In 2020, Apple shocked lots of people by re-entering a uncared for section of the smartphone market: small telephones. With iPhone 12 mini, Apple did one thing pretty particular, by squeezing the entire identical applied sciences of the iPhone 12 right into a 5.4-inch type issue. Sadly, it didn’t dwell for too lengthy, however there could also be a brand new alternative to convey it again.
iPhone mini historical past
The iPhone mini in the end lived a 2 yr 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 yr, with the introduction of iPhone 14 Plus.
Why did the iPhone mini fail? In the end, it served a brand new market by catering to those that desire a smaller cellphone. There’s been a really giant viewers of people that need small telephones, and Apple even addressed this once they launched the unique iPhone SE again in 2016.
My guess? I feel individuals in the end didn’t need to pay $699 for a small iPhone with compromised battery life, when in the end you can get the bigger cellphone with passable battery for simply $100 extra. Individuals love small telephones, simply not on the value of the iPhone mini. I feel that’s a key distinction in why the unique iPhone SE thrived and the iPhone 12/13 mini didn’t. Value level issues.
It must be re-introduced
Earlier this yr, 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 digital camera. It’s solely out there 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 threat, I feel it’d be extremely nifty to re-introduce the iPhone mini beneath its new ‘e’ lineup of units. An iPhone 16e mini (maybe they’d name it one thing else) at $499 might be fairly a compelling providing for lots of people.
At that value level, I feel loads of the trade-offs required to create a small cellphone change into much more justifiable.
In the end, loads of the R&D has already been completed, so it doubtless wouldn’t be an enormous hurdle to place one other iPhone mini out available on the market.
Moreover, The Info has just lately reported that Apple desires to modify 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 variation involves fruition, a possible iPhone 18e mini would have an excellent bigger stage than it historically would, which might probably make extra individuals give it a go.
Wrap up
The chances of this taking place 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 imagine Apple ought to take one other swing at it.
In the mean time, if small telephones are up your alley – they’ve change into pretty reasonably priced! You may decide up refurbished iPhone 13 mini fashions in wonderful situation on Amazon for underneath $300, which is tough to cross up. Listed here are among the offers:
Would you prefer to see the iPhone mini make a comeback? Tell us within the feedback.
My favourite Apple equipment on Amazon:
Comply with Michael: X/Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram
FTC: We use revenue incomes auto affiliate hyperlinks. Extra.
