Other iPhone Mini future

[G4er?]

I was too slow and missed out on a 13 mini. I'll just hang onto my old phone as long as it lasts before I am forced to get anything bigger. When I'm out and about I use my phone for phone calls and a few texts. I do my main online time on my iPad or my Mac mini. I don't need or want a big phone.
I have decided to replace my iPad as its age has a bigger impact on me than the age of my iPhone.

 

[darkus]

Keep in mind, eveeyone, this is not just a question of product development but of manufacturing capacity.

Companies like Apple are many times driven by their subcontractors and what can be produced. Yea sure Apple can ask for lower volume components (such as a smaller screen) but due to manufacturing of scale, the costs go up. So the relative cost of making of low yield iPhone mini can actually become significantly higher per unit than a pro max.

Then you couple this with total manufacturing output limitations and it becomes more sensible for the company to divert capacity to higher yield and higher profit margin items. If Apple has enough demand to only sell their entire production yield dedicated to just the pro max phone (in just a single color at that), then they would happily goto a single product line.

This is effect is happening across all sectors in various types of products. Good solid products (like the mini!) are getting squashed left and right not because the designers or companies don’t want them, it’s just the reality of a company who relies on component manufacturers and has an overall limited manufacturing capacity.

The car industry has already gone through that type of product decline over a decade ago. Televisions even longer than that.

Call it what you will, but it’s the reality of where we are. I held onto the old iPhone 5 and then the old SE (updated iPhone 5) for dear life as long as possible. Then went to the mini when there was no hope left of a SE resurrection. Now I’ve gotten used to the mini and am holding on for dear life, but it’s clear to me that eventually an iPhone 16 or 17 base size will be the next move up. I just see iPhone sales go up and up every year and so any new Apple manufacturing capacity would surely be dedicated to the iPhone 14-15 body size.

Apple does every so often buck the trend and throw out some cool Easter eggs, and I’m certainly hoping for a iPhone 17 mini resurrection. But my realistic side tells me to just ride this phone out (which is still an A class superstar) as long as possible and then goto an iPhone 17 for example

 

[one more]

I was too slow and missed out on a 13 mini.

Why missed out? 13 mini is still being sold today by carriers and third party sellers.

 

[one more]

Why 4-inch iPhone :
Because very slowly bigger screen makes us “addict to social media & entertainment” which making us sit for hours! So am firm on avoiding BIG screen at all costs.

“Social media and entertainment addiction” is a separate topic, however, which, IMO, was as valid in the days of 3.5”-4” phones as it is now. It is indeed important, but not as much screen-size related, IMO. The very nature of addiction means that a person will go for satisfying their craving in any possible form.

We should not forget that we can also work and communicate on the go with our phones, so looking at a PDF file, a spreadsheet or taking a video call is somewhat more convenient on a bigger screen. Typing on a slightly larger keyboard is also more comfortable, IMO, even though I can swipe-type on my mini.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

I also disliked the thought of the iP Mini being discontinued. However I went to pick up a 15 yesterday and the entry level model was surprisingly "Mini-esque" in weight and size (coming from a 14 Pro). So maybe all is not lost?

Or is the Mini just that much smaller and nicer in everyones's eyes?

 

[one more]

Or is the Mini just that much smaller and nicer in everyones's eyes?

You went the other way from most posters here, moving from something heavier to lighter, that is why. 😉

Mini is effectively smaller and lighter than 15, so for many mini fans here it is rather difficult to accept this change, no matter how small it is. Hence all the drama.

 

[scorpio vega]

My roommate is holding out hope that his prepaid carrier will
Start offering the 13 mini on special. He got his current iPhone 11 free through metro by Tmobile last year

I do wish they could bring the form factor back with a stronger battery.

 

[subjonas]

I also disliked the thought of the iP Mini being discontinued. However I went to pick up a 15 yesterday and the entry level model was surprisingly "Mini-esque" in weight and size (coming from a 14 Pro). So maybe all is not lost?

Or is the Mini just that much smaller and nicer in everyones's eyes?

I’m sure you’ll get a range of answers, but for me even the Mini is too big, so… 😆

I still use my smartphone like how they were initially used back in the day—useful but occasional and quick interactions, usually one-handed. Those initial 3.5” - 4” displays were purposely optimized for that type of usage, so it’s still the best size for me. Obviously I just have to make do with what’s available, but everything bigger than 4”, even the Mini with its longer display, becomes only a comparable disadvantage to me, as one-handed usability quickly drops off as screens grow above 4”, and all advantages of a bigger display/device are wasted on me (even with typing I’m pretty equally proficient with one-thumb swipe typing on a small screen as I am with two thumb tap typing on a big screen).
Not to say I don’t do a lot of consumption too. But the difference is while people want a big phone mainly so that they can consume anywhere any time, I prefer to do all of my consumption at home and work (during breaks of course 😆). I make it a point to only consume there, actually. And coincidentally, these places are where I have other devices that are much better suited for consumption (iPad, computer, TV). So a phone reallllly doesn't need to be a good consumption device for me. In fact, I want it to be as physically unsubstantial as possible (but still functional). I dislike things in my pocket, so the less metal and glass I can carry in there, the better.
But there aren’t a lot of people like me, it seems pretty clear.

 

[powerbook911]

Why missed out? 13 mini is still being sold today by carriers and third party sellers.

I have not seen that. It felt like Apple pulled them from the places I looked right after the keynote (or within a few days).

 

[one more]

I have not seen that. It felt like Apple pulled them from the places I looked right after the keynote (or within a few days).

The only place Apple can pull them off from is their own retail chain, the other channels still have them.

 

[snipr125]

I also disliked the thought of the iP Mini being discontinued. However I went to pick up a 15 yesterday and the entry level model was surprisingly "Mini-esque" in weight and size (coming from a 14 Pro). So maybe all is not lost?

Or is the Mini just that much smaller and nicer in everyones's eyes?

I'm going to check out the 15 Pro (Its slightly smaller than the regular 15) this weekend in the Apple store and have a feel for it myself, to see if its compact enough within reason to replace my 13 Mini.

 

[Asiatic Black Hebrew]

Did anyone actually pick up a second Mini to hang onto, just in case? Best Buy has them on sale at the moment for $100 off. They're obviously just trying to get rid of their remaining stock at this point.

I'm considering picking one up as a backup, even though it might end up being a waste of money. I figure it would be easy to sell an unopened Mini down the road, if I end up not needing it.

 

[JPack]

I'm going to check out the 15 Pro (Its slightly smaller than the regular 15) this weekend in the Apple store and have a feel for it myself, to see if its compact enough within reason to replace my 13 Mini.

In terms of volume (L x W x H), the regular 15 is still smaller than the Pro. It's also appreciably lighter as well.

 

[JiggyJaggy]

For those that haven't seen the physical phones, I had a 12 Mini, then a 13 Pro and the 15 (non pro) fits perfectly in the middle.

 

[snipr125]

In terms of volume (L x W x H), the regular 15 is still smaller than the Pro. It's also appreciably lighter as well.

Im going by the specs sheet on apples comparison page, which shows the 15 Pro being a tad smaller in terms of length and width. Reviews also state that the weight feels more evenly distributed but maybe im clutching at straws a bit here, but giving it a shot anyway.

 

[JPack]

Im going by the specs sheet on apples comparison page, which shows the 15 Pro being a tad smaller in terms of length and width. Reviews also state that the weight feels more evenly distributed but maybe im clutching at straws a bit here, but giving it a shot anyway.

The thickness (depth) is the killer. At 8.25mm, the 15 Pro is as thick as the LCD-based XR/11.

The mini was 7.4mm - 7.65mm thick, so 8.25mm is a big jump.

 

[DeepIn2U]

The post below is the main reason I created this thread “iPhone Mini future” (small screen iPhones)

We are from the days of Steve Jobs. So am a 4-inch screen fan still using iPhone SE 2016 128gb sole model (am not after “feature-rich” updates making us buy latest models!)

Why 4-inch iPhone :
Because very slowly bigger screen makes us “addict to social media & entertainment” which making us sit for hours! So am firm on avoiding BIG screen at all costs.

What we get :
iPhone.
4-inch small screen (6-inch fans should try holding it once & feel it).
iOS - Apple’s most encrypted OS.
Privacy.
Beautiful smooth system-wide UI & keyboard feel! (used android when iPhone was gone for repairs, saw huge difference in iOS UI).

In the future I will shift to iPhone Mini ONLY when essential apps stops iOS 15 support & we are forced to move to iOS 16.

iPhone 13 Mini iOS version update will be supported by Apple till 2027. Later, there will minor iOS updates similar to what iPhone SE 2016 is still getting even today e.g: 2 weeks ago there was iOS 15.7.9 update.

If production stops we can always get a used one in good condition & replace with Apple genuine battery. Even today the Apple battery for iPhone SE 2016 is still available at Apple planet care.

Let’s hope by 2027 Apple has released a flip phone like the Z Flip 5.

My roommate is holding out hope that his prepaid carrier will
Start offering the 13 mini on special. He got his current iPhone 11 free through metro by Tmobile last year

I do wish they could bring the form factor back with a stronger battery.

Apple has always been super stingy on battery capacity. Their motherboard design has killed them leading to this - the elongated design down 1 side.

Users complaining. Of heat with the 15 Pro … is cause they can feel the warmth on the aside of the iPhone as the SoC is right in the middle on the left-hand side just below the volume buttons.

If the motherboard and film chipset was near the top - nobody would feel it unless gaming or viewing movies/pics in landscape.

The only place Apple can pull them off from is their own retail chain, the other channels still have them.

This is false. Carriers have deals with manufacturers for subsidized pricing to match with their plans. If a phone is discontinued the carriers don’t necessarily “own it” and can relinquish back to Apple. It only makes sense Apple gets back the 13 mini stock brand new in box form carriers in order to supply their AC+ full replacements when needed.

Anyone remember the Verizon BlackBerry Storm 1 fiasco?! Verizon executives lost their doodoo over hardware issues and blackberry not taking back manufacturer defected faulty units. Threaten to sue as well before BlackBerry acquesed.

 

[bevsb2]

Did anyone actually pick up a second Mini to hang onto, just in case? Best Buy has them on sale at the moment for $100 off. They're obviously just trying to get rid of their remaining stock at this point.

I'm considering picking one up as a backup, even though it might end up being a waste of money. I figure it would be easy to sell an unopened Mini down the road, if I end up not needing it.

I did. Seeing the writing on the wall, I picked up a Mini 13 at an Apple Store 2 days before the Apple event. I did open it to be sure everything worked okay and the screen was acceptable (great screen). I plan to keep the software updated, but will continue using the Mini 12 as long as possible.

 

[powerbook911]

The only place Apple can pull them off from is their own retail chain, the other channels still have them.

We have no idea what their contracts might be. I suspected they reclaimed them for service stock.

I literally watched them disappear from Cricket, Amazon, AT&T, Best Buy, etc. after the keynote.

They're now going for thousands on eBay.

 

[one more]

This is false. Carriers have deals with manufacturers for subsidized pricing to match with their plans. If a phone is discontinued the carriers don’t necessarily “own it” and can relinquish back to Apple. It only makes sense Apple gets back the 13 mini stock brand new in box form carriers in order to supply their AC+ full replacements when needed.

Maybe in America. Here, in France, I can still buy a brand new mini 13 from Amazon and some carriers:

Apple iPhone 13 Mini (128 Go) - Minuit

iPhone 13 mini. Le double appareil photo le plus avancé à ce jour sur iPhone. La puce A15 Bionic, d’une vitesse fulgurante. Un spectaculaire gain d’autonomie. Un design résistant. La 5G ultra-rapide . Et un écran Super Retina XDR plus lumineux.

www.amazon.fr

Mobiles chez Orange

Choisissez parmi notre sélection Orange de téléphones Apple, Samsung, Oppo, Fairphone, 5G, eSIM... et bénéficiez du réseau Orange de qualité

boutique.orange.fr

There are more, these are just some “big” examples.

 

[one more]

We have no idea what their contracts might be. I suspected they reclaimed them for service stock.

I literally watched them disappear from Cricket, Amazon, AT&T, Best Buy, etc. after the keynote.

They're now going for thousands on eBay.

Must be an American thing, see my post #220 just above. 🖐️

 

[G4er?]

Why missed out? 13 mini is still being sold today by carriers and third party sellers.

I haven't been able to find one. All the carriers around me say they can't get them.
Can you provide links?
Let me stress I want new not refurbished or renewed. Two family members recently got replacement phones that were refurbished and both have issues. I don't trust that they do a good job making sure used phones work at 100%.

 

[one more]

I haven't been able to find one. All the carriers around me say they can't get them.
Can you provide links?
Let me stress I want new not refurbished or renewed. Two family members recently got replacement phones that were refurbished and both have issues. I don't trust that they do a good job making sure used phones work at 100%.

I did provide links to illustrate the current situation in France (post #220), not sure about America.

 

[rocketbuc]

I’m sure you’ll get a range of answers, but for me even the Mini is too big, so… 😆

I still use my smartphone like how they were initially used back in the day—useful but occasional and quick interactions, usually one-handed. Those initial 3.5” - 4” displays were purposely optimized for that type of usage, so it’s still the best size for me. Obviously I just have to make do with what’s available, but everything bigger than 4”, even the Mini with its longer display, becomes only a comparable disadvantage to me, as one-handed usability quickly drops off as screens grow above 4”, and all advantages of a bigger display/device are wasted on me (even with typing I’m pretty equally proficient with one-thumb swipe typing on a small screen as I am with two thumb tap typing on a big screen).
Not to say I don’t do a lot of consumption too. But the difference is while people want a big phone mainly so that they can consume anywhere any time, I prefer to do all of my consumption at home and work (during breaks of course 😆). I make it a point to only consume there, actually. And coincidentally, these places are where I have other devices that are much better suited for consumption (iPad, computer, TV). So a phone reallllly doesn't need to be a good consumption device for me. In fact, I want it to be as physically unsubstantial as possible (but still functional). I dislike things in my pocket, so the less metal and glass I can carry in there, the better.
But there aren’t a lot of people like me, it seems pretty clear.

Could not agree more with your statement. I use my iPhone mini in the same way as you do. Trying to keep my screen time to a minimum, for many reasons.
Have been using an iPhone 6 for many years before, still a great phone but mine has the touch disease.

 

[one more]

I’m sure you’ll get a range of answers, but for me even the Mini is too big, so… 😆

I still use my smartphone like how they were initially used back in the day—useful but occasional and quick interactions, usually one-handed. Those initial 3.5” - 4” displays were purposely optimized for that type of usage, so it’s still the best size for me. Obviously I just have to make do with what’s available, but everything bigger than 4”, even the Mini with its longer display, becomes only a comparable disadvantage to me, as one-handed usability quickly drops off as screens grow above 4”, and all advantages of a bigger display/device are wasted on me (even with typing I’m pretty equally proficient with one-thumb swipe typing on a small screen as I am with two thumb tap typing on a big screen).
Not to say I don’t do a lot of consumption too. But the difference is while people want a big phone mainly so that they can consume anywhere any time, I prefer to do all of my consumption at home and work (during breaks of course 😆). I make it a point to only consume there, actually. And coincidentally, these places are where I have other devices that are much better suited for consumption (iPad, computer, TV). So a phone reallllly doesn't need to be a good consumption device for me. In fact, I want it to be as physically unsubstantial as possible (but still functional). I dislike things in my pocket, so the less metal and glass I can carry in there, the better.
But there aren’t a lot of people like me, it seems pretty clear.

Have you considered a cellular Apple Watch then? It can tick most of your boxes, but camera.