The Potential Demise of the iPhone 12 Mini Might Be Imminent
Small-handed folks have been yearning for a compact smartphone for years, and in 2020, Apple finally answered their prayers with the iPhone 12 Mini. However, it seems Apple might be reconsidering its production due to less-than-impressive sales. JP Morgan supply chain analyst William Yang reportedly cut his production expectations for the iPhone 12 Mini by 11 million units, and speculations suggest Apple may even halt production by the second quarter of 2022.
According to AppleInsider, Yang also reduced his expectations for the standard iPhone 12 by 9 million units, while upping the numbers for the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max by 2 million and 11 million units respectively. Surprisingly, the iPhone 11 also saw an uptick in expectations, with Yang revising them by 8 million units.
These figures align with recent reports of a lackluster demand for the iPhone 12 Mini. A Consumer Intelligence Research Partners report in January revealed that the iPhone 12 Mini accounted for only 6% of total iPhone sales in October and November, despite launching a month after the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which accounted for about 20% during the same period. Another supply chain report from Nikkei Asia noted that while the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max were surpassing expectations and the 12 was meeting them, the 12 Mini was underperforming.
There could be several reasons behind the 12 Mini's underperformance. One possibility is the iPhone SE, which is slightly larger but cheaper and has a bigger battery. Another issue is the battery itself. The Mini's 2,227 mAh battery is significantly smaller than that of the standard 12 and the Pro Max, leading to poor battery life, as noted in Gizmodo's review.
Despite the Mini's struggles, there's hope for those who love compact iPhones. The iPhone 13 rumors suggest Apple will stick with a four-model lineup, and the Mini might continue in that series. Apple might find a way to fit a larger battery or optimize software to reduce battery drain. Alternatively, there's always the iPhone SE, which offers a smaller form factor and a more affordable price point. So, there's still light at the end of the tunnel for mini-phone lovers.
Enrichment note: The focus is now on the upcoming iPhone 17 series, with rumors of a thinner iPhone model, potentially called the iPhone 17 Slim or iPhone 17 Air, replacing the Plus model due to its lower popularity. Apple's Q1 2025 earnings report showed lower-than-expected iPhone sales, particularly in China, leading to concerns about future sales. However, Apple projects a modest increase in revenues for Q2 2025, with earnings expected to rise "low to mid single digits" compared to the same period last year.
The tech industry is closely watching Apple's strategy for the iPhone 13 series, as rumors suggest the company will continue the Mini model. This could provide an opportunity to optimize battery capacity or software to address the Mini's previous battery life issues.
JP Morgan supply chain analyst William Yang, who had initially cut his production expectations for the iPhone 12 Mini, also revised his expectations for the iPhone 11, indicating a potential shift in consumer demand towards larger or more affordable models.
Looking ahead to 2025, Apple's Q1 earnings report showed a decline in iPhone sales, particularly in China. However, the company projected a modest increase in revenues for Q2 2025, suggesting a focus on future innovation and optimizing its product offerings to meet evolving consumer needs and preferences.
In the future, technology trends such as 5G, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence could play a significant role in shaping Apple's smartphone strategy, potentially leading to new compact iPhone models that offer advanced features while addressing battery life concerns.
