iPhone 12 mini The iPhone Mini Failed (And That's Okay)

[blairh]

Apple's entire strategy this year and last year relies on display and camera differences. That same strategy will be used this year and next.

Basically, you're proposing Apple skip the iPhone X form factor and jump directly to discounting the iPhone 12 form factor. I don't see that happening at all.

Jump directly to discounting the iPhone 12 form factor? In what world is the fall of 2023 a jump?? It's 2.5 years from now.

Apple positions only one device per price bracket. They can put one device at $499. Why would Apple choose the iPhone mini, which has proven to be a weak seller, over the SE2 Plus?

The iPhone Mini will sell better when it's cheaper. That's pretty obvious. And the SE2 Plus? You want to throw hypothetical phones into the mix now? Come on mate.......

 

[Barbareren]

If, and that’s a big ‘if’ as this is still a rumour after all, the Mini gets discontinued, I’d expect a very active and very nostalgic Mini user’s section of this forum lol 😂 (and I’d probably be a part of it)

 

[jm31828]

I really don't want a larger iPhone.

Same here- I’m a 6’1” guy with big hands, and I absolutely can’t buy a phone bigger than my mini- anything else seems massive.

 

[Arctic Moose]

I would happily pay double for a mini with pro specs. I would be even happier paying triple for an even smaller mini, preferably in the 3GS form factor.

 

[Mcckoe]

You know, i really wanted an iPhone mini, I thought the price was fair; but, the resale difference makes the device hard to justify over an iPhone 12. Now, an iPhone Mini Pro... for the same price as a regular iPhone... might check the right boxes to convert users to a smaller device.

 

[taneff]

I don’t see Apple replacing the SE with the Mini. The Mini is still a flagship device. The point of the SE is to be the budget device and to be a budget device at that price point features have to be left out and comprises have to be made. They’re not going to just slash the price of the Mini that drastically just to replace the SE.

I heard somewhere that the 2022 or 2023 SE+ should be some kind of iPhone 11. So why not make the normal future SE an iPhone 11 Mini. Maybe a bit bigger than the current 12 Mini cause of bezels with LCD technology or 5.2-5.3inch display in same housing because of more bezels needed. The 11 also has FaceID. So in 2-3 years all to almost all Apple devices will probably have FaceID. I would hold on to some kind of 12/13 Mini if updated regularly. OLED is nice, but at least this year not good quality. And Apple LCD are normally known to be good LCD quality. So I wouldn't mind, even regarding bigger bezels because of LCD technology. Just somehow keep the 12/13 Mini in the lineup and updated at least every two years.

 

[dz5b609]

#iPhoneminiisoverparty.

 

[Bodhitree]

The XR is single camera with LCD. The mini has all three premium features, dual-camera, OLED, plus Face ID. Can the mini be sold for $399 or $499? Yes. Will high-margin Apple Inc. do that? I don't think so. The SE 2020 is based on a form factor from 2017, or more realistically, 2014

I think it’s not only the outward design which is significant though. If you look at mid-range android phones from this year, they have received a lot of features from flagships of previous years while maintaining prices. Apple’s low-end phone has to compete with that.

Traditionally Apple has used size as the key distinguishing feature in the range of costs — smallest phone is cheapest, largest is most expensive. I don’t see them moving away from that, which means that an updated 12 mini may well become the SE of a few years time.

 

[SmugMaverick]

The people have spoken and no one wanted a smaller phone.

Lots of ifs and buts in here but truth is next year it’ll be

iPhone 14
iPhone 14 Max

iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 14 Pro Max

the mini is a failure and only a small group wanted that size, mostly on here it seems.

Truth is this is apples fault for being greedy, they should not be selling iPhones with LCD anymore and the mini should have been the SE.

 

[bluecoast]

The mini answers the demand for those who:

- want to go out and about with a phone that they can use one handed on the subway/metro

- and put in their jeans pocket/handbag/jacket pocket and barely notice it’s there.

The problem is, is that:

- most people with the disposable income to blow on a smaller mid-premium smartphone are currently WFH
- and thus have no need for the mini right now.

This will change in the next few months. However, most people will be aware that the 2021 iPhones will launch in the next few months too...

So I fully expect to see the 2020’s mini’s sales remain dire (by Apple’s standards).

I’d agree with the OP though, that in future years, if Apple can make the pricing work (for consumers & for them) the 21 mini could happily stick around for 3 maybe even 4 years more on Apple’s price list.

The XR from 2018 is still around after all.

My contention here would be that most people will value smaller size & weight over having the latest and greatest tech.

And maybe that in the end is the problem with the mini

- there just isn’t enough people who want both the latest features, a smaller phone

- and will pay what is still quite a lot of money

- given that there are numerous phones at that price point (and lower) with bigger screens.

 

[bluecoast]

What is the purpose of the iPhone 12 mini?

• A compact phone? Or
• A relatively low-cost 5G iPhone?

There are a lot of indicators the iPhone 12 mini served as the $699 entry point to 5G. Today, Xiaomi sells a 5G phone for under $200 around the world. By 2023, 5G will be the bare standard. An iPhone mini would only serve the niche market of compact phone buyers.

Kuo says the 2022 SE will be 4.7" and feature 5G.

The overwhelming majority of iPhone users around the world today carry a 6.1" iPhone XR or 11. That is similar to the situation a few years ago when the overwhelming majority of iPhone owners had 4.7" devices. It makes sense the 2023 SE would be a 6.1" device. Not only is the tooling available, but it appeals to a much larger audience.

I think you’re right. Although I’d love the mini to the basis for the new SE.

Q: Would Apple release a new phone post pandemic that is Face ID only?

(it has likely been too late for Apple to alter their plans for the 2021 line-up significantly, as by all accounts the iPhone lineup is designed 2-3 years ahead of each year’s launch).

Given that in much of the world, we will still be wearing facemasks in certain public settings - metro systems in the winter etc. - through to 22 & maybe longer?

I’d imagine that if so, the 2022 SE being a hybrid of the XR/11 phone with the Touch ID from the iPad Air making a lot of sense (ie no Face ID array): ‘the iPhone Air’.

 

[rdy0329]

I just want to jump in on the next SE Speculations. While I agree it's too early to make the 5.4" as the low cost SE by 2023, I don't see Apple letting go of all the money they invested with the production process for that form factor.

The only precedent we have for such move is with the iPhone 5c but even then, it shared some process with the 5s.

My guess is that:

Spring 2022:

1. 4.7" LCD SE will have a 5G update (more efficient 5G chip + A15)
2. 6.1" LCD SE Notchless + Side TouchID will replace XR/11 (A15 + 5G as well)

AFAIK, they invested heavily with LCD maker, Japan Display (consumable investment), which have yet to be depleted.

Fall 2022: 5.4" dropped | iPhone 14

Spring 2023: No upgrades to SE

Fall 2023: iPhone 15 all new design

Spring 2024: 5.4" reintroduced + 6.1" SE will now move over to non-LTPO OLED (cheaper by then).

 

[one more]

The Mini did not fail. I was going to buy one when the pandemic came. In fact if the next iPhone lineup does not have a mini, I’m gonna buy the 12 mini.

There will be iPhone 13 mini later this year, so you are set. 🖐

 

[one more]

I’d imagine that if so, the 2022 SE being a hybrid of the XR/11 phone with the Touch ID from the iPad Air making a lot of sense (ie no Face ID array): ‘the iPhone Air’.

Except there is nothing remotely “Air” about XR/11 chassis - both are quite large and heavy. 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[one more]

My guess is that:

Spring 2022:

1. 4.7" LCD SE will have a 5G update (more efficient 5G chip + A15)
2. 6.1" LCD SE Notchless + Side TouchID will replace XR/11 (A15 + 5G as well)

Your guess 1 sounds feasible, however your guess 2 (6.1" LCD SE Notchless + Side TouchID will replace XR/11) - much less so, as in this case we are talking about a totally new device, and not a refit of an old chassis, what all SEs essentially were up till now. This would imply more R&D, tweaking assembly lines, etc. - not a “cheap” SE feat.

 

[one more]

I heard somewhere that the 2022 or 2023 SE+ should be some kind of iPhone 11. So why not make the normal future SE an iPhone 11 Mini.

Again, because any SE is a refit model with exactly the same bodies as its “fancier” predecessors some years before. The current mini is the smallest capable iPhone out there after 5 and SE. Taking this into account, Apple could continue giving SE2020 some incremental specs bumps or eventually replace it with an XR/11 based variant. I would love them to resurrect 11 Pro body too (5.8”), yet I guess its manufacturing costs are too high for SE’s price bracket at around 400$.

 

[taneff]

I just want to jump in on the next SE Speculations. While I agree it's too early to make the 5.4" as the low cost SE by 2023, I don't see Apple letting go of all the money they invested with the production process for that form factor.

Spring 2024: 5.4" reintroduced + 6.1" SE will now move over to non-LTPO OLED (cheaper by then).

I completely agree with this. It costs much for companies to redesign something. Here it was maybe even more and bigger, many don't know what a "magic" device the Mini is. If it is too small, ok. But look at what they put in such a small body. It is amazing engineering. Esp considering that everything is working as well, receptions Wifi, camera etc. as on the bigger devices. No bugs that the normal 12 doesn't also have. Esp the reception, antenna etc. It is a very small device to put everything in, esp for recent years. This IS AMAZING.

And amazingness costs much money to develop. I ganz imagine they put a lot of money into designing and engineering the 12 Mini. This is also why I think the body somehow will stay for a long time. But I too think it is too early till 2023/2024. The 13 Mini will come out and even if not sold anymore in 2022 September and after officially it can still be bought. Why would they release almost the same device 1/2 to a year later. I guess 3-4 years after the last 13 Mini is sold we could get an SE Mini design. Definitely not the year after the 13 Mini because rumors start and people would say "oh, a cheaper Mini? Why buy the 13 Mini now and not wait".

Good to know that old Apple devices are working flawlessly for a long time, sometimes better than newer devices. The 13 Mini will be here to stay for me.

A Mini lover here who will be sad when no 14 Mini is released anymore but is also excited for a much lighter 14 Max Non Pro as a second device.

 

[Bodhitree]

All very well, but I don’t think Apple can afford to wait to update the 2020 SE another five years. The way the low- and mid-range Android phones are progressing, they have to take notice that the new SE compared to the latest phones in that price class is seriously lagging behind in many ways other than the cpu. In order to stay competitive they will have to make the SE a more regular part of the lineup.

 

[one more]

All very well, but I don’t think Apple can afford to wait to update the 2020 SE another five years. The way the low- and mid-range Android phones are progressing, they have to take notice that the new SE compared to the latest phones in that price class is seriously lagging behind in many ways other than the cpu. In order to stay competitive they will have to make the SE a more regular part of the lineup.

There are not as many modern Android phones, so Apple could just juice up XR a little and sell it on. This is not my ideal scenario, as I enjoy my 12 mini much more than any other iPhones I have used, so wish that screen size lives on. However, Apple has some choices for their next sub-500$ iPhone.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

I should have worded my point better. I'm trying to say the only reason one would opt for the Mini over the 6.1" iPhone 12 is the smaller size. I'll edit that part.

I mean, I'd expect so, since that's just about the only difference between the two devices.

Like how the only reason you'd opt for the red case instead of the blue case is because the red case is red.

 

[bluecoast]

Except there is nothing remotely “Air” about XR/11 chassis - both are quite large and heavy. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I wasn’t literally meaning that they’d hand a phone like I describe be called the Air. No doubt it would be called the SE.

I was more referring to the fact that this mythical iPhone is very much like the new iPad Air

The 2020 Air of course, takes design cues from the high end devices (ie ‘all screen’) but has retained features from the low end iPad ie Touch ID (except now on the side).

 

[snipr125]

The title of this thread is wrong as the iPhone 12 mini has not really ‘failed’ has it. It has sold enough units (in the millions) to be the 8th highest selling phone in January worldwide. It just has not sold as well as the larger mainstream iPhone 12 models, and that was to be expected as it is more of a niche iphone. Other factors also didn’t help the 12 mini sales like being sold a month later than the 6.1 models, as well as the pandemic not allowing people to go into stores to see and feel the device. I feel the price should also have been £50 cheaper.

It will be interesting to see how the 13 mini sells, with lockdown hopefully now over in countries like the UK, US and Australia with their high level vaccination programs.

The actual phone itself though is an amazing master piece of engineering, just feels great in the hand and looks stunning with the flat edge iPhone 4 design.

 

[kevink2]

If the 12 mini had adequate price, better battery and telephoto lens instead of the ultra wide, it could be a hit. I would buy it in a heartbeat. Honestly, I'd buy even smaller iPhone.

I went with pro over mini due to camera. Certain features matter more than others.

 

[neoelectronaut]

Large screen phones are dumb. Give me modern tech in the smallest possible package, kplzthx.

 

[blairh]

The title of this thread is wrong as the iPhone 12 mini has not really ‘failed’ has it. It has sold enough units (in the millions) to be the 8th highest selling phone in January worldwide. It just has not sold as well as the larger mainstream iPhone 12 models, and that was to be expected as it is more of a niche iphone. Other factors also didn’t help the 12 mini sales like being sold a month later than the 6.1 models, as well as the pandemic not allowing people to go into stores to see and feel the device. I feel the price should also have been £50 cheaper.

It will be interesting to see how the 13 mini sells, with lockdown hopefully now over in countries like the UK, US and Australia with their high level vaccination programs.

The actual phone itself though is an amazing master piece of engineering, just feels great in the hand and looks stunning with the flat edge iPhone 4 design.

Apple has decided to discontinue it after next year. It has failed indeed. This is pretty telling too.

It will survive down the road but only at a lower price point. People are not interested in an iPhone Mini at a premium price point. That's the lesson here. I'm also confident the SE had a lot to do with the poor sales. Nearly half the price and not much bigger.