iPhone 12 mini Was iPhone 12 mini poor sales fake news?

[MrKennedy]

I don’t think it was fake news, but MR, Reddit, and elsewhere felt like an echo chamber of folks spreading the “bad news” propped up by their hot takes and interpretation of the data.

Of course one of the 4 new models sold the least, what did y’all expect? Apple will continue to adjust their lines to meet expected demand thru the year. And hopefully this fall the 12 line will adjust down in price, just like in previous years. It doesn’t mean the mini is “cancelled” 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

[Significant1]

I think I’ve found the link to the chart and it’s news article. Omdia definitely appear credible. 14.8 million iphone 12 mini sales worldwide, and the tenth most sold phone worldwide even with a 1 month delay. I’d say these are very encouraging figures and the 12 Mini has been a relative success.

Most Shipped Smartphones in 2020: iPhone 11, Galaxy A51, Redmi Note 9 Pro & more - Gizmochina

Market research firm Omdia has published a report on most shipped smartphones in 2020. As per the report, only three brands made it to the top 10, just like 2019. These companies were none other than Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. According to the chart released by Omdia, the iPhone 11 was the most...

www.gizmochina.com

I have seen that link before, but there is no link to the actual report or description of how these numbers have been determined. Without that, I can't put much faith in the validity.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I finally got the chance to hold an iPhone 12 Mini in my hands the other day. A friend of mine has one.

She's actually a tiny woman at 4'8" with tiny fingers and tiny pockets. And of course she loves the size of the Mini.

It's certainly not the phone for me (I'm a Pro Max kinda guy) but I'm glad the iPhone Mini exists for those who want it. Let's hope Apple keeps it around!

 

[DevinNj]

What I'd like to see is a survey of anyone who purchased a new iPhone (after all four were released) and why they chose that particular model out of the four. I'd also be curious to see which phone if any, they upgraded from or if it's their first smartphone. That's the kind of data I'd be interested in

 

[Lwii2boo]

What I'd like to see is a survey of anyone who purchased a new iPhone (after all four were released) and why they chose that particular model out of the four. I'd also be curious to see which phone if any, they upgraded from or if it's their first smartphone. That's the kind of data I'd be interested in

I suspect more and more average consumers keep their iPhone for 3-4 or even 5 years. And therefore, I think there is a lot people coming from 6S/7/8/X to the series 12.
They are very few people with 3+ years iPhone in MR forum because we are enthusiasts but once again we are not representative at all of the mainstream iPhone consumer who upgrade less frequently because he is simply less interested in the hardware itself.

My 2 cents

 

[High Desert]

I had a 7 for 4 years, then decided to get a new phone on a offer I cold not turn down from Verizon - an iPhone 12 mini, for $5/mo for 24 months and my phone. Could not be happier as I do not like a big phone (where do you put it when you are not using it?). I generally keep a phone 3 - 4 years as I don't need all the gee whiz, golly stuff that gets announced each cycle, yearly. Also, posted on another comment where I read that PCMag listed the 12 mini as the best value phone for 2021. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-phones So I don't think Apple will stop providing this phone next year.

 

[DevinNj]

I suspect more and more average consumers keep their iPhone for 3-4 or even 5 years. And therefore, I think there is a lot people coming from 6S/7/8/X to the series 12.
They are very few people with 3+ years iPhone in MR forum because we are enthusiasts but once again we are not representative at all of the mainstream iPhone consumer who upgrade less frequently because he is simply less interested in the hardware itself.

My 2 cents

See that's just it, everyone here has their suspicions why this one sold better than that one and whatnot. My point being you'd need to survey each person who made a new purchase to get accurate data. Sales numbers on paper don't tell the full story. I'd like to see if there's a common trend as to why the different models sold in the numbers they did, not just speculation.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

If the Mini sold 14.5m in 6 weeks, it’s done very well indeed. I can’t even gage how popular phones are in my area from personal experience because public spaces are generally closed. I know plenty of people who were keen on the Mini due to it being smaller, so I’m sure it has its significant market segment.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I suspect more and more average consumers keep their iPhone for 3-4 or even 5 years. And therefore, I think there is a lot people coming from 6S/7/8/X to the series 12.
They are very few people with 3+ years iPhone in MR forum because we are enthusiasts but once again we are not representative at all of the mainstream iPhone consumer who upgrade less frequently because he is simply less interested in the hardware itself.

My 2 cents

That’s probably 9 out of the 10 people I know. Upgrading regularly or in under 2 years seems incredibly rare these days unless people have a vested interest in phones. A common response I had when I showed people my iPhone 12 was, ‘what was wrong with your old one?’. How times have changed.

 

[Barbareren]

Also, posted on another comment where I read that PCMag listed the 12 mini as the best value phone for 2021. https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-phones So I don't think Apple will stop providing this phone next year.

Agreed. The 12 mini has received some very good publicity lately from tech sites. Here’s another one claiming that the 12 mini is the best small phone (currently available) in 2021: https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-small-phones

 

[DevinNj]

That’s probably 9 out of the 10 people I know. Upgrading regularly or in under 2 years seems incredibly rare these days unless people have a vested interest in phones. A common response I had when I showed people my iPhone 12 was, ‘what was wrong with your old one?’. How times have changed.

Yup, it's all about what you're into I guess. I'm not at all into video gaming, bought a Sega Saturn when they came out and that was my first/last gaming system. Now one of my best friends will line up in stores for hours each year when the new gaming consoles come out, but cannot understand why I get a new iPhone each year. That's in addition to his several custom built gaming pc's. Another friend has over $40K USD into his new Corvette (on top of what he paid for it), but getting a new iPhone each year is "stupid" to him. "Waste of money" to him. Funny how that works.

Quick edit: I do have a handheld blackjack game that my mother had gotten for me before she passed, I do break that out every now and again, stick a fresh battery in and play it for a few days. Then put it away for another year or so. So yeah, guess that makes me a gamer! Lol

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Yup, it's all about what you're into I guess. I'm not at all into video gaming, bought a Sega Saturn when they came out and that was my first/last gaming system. Now one of my best friends will stand line up in stores for hours each year when the new gaming consoles come out, but cannot understand why I get a new iPhone each year. That's in addition to his several custom built gaming pc's. Another friend has over $40K USD into his new Corvette (on top of what he paid for it), but getting a new iPhone each year is "stupid" to him. "Waste of money" to him. Funny how that works.

Yeah that’s the same in my experience too. I don’t think there is anything I change on a yearly basis though? I don’t play computer games anymore and am not interested enough in phones to change them before a 2 year period. I do change my car quite often though lol. It’s all about what we are into and seeing the benefit of things. If people don’t see that, they’ll never quite understand.

 

[Robbosan]

Yeah that’s the same in my experience too. I don’t think there is anything I change on a yearly basis though? I don’t play computer games anymore and am not interested enough in phones to change them before a 2 year period. I do change my car quite often though lol. It’s all about what we are into and seeing the benefit of things. If people don’t see that, they’ll never quite understand.

For sure, everyone in my family with iPhones don't update till they have too. I usually get them a phone off gumtree too so don't pay retail and they use sim only plans.

 

[radiologyman]

I used to upgrade Iphone yearly when each year was a big upgrade. Then I did it every other year and skipping S years, until Apple made the Iphone I was waiting for, Iphone X. It had everything I really needed except for being hard to use singlehanded. After 3 years I did upgrade to Iphone 12 Mini, this is the Iphone I always wanted... But I wanted a good deal to justify upgrade anyways. I may upgrade to later generations but will wait for compelling new feature and significant discount and I am a big tech buff. None of the people I know will buy next Iphone on release day...

 

[Aceroller]

Ugh, I thought I was the only one with a 12 Mini. It doesn’t feel as special now.

 

[LFC2020]

I used to upgrade Iphone yearly when each year was a big upgrade. Then I did it every other year and skipping S years, until Apple made Iphone I was waiting for, Iphone X. It had everything I really needed except for being hard to use singlehanded. I did upgrade to Iphone 12 Mini, this is the Iphone I always wanted but I wanted a good deal to justify upgrade. I may upgrade to later generations but will wait for compelling new feature and significant discount and I am a big tech buff. None of the people I know will buy next Iphone on release day...

Apples chipset, software and hardware are leading the industry and is that good, there is no point in upgrading every year anymore.

Unless you feel like spoiling yourself with a shopping spree. 😂

 

[LFC2020]

Ugh, I thought I was the only one with a 12 Mini. It doesn’t feel as special now.

What is emoji17 🤔😂

 

[fat jez]

That’s probably 9 out of the 10 people I know. Upgrading regularly or in under 2 years seems incredibly rare these days unless people have a vested interest in phones. A common response I had when I showed people my iPhone 12 was, ‘what was wrong with your old one?’. How times have changed.

I think with entry level iPhones (SE aside) costing what the top spec iPhone used to, people just don’t have the cash to spend on a new one as often. I used to get the latest every year, but I can’t justify over a grand for a new phone once a year - especially one that’s a small increment over the previous year.

Plus with Apple, you know you’ll get iOS updates for several years, unlike Android that generally give you just two major updates (Samsung now excepted).

I also think Apple have saturated their own market. Looking at my provider (EE), I can get an XR, SE, 11, 11 Pro, 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, all in a variety of capacities. That’s quite an array.

WhenJobs came back to Apple, he insisted on a max of 2 products per market segment (2 desktop models, 2 laptops, etc). I think the user sees the iPhone range and gets confused which one they need, especially when they can get an older iPhone with larger screen for less than a 12 Mini.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I think with entry level iPhones (SE aside) costing what the top spec iPhone used to, people just don’t have the cash to spend on a new one as often. I used to get the latest every year, but I can’t justify over a grand for a new phone once a year - especially one that’s a small increment over the previous year.

Plus with Apple, you know you’ll get iOS updates for several years, unlike Android that generally give you just two major updates (Samsung now excepted).

I also think Apple have saturated their own market. Looking at my provider (EE), I can get an XR, SE, 11, 11 Pro, 12 Mini, 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, all in a variety of capacities. That’s quite an array.

WhenJobs came back to Apple, he insisted on a max of 2 products per market segment (2 desktop models, 2 laptops, etc). I think the user sees the iPhone range and gets confused which one they need, especially when they can get an older iPhone with larger screen for less than a 12 Mini.

I think you’re absolutely right. The thing about the amount of iPhone models currently offered is confusing for people who don’t know or care much about phones. A mate of mine just got an iPhone 11 through EE and when I asked him why he got it, he said it was the best deal. A lot of non techy people don’t seem to study specs as much as the enthusiasts. The good thing is like you said, these phones don’t change significantly year in year for people to be caught out with underperforming hardware.

 

[The Game 161]

Yeah that’s the same in my experience too. I don’t think there is anything I change on a yearly basis though? I don’t play computer games anymore and am not interested enough in phones to change them before a 2 year period. I do change my car quite often though lol. It’s all about what we are into and seeing the benefit of things. If people don’t see that, they’ll never quite understand.

my wife got the iPhone 12 on launch day and says she will keep it until it stops working. the daughter got her iPhone 11 which will last her until she buys her own phone ha. these phones will last so well no harm in doing so.

 

[Shanghaichica]

I think you’re absolutely right. The thing about the amount of iPhone models currently offered is confusing for people who don’t know or care much about phones. A mate of mine just got an iPhone 11 through EE and when I asked him why he got it, he said it was the best deal. A lot of non techy people don’t seem to study specs as much as the enthusiasts. The good thing is like you said, these phones don’t change significantly year in year for people to be caught out with underperforming hardware.

Absolutely this! My mum had an OG SE which she had had since 2016. During the first lockdown in the U.K (2020). she upgraded to the iPhone 7. It’s because that’s what three pushed on her and told her she was getting a good deal. The 7 came out about 6 months after the SE and is not a good upgrade at all from what she was coming from.

 

[KOTN91]

Personally I think every 2 years is the sweet spot these days. 2 years tends to give a significant update, 1 year... not so much (usually). Tend to favour the new designs over the S years. 4 -> 4S -> 5 -> 5C -> 6 -> 7 -> XR -> 12

 

[DexBell]

Personally I think every 2 years is the sweet spot these days. 2 years tends to give a significant update, 1 year... not so much (usually). Tend to favour the new designs over the S years. 4 -> 4S -> 5 -> 5C -> 6 -> 7 -> XR -> 12

Depends. If they add a 120hz display, sensor shift stabilization, a larger battery and a smaller notch to the Mini 12s/13, that's easily worth the upgrade and Id sell my 12 Mini for a new one. Also rumors that all models this year will be getting the telephoto lens and LiDAR as well.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Problem with the mini it arrived too late, apple should've released it when they released the iPhone X, it's not easy for people to get use to a 5.4" display when they've been using a 5.8" and 6.1" display.

Honestly I don't believe MOST users can see the difference between a 5.4:5.8" screen, I think the phones physical SIZE plays a much BIGGER role than that, along with the end user perception of how immersive the screen is to their eyes when holding the smartphone in their hands. IMHO of course.

 

[kevink2]

I wanted the better camera of the Pro, but not the size of the Max, so I went pro. My second choice would have been the Mini.

But I can understand many people liking the size/price combination of the regular 12 better than the 12 Pro. And I know people who buy phones bigger than the Max. It is just how I carry it that smaller is better for me.