Apple Discontinues iPhone “Mini” Model in Latest Lineup
The iPhone 15 lineup has left many Apple enthusiasts disappointed as it noticeably lacks a model with a display size below six inches. This comes just two years after Apple released the highly anticipated iPhone 12 mini, which was praised for its smaller form factor. So, why did Apple eliminate the beloved “mini” device?
The iPhone 12 mini was introduced in 2020 after years of pleading from iPhone fans for a small-screen device with top-of-the-line features. It was assumed that the mini model would stay in production for several years. However, it came to a seemingly premature end with the release of the iPhone 14 lineup in 2022. Sadly, with the release of the iPhone 15 lineup, Apple retired the last remaining device with the “mini” form factor.
The discontinuation of the iPhone 12 mini can be attributed to poor sales. Reports indicated that it did not sell as well as Apple had hoped. According to data gathered by Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), the iPhone 12 mini made up only six percent of iPhone 12 sales in the U.S. from October to November 2020. More recent reports from Counterpoint Research revealed that the iPhone 12 mini accounted for only five percent of all iPhone 12 sales in the first half of January 2021.
To make matters worse, Morgan Stanley believed that Apple cut production of the iPhone 12 mini by two million units to prioritize the more popular iPhone 12 Pro. Additionally, a Taiwanese report cited supply chain sources indicating that strong demand for the iPhone 12 Pro models in China led Apple to increase its supply of the more expensive devices.
JP Morgan Chase went as far as claiming that Apple halted iPhone 12 mini production in the second quarter of 2021. Despite the disappointing sales, Apple plans its iPhone production and supply chain operations well in advance, which means that the iPhone 13 mini was already in production when the issues with the iPhone 12 mini’s sales became apparent.
Before the release of the iPhone 15 lineup, CIRP released data suggesting that the iPhone 13 mini accounted for just three percent of iPhone 13 sales, half of what the iPhone 12 mini achieved. These continued poor sales were likely the primary reason for the demise of the “mini” iPhone.
In an attempt to offer alternatives, Apple replaced the “mini” device with a new “Plus” model that features a 6.7-inch display, matching the size of its high-end “Pro Max” models in the iPhone 14 lineup. This provides customers with a larger battery and screen, similar to what “Pro Max” customers have been accustomed to, but at a more accessible price point of $899, compared to the $1,199 price tag of the “Pro Max.”
However, less than a week after the launch of the iPhone 14, Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted that demand for both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus was lackluster, with worse pre-order results than the third-generation iPhone SE and the iPhone 13 mini. Display analyst Ross Young also reported a decline in panel orders for the iPhone 14 compared to the iPhone 13 at the same time last year. Furthermore, on the resale market, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus lost their value twice as fast as the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 from the previous year.
Multiple reports from various sources, including DigiTimes, have highlighted low iPhone 14 Plus sales, leading Apple to slash production. This suggests that the lackluster sales of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini may not have solely been due to the device’s size. Whether the iPhone 15 Plus will fare better remains to be seen.
Rumors suggest that there are no plans to revive the “mini” form factor in Apple’s upcoming pipeline. Instead, future iPhones are expected to have larger displays, with even the smallest iPhones, like the iPhone 16 and fourth-generation iPhone SE, rumored to feature 6.1-inch screens. On the other hand, some future devices, such as the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, are expected to grow even larger, reaching 6.3 and 6.9 inches, respectively.
With Apple’s decision to discontinue the iPhone “mini” model, customers seeking a smaller form factor will have to consider other options or adapt to larger screen sizes. The smartphone landscape continues to evolve, and Apple is constantly innovating to meet the demands of its diverse customer base.