In 2020, Apple shocked lots of people by re-entering a uncared for phase of the smartphone market: small telephones. With iPhone 12 mini, Apple did one thing pretty particular, by squeezing the entire similar applied sciences of the iPhone 12 right into a 5.4-inch type issue. Sadly, it didn’t stay for too lengthy, however there could also be a brand new alternative to carry it again.
iPhone mini historical past
The iPhone mini in the end lived a 2 12 months life. There was the iPhone 12 mini, then a subsequent iPhone 13 mini. That was the top of the highway for the iPhone mini.
It was then changed by a polar reverse the subsequent 12 months, with the introduction of iPhone 14 Plus.
Why did the iPhone mini fail? Finally, it served a brand new market by catering to those that desire a smaller telephone. There’s been a really massive viewers of people that need small telephones, and Apple even addressed this after they launched the unique iPhone SE again in 2016.
My guess? I believe folks in the end didn’t wish to pay $699 for a small iPhone with compromised battery life, when in the end you might get the bigger telephone with passable battery for simply $100 extra. Individuals love small telephones, simply not on the value of the iPhone mini. I believe that’s a key distinction in why the unique iPhone SE thrived and the iPhone 12/13 mini didn’t. Value level issues.
It ought to be re-introduced
Earlier this 12 months, Apple launched iPhone 16e at $599. It’s a 6.1-inch iPhone that’s in the end a model of the iPhone 14 with a USB-C port, A18 chip, and a single digicam. It’s solely accessible in that one 6.1-inch measurement. In the meantime, the remainder of the iPhone lineup gives two sizes.
Whereas it’s unlikely that Apple would take this danger, I believe it’d be extremely nifty to re-introduce the iPhone mini beneath its new ‘e’ lineup of gadgets. An iPhone 16e mini (maybe they’d name it one thing else) at $499 may very well be fairly a compelling providing for lots of people.
At that value level, I believe a whole lot of the trade-offs required to create a small telephone grow to be much more justifiable.
Finally, a whole lot of the R&D has already been performed, so it possible wouldn’t be an enormous hurdle to place one other iPhone mini out in the marketplace.
Moreover, The Data has lately reported that Apple needs to change to a staggered launch schedule in 2026, with iPhone 18 Air/Professional fashions launching within the fall, and iPhone 18/18e fashions launching within the spring. If this transformation involves fruition, a possible iPhone 18e mini would have an excellent bigger stage than it historically would, which might probably make extra folks give it a go.
Wrap up
The chances of this occurring are slim to none, however that doesn’t cease me from placing my new iPhone mini dream on the market. Apple is uniquely positioned to fill the small smartphone area of interest, and with customary iPhones now packing 6.3-inch shows, I consider Apple ought to take one other swing at it.
In the mean time, if small telephones are up your alley – they’ve grow to be pretty reasonably priced! You’ll be able to decide up refurbished iPhone 13 mini fashions in wonderful situation on Amazon for beneath $300, which is difficult to cross up. Listed here are among the offers:
Would you wish to see the iPhone mini make a comeback? Tell us within the feedback.
My favourite Apple equipment on Amazon:
Observe Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
