Sorry, iPhone Mini Fans: Apple Isn't Planning Another Small Phone

[Neil J. Squillante]

If customers don't buy phones it's the manufacturers fault, not the customers.

I suspect that several events from 2017-21 played a role in where we are now with a bunch of iPhone models growing thicker never mind taller. Apple held a summit in 2017 because of negative feedback from influencers. Apple promised to focus on “pro” users. In 2019, Jony Ive departed so Apple lost its minimalist champion. Covid resulted in blockbuster sales that masked a drift from Jony Ive’s principles.

Apple swung too far in appeasing pro users who comprise a small fraction of its user base. Most people want thin, not thick. Fashionable, not utilitarian. Light, not heavy. Apple slowly seems to be returning to its roots, perhaps assisted by new technologies, with the iPad Pro last year, the iPhone Air this year, and a slimmer OLED MacBook Pro rumored for next year.

I would not be surprised if the iPhone Air outsells the other iPhones. If the iPhone Air succeeds, it could become a line with several sizes, including a smaller one. There’s no need to use the word “mini.” Apple does not use different names for the two sizes of iPad Airs and MacBook Airs.

 

[Nic727]

I'm confused by the reactions here. If a mini iPhone sold like gangbusters, Apple would continue to make them. They clearly aren't, so Apple is not going to make them anymore. It's as simple as that. The market has spoken. Yes, I am sure there are small iPhone devotees out there, but size matters and if you don't believe me, ask my ex-girlfriend. (Get bent Emily)

Sure if you hide them or don't release any, it's hard to sell...

 

[dampfnudel]

Why should anyone stop talking about it just because you don't like reading about it? You're just going to have to deal with it. It's not as bad as mini owners dealing with the lack of a replacement anyway. It is what it is.

I’m not dealing with anything. I understand why some very vocal people keep hoping that Apple will make the unwise economic decision to bring back the mini. I still have my first iPhone, the 4S. I couldn’t believe how small and light it felt compared to my 14 Pro when I held them in my hands. I also couldn’t believe I once used a device with such a small screen. Holding my mom’s 13 mini feels nice until I miss the larger screen of my 14 Pro.

Apple thought they could find a significant market for a smaller iPhone with a decently sized screen and they were wrong. The majority out there have moved on from not only a 3.5” or 4.7” screen, but any screen size below 6”. A successful company doesn’t stay successful if they continue to manufacture products that are not selling well.

Now with that being said, I don’t believe Apple has given up totally on a mini replacement. Of course it’s up to you to if you want to call Apple’s future foldable a replacement or not. Maybe not necessarily the first one, but possibly a smaller version if the first one proves successful and Apple decides to expand its foldable lineup with a smaller version.

I’m just curious what Apple’s plans are if the 17 “Air” flops? Maybe they should test the water again with a new mini? At the very least it would make a few dozen people here happy.

 

[dampfnudel]

And how the trends goes, maybe even your last phone.

They still make flip phones.

 

[brgjoe]

All I know is whenever I see a 13 Mini pop up in the Apple Refurbished store, it doesn't last there long. So some folks are still buying this thing.

 

[iGüey]

They still make flip phones.

Yeah! I know! But this people argued against the foldables. So that was the reason for my comment.

 

[Deine Mudda]

Are you the type of person who carries a thick wallet with 50 cards, cash, spare keys and a small inflatable raft, or are you more of a slim wallet with three cards kind of person?

neither of the two.

 

[MacFarmer]

 

[sunapple]

neither of the two.

Okay I give up.

 

[platinumaqua]

anecdote here: I was in Japan and saw many locals using iPhone minis on the subway. Maybe there are regional variations on the populatiry of each sub model

 

[foggygray]

Yeah! I know! But this people argued against the foldables. So that was the reason for my comment.

They still make dumb flip phones which is a completely different thing than an over priced fragile foldable.

 

[Blaidd]

Loved my mini. But after going 14 Pro, I’m not going back. That little extra screen estate is much appreciated.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Loved my mini. But after going 14 Pro, I’m not going back. That little extra screen estate is much appreciated.

Which is great! (for you)

I just wish people would try to understand that only having large phones as the options is not good for everyone.

 

[Blaidd]

Which is great! (for you)

I just wish people would try to understand that only having large phones as the options is not good for everyone.

I totally understand. Like I said, I loved mine and I can see why a mini is needed. More choice is only a good thing as a consumer.

 

[geta]

It isn’t, and being able to comfortably hold, and use a phone with one hand shouldn’t be a big ask.

For a strange reason some people like to carry big and heavy bricks in their pockets. 🤷‍♂️

 

[phillyman]

The OS doesn’t work right on the 12/13 mini. It’s not going to be any good on a new small phone.

Yes this can be a real issue. Someone explained in a previous thread. I had never put two and two together but at times I have to shift orientation to get to a confirmation button or X that is inaccessible by the mini. Some mentioned in this thread that even Apple's own apps now can be difficult to navigate.

I only have it in Safari but the nuisance is becoming worse... Too bad but as like many other mini owners, I'll take the tradeoffs. Curious about battery life. Mine is bad, don't get me wrong. But I've never felt it to be a huge deal because I can usually top off through out the day without it being a huge issue. Do other mini owners feel it really is an issue to charge up every six to eight hours? That is what I estimate my phone would last under heavy use if I didn't charge it during the day.

Philly

 

[turbineseaplane]

The OS doesn’t work right on the 12/13 mini. It’s not going to be any good on a new small phone.

What are you talking about?

The OS works just fine on 12/13 minis

The screen is nearly the same size that was on an iPhone 8 PLUS!

 

[kjell]

The current iPhone lineup is like having to choose between a 16" and a 19" MacBook. I was hoping the iPhone Air would eventually come in a small version to fill all the gaps in the range.
I hate when they say 'If Steve was still alive...', but in this case I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have let this happen.

 

[turbineseaplane]

The current iPhone lineup is like having to choose between a 16" and a 19" MacBook. I was hoping the iPhone Air would eventually come in a small version to fill all the gaps in the range.
I hate when they say 'If Steve was still alive...', but in this case I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have let this happen.

And to also have people saying "anything less than 16 inches is too small! "macOS doesn't work on screens that small!"

It's just nuts

 

[jml12286]

I have a 16pro now as I love being up to date with the best cameras and usb-c, But everytime I see and hold a friends mini, I lust over it and want to go back to that size phone. Its so very tempting to forgo all the new stuff for a better feeling one handed phone.
I also just broke my arm, so having to one hand my phone has been eye opening to wanting a smaller phone again...

Might just snag a refurbed mini 13 if I can find.....

 

[foggygray]

And to also have people saying "anything less than 16 inches is too small! "macOS doesn't work on screens that small!"

It's just nuts

I’d take an iPhone mini and a 12 inch MacBook. The smaller the portable devices the better in my opinion.

 

[pshufd]

I’d take an iPhone mini and a 12 inch MacBook. The smaller the portable devices the better in my opinion.

My approach: iPhone 13 mini, iPad mini, MacBook Pro 16 and 4x27 inch monitors on my Mac Studio. I have the iPhone 7+ if I want or need a large phone or an iPhone 5 if I want really small and light, and, for those times when I don't need communications, the iPod nano.

 

[Aoligei]

I'll never get why people want these huge monsters of phones. Even my 13mini is to big for my taste. I may really go watch only in the future. I hate that big and heavy ****.

I never get why people want these small a** phone. The screen is so small, and if your eye sight isn’t prefect, you will need big a** font. And the screen only display five words per line.

The small phone also have poor battery life and it is sour to use. People have moved on, small phone is thing isn’t the past.

 

[pshufd]

I never get why people want these small a** phone. The screen is so small, and if your eye sight isn’t prefect, you will need big a** font. And the screen only display five words per line.

The small phone also have poor battery life and it is sour to use. People have moved on, small phone is thing isn’t the past.

I'm a runner. I prefer a light phone as a heavy phone results in a bit of imbalance and a lot of running shorts won't accommodate a large phone except in the back waistband and I hate having to reach back there to take it out. Most of my shorts have zip front slash pockets which work well with small phones.

 

[foggygray]

I never get why people want these small a** phone. The screen is so small, and if your eye sight isn’t prefect, you will need big a** font. And the screen only display five words per line.

The small phone also have poor battery life and it is sour to use. People have moved on, small phone is thing isn’t the past.

At least you have the option to not buy a small phone unlike those of us who like small phones.