Apple’s 2022 iPhones will come in four different models with displays in two sizes, 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch, phasing out smaller 5.4-inch iPhone mini displays, TFI analyst Ming-Chi Kuo writes in a Wednesday note to clients. Both sizes could come in high-end and low-end versions, i.e. “iPhone 14,” “iPhone 14 Max (or Plus),” iPhone 14 Pro,” and “iPhone 14 Pro Max.”
If accurate, Kuo’s prediction would suggest that Apple is backing away from its lowest-cost new device, the iPhone 12 Mini, which was released in 2020 after years of user requests for a smaller iPhone.
However, reports from Apple’s Asian supply chain and analyst estimates suggest that the iPhone 12 Mini is not selling well compared with other iPhones with larger displays and bigger batteries.
He writes the 2022 iPhones will include a new image sensor supplied by Sony that can output video at 8k resolution and take 48-megapixel photos. They’ll also use improved camera lenses.
“We believe that the camera quality of the new 2H22 iPhone will elevate mobile phone camera photography to a new level,” Kuo wrote.
MacDailyNews Take: So, it sounds like there will be a “mini” iPhone this year, corroborating rumors, but the upcoming 5.4-inch “iPhone 13 mini” might be the last chance for those looking for small iPhones with close to the latest technology.
As expected, Apple is adjusting production and future model plans based on the iPhone mix they’ve seen and are extrapolating for the coming quarters and years.
It’s been known for some time that the response to the iPhone 12 mini was tepid vs. Apple’s flagship iPhone 12 Pro Max and the other iPhone 12 models.
And, so, yes, this is as we predicted many years ago; people gravitate to larger displays (with their attendant larger batteries):
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 have owned an iPhone since the 3G. I love my mini my wife and son have larger 11’s. I like my mini. If I want something larger I simply pull on my iPad Air for LTE. They just don’t seem to be enough of us to go around.
Here we go again. On and off SE launched and shelved, then the mini comes in to save the day and now small phones shelved again.
Let me remind folks the original iPhone debut in 2007 was 3.5 inches and quoting Steve, “the perfect size.” Remained the same size for years and NO ONE complained.
So, obviously for beancounter Cook this all about profits and Apple could not care less about smaller phone fans of all sizes from kids to women and men. Tone deaf profit CEOs no longer listen to customers.
Curious what the definition of “tepid” sales means. Since when is selling millions of small phones tepid? Because Cook hid Apple until sales numbers, we will never know ACCURATELY.
I bought the latest SE in 2019 on sale from Apple for $299 128GB. What a deal! Absolutely love the power of the smallest phone that fits your hand and pockets. Well, now simply buy a couple backup batteries and hold onto it as long as I can before Apple makes the OS OBSOLETE.
No MDN, I don’t have to use a larger phone to know what I want. Same as I don’t have to be a chicken to know an egg is rotten…
Whoopsie!
Cook hid Apple ACTUAL sales numbers…
Remember when Apple users would raz “phablet” users? I guess they’re not that bad after all.
Yeah I remember those days. Boy were we wrong.
I had the original, then a 3G, 4S, SE, 7 and now an 11.
Never dropped a one until the 11. After three drops I had AppleCare replace. Too big I guess.
Was looking forward to the next Mini. Guess I’ll be getting the current one before they’re discontinued.
A market being small doesn’t really matter if the people in that market find the smallness essencial. Without the smaller iPhone will they buy a bigger iPhone? Or go to Android? The mac itself was always a minority market, but that wasn’t a reason for Apple to switch to selling Windows.
Products come and go. Apple is very concerned about making profit, so if the iPhone mini was cutting into their profit, then it obviously had to go. Apple might as well use those iPhone mini production lines for the iPhone models most users are buying. Apple tried to listen to the consumers who requested the smaller iPhone, but apparently there weren’t enough consumers who wanted the iPhone mini to the point it may have not been financially feasible for Apple. It’s also possible the semiconductor component shortage may last longer than expected, so Apple would rather put those precious components to better use. May the iPhone mini R.I.P.
Please explain how making smaller phones with less material overall, smaller packaging, low end processors, fewer camera parts, smaller battery and then selling MILLIONS since 2007 3.5 inch debut the “iPhone mini was cutting into their profit?”
“apparently there weren’t enough consumers who wanted the iPhone mini to the point it may have not been financially feasible for Apple.”
Again, please explain how selling MILLIONS of small phones less costly to make as far as I know, is NOT “financially feasible” and better yet, not making profits.
You cannot. Your post is full of fanboy defensive opinion minus facts and sales numbers to back up your theories and I suspect two reasons.
Callously could not care less about the millions of us since 2007 that are perfectly happy with a smaller phone and have no use or desire for a larger model. The phablet phones do not fit in hands comfortably or shirt pockets, mainly require two hand use, easily fall out of your hand or pocket if it fits at all and I’ve seen users place them on a flat surface to operate. Would that extra weight and size cause hand fatigue particularly among women in my observations for many years.
Second, instead of beating around the bush state the hidden agenda for your post. You would likely prefer Apple sell the largest and most expensive phones, vastly increasing maximum profits, so you can brag again and again how satisfied you are with high flying Apple stock. 🤔
Bottom Line: I do NOT want a larger phone, not now, not ever! When Apple drops millions of us small phone devoted fans since June 29, 2007 like a bad habit, we will decide and Apple is not going to like our freedom of choice…
I have the 12 mini and it’s just what I wanted except that there is no smart battery case for it, and since the iPhone 6 I have always added a battery case as I want plenty of reserve power. If they don’t come out with one soon, I’ll go back to the SE so I can have that power and a small footprint.
What, really, did Apple expect their sales of the initial version of the iPhone 12 Mini sales to look like when they introduced it roughly six months after bringing the iPhone SE 2020 (November 13, 2020
vs. April 24, 2020) to market with no forewarning to small phone consumers of their plan to do so?
I’m sure many of Apple’s small phone consumers bought the SE 2020 immediately, and were somewhat perplexed, to say the least, by the appearance of the Mini so soon thereafter — just as I’m sure most SE 2020 owners intend to upgrade to the latest version of the Mini, if there is one, once their SE 2020 contracts run out.
(Edited)
What, really, did Apple expect their sales of the initial version of the iPhone 12 Mini to look like when they introduced it roughly six months after bringing the iPhone SE 2020 (November 13, 2020 vs. April 24, 2020) to market with no forewarning to small phone consumers of their plan to do so?
I’m sure many of Apple’s small phone consumers bought the SE 2020 immediately upon its availability, and were somewhat perplexed, to say the least, by the appearance of the Mini so soon thereafter — just as I’m sure most SE 2020 owners intend to upgrade to the latest version of the Mini, if there is one, once their SE 2020 contracts run out.
Exactly what I intended to do the next upgrade cycle, save for downsizing.
Of course, this could always be bad info or there are other plans for a new small model.
Or Apple could be fishing for buyer reaction, where an uptick in sales before it is gone would be the impetus to continue it.
I own a mini. Maybe that’s not relevant but I don’t think any small phone owners rushed out to get the new SE. It was the same old phone as four previous generations but faster.
Do you really think SE1 owners waiting for the next SE rushed out to buy the new SE when it was no different that the iPhone 7 or 8 they already snubbed?
IMO the SE’s big target was business. Its a low cost iPhone most companies will adopt.
Sorry to say this but what exactly is my iPhone for? I use it to wake me up, and occasionally using language learning apps. I just don’t use it that much at all. iPhone with limited battery life should be fine for most of us.