If you’re truly frugal then there are better value phones in the Android world. The Mini being only $100 less than the regular 13 doesn’t really make it a much of a better value. For only $100 more you get a bigger battery, screen, and better speakers. And to me, that’s what hurts the Mini…it’s just priced too close to the 13 and most people see more value in spending that extra $100. The Mini is truly for people who just love the size and want an iPhone.
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iPhone 13 mini The future of small iPhones
- Thread starter tcatsninfan
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If you’re truly frugal then there are better value phones in the Android world. The Mini being only $100 less than the regular 13 doesn’t really make it a much of a better value. For only $100 more you get a bigger battery, screen, and better speakers. And to me, that’s what hurts the Mini…it’s just priced too close to the 13 and most people see more value in spending that extra $100. The Mini is truly for people who just love the size and want an iPhone.
I am a huge fan of “candy” phones, hell my first phone ever was a sanyo scp-6400, I wish we got a modern update, sometimes all I want is just a simple phone that dials and answers people, smartphones have gotten so convulated and lost in apps that they are not the “best” dedicated devices they aimed to replace I think, 🤭
The main reason for self to get larger phones is my aging eyes.
You pay for it by the bulkiness of the larger phone, but in the end, you get very good battery life and your eyes will thank you.
Many people also use their phones as a mini computer and many don't play games or view much media content on the smartphone so don't care about those things so having a larger screen is helpful.
You pay for it by the bulkiness of the larger phone, but in the end, you get very good battery life and your eyes will thank you.
Many people also use their phones as a mini computer and many don't play games or view much media content on the smartphone so don't care about those things so having a larger screen is helpful.
This is my point though: the price is too high for the target audience. They want a cheap phone more than they want the smallest, or else they wouldn’t opt for the bigger phones with more “bang for your buck”
Amidst all of the speculation and snarkiness we really don't know what the Apple folks have decided regarding the mini series. Clearly the marketing folks are targeting many different groups with the various iPhone models and I seriously doubt that any of them expect that each phone model would have the equivalent sales volume year after year. They don't release different versions of SEs every year, it would make sense that they would space out the mini model versions as well. It would be foolish for Apple to turn their backs on people who like to have smaller phones.
To me, small size = cheaper model like the iPhone SE.
I can understand that people who spend a lot of money on the latest model, either Pro or not, want it all; including a big screen. Users who are happy with a smaller form factor probably don't need/want all the latest tech. So the SE would be a perfect candidate for a small iPhone imho.
My dream phone would be this:
Size and shape of the iPhone SE 1st Gen + thin bezels and no home button + Touch ID on the side button
I can understand that people who spend a lot of money on the latest model, either Pro or not, want it all; including a big screen. Users who are happy with a smaller form factor probably don't need/want all the latest tech. So the SE would be a perfect candidate for a small iPhone imho.
My dream phone would be this:
Size and shape of the iPhone SE 1st Gen + thin bezels and no home button + Touch ID on the side button
Personally, I'm not really a mini person... I prefer a larger screen. However, there seems to be a sizable and vocal following for a smaller form iPhone. It's just too bad Apple doesn't seem to want to give in to that demand, or market a small device that would actually be worthwhile.
Unfortunately, I doubt there will be another mini iPhone for some time... Apple probably looked at the mini's weaker sales as a sign people didn't actually want it, but I have a feeling it has more to do with the fact they didn't give it the more premium options available on the Pro line.
If I was in charge of these decisions, I would just drop the non-Pro line altogether. There's the SE and also last year's models for people who want something more affordable. The differences between the regular and Pro lines is becoming more stark too, and there's just not a lot of compelling reasons to shell out extra money for a device that doesn't stand out much or isn't much different from last year's model.
Instead, Apple should make all new iPhones "Pro" across the board, but instead give us a mini, middle size, and large option. It's so much less convoluted.
Unfortunately, I doubt there will be another mini iPhone for some time... Apple probably looked at the mini's weaker sales as a sign people didn't actually want it, but I have a feeling it has more to do with the fact they didn't give it the more premium options available on the Pro line.
If I was in charge of these decisions, I would just drop the non-Pro line altogether. There's the SE and also last year's models for people who want something more affordable. The differences between the regular and Pro lines is becoming more stark too, and there's just not a lot of compelling reasons to shell out extra money for a device that doesn't stand out much or isn't much different from last year's model.
Instead, Apple should make all new iPhones "Pro" across the board, but instead give us a mini, middle size, and large option. It's so much less convoluted.
you want Apple to drop their most popular model? The regular 6.1in iPhone 13 sold the most out of all the 13 models (mini, pro, pro max)
iPhone 13 Is The Best Selling iPhone In Recent Years
iPhone 13 is the best-selling iPhone of the first quarter of 2022. CIRP published a detailed report highlighting the sales number of iPhones.
fossbytes.com
iPhone 13 sales still looking robust even ahead of new iPhone launch | AppleInsider
Just weeks before a new iPhone launches, carrier sales data suggests that fewer people are waiting for Apple's September event to update and doing it now instead, compared to past cycles.
appleinsider.com
Best selling smartphone: iPhone 13 comes out on top - 9to5Mac
Apple continues to lead the “global best-selling smartphone list,” according to new data from Counterpoint Research. According to data for...
9to5mac.com
I think it remains to be seen if the regular iPhone 14 will be as popular as the regular iPhone 13... Early signs suggest demand is lower than expected.you want Apple to drop their most popular model? The regular 6.1in iPhone 13 sold the most out of all the 13 models (mini, pro, pro max)
iPhone 13 Is The Best Selling iPhone In Recent Years
iPhone 13 is the best-selling iPhone of the first quarter of 2022. CIRP published a detailed report highlighting the sales number of iPhones.
iPhone 13 sales still looking robust even ahead of new iPhone launch | AppleInsider
Just weeks before a new iPhone launches, carrier sales data suggests that fewer people are waiting for Apple's September event to update and doing it now instead, compared to past cycles.
Best selling smartphone: iPhone 13 comes out on top - 9to5Mac
Apple continues to lead the “global best-selling smartphone list,” according to new data from Counterpoint Research. According to data for...
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/28/apple-reverses-iphone-14-plan-boost-production/
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/09/30/more-signs-of-low-iphone-14-demand-emerge/
Again, I don't think any company wants to purposely limit the number of choices that potential buyers can select from. Smart companies will market different models aimed at different target consumers. As long as the product line does not lose money, the company will maintain production of that model. They certainly do not want to lose market share to other competitors--in Apples case, they desire to keep as many people within the iOS product environment. There is some overlap in the consumers appeal for the 14, 14 plus, 14 pro, 14 pro max, SE, and 13 mini iPhones, but consumers like choices and will buy what suits them best--whether is it the latest and greatest, features, size, or pricing. I appreciate Apple having a variety of products.
If a bureaucracy did product sales, they would have one product and not offer any choices. Examples are Medicare, Social Security, public education, etc.
If a bureaucracy did product sales, they would have one product and not offer any choices. Examples are Medicare, Social Security, public education, etc.
Give me a new phone like the 5s and it's an instant buy - stack it with two batteries I don't care!
Naming it iPhone Compact might have been better, and marketing as being handy and light (similar to how they market the MacBook Air) instead of just small or cute-ish “mini”.
They'll discontinue the 13 mini in 2025 at the latest, due to the new EU law mandating USB-C.
(Incidentally, the same is true for all other currently existing iPhone models. How Apple will transition the lineup will be interesting. Maybe there'll be an iPhone 14 USB-C edition.)
You mean on the top button. Moving it to the side would be a downgrade at that size.
It’s not strange to me that Apple wants a mid-high range option as well but it’s weird they even called it a 14 model. It’s a 13S at most. I think everyone is going for the 14 Pro this year because the feature differences are even more stark than last year and if you were in the market for something more budget friendly and are coming from an older phone then the 13 is still a very good option due to the lack of changes to the 14.
It makes sense that they keep models for people that don’t want to spend $1k on a phone and the features trickle down from year to year. Same thing with the iPad Air and iPad Pro.
I think everything you said in this post is wrong lol. I want to buy the best phone/camera possible because when I do use my phone/camera, I want the best possible performance. It’s just that I really value a smaller size (size is relative and subjective). So I am the target audience for premium smartphones since I would gladly pay for one, if Apple made one in the size that I want. It so happens Apple only makes larger sizes.
Not sure where you got that I “choose to spend the big bucks” as I said I have an SE1. No, I WANT to spend big bucks, but Apple doesn’t have the “all singing/dancing model” I would like to buy, so I have to keep using my SE1.
Not too sure about the future of foldables. Personally, I’d rather have a thin small phone than a thick one that unfolds bigger. But it’s possible that Apple will make something like this. I think it depends on how far away good AR glasses are. If Apple can make them sooner than later, I think they’ll skip foldables.
I'm with you. It's not because I'm frugal but because I no longer wanted a big phone. For me, it was more for comfort:
1. The 13 Pro Max, even without a case, is too heavy for me. I rest my phone on my pinky (I know I shouldn't), and it was causing me some pain.
2. I tend to either wear gym shorts or joggers the majority of the time, and the Mini feels better in my pocket.
3. (Some might argue, most importantly) My fiancée tends to lay on my chest while we're lounging around, and I've almost dropped the 13 Pro Max on her head a few times because of the weight.
As an Apple user for decades and a mini(aturization) Apple products lover I can told you: use it until you love it, not upgrade it with new release for big iPhones (from iOS 16).
Apple will return on her steps when people with mini needs to upgrade, in 2027.
Also Jobs told “under 13” a Mac isn’t fungible”, and yrs later Ive show the MacBook 12” Retina.
Jobs is not here and Ive (with the historic design team) go on with better design companies, but Apple needs buyers.
Apple could choose to forgot them obviously, but I don’t care now: Apple needs to lose market share, now in Cupertino them are playing with buyer’s money, every single hw or sw they release it’s full of bugs, let “enormous Apple products fans” make company rich with them money.
I always preferred a smaller form factor until I discovered pop sockets. Ugly and ridiculous, yeah, they may be. But hot damn are they handy. Now, I can’t imagine using a phone without one. Now they are magnetic, and even old pop sockets can be made MagSafe compatible with magnetic discs sold on Amazon. Carting around and using a pro max is simple and much more secure with a grip of some sort. So I won’t ever go smaller..
Vocal, yes. Sizable, not enough. Apple already gave into that demand multiple times with the SE and mini series. None of them were very popular.
If 5% of phones the last two years were minis, that means Apple sold almost 25 million of them. That means the minis outsold nearly every non-iphone model
Apple should offer pro mini the same price as regular pro, some will buy the pro mini for the size alone. The reason I don’t mind getting the mini is because my spouse will always get the pro max, thus for family trip, we can always use hers to take the good pic n video. If I don’t have hers, I will have to choose for regular pro since I want the best camera available to me.