Other Will we see an iPhone 13 mini sized iPhone again?

[splifingate]

I’ve unfortunately never seen anyone using either of the Mini models.

The advent of the 12-mini was Absolute nerd-vana for me . . .

. . . little fsck'r is still as performant today, as it was when I first received it

Once I started using 2-3 27" 4K leds on my desktop, there was absolutely no way I could ever go back; once I started using a mini phone, there's absolutely no way I could ever go bigger!

Fortunately, I am not alone in my affinity of such a tiny device <smile>

 

[splifingate]

A smaller smartphone, like a 12/13 mini, simply cannot meet the high levels of battery life that the average smartphone user in 2023 requires to get through a day.

I can use my 12-mini all-day-long on a single charge with no problem.

In-course, I am not an average User, but I do tax its capabilities for the duration.

Yes: it's been down to 20-30% in the evening, as of late, but in no way am I bereft of connectivity; at any time.

By-far, the functionality supersedes that which I experienced when using my 5, 6 or 8

 

[maerz001]

If we go by what other brands are doing, and consider how Apple literally went in the complete opposite direction for the iPhone 14 line-up by (re?)introducing iPhones Plus for the first time since iPhones 8 Plus, then I'd bet you my bottom dollar that iPhones mini won't be coming back for many, many years, if ever.

Why?

A smaller smartphone, like a 12/13 mini, simply cannot meet the high levels of battery life that the average smartphone user in 2023 requires to get through a day.

-Go to any public space like a big café, mall, shopping area, park, college campus, and observe how most use their smartphones: Allways on, always checking, many taking photos, some live-streaming, recording TikTok videos, etc.

With current battery tech, iPhones mini simply cannot meet these high power consumption needs to the same extent that standard and Max/Plus size smartphones can.

As a result, iPhones mini don't sell well enough and thus won't come back.

Furthermore, there hasn't been a single small iPhone rumor since 13 mini and SE 2022 launched. SE 4th Gen has only been rumored as either a XR, 11 or 14 clone, all of which are 6.1" iPhones.

Sub 6.1" iPhones are dead.

This is only accurate if battery capacity would be proportional to display size.

If they would do the body thicker then a bigger battery fits into it.

 

[one more]

If they would do the body thicker then a bigger battery fits into it.

As would do the camera bumps, bringing it back to the iPhone 1-5 style. 👍

 

[rambo47]

I could imagine Apple bringing back the Mini every 3 models or so, just to test the waters. I would not be surprised to see the iPhone 16 Mini, with no Minis in between. Just enough time for the current 13 Mini to be in need of an update. Three years of active support for the 13 Mini is standard just like with all other iPhone models. Imagine all the hoopla and built up demand they'll see in three years! The demand might not be there every single year but once every three years the numbers might be there.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

This is only accurate if battery capacity would be proportional to display size.

If they would do the body thicker then a bigger battery fits into it.

Accurate observation.

But Apple has never(!) put out an SE that didn't re-use the chassis of an older model 1/1.

Also, a $429 iPhone SE that features both latest SoC AND battery life that's on par with the $799 iPhones would also cannibalize sales of way too many mid-range and high end iPhones.

And to reiterate, there aren't and never has been solid leaks or rumors of any kind of unique or entirely new SE that breaks with previous "old iPhone with new SoC" SE conventions.

I do not know why so many expect Apple to take SE in a drastically new direction when it has never done so before and isn't rumored to do so.

It's gonna be an iteration of mid-range XR/11 at worst or an iteration of mid-range 12/13/14 at best, depending on the exact specifications of the next mid-range iPhones.

 

[maerz001]

Accurate observation.

But Apple has never(!) put out an SE that didn't re-use the chassis of an older model 1/1.

Also, a $429 iPhone SE that features both latest SoC AND battery life that's on par with the $799 iPhones would also cannibalize sales of way too many mid-range and high end iPhones.

And to reiterate, there aren't and never has been solid leaks or rumors of any kind of unique or entirely new SE that breaks with previous "old iPhone with new SoC" SE conventions.

I do not know why so many expect Apple to take SE in a drastically new direction when it has never done so before and isn't rumored to do so.

It's gonna be an iteration of mid-range XR/11 at worst or an iteration of mid-range 12/13/14 at best, depending on the exact specifications of the next mid-range iPhones.

Thats true about the SE. But i was talking about a new mini in general.
If the point for bad sells like u said is battery life, it would be easy for apple to do a thicker 15mini.

 

[9646829]

Hopefully the next SE will basically become the new mini, maybe updated every 2 years.

 

[frazzm737]

The way this thread crops up every month would indicate there is a constant demand, however small, for an advanced, modern iPhone in a compact form factor. (It’s similarly telling how the same Pro/Max users consistently clog up these threads because their hefty, costly flagships are threatened by the existence of iPhone mini’s understated superiority.)

In my opinion, as far as Apple goes, the 13 mini is rivaled only by the original iPhone SE in its minuscule perfection and utility as a truly compact and modern mobile device. Hopefully Apple sees the light and introduces another mini-level iPhone in the relatively near future.

I love my 12 Mini. It just fits in a soft eyeglass case without taking up too much space in my purse. Most women have smaller hands than men making smaller phones easier for them to use. I'll hang on to my Mini for as long as possible.

 

[The Game 161]

Unlikely

 

[Chidoro]

Nope, too many features needing more thermal management and the cameras are getting too large.

 

[Silly John Fatty]

Never (or an iPhone SE 1 size phone, or an iPhone 4 size phone). In Asia, where most of the profits are, big phones are in demand since they serve as a person's sole computer. In the west, most people have a computer, and a phone is a secondary device.

Actually even in the west statistics show that most people don't have a computer. Their phone is their PC. We tend to think most people can afford a computer, but most people are in fact poor. Some have one computer for the entire family. This forum is a rich-people's-forum …

 

[9646829]

This forum is a rich-people's-forum

For the most part this is absolutely the case, always has been.

 

[Andeddu]

Actually even in the west statistics show that most people don't have a computer. Their phone is their PC. We tend to think most people can afford a computer, but most people are in fact poor. Some have one computer for the entire family. This forum is a rich-people's-forum …

It’s more of a behavioural thing now not to own a computer, especially with the younger generations. I don’t see many families with desktop PCs anymore, it’s actually a very rare thing to see in this age. Laptops, although are common to own, are not used anywhere near as much as a decade ago as phones have taken their place. I like my technology as much as anyone else on this forum but I haven’t had any legitimate use for a PC for many years as all my computer use is for leisure. Phones are so powerful now and offer such a premium experience that I don’t think I’ll ever go back to an actual PC.

 

[splifingate]

Actually even in the west statistics show that most people don't have a computer. Their phone is their PC. We tend to think most people can afford a computer, but most people are in fact poor. Some have one computer for the entire family. This forum is a rich-people's-forum …

So: I am a US native/resident.

There are probably {looks/walks-around} six 'proper' ('prä-per; adjective; strictly limited to a specified thing, place, or idea) computers in operation in my house . . . it's (sadly) just me, and the quats

The vast majority of the people with whom I relate (I tend to spend more time in convo with co-workers) assert that their phone is their go-to device.

All that being said, I have no perspective of just how life is for other people, in other areas or countries.

Obviously, the extancy of the 'cellular device' is, if not ubiquitous, basically pervasive across the board.

As rich as I might be, I still struggle with the idea of updating my current cellular with a device three-years out of current.

I participate in forums where folks nonchalantly share photos of new networking gear that is (at least) as equal to the $/£/€ have spent in replacing the roof on my house <shrugs>

Why do some not feel the need to own high-powered computers?

Easy to understand why, as to me (as Andeddu said) my phone is capable of performance my server-grade hardware is not always able to emulate!

 

[macsound1]

Hopefully the next SE will basically become the new mini, maybe updated every 2 years.

The only thing that irks me with this is associating the smallest device with the cheapest. The original MacBook Air was more than its larger siblings. Same goes for the current iPad Mini.
Maybe the iPhone mini can become more commonplace when they start revising them at different rates, like iPads.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I loved my 12 mini, so bought the 13 mini just in case it’s the last of its kind, but here’s hoping for another mini. I also wanted to get one last US iPhone with a SIM tray —and Lightning.

 

[TechLord]

Unlikely, tech enthusiasts on macrumours and Reddit/YouTube loved it but it was clear they lived in a bubble as it didn’t appeal to the general public; most ordinary people don’t have every single possible computing device and use their phone for more than just calls so a large display is necessary. It was also too expensive for what it was thus not appealing to the budget market and in my opinion only existed to help justify a percent price increase to the regular 6.1 inch models without affecting their sales.

If the mini comes back it would make sense as an SE type device with a budget price, then it would have a specific market segment to appeal to that isn’t just wealthy tech enthusiasts.

 

[macsound1]

Looking at how they’re experimenting with sizes, part of me thinks they’re going to add more iPhone models in the next 5 years, like the iPod and iPad lineup.
I see how well they define the iPad mini, iPad, and iPad Pro, I think there’s something there to be aligned on iPhone.
There’d be iPhone mini, iPhone, iPhone air, iPhone pro, iPhone ultra.

Honestly Apple is terrible with aligning names but I do think it’s possible.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Actually even in the west statistics show that most people don't have a computer. Their phone is their PC. We tend to think most people can afford a computer, but most people are in fact poor. Some have one computer for the entire family. This forum is a rich-people's-forum …

I think it's more of an issue with the phones supplanting a home computer. My sister and her husband (both in the 30s) don't have a computer..they either use their phone/iPad, or use a computer at work if need be. My brother and his wife only have a 10 year old old Air and are happy with it..they are in their 20s. Neither couple is poor; both solid upper middle-class.

I used to own several computers but now the only one I own is my m1 air..the rest I gave away. I could get by with just my iPhone and use my work laptop for everything that needed a real computer, even though it's a locked-down windows 10 PC..if push came to shove.

You can get a laptop for $200 at wal-mart..it sucks, but it works and it's cheaper than a decent phone. Many people don't need one anymore, though.

 

[KeepOnKeepinOn]

Jonathan Horst from Mac Address recently did a video that was his love letter to the mini...

 

[DeepIn2U]

I could imagine Apple bringing back the Mini every 3 models or so, just to test the waters. I would not be surprised to see the iPhone 16 Mini, with no Minis in between. Just enough time for the current 13 Mini to be in need of an update. Three years of active support for the 13 Mini is standard just like with all other iPhone models. Imagine all the hoopla and built up demand they'll see in three years! The demand might not be there every single year but once every three years the numbers might be there.

Although I like the idea of the mini returning 2 yes from now it’s not likely to happen.

The mini - 12/13 is really a successor to the original iPhone SE - since it uses the latest chassis design with latest specs of cpu and camera at that time - ignoring what the Plus/Pro models bring. Yes the 13 mini got the 12 Pro’s Ultra-wide camera which was graciously accepted.

The original SE got TouchID before FaceID was created btw. Every other SE used either the iPhone 7 or 8 case. And it’s getting long in the tooth. For me at least.

See size comparison below.

Accurate observation.

But Apple has never(!) put out an SE that didn't re-use the chassis of an older model 1/1.

Also, a $429 iPhone SE that features both latest SoC AND battery life that's on par with the $799 iPhones would also cannibalize sales of way too many mid-range and high end iPhones.

And to reiterate, there aren't and never has been solid leaks or rumors of any kind of unique or entirely new SE that breaks with previous "old iPhone with new SoC" SE conventions.

I do not know why so many expect Apple to take SE in a drastically new direction when it has never done so before and isn't rumored to do so.

It's gonna be an iteration of mid-range XR/11 at worst or an iteration of mid-range 12/13/14 at best, depending on the exact specifications of the next mid-range iPhones.

Yes the price comparison is considerable however.

I love my 12 Mini. It just fits in a soft eyeglass case without taking up too much space in my purse. Most women have smaller hands than men making smaller phones easier for them to use. I'll hang on to my Mini for as long as possible.

Attached:
iPhone 4S, SE 2016(OG), iPhone 12 mini comparison.

Incredible size similarities in length width, height, and weight. But incredibly significant advances in hardware spec and iOS features over the years!

Critically the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini sold MORE than the 30 million target that the original iPhone SE. some users simply just LOVE a smaller iPhone and the SE 2/3 (and if Apple choosers the Xr case in the future) simply is NOT the answer that we the smallest iPhone user wants!

 

[Brooke795]

I wonder how those women with smaller hands get their big iPhones in the first place.

A very petite client of mine also has iPhone 14 Pro Max. When I asked her why she chose a phone of that size and if it was comfortable for her, she replied that her carrier “gave her that” when it was time for her to upgrade. As she is not tech savvy, she just took it, no questions asked.

So perhaps both Apple & carriers are incentivised to upsell bigger (and thus more expensive) models.

So I wonder what this big/small balance would be if Apple & carriers just put all of the currently available iPhone sizes (starting with SE) in front of each upgrader letting them try the phones and choose for themselves.

To touch on something you said.. I work for one of the major US carriers and we do NOT get any kickback on selling more expensive/larger devices. Upgrades don’t pay sales people like you think they do. so that’s absolutely untrue. I understand why you think that but it’s simply not true. And as for “telling“ the customer it’s “time to upgrade “ only thing I’m aware of are general notifications sent to let the customer know they’re eligible to do so and any promotions they may qualify for. But people come into my store on their own free will. Never forced unless they’re on a really really old network that’s about to sunset.

 

[rambo47]

Although I like the idea of the mini returning 2 yes from now it’s not likely to happen.

The mini - 12/13 is really a successor to the original iPhone SE - since it uses the latest chassis design with latest specs of cpu and camera at that time - ignoring what the Plus/Pro models bring. Yes the 13 mini got the 12 Pro’s Ultra-wide camera which was graciously accepted.

...

Perhaps the next Mini or SE will incorporate the features of both. One model small size, sort of a "Greatest Hits" in the smaller form factor. Maybe TouchID and the superior CPU and Camera. Seems to me that the Mini was all about size while the SE was more about being affordable (and TouchID). There's an opportunity there to check all the boxes, except probably the affordable price. Less expensive than the standard iPhone, but not by much. I could sell that all day long.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Perhaps the next Mini or SE will incorporate the features of both. One model small size, sort of a "Greatest Hits" in the smaller form factor. Maybe TouchID and the superior CPU and Camera. Seems to me that the Mini was all about size while the SE was more about being affordable (and TouchID). There's an opportunity there to check all the boxes, except probably the affordable price. Less expensive than the standard iPhone, but not by much. I could sell that all day long.

Again someone missing the point.

The mini was NOT 'all about size - only. The BIGGEST hint to this was during the 12 mini's launch Apple specifically chose to use the Mission Impossible theme song:
Sony owns the distribution rights I believe to that franchise or the initial 3 movies,
Sony was THE ONLY other smartphone manufacturer that previous made a similar product: Xperia Compact that featured (very similarly) top line cpu, same camera as the top line Xperia for each release, 3G/LTE & WiFi band capabilities (no restrictions in bandwidth), as well as hardware features: Notification LED, Power button based FingerPrint reader (to which on Android they were the 1st to do and became a staple), MicroSD and Dual SIM support. Sony stopped the Compact lineup roughly 2.5yrs before the 12 mini was launched btw. Apple and Sony have a unique collaboration partnership but since the MBA intro its been tongue in cheek with 'Sex & Power' to some level lol.

It was about packing all the best features into a small package.
FaceID + top line CPU (less one GPU core as its not a Pro),
2 camera's (not 1 like the SE),
- check out the performance in terms of:
> applications launch and running,
> file storage (local on iPhone or via iPhone libraries to iCloud then to copy over LTE/5G to iCloud storage, over Lightning, WiFi or Bluetooth).
> 4K video capabilities - other than ProRES/ProRAW actually matches very very similarly to the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro,
All packed into a small package is quick good for its battery capacity.

SE = small size (not the smallest), capable cpu paired with lowest storage options, not the latest hardware features in the cheapest package. A single camera.

Many 13 Mini owners wish for a like replacement in the next 3yrs but if the case is used for an upcoming SE model ... without a more efficient CPU (3NM) then battery line will be similar ... a little more considering:
no FaceID
single camera
no add a 3NM cpu ... we may get 20-25% (my estimate) better battery life.

We'll see how the SE evolves and if the Mini will return to some fashion but I hope the screen says at 5.8" max I still love how the bezel's are smaller than the regular iPhone 13 and 14 and the iPhone 14 or 14 Pro