Apple’s iPhone 12 mini U.S. sales were just 5% of overall sales of its new phones during the first half of January, industry data provider Counterpoint said on Tuesday, adding to signs of muted demand for the new smaller version of its flagship device.
Smartphone users have switched to larger devices in recent years as they devour more video content on-the-go and binge on visually rich social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Snapchat.
J.P. Morgan analyst William Yang said in a note last week that weak demand for the smaller iPhone 12 and 12 mini might lead Apple to stop production of the mini in the second quarter. “The product mix adjustment is well expected by investors and should not be a negative surprise,” Yang added.
The company launched a smaller variant of the iPhone 12 model last year, but demand for the smaller smartphones seems to be weaker, compared to the high-end iPhone 12 Pros and the older iPhone 11s.
Counterpoint: Global share of small screen smartphones steadily falls
MacDailyNews Take: Yup. As predicted, over six years ago, no less:
In general, the only people who still think they want a 4-inch iPhone are those who do not yet own a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 or 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. — MacDailyNews, December 5, 2014
I had the 7 and came back to a 5SE just because I wanted my thumb to be the main operator and didn’t want a purse to carry my phone. When I see people with their Pop-tarts size phone monopolizing their 2 hands on the device to get things done, I think we missed something. Even the tweaks Apple made to make them more operable with one hand prove they couldn’t care less. iPhone mini will still outsell most of Android phone by year end.
No such phone as a 5SE. It’s either a 5S or an SE.
Right bro. I was referring to the form factor here. Sorry for getting you and so many other smartass confused.
Every person with whom I have talked that considered an iPhone 12 mini did not get it for one reason: poor battery life compared to the other iPhone options.
I know a lot of people who love and prefer the smaller size but cannot live with the reduced battery life compared to the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 12 Pro (the alternates that they actually purchased).
If Apple had increased the thickness of the mini by a couple millimeters and had a result of a battery life equal to the 12 or the 12 Pro then Apple would definitely be selling more minis.
I agree with this… it felt like I was giving up too much.
Nah I don’t think that’s the reason for most people. Coming from an iPhone 8, the battery life is better on my 12 mini compared to a new iPhone 8. Not sure about SE, but the life on the 12 mini is just fine. I end my day with 50 – 70% charge. I don’t make a ton of calls but been listening to a lot of music lately as my 12 mini came with Air Pods, which I never experienced before.
The 12 mini is fantastic. Its big and has no business being called mini. The screen is identical width to 8 and SE but taller, but the overall body smaller and slimmer.
You have to touch and hold the mini in store — it’s by far the best iPhone as soon as you are able to experience it — the screen is large, the case is light and tiny, it’s unbelievable!
I hope those people who were whining about there not being a smaller iPhone they could wrap their tiny hands around are satisfied. All one thousand of them. I think it’s good Apple built a smaller version for the whiners, but it simply didn’t happen to be as large of a market as the noise being made. Apple tried, at least, and they won’t make that same mistake again. I thought there actually might be a market for a smaller iPhone. I wouldn’t consider buying one because I was immediately worried about having a shorter battery life even though I may have been wrong. The iPhone 12 mini is a nice and dainty size but apparently most consumers want larger displays. I may purchase a refurbished/used iPhone 12 mini to use as an iPod Touch on steroids. There should be plenty of returns and that may drive the price down.
I tend to agree…after all the “I’ll buy a small phone” crap I’ve read over the years, I don’t buy that it was battery that failed it (for most) – in fact, I’d bet most people didn’t read enough to know there was limited battery life. I think it was just more people talking crap in forums, etc. and someone paid attention to it and it failed. Dunno, seems odd as I never heard anything except that prior Max model owners said they’d go back to a “regular” sized iPhone…
Wow speak for yourself. OR try one, have you even held one ? The 12 mini is brilliant. Who cares if its not the top seller.
I’m 6’4 have big hands and I finally replaced my iPhone 8 this year with a 12 mini. Its fantastic.
I could never stand the XR and 11 for one hand use. I was disappointed the 12 Pro wasn’t 5.8″ like 11 Pro but with the slim body of the 12’s.
I can’t stand these large 6″+ phones. They are cumbersome even with large hands. And you know what ? The 12 is not mini, its practically the size of an iPhone8/SE. The screen is larger but body a little smaller.
I had no interest in any “mini” iPhone until the 12’s were announced and all the other models were 6.1″+ models. So I checked out the mini and really happy with it. This is not the Mini that SE1 users wanted, its a lot larger.
Nonsense about the battery it is better than most of your iPhones of past years. Its better than a new iPhone 8 which I was coming from and it lasts me more than I need.
Not true MDN, I have owned larger iPhones but love my iPhone 12 mini! The only way I could be happier is if it had the Pro camera. Shackling the smaller iPhone with inferior specs is not the way to test its market size
I really was about to say the same thing about the Pro camera. I hate the Pro nonsense differentiation. I wonder if the mini could have fit the 3 cameras.
I think we all know that the smaller footprint will not be the majority, as most kids show off the size of their phone as a sign of who is better than the other, trending and “look at men” syndrome online. But the smaller footprint DOES fill the gap of the ecosystem. A few years ago, there were many reports on how the iPhone sales dropped 5%.. well, here is the 5%. I said then (and now) that the smaller footprint rounds out the product line to appease ALL customers. As a 50 year old guy, myself and many of my friends, do not want huge phones. I don’t take selfies, I don’t watch movies on the phone, it’s not a major part of my day. I like the ability to call/get calls. I like something that fits in my pocket. Something I can control with one hand, without ti slipping out and falling/cracking. Look up directions and weather. Check basic emails. A simple phone. iPhone sales are up 76% in 2020, and the smaller size contributed to that (even though it was the smallest contributor). I believe it fills the gap on a the product sphere; and helps keep various users in the Apple ecosystem.