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iPhone 13 mini The future of small iPhones

tcatsninfan

tcatsninfan

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Original poster
Sep 23, 2022
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I've just upgraded from an SE 2nd Gen to a 13 Mini, and it's been a really great experience for me. I almost went with the SE 3rd Gen because it has the same A15 chip as the 13 Mini, but ultimately the OLED screen and squared off edges won me over to the 13 Mini.

This weekend I started thinking about the future of small iPhones, especially with the news that the next SE will have either a 5.4" or 6.1" screen. I know there was that statistic floating around saying that the Mini only accounts for something like 5-7% of iPhone 13 sales out of the 4 models, but is having a "small" phone really that crazy and unpopular?

I live in a big city, so I'm often on the go and use my phone one handed, and I almost never watch videos on my phone. I actually bought the regular iPhone 13 first but returned it after a few days because it was just too big for me. Even if the Mini is the lowest selling out of the 4 models, it seems strange to me that Apple would give up on the small form factor completely.

Anyway, I was just curious to see how other people feel about the Mini and if anyone has any predictions about the future of smaller iPhones.
 
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tcatsninfan said:
I've just upgraded from an SE 2nd Gen to a 13 Mini, and it's been a really great experience for me. I almost went with the SE 3rd Gen because it has the same A15 chip as the 13 Mini, but ultimately the OLED screen and squared off edges won me over to the 13 Mini.

This weekend I started thinking about the future of small iPhones, especially with the news that the next SE will have either a 5.4" or 6.1" screen. I know there was that statistic floating around saying that the Mini only accounts for something like 5-7% of iPhone 13 sales out of the 4 models, but is having a "small" phone really that crazy and unpopular?

I live in a big city, so I'm often on the go and use my phone one handed, and I almost never watch videos on my phone. I actually bought the regular iPhone 13 first but returned it after a few days because it was just too big for me. Even if the Mini is the lowest selling out of the 4 models, it seems strange to me that Apple would give up on the small form factor completely.

Anyway, I was just curious to see how other people feel about the Mini and if anyone has any predictions about the future of smaller iPhones.
Click to expand...
I don't think small phones are unattractive whatsoever. It's rather Apple makes small phones too thin so the battery capacity is not equivalent to a larger screen iPhone. Thats seems to be why they changed out the 5.4" iPhone 13 mini and switched to a much larger 6.7" iPhone 14 Plus. Compare that last mini to the two iPhone 14 models.

www.apple.com

iPhone - Compare Models

Compare features and technical specifications for iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone SE, and many more.
www.apple.com
 
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I prefer a smaller sized iPhone. My iPhone upgrade cycle went from Original, 4s, 5s, 6s Plus, SE1, 13 Mini.

I got them all at launch with the exception of SE1, I got it as soon as the 128GB version was released, and the 13 Mini.

When I went to the 6s Plus, I did so thinking that I would love the larger screen, but the only time I liked it was when I could hold it with two hands. I ended up hating the 6s Plus. I hated the design with the rounded edges, and the size was almost impossible to use for me one handed. Taking one handed photos was almost impossible without shaking the phone ending up with blurry photos.

It wasn't until my wife broke the screen of the 5s I gave her (which replaced the 5 I bought her that she also broke the screen), and I got her the SE1 at launch, opened the box and held it in my hand, then I realized that I had to go back to a smaller phone. At the time, the SE1 only had 64GB as max storage, and I didn't want to step down from the 128GB on my iPhone 6s Plus. But, the 128GB came out around 6 months later, and I jumped on it for my self. Sold the 6s Plus to a friend that ended up complaining about the size as well.


Earlier this year, I decided to switch from Verizon to Xfinity Mobile, and got a big discount on new iPhones. I went with the Mini to replace my aging SE1, and got my wife and SE3 to replace her SE1.

I prefer the size of the SE1, and really miss the Touch ID, but the Mini was the next size up. The 13 Mini is so fast compared to the A9 in the SE1.

tcatsninfan said:
This weekend I started thinking about the future of small iPhones
Click to expand...
I too have been thinking about this, at least when it comes to the smaller sized iPhones. With the 14 not having a Mini, what choices are there. I am hoping that Apple brings back a Mini for the next redesign, but was thinking of buying another 13 Mini while I still can to keep as a back up.

tcatsninfan said:
Anyway, I was just curious to see how other people feel about the Mini and if anyone has any predictions about the future of smaller iPhones.
Click to expand...
I don't (or hope?) that the Mini size isn't gone forever. While it may have only accounted for a small % of the sales, that is still a market that could be tapped into.

People that enjoy smaller phones will most likely hold on to their smaller phone longer instead of upgrading to a larger one, potentially costing Apple sales.

Maybe Apple might do a periodic release of smaller iPhones. Or maybe Mini-sized iPhones are gone for good as Apple might see every Mini sold as a loss of a sale of a more expensive iPhone.
 
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tcatsninfan said:
I've just upgraded from an SE 2nd Gen to a 13 Mini, and it's been a really great experience for me. I almost went with the SE 3rd Gen because it has the same A15 chip as the 13 Mini, but ultimately the OLED screen and squared off edges won me over to the 13 Mini.

This weekend I started thinking about the future of small iPhones, especially with the news that the next SE will have either a 5.4" or 6.1" screen. I know there was that statistic floating around saying that the Mini only accounts for something like 5-7% of iPhone 13 sales out of the 4 models, but is having a "small" phone really that crazy and unpopular?

I live in a big city, so I'm often on the go and use my phone one handed, and I almost never watch videos on my phone. I actually bought the regular iPhone 13 first but returned it after a few days because it was just too big for me. Even if the Mini is the lowest selling out of the 4 models, it seems strange to me that Apple would give up on the small form factor completely.

Anyway, I was just curious to see how other people feel about the Mini and if anyone has any predictions about the future of smaller iPhones.
Click to expand...
My assumption is that Apple may only update the Mini once every 2 years, maybe the uptake of it on a yearly basis is not worth doing yearly updates but maybe every 2 years like the SE.

So the Mini could go on to an SE release schedule, so come time for the 2024 SE they also launch 15 Mini or something like that in the March event in 2024 (NOT next year).

This is just an assumption of mine, there seems to still be people who want smaller phones and I think given the limited options in that category Apple may want to take the opportunity to lock in more people coming from competing manufacturers looking for a compact powerful phone.

Time will tell, maybe the small smartphone really is done for now.
 
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To say I prefer small phones is a big understatement. I’m still holding onto my SE1, and I have a backup SE1 as well.

But it appears the overwhelming majority of people love big phones, and/or are simply too used to them. When people see my small phone, some ridicule it, and some say they fondly remember using the smaller size, but pretty much all wonder how anyone can see anything on the small screen. It’s as if they have no memory of ~8 years ago when all smartphones were that size and everyone got along fine.

But the difference between then and now is now people use their phones so often throughout the day, that they have come to see the larger screen as indispensable, namely for more content and bigger keyboards. And some people enlarge the text (sacrificing seeing more content).

But for me, I have no need to see more content—because when I’m out, I choose to look at my phone only if really needed (communication, quick tasks), and when I’m at home or work, I use an iPad or Mac or TV for work and play. And if reading text ever gets more difficult, I’d be fine enlarging the text and seeing even less content on my phone. A phone is really just a digital pocket knife for me. It comes out if and when needed, only for as long as it’s needed. And the small keyboard preferable for one-handed QuickPath gesture typing.

As for predictions, it doesn’t seem like the overall trend will reverse. If anything, I think people want to get even more immersed in their digital world. I think phones are reaching or have reached their size and weight limitation though. The next step will probably be AR glasses.

I don’t have a problem with AR, and in fact I welcome it. Because 1) I think it would be very useful for how I would want to use it (sparingly). Though just like with phones, I don’t think the majority of people would use it as sparingly as I would. But as long as we’re given a choice, I can't complain. And 2) perhaps AR will end this era of companies trying to push big phones on me. Maybe we’ll get small one-handed devices to accompany our AR glasses since the glasses will provide us as large or small a screen as we want.
 
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subjonas said:
But it appears the overwhelming majority of people love big phones, and/or are simply too used to them. When people see my small phone, some ridicule it, and some say they fondly remember using the smaller size, but pretty much all wonder how anyone can see anything on the small screen. It’s as if they have no memory of ~8 years ago when all smartphones were that size and everyone got along fine.
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Most of this is caused by Apple making the more recent iOS versions seemed geared to needing larger and larger screens. They still haven't produced any iPhone designs that are some form of foldable design that would be durable. So you don't have the same product available that caters to someone that needs almost a tablet for a iPhone, or as a smaller design when you don't need to use the various apps over instead using it for cellular calls/texting mostly.
 
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subjonas said:
To say I prefer small phones is a big understatement. I’m still holding onto my SE1, and I have a backup SE1 as well.

But it appears the overwhelming majority of people love big phones, and/or are simply too used to them. When people see my small phone, some ridicule it, and some say they fondly remember using the smaller size, but pretty much all wonder how anyone can see anything on the small screen. It’s as if they have no memory of ~8 years ago when all smartphones were that size and everyone got along fine.

But the difference between then and now is now people use their phones so often throughout the day, that they have come to see the larger screen as indispensable, namely for more content and bigger keyboards. And some people enlarge the text (sacrificing seeing more content).

But for me, I have no need to see more content—because when I’m out, I choose to look at my phone only if really needed (communication, quick tasks), and when I’m at home or work, I use an iPad or Mac or TV for work and play. And if reading text ever gets more difficult, I’d be fine enlarging the text and seeing even less content on my phone. A phone is really just a digital pocket knife for me. It comes out if and when needed, only for as long as it’s needed. And the small keyboard preferable for one-handed QuickPath gesture typing.

As for predictions, it doesn’t seem like the overall trend will reverse. If anything, I think people want to get even more immersed in their digital world. I think phones are reaching or have reached their size and weight limitation though. The next step will probably be AR glasses.

I don’t have a problem with AR, and in fact I welcome it. Because 1) I think it would be very useful for how I would want to use it (sparingly). Though just like with phones, I don’t think the majority of people would use it as sparingly as I would. But as long as we’re given a choice, I can't complain. And 2) perhaps AR will end this era of companies trying to push big phones on me. Maybe we’ll get small one-handed devices to accompany our AR glasses since the glasses will provide us as large or small a screen as we want.
Click to expand...
Totally agree.

My phone purchases have gone something like this:

iPhone 3G -> iPhone 4 -> Samsung Galaxy S4 -> Oneplus 3 -> iPhone XS -> iPhone 12 Mini.

The Oneplus 3 back to iPhone XS change occured largely because of the XS's size. The OP3 was the absolute largest phone that I found reasonably comfortable to use and Android phones were moving from 5.5" 16:9 screens to 6.5", making almost every phone available larger than I would like.

I find the width is the most important factor. I find I make more typing mistakes on the 12 Mini compared to the XS because the screen is just a bit smaller. But overall prefer the more compact 12 Mini.

Like you, I have a Macbook Pro, desktop PC, TV and iPad Pro so for me my phone is not the primary tool for consuming content. I don't watch streaming services much on my phone, instead I watch it on my desktop setup on a larger screen or use my TV. Similarly any gaming is done on larger units. But for a lot of people their phone is their primary device so I can see wanting something larger than the Apple Mini models.

I don't see AR becoming the future anytime soon. Unless Apple can make a device that fits into existing glasses and projects on them, I just see too many issues with AR glasses. Needing prescription glasses, lots of people not liking how glasses look on their face and different face shapes needing different frames which Apple won't be able to provide as they usually only offer a couple of models.

To me foldables are the next step. They bridge the gap that people want out of a large phone or tablet while making the device when folded fairly compact and easy to handle for people like you and me who just want something that is easy to operate with one hand on the go.

I picked up the Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 just a few days ago as a local store in my country had a way too good offer to pass since I had been interested in the Fold 4 already. I got a Fold4 + Galaxy Watch 4 + Galaxy Buds Live for about the same price as an iPhone 14 Pro 128 GB.

I think the Fold 4 is a phone everyone who likes smaller phones should check out, because in terms of width it's similar to the 12 Mini. When folded the Fold 4 feels heavy (compared to the iPhone 12 Mini, the Fold4 is only slightly heavier than the iPhone 14 Max) but not awkward to use. It's a chonky boi but I don't find it uncomfortable in my jeans' front pocket. It then folds out to a mini tablet and that for me is a bit of a game changer in how I use my phone. I doubt I will use my 2017 iPad Pro much anymore and it will be relegated mostly to Sidecar display use.

Obviously if you are heavily into Apple then going to Android is no go. I don't care too much about the "ecosystem" or green/blue iMessage nonsense so I will just use the platforms that I like. I would imagine that Apple will release at least a new SE at some point that is based on the Mini since they like to reuse their existing tooling and parts like that.

Otherwise I don't see the big phones trend reversing until foldables become more common. That will take several years still as right now foldables on release are very expensive.
 
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subjonas said:
To say I prefer small phones is a big understatement. I’m still holding onto my SE1, and I have a backup SE1 as well.

But it appears the overwhelming majority of people love big phones, and/or are simply too used to them. When people see my small phone, some ridicule it, and some say they fondly remember using the smaller size, but pretty much all wonder how anyone can see anything on the small screen. It’s as if they have no memory of ~8 years ago when all smartphones were that size and everyone got along fine.

But the difference between then and now is now people use their phones so often throughout the day, that they have come to see the larger screen as indispensable, namely for more content and bigger keyboards. And some people enlarge the text (sacrificing seeing more content).

But for me, I have no need to see more content—because when I’m out, I choose to look at my phone only if really needed (communication, quick tasks), and when I’m at home or work, I use an iPad or Mac or TV for work and play. And if reading text ever gets more difficult, I’d be fine enlarging the text and seeing even less content on my phone. A phone is really just a digital pocket knife for me. It comes out if and when needed, only for as long as it’s needed. And the small keyboard preferable for one-handed QuickPath gesture typing.

As for predictions, it doesn’t seem like the overall trend will reverse. If anything, I think people want to get even more immersed in their digital world. I think phones are reaching or have reached their size and weight limitation though. The next step will probably be AR glasses.

I don’t have a problem with AR, and in fact I welcome it. Because 1) I think it would be very useful for how I would want to use it (sparingly). Though just like with phones, I don’t think the majority of people would use it as sparingly as I would. But as long as we’re given a choice, I can't complain. And 2) perhaps AR will end this era of companies trying to push big phones on me. Maybe we’ll get small one-handed devices to accompany our AR glasses since the glasses will provide us as large or small a screen as we want.
Click to expand...
I agree with everything you have said except.... after having worn eyeglasses for distance since I was about 14 and a couple of years ago at 61 having stopped wearing them when out and about as my vision has improved so I can get around very well without the glasses, I have zero interest in wearing a pair of AR glasses. The feeling of not wearing glasses to me surpasses any possible benefit gained by walking around wearing AR glasses. Others will feel differently of course.
 
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I’d might have gone with a mini if still used desktops, laptops, or tablets, but I’ve consolidated onto a phablet (+BT keyboard) for 99% of my computing needs for the past 3yrs and quite happy with it.
 
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I love small iphones like your good self OP. Don't get too wrapped up with the MR comments about the iPhone Mini or small iphones being dead or deleted etc, its all conjecture and own opinions at this point as Apple have not made a SINGLE statement about the iphone Mini. The fact is the 13 Mini is a part of the current iPhone line up, and because it has the same A15 chip as the 'new' iPhone 14, it is very much relevant.
 
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The small phone ship has sailed.
Look at Android. Smallest phone that is commonly available is the 6.1" Galaxy S22 (Sony and Asus are nowhere as common nor widely available). Even cheap $100 Android phones are at least 6.5" nowadays. Best selling Android phones are the Galaxy S22 Ultra and A13, 6.8" and 6.6" respectively.

I am starting to appreciate smaller phones as well, and the 13 mini is what I'm aiming to upgrade my 7+ to. But it's undeniable that the general market trend just prefer larger screen.

Consumers who like smaller phones probably tend to be in developed countries where they have a desktop/laptop, a tablet, big screen TV, etc. So the phone is not their primary screen. But bulk of smartphone buyers are in Asia/emerging markets. China and India are leading the pack, and for majority of consumers there, the phone can be their only device, or even their first computer ever. Thus the phone is used for both productivity and entertainment, and larger screen simply provide better experience.

Should Apple continue the mini? I would love Apple to do that. But it seems Apple didn't even see the potential of that niche of a market. They already dropped the 12 mini instead of keeping it on the lineup, leaving only the 13 mini as the small iPhone. The writing is on the wall. Next year, when Apple drop the iPhone 12, I can see the 13 mini goes with it.
 
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I followed the same recent path as the OP: SE 2020 to 13 mini. I guess I mirror a lot of the posters here in that I prefer the smaller form factor of the mini but I'm resigned to it being discontinued, at least temporarily. I don't upgrade every year, perhaps in a couple of years from now the smaller form factor will have returned in some form, whether that is as an alternate-year update cycle for the mini, or the mini becoming the SE, or by some other mechanism such as a folding phone.
 
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Jackbequickly said:
No longer manufactured after all parts are assembled. About time as it has not sold well for years.
Click to expand...

That's most likely not the case, Apple still build and sell the iPhone 12 for example.

I always thought the marketing of the mini was a mistake. Had it just been marketed at the iPhone 12 or 13 (5.4") I feel it would have sold much better. The "mini" name implies you are getting something less, and it would be budget friendly when it reality it was a flagship iPhone with a smaller screen size and wasn't much cheaper at all. I'm sure you had a lot of people who considered the mini and then backed out when they saw the price, and others who wouldn't consider the mini as they assumed they wouldn't be getting all the features.

Personally I can see them continuing with the mini as a separate line similar to the iPad mini. It won't have the latest specs but will be decent enough with an update and some new colours every few years and a lower price point. Having not to squeeze in new cameras, internals etc every year to match the larger flagship iPhones will help keep costs down.

It's also worth noting that Apple are rumoured to move to the iPhone XR/11 chassis for the SE. This would leave the mini as the sole sub 6" iPhone and there certainly is a market for this size of phone.
 
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tomtad said:
That's most likely not the case, Apple still build and sell the iPhone 12 for example.

I always thought the marketing of the mini was a mistake. Had it just been marketed at the iPhone 12 or 13 (5.4") I feel it would have sold much better. The "mini" name implies you are getting something less, and it would be budget friendly when it reality it was a flagship iPhone with a smaller screen size and wasn't much cheaper at all. I'm sure you had a lot of people who considered the mini and then backed out when they saw the price, and others who wouldn't consider the mini as they assumed they wouldn't be getting all the features.

Personally I can see them continuing with the mini as a separate line similar to the iPad mini. It won't have the latest specs but will be decent enough with an update and some new colours every few years and a lower price point. Having not to squeeze in new cameras, internals etc every year to match the flagship iPhones will help keep costs down.

It's also worth noting that Apple are rumoured to move to the iPhone 11 chassis for the SE. This would leave the mini as the sole sub 6" iPhone and there certainly is a market for this size of phone.
Click to expand...
Imo the 5.8" X/Xs/11Pro is the sweet spot. It's small enough (practically same size as current SE) without compromising battery life and Pro hardware. Would've been nice if Apple kept that as the standard iPhone size.
Imagine: 5.8" regular, 6.1" Plus, 6.7" Max. Would've been sweet. And they all have enough space for Pro level cameras, thus no need for "Pro" lineup anymore. Just one iPhone in three sizes. Seems simpler....

Oh well...
 
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Se is too small for me, but I could probably do a Mini if I had to. The one argument I agree with from Mini lovers is there's never been a Pro Mini. How many are getting the Regular Pro because of Pro features but would get a Mini with Pro features instead?
 
My hope now is that Apple offers an upgrade on-ramp every few years for people who prefer 5.4-inch phones, whether that be via an SE Mini or whatever. If I'm forced to choose between size and the differentiating features of so-called "Pro" phones I'll take the former.

My 13 Mini has a lot of years ahead of it if Apple doesn't do anything new with that size phone.
 
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So, after being a big-iPhone person for the longest time, when the 12 Mini came out I bounced immediately. The 12 Mini and the subsequent 13 Mini (in red of course) are easily my all-time favorite iPhones – supplanting the 5S as my prior favorite.

In the past 12 months, I had bounced back and forth every few months between the 13 Mini and a 13 Pro Max. Eventually I settled into the 13 Mini consistently.

When the 14 came out, I went for the 14 Pro Max. And despite the fact it's a totally awesome device, I just could not get re-adapted to the weight. It felt like such a chore to pick it up and put it down, to use it while reclined, etc. For the me of Sept-Oct 2022, the weight is now a huge factor in my enjoyment.

So I went down to a regular 14 (again in red), and am thoroughly happy with the decision.

I do wish the Mini would stay part of the primary lineup, so that it could be updated with more efficient chips, receive improvements to battery, etc. Sigh. T__T
 
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Hard to know what to expect. After the 12/13 minis flopped, I can’t see them making another small one for a while if ever. Which is why I just today ordered a 13 mini to replace my 12 mini. Might have to hold on to it a long while.
 
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Considering they still sell the 13 mini, they might consider the mini SKU a product that gets updated every 2+ years with a new iPhone series release. Since they still sell the iPhone 12, they’ll likely discontinue the iPhone 13 when the iPhone 16 comes out, which is far enough out that small form factor demand may be substantial by then.

I’d wager Apple has enough data to understand who the mini’s target audience is and can drive product decisions from there. I suspect most mini purchasers prioritize (in order):
- form factor
- features
- cost

If that’s true and if there’s enough of them (which they’ll be able to better gauge based on continued sales), that might warrant having both an SE SKU and a mini SKU.
 
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