In 2020, Apple stunned numerous other folks via re-entering a disregarded section of the smartphone marketplace: small telephones. With iPhone 12 mini, Apple did one thing relatively particular, via squeezing the entire identical applied sciences of the iPhone 12 right into a 5.4-inch shape issue. Unfortunately, it didn’t are living for too lengthy, however due to a up to date lineup trade, a brand new window may’ve opened for its resurgence.
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iPhone mini historical past
The iPhone mini in the long run lived a 2 yr lifestyles. There was once the iPhone 12 mini, then a next iPhone 13 mini. That was once the top of the street for the iPhone mini.
It was once then changed via the polar reverse the following yr, with iPhone 14 Plus becoming a member of the lineup.
Why did the iPhone mini fail? Ultimately, it served a brand new marketplace via catering to those that desire a smaller telephone. There’s been an excessively massive target market of people that need small telephones, and Apple even addressed this once they offered the unique iPhone SE again in 2016.

My bet? I believe other folks in the long run didn’t wish to pay $699 for a small iPhone with compromised battery lifestyles, when in the long run it’s essential to get the bigger telephone with sufficient battery for simply $100 extra. People love small telephones, simply no longer at the cost 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. Price level issues.
A brand new iPhone mini fashion
Earlier this yr, Apple offered iPhone 16e at $599. It’s a 6.1-inch iPhone that’s in the long run a model of the iPhone 14 with a USB-C port, A18 chip, and a unmarried digicam. It’s best to be had in that one 6.1-inch measurement. Meanwhile, the remainder of the iPhone lineup provides two sizes.

While it’s not going that Apple would take this chance, I believe it’d be extremely nifty to re-introduce the iPhone mini beneath its new ‘e’ lineup of gadgets. An iPhone 16e mini (most likely they’d name it one thing else) at $499 might be relatively a compelling providing for numerous other folks.
At that value level, I believe numerous the trade-offs required to create a small telephone transform much more justifiable.
Ultimately, numerous the R&D has already been performed, so it most probably wouldn’t be an enormous hurdle to position every other iPhone mini out available on the market.
Additionally, The Information has reported that Apple needs to modify to a staggered liberate time table in 2026, with iPhone 18 Air/Pro fashions launching within the fall, and iPhone 18/18e fashions launching within the following spring. If this transformation involves fruition, a possible iPhone 18e mini would have a fair higher level than it historically would, which might probably make extra other folks give it a cross.
Wrap up
The odds of this going down are narrow to none, however that doesn’t prevent me from placing my new iPhone mini dream available in the market. Apple is uniquely located to fill the small smartphone area of interest, and with usual iPhones now packing 6.3-inch presentations, I consider Apple will have to take every other swing at it.
In the in the meantime, if small telephones are up your alley – they have got transform relatively reasonably priced! You can select up refurbished iPhone 13 mini fashions in very good situation on Amazon for only $300, and you’ll be able to get them beneath $200 if you wish to have a 12 mini. Even when you simply need one for collections sake, they’re priced lovely neatly:
Would you prefer to look the iPhone mini make a comeback? Let us know within the feedback.
If you’re beneath 24, take a look at Amazon Prime for Young Adults. You can get a 6 month loose trial, and afterwards it’ll run you best $7.49/month. You don’t wish to be in school both.
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Source: 9to5mac.com

