Would Apple really make an iPhone mini?

SeaKing · 01-06-2013, 10:04 PM

Apple has overtaken LG as the #2 phone maker, but Samsung is still ahead. Samsung has a myriad of devices covering a wide range of customers while Apple has the iPhone a very high end expensive device.

The goal is to compete, and the question is how.

Would Apple really make an iPhone mini?
By Will Shanklin
January 5, 2013

"For the last couple of years, analysts have waxed poetic about an iPhone mini. The logic is that Android's dominance of budget and emerging markets will "force" Apple to release the mythical budget iPhone. Is there anything to this, or is it just a bunch of hot air?
On the surface, an iPhone mini looks like a no-brainer. The iPod mini, Mac mini, and iPad mini were all cheaper – and successful – versions of iconic Apple products.

From a business perspective, each of these minis lowered the entry fee for its product line. But from a consumer perspective, they each added something else:

The iPod mini (and, later, the iPod nano) added greater portability. Gym rats, commuters, and children loved its smaller form factor, and it went on to outsell the classic iPod.

The Mac mini adds flexibility, as the only consumer Mac that isn't an all-in-one. It smooths the transition for Windows converts who already own a monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

The iPad mini adds portability and comfort. It's much lighter and easier to hold than the 9.7-inch iPad, which it is likely outselling (possibly by a large margin)."

More

Rick1971 · 01-06-2013, 10:06 PM

isn't the Iphone already a mini, compared to nearly all Android phones

sabredog · 01-06-2013, 10:08 PM

Why?

Surely the iPhone does not need a smaller form factor than the 4S or even 5?

I would be more worried about this

Joykins · 01-06-2013, 10:35 PM

iPhone mini: for people with very, very small fingers. Um, seriously there is already such a thing, it is called an iPod touch.

BWinmill · 01-06-2013, 11:16 PM

It's hard to tell what Apple needs to do in order to maintain its position in the market. If they don't address the needs of enough of the marketplace, it is possible for them to face a similar situation to the Mac in the 1990s.

Love.Forever. · 01-06-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick1971

isn't the Iphone already a mini, compared to nearly all Android phones

I thought so as well... Since getting the Galaxy S2 X, everything else seems too small. Tried to read something on the iPod touch and it just seems like I have to strain my eyes a bit because of the smaller size.

Solicitous · 01-06-2013, 11:45 PM

An iPhone with a 3.5 inch screen would be nice. I can see that taking over top spot from Samsung

HansTWN · 01-07-2013, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

An iPhone with a 3.5 inch screen would be nice. I can see that taking over top spot from Samsung

What year is this, 2008?

afv011 · 01-07-2013, 01:37 AM

They went to 4" due to market pressure (and at 4", the iphone 5 has a small screen by today's standards, and lowly resolution when you consider we are getting now 1080p screens). I can't see them going back to pre-iphone 5 screens; if you want 3.5", you might as well get an iphone 4s.

VaultBoy · 01-07-2013, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sabredog

Why?

Surely the iPhone does not need a smaller form factor than the 4S or even 5?

I would be more worried about this

shanghaichica · 01-07-2013, 02:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joykins

iPhone mini: for people with very, very small fingers. Um, seriously there is already such a thing, it is called an iPod touch.

The iPod touch is the same size as the iPhone 5.

BWinmill · 01-07-2013, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afv011

They went to 4" due to market pressure (and at 4", the iphone 5 has a small screen by today's standards, and lowly resolution when you consider we are getting now 1080p screens). I can't see them going back to pre-iphone 5 screens; if you want 3.5", you might as well get an iphone 4s.

It is about addressing the needs/wants of different segments of the market. I have a Samsung with a smaller screen and am more than happy with it. It does what's needed of it, it is more portable, and it was less expensive. Now I don't know how important that stuff is to the market in general, but I suspect that it may be important. After all, Samsung has had a lot of success in the marketplace because they produce phones that offer a variety of formats and features at a variety of prices.

Keep in mind, people have different expectations for their phones. Some people may demand 1080p. Other people may just want something to make phone calls with. Most people will be somewhere in between.

WillysJeepMan · 01-07-2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afv011

They went to 4" due to market pressure (and at 4", the iphone 5 has a small screen by today's standards, and lowly resolution when you consider we are getting now 1080p screens). I can't see them going back to pre-iphone 5 screens; if you want 3.5", you might as well get an iphone 4s.

If T-Mobile USA's "end to phone subsidies" takes hold, you can bet good money that Apple will produce an inexpensive iPhone. (whether it is called an iPhone mini or not is debatable).

Apple will need to produce an iPhone that sells unsubsidized in the $250-$350 range.

murraypaul · 01-07-2013, 11:00 AM

I could see them releasing a phone version of the iPod Nano (iPhone Nano?).
Alongside the current iPhone line, not replacing it.
The same thing happens with cars, over time a model gradually becomes bigger and bigger each year, until what was the smallest model in a companies line is now quite big, so they introduce a new smaller model beneath it.
The iPhone has now gotten big enough that there might be room for a smaller model beneath it.

SeaKing · 01-07-2013, 11:23 AM

When I started this thread, the Gizmag article wasn't the first I saw.

When they say "mini" they don't just mean size where they could gain some savings in production costs, I think they mean also in capability.

Visualize the new eiPhone for "economical" iPhone with smaller screen than the new 4" screen, MAYBE LIKE THE OLD 3.5" SCREEN, and some reduced internals.

Personally, I expect to see a good camera in it so it can "sort of" replace the dedicated point and shoot cameras, GPS for driving instructions, etc.

Really all they have to do is reintroduce the 3.5" or even a 3.2" iPhone and call it the new Mini. They could do like they did with the iPad mini and have less screen resolution, or they could try AMOLED.

Anyway, the point would be to have a cheaper iPhone with whatever excuse they needed to compete with the Android phones AND not make their regular iPhone buyers feel over charged.

01-06-2013, 10:04 PM	#1
SeaKing Frequent Flier Posts: 1,282 Karma: 2058993297 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: KB kindle aboard, Galx Tab 7.0 Plus, trying out Droid 1 as mini-tab	Would Apple really make an iPhone mini? Apple has overtaken LG as the #2 phone maker, but Samsung is still ahead. Samsung has a myriad of devices covering a wide range of customers while Apple has the iPhone a very high end expensive device. The goal is to compete, and the question is how. Would Apple really make an iPhone mini? By Will Shanklin January 5, 2013 "For the last couple of years, analysts have waxed poetic about an iPhone mini. The logic is that Android's dominance of budget and emerging markets will "force" Apple to release the mythical budget iPhone. Is there anything to this, or is it just a bunch of hot air? On the surface, an iPhone mini looks like a no-brainer. The iPod mini, Mac mini, and iPad mini were all cheaper – and successful – versions of iconic Apple products. From a business perspective, each of these minis lowered the entry fee for its product line. But from a consumer perspective, they each added something else: The iPod mini (and, later, the iPod nano) added greater portability. Gym rats, commuters, and children loved its smaller form factor, and it went on to outsell the classic iPod. The Mac mini adds flexibility, as the only consumer Mac that isn't an all-in-one. It smooths the transition for Windows converts who already own a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. The iPad mini adds portability and comfort. It's much lighter and easier to hold than the 9.7-inch iPad, which it is likely outselling (possibly by a large margin)." More

01-06-2013, 10:08 PM	#3
sabredog Geographically Restricted Posts: 2,629 Karma: 14933353 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Device: Sony PRS-T3, Kindle Voyage, iPad Air2, Nexus7v2	Why? Surely the iPhone does not need a smaller form factor than the 4S or even 5? I would be more worried about this Last edited by sabredog; 01-06-2013 at 10:10 PM.

01-07-2013, 11:23 AM	#15
SeaKing Frequent Flier Posts: 1,282 Karma: 2058993297 Join Date: Oct 2011 Device: KB kindle aboard, Galx Tab 7.0 Plus, trying out Droid 1 as mini-tab	When I started this thread, the Gizmag article wasn't the first I saw. When they say "mini" they don't just mean size where they could gain some savings in production costs, I think they mean also in capability. Visualize the new eiPhone for "economical" iPhone with smaller screen than the new 4" screen, MAYBE LIKE THE OLD 3.5" SCREEN, and some reduced internals. Personally, I expect to see a good camera in it so it can "sort of" replace the dedicated point and shoot cameras, GPS for driving instructions, etc. Really all they have to do is reintroduce the 3.5" or even a 3.2" iPhone and call it the new Mini. They could do like they did with the iPad mini and have less screen resolution, or they could try AMOLED. Anyway, the point would be to have a cheaper iPhone with whatever excuse they needed to compete with the Android phones AND not make their regular iPhone buyers feel over charged. Last edited by SeaKing; 01-07-2013 at 11:32 AM.

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01-06-2013, 10:06 PM	#2
Rick1971 cool a zombie! Posts: 75 Karma: 1016994 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Antonio, Tx, USA Device: Sony PRS-350, Lenovo a2107a-f, Le PanII, Motorola Xoom FE	isn't the Iphone already a mini, compared to nearly all Android phones

01-06-2013, 10:35 PM	#4
Joykins Wizard Posts: 1,601 Karma: 9211856 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: kindle Oasis 2018, kindle 4 NT, kindle PW2, iPhone, iPad mini	iPhone mini: for people with very, very small fingers. Um, seriously there is already such a thing, it is called an iPod touch.

01-06-2013, 11:16 PM	#5
BWinmill Nameless Being	It's hard to tell what Apple needs to do in order to maintain its position in the market. If they don't address the needs of enough of the marketplace, it is possible for them to face a similar situation to the Mac in the 1990s.

01-06-2013, 11:45 PM	#7
Solicitous Wizard Posts: 1,434 Karma: 1525776 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: TAS, Australia Device: Astak Pocket Pro (Black), 2 x Kindle WiFi (Graphite), iPod Touch 4G	An iPhone with a 3.5 inch screen would be nice. I can see that taking over top spot from Samsung

01-07-2013, 01:37 AM	#9
afv011 Captain Penguin Posts: 2,947 Karma: 2077653593 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Device: Kobo Libra 2, Nook Glowlight	They went to 4" due to market pressure (and at 4", the iphone 5 has a small screen by today's standards, and lowly resolution when you consider we are getting now 1080p screens). I can't see them going back to pre-iphone 5 screens; if you want 3.5", you might as well get an iphone 4s.

01-07-2013, 11:00 AM	#14
murraypaul Interested Bystander Posts: 3,725 Karma: 19728152 Join Date: Jun 2008 Device: Note 4, Kobo One	I could see them releasing a phone version of the iPod Nano (iPhone Nano?). Alongside the current iPhone line, not replacing it. The same thing happens with cars, over time a model gradually becomes bigger and bigger each year, until what was the smallest model in a companies line is now quite big, so they introduce a new smaller model beneath it. The iPhone has now gotten big enough that there might be room for a smaller model beneath it.