Chuckeee
macrumors 68040
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There Is No iPhone 15 Mini: Here's Why
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The community here is not representative of the general Apple user population.
jdavid_rp
macrumors 6502a
Not really in my country. Also I’m more into second hand phones so there are plenty of them
Although I wish so much that this was true, I don’t think it will happen.
iPhone SE is about being cheap - not small.
Apple still wants to sell as many as possible.
And more people want large(r) phones.
aleksander
macrumors regular
Yeah, what's up with the long-peddled functionality claim by Apple that a phone needs to be functional and one just can't grow their fingers? I really don't see people with enlarged digits but I see people with ridiculously large devices that barely fit in their hands and pockets!
baking soda
macrumors regular
I would have kept my 13 mini for a looong time if it had ProMotion and a little bigger battery.
onemorechris
macrumors newbie
I still think Apple have messed up on this one. The 13mini is the best phone I've had in years. Bought I just before the 15 came out knowing that there wouldn't be a 15mini. The phones they are offer now are 'big', 'bigger', and 'almost iPad'. It doesn't represent a choice other than 'do you want all the new camera stuff'. I will be holding on on the mini for as long as the hardware will last. I have no interest in going back to the 6.1inch phones as they are too big.
I think for the best balance for both Apple and consumers, we need something like:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Pro Mini
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
I've never seen any "Plus" models in the wild, but many non-Plus iPhone 14s. I think the reasoning is along these lines: if you're on enough of a budget where you don't want to pay a premium for a Pro model, going up to a "Plus" also doesn't make sense. If you do want a more premium experience using your phone (and are willing to pay extra for a larger screen), you'll opt for the Pro Max most likely.
I'm not surprised the Plus isn't selling as well as the mini, mainly for these cost reasons. If there was a Pro Mini, I think many current base Pro users would potentially be willing to opt for this model (who previously overlooked it due to it being a non-Pro). It's really a great sized phone if you don't care as much for a massive screen and don't want to be constantly reminded of a large bulge in your pants. More choice at the Pro end also makes more sense as an upsell, and allows Apple to optimize even more for cost at the non-Pro end by only having 1 size.
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Pro Mini
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
I've never seen any "Plus" models in the wild, but many non-Plus iPhone 14s. I think the reasoning is along these lines: if you're on enough of a budget where you don't want to pay a premium for a Pro model, going up to a "Plus" also doesn't make sense. If you do want a more premium experience using your phone (and are willing to pay extra for a larger screen), you'll opt for the Pro Max most likely.
I'm not surprised the Plus isn't selling as well as the mini, mainly for these cost reasons. If there was a Pro Mini, I think many current base Pro users would potentially be willing to opt for this model (who previously overlooked it due to it being a non-Pro). It's really a great sized phone if you don't care as much for a massive screen and don't want to be constantly reminded of a large bulge in your pants. More choice at the Pro end also makes more sense as an upsell, and allows Apple to optimize even more for cost at the non-Pro end by only having 1 size.
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That's basically what I do with the 13 mini and Pro. The 13 mini has my primary number on it and it's what I carry every day. If I go on a special trip or to an event where I plan to take pictures, I also bring the 13 Pro for the telephoto lens.
It's not ideal. I wish they would've just put in the telephoto lens instead of the ultrawide and ProMotion display in the mini, then I wouldn't even have wanted a 13 Pro.
I agree with this 100%. You need to have one base model for business and enterprise bulk buyers. They want something functional, but inexpensive. For the consumer, just make the Pro models -- it's obvious that those are what sell.
The Plus models aren't selling for the same reason the mini didn't sell well: most buyers aren't seeing or paying the MSRP. Most people are financing their phones across 36 months and getting $800-1000 in "trade-in" credits from their carriers. Why buy a Plus when for an extra $3-5/mo you can get a Pro Max? Even somebody making near minimum wage can probably afford that. How else is Apple selling millions of $1200 iPhone Pro Maxes to 16 year olds working at McDonald's?
Expos of 1969
Suspended
It would be interesting have access to the breakdown of sales of the different models here in northern Europe and by age group. I would think they are selling a lot fewer Pro models as the carriers do not offer deals here. The only "deal" is that you can pay full price with monthly payments spread over 12, 24 or 36 months with no interest charged. If you choose to pay the full price up front there is no discount.
Lioness~
macrumors 601
The only things that happens when I read these threads about iPhone Mini demise from Apple, is that I want to strangle its CEO - not literally though 😂
Then I remember that it probably will come some other smaller flip variant pretty soon.
They are coming, phones will change…even at Apple.
The hole that the Mini leave will be filled with something better then the remains of the Apple’s CEO that I never liked, I hope.
No I don’t encourage any thinking of any illegal actions here. But the guy isn’t getting younger.
He will be replaced and let us dance that day.
Hopefully some more brave and creative person will take over, and lead Apple in a better direction.
My Mini is vital, and have many yrs left, more then CEO I don’t like have, I believe.
When I sat here a little upset at the beginning, I got a mail from the foundation that Laurene Powell Jobs started - https://stevejobsarchive.com - that reminded me of why I miss Steve, his vision, and what that generated in me. What Apple doesn’t generate in me today. Perfect timing.
Then I remember that it probably will come some other smaller flip variant pretty soon.
They are coming, phones will change…even at Apple.
The hole that the Mini leave will be filled with something better then the remains of the Apple’s CEO that I never liked, I hope.
No I don’t encourage any thinking of any illegal actions here. But the guy isn’t getting younger.
He will be replaced and let us dance that day.
Hopefully some more brave and creative person will take over, and lead Apple in a better direction.
My Mini is vital, and have many yrs left, more then CEO I don’t like have, I believe.
When I sat here a little upset at the beginning, I got a mail from the foundation that Laurene Powell Jobs started - https://stevejobsarchive.com - that reminded me of why I miss Steve, his vision, and what that generated in me. What Apple doesn’t generate in me today. Perfect timing.
I agree that Tim Apple did bring some good things to Apple. I never understood the cult following when Steve was around, and I only became interested in buying Apple products under Tim's leadership.
It wasn't until Tim took over that third-party integration really became accepted at Apple -- when they finally agreed to let Microsoft make Office a first-class application on iPhone and iPad. Without that change of attitude at Apple, it would've been a complete non-starter for me to consider switching to any Apple products. But now, I've owned multiple MacBooks, numerous iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, Apple TVs, AirPods Pros...the list goes on.
Tim's focus on uncompromising privacy is one big factor. In particular, one that really makes the only other option, Android, a complete non-option to me. I cut Google out of my life as much as possible, and I have no desire to use a piece of hardware filled with their spyware. I'm very concerned that Tim's successor will be more willing to compromise Apple's commitment to privacy and there will be no alternative to choose from. For that reason alone, I do worry about Tim stepping down at some point in the next couple years.
SactoGuy18
macrumors 603
throAU
macrumors G4
imola.zhp
macrumors 65816
TLDR... Here's why...
1) Released during a pandemic, people unable to go test the size out in person before purchasing.
2) Should have been a PRO model.
1) Released during a pandemic, people unable to go test the size out in person before purchasing.
2) Should have been a PRO model.
The surface laptop go 2 keyboard is noted as having a really nice keyboard... Id actually say the keyboard is more comfortable to type on than the M2 airs.. Thats my personal experience... reviewers noted how good the keyboard and trackpads are on surface devices now... its just a pity it's not backlit :/
I was using a flip phone back around 2011 and 2 of the McDonalds employees were sitting next to me talking about their iPhones. That was quite the revelation to me.
Why can't there be a Pro Mini you ask? Because small devices are incredibly hard to make. The battery is small as it is with 2 cameras, and to fit another camera would cut that battery size down. Down sizing is not proportional because the camera sensors, processor, rotor, earpiece do not decrease in size just because you want to fit them into a smaller case. So to decrease the Pro by 20% means the battery needs to go down by something like 30%. To make a device more compact, you have to spend more time to design your circuits to cut down on any waste because wasted space = less battery = bad user experience. Whereas if you're designing for a max device that has a disportionally large battery and you don't have to be too concerned. If it were up to me, I would charge more for the making a mini than a max.
So in other words, why would Apple spend more time to make a product that provides a lesser experience and people will pay less for? Apple is not stupid. They would rather design their marketing to convince you to pay more for a product that is easier to make. And that is why they are the trillion dollar company.
So in other words, why would Apple spend more time to make a product that provides a lesser experience and people will pay less for? Apple is not stupid. They would rather design their marketing to convince you to pay more for a product that is easier to make. And that is why they are the trillion dollar company.
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For people who claim the market did not respond to the mini well, you need to understand the iPhone sells in incredibly large numbers. Even a meager 5% of that 200+ million per year is 10 million+ units per year, more than 1/3 of the total annual sales of all Macs. A phone model that sells in those numbers will make it to the top 10 cellphone models with most units sold worldwide. There is clearly enough demand for it to sustain a production line for Apple.
But that isn't good enough for Apple. Not because Apple wants to lose those 10 million units of sale, but because Apple knows most people will still purchase another iPhone model when the Mini is no longer. What Apple really wants to do is to convince you to pay more for the Plus. That is a $200 of revenue increase with minimal increase in cost. (Although they are somewhat failing at it considering the Plus's sales numbers, but there was an attempt)
But that isn't good enough for Apple. Not because Apple wants to lose those 10 million units of sale, but because Apple knows most people will still purchase another iPhone model when the Mini is no longer. What Apple really wants to do is to convince you to pay more for the Plus. That is a $200 of revenue increase with minimal increase in cost. (Although they are somewhat failing at it considering the Plus's sales numbers, but there was an attempt)
scorpio vega
Suspended
AppliedMicro
macrumors 68040
You do realise that these features conflict with each other? 😉
I mean... not the bigger battery in itself - but the longer run time you want a bigger battery for. Now, I totally get ProMotion/higher rates greater than 60Hz on a larger iPad display - but on their smallest phones, screens (and their refresh rates) shouldn't be a priority.
ProMotion allows the display to ramp all the way down to 1 Hz. Note that the iPhone 13 Pro was rated for longer battery life than the iPhone 13, despite actually having a slightly smaller battery inside.
If anything, ProMotion on the mini models would have helped them have better battery life.
Just had a peek at the Battery Health on my iPhone 13 mini, bought at launch. It's at 90% which I think is reasonable for 2 years. I'd guess that I can get another year out of the battery before replacing the battery.
Incorrect. That pre-order sales is a lousy metric in measuring the overall sales.
Take this article noting the sales of the panels https://9to5mac.com/2023/03/21/iphone-13-mini-vs-iphone-14-plus-sales/
The Plus is crushing the 13 mini in overall sales.