying that the mini did better than the Plus? There had been reports the pre-orders for the mini were better than the Plus but those don't necessarily reflect overall actual sales for the year.
I work from my phone and macbook pro 14. But my primary device mobile device is my ipad mini with 5g. I've been waiting on a deal for a iphone 13 mini from my carrier so I can give my wife my iphone 14 pro max. She uses an iphone 13 as her main device besides her work laptop, but also does work on the phone so she roasts the battery through the day and can't keep up with charging it throughout the day because of how she always has to be on it. She is someone who would benefit from the bigger phone. Whereas I would be fine with a 13 mini.
However, I do have big hands so the size of the large phone is not an issue. I just like the mini because it reminds me of phones of old. My screen time on my 14pm is really low compared to my other devices so it makes sense for me to not even have a flagship device.
However, I do have big hands so the size of the large phone is not an issue. I just like the mini because it reminds me of phones of old. My screen time on my 14pm is really low compared to my other devices so it makes sense for me to not even have a flagship device.
The 13 mini is $100 less than the 12 mini was, so that would muddy the comparison.
Aside from form factor, I liked that for $400 less than the “regular” phone [pro] price, I also got an iPad mini 6 on sale.
Last edited:
The problem with the mini and the plus is Apple is making significant compromises believing that screen size and budget are the only two levers that will generate sales. I don't think they actually know what the market wants outside of the mainstream two-size devices (iPhone/Pro and Pro Max). They thought budget was the way to go for volume so the SE/mini was created. Then they thought screen size was the lever so the plus was created. Turns out both are not correct. So perhaps Apple is just not reading the market correctly or the market is telling them that they should focus on 2 or maybe 3 models and leave it at that.
Still, my preference has been and continues to be a mini pro. I know Apple won't do it but the current state of affairs is having me rethink my commitment to the iPhone.
Still, my preference has been and continues to be a mini pro. I know Apple won't do it but the current state of affairs is having me rethink my commitment to the iPhone.
Actually, the difference between the 14 Plus and 14 Pro Max is $170. The Plus just happens to be eligible for a $30 connectivity discount.
The price point on the 14 and 14 Plus is more affordable than the 14 Pro lineup for the majority. My daughter got the 14 Plus and told me that it was way better deal than her 12 Pro Max was.
Wasn't the 13 Mini the second iteration at the same size? If so, and the 14 Plus is the first iteration of its size and class, shouldn't we compare against the 12 Mini?
I love my 13 mini. I'd love a Pro mini if Apple offered one. My partner is finally retiring her OG SE this year and getting a 13 mini as well.
Long live one-hand-capable phones!
Long live one-hand-capable phones!
Well, duh. Most of us want a big phone, not a small one.
It is now, but it wasn't when it was released. That is the priced the 13 mini at the same price the 12 mini was when both were released.
Agree
The only reason I haven't bough a mini, is battery life and second class materials!
My wife bought a 14+ because she has a purse. I bought a 13 mini because I have pockets.
I don't know about other Mini lovers, but for me, its discontinuation has had the interesting and unforeseen consequence of making me reevaluate exactly what I need my phone to do. That is, I've realized that when I'm away from the house, I really just use the phone for calls, texting, camera, and CarPlay. Of those, the camera is really the only thing that gets updated regularly and that might cause me to get new phone envy. But really, the camera on my 13 mini is pretty nice and it would take a significant upgrade to make me want a new one.
So, as a result, I'm thinking that my typical 2-year stint with each model is going to go a 4-year stint. And what I'll probably do is get an iPad mini to use around the house when I would normally have my phone out. And in my family, those get replaced maybe every ... six years? Financially, it would be a wash, if not cheaper; and hopefully at some point in the next 4 years Apple will experiment again with a small phone.
And, like others, I firmly believe that Apple would have better luck with a Mini Pro - or really, a Mini Ultra would be the thing for me. Give me a durable phone that's small but thicker, sapphire screen, titanium case, and no camera bump. I'd eat that up, and would gladly pay a Pro Max price for it.
It seems to me like the Mini crowd is loyal enough to warrant a new model every four years. I think the problem was't the sales figure in itself, but rather Apple's poor prediction of what those sales would be. I mean, I'm pretty sure that it sold better than any Mac model they make - same probably for AppleTVs, HomePods, etc - so it isn't as if they can't make it work financially.
So, as a result, I'm thinking that my typical 2-year stint with each model is going to go a 4-year stint. And what I'll probably do is get an iPad mini to use around the house when I would normally have my phone out. And in my family, those get replaced maybe every ... six years? Financially, it would be a wash, if not cheaper; and hopefully at some point in the next 4 years Apple will experiment again with a small phone.
And, like others, I firmly believe that Apple would have better luck with a Mini Pro - or really, a Mini Ultra would be the thing for me. Give me a durable phone that's small but thicker, sapphire screen, titanium case, and no camera bump. I'd eat that up, and would gladly pay a Pro Max price for it.
It seems to me like the Mini crowd is loyal enough to warrant a new model every four years. I think the problem was't the sales figure in itself, but rather Apple's poor prediction of what those sales would be. I mean, I'm pretty sure that it sold better than any Mac model they make - same probably for AppleTVs, HomePods, etc - so it isn't as if they can't make it work financially.
Last edited: