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Apple killed the iPhone mini because it only had a 4-6% share of sales of all iPhone models. While some people may really want this, I can't imaging that it'll

by jbotz 24d ago

Apple killed the iPhone mini because it only had a 4-6% share of sales of all iPhone models. While some people may really want this, I can't imaging that it'll get more than 5% of iPhone sales (after maybe an initial higher novelty peak).

seabrookmx 24d ago
They can possibly justify the lower sales volume if the margins are much higher.
anshumankmr 24d ago
I think fold phones are not at least for most OEM manufacturers the bedrock of their business whereas the Mini was supposed to perform at least as well as the mainstay iPhones cause it did not do much beyond being a percentage smaller. I on the other hand hope they kill the slim iPhone and/or bring back the Plus cause the 16 Plus was a solid deal.
dudus 24d ago
IOS27 has a killer feature that will boost sales for duo. Iphone handoff. Don't underestimate how deep apple customers wallets are. You now can have multiple iPhones. A pro that you use day to day, an Air that you use when you go to the gym and a duo to use when at home. Now the crease lasts longer because you are not using it 24/7, you spread wear across multiple devices and pump the apple sales.
- LaGrange 24d ago
  > You now can have multiple iPhones. Thanks, I'd rather pull my fingernails.
- cheschire 23d ago
  Why carry a phone at all? Just buy one and leave it at all the places you go. Have your personal security carry a backup in case you go somewhere your assistant hasn’t been able to get a phone delivered to yet.
Jskewel 24d ago
4%-6% of iPhone sales, but not of profits.
londons_explore 24d ago
larger screen possibly leads to more hours of usage per day, more ad-surfaces, more software and services revenue per user per year.
elAhmo 24d ago
Was the 4-6% figure officially confirmed or just speculation?
ramraj07 24d ago
You dont seem to understand why people buy the most expensive phones. Most of the time (especially outside tech circles) its a show of wealth. In a lot of ways the iphone has always been the Achilles Heel of the ultra wealthy, no matter how many billions you had, you could never do fancier than a 1500 buck iphone. Apple IMO is just trying to capitalize on this phenomenon and capture the pretentious luxury market. Anecdotally the galaxy fold did really well with the obnoxiously rich circles in my country, people who previously all had iphones. So they kinda have to do it as well now.
- tsunamifury 24d ago
  Asia and America are very different
  - neya 24d ago
    People who want to flaunt wealth they don't have will do so regardless of the continent they're from. This statement isn't even factually correct. If you look at some place like Hong Kong and LA, you'll find a lot of similarities in demographics.
    - tsunamifury 24d ago
      They are very different and it’s insane that you think otherwise
      - coldtea 24d ago
        They're the same in this regard, and it’s insane that you think otherwise. Asians might get the fame today with movies like "Crazy Rich Asians" but Americans have long been seen as the typical "flaunting wealth" conspicuous comsuptiom people by Europeans for example. In 2026 even the President has golden toilets and golden everything to flaunt his wealth.
        tsunamifury 23d ago
benob 24d ago
Lots of people in non-tech jobs are dropping their laptop/desktop for their phone for all work-related tasks. They love having more screen real estate, plus their company pays for the premium.
jtrn 24d ago
If the fold make up 4% of sales, but with 2x or more margin vs mini, it might be worth it for them. Seems like a product that MIGHT survive due to that.
- blitzar 24d ago
  + the pricing anchor drags the others models up and makes them look "better value" ... vs a lower price model selling 4% but anchoring the price downwards.
rswail 24d ago
I'm a 12/13 mini on my second refurbished 13 and a new battery. This is the first iPhone I've considered. Even so, the price is... impressive. I want a screen that my thumb can reach from top to bottom without stretching or doing weird half-screen swipes to get at. Also weird that they've gone back to touch ID instead of face ID to open/unlock. But I'll definitely be looking at it.
- larodi 24d ago
  My 12 was refurbished like... 5 times already - I break various parts of it, and I have a spare 13 that was refurbished 2 times. Even though I can allow myself newer phone, nothing comes close to these models in portability, yet speed.
- silverwind 24d ago
  It's quite a lot wider and thicker than a mini, and imho looks quite ugly when folded, I don't see the appeal as a single-handed device.
- urbandw311er 24d ago
  This is likely a technical limitation rather than a preference; with the requirement to be so thin, there is probably not enough room for the necessary depth scanning hardware required for Face ID.
  - user43928 24d ago
    The reason they gave was that with TouchID it can be unlocked consistently both when folded or unfolded. For FaceID they would need to include that hardware twice, also under the display in the inner screen.
- harrouet 24d ago
  Same here: 13 Mini (bought new at launch) with renewed battery. I took my passport in my hand yesterday to see how it feels. Yikes, it feels even harder to control the whole screen with your thumb.
fakedang 24d ago
Basically Apple had Samsung et al validate the use case for a flip phone before executing their move. The others proved there is a market for this, hence Apple jumped on the bandwagon. This is not like the iPhone mini, where they were competing with both lower end phone companies, and their own older refurb models. This one's all about ostentation.
meerita 24d ago
They will stick with this product for a long time. Asia is the biggest market in the world for these kinds of devices.

by jbotz 24d ago

seabrookmx 24d ago

They can possibly justify the lower sales volume if the margins are much higher.

anshumankmr 24d ago

I think fold phones are not at least for most OEM manufacturers the bedrock of their business whereas the Mini was supposed to perform at least as well as the mainstay iPhones cause it did not do much beyond being a percentage smaller. I on the other hand hope they kill the slim iPhone and/or bring back the Plus cause the 16 Plus was a solid deal.

dudus 24d ago

IOS27 has a killer feature that will boost sales for duo. Iphone handoff. Don't underestimate how deep apple customers wallets are. You now can have multiple iPhones. A pro that you use day to day, an Air that you use when you go to the gym and a duo to use when at home. Now the crease lasts longer because you are not using it 24/7, you spread wear across multiple devices and pump the apple sales.

LaGrange 24d ago
> You now can have multiple iPhones. Thanks, I'd rather pull my fingernails.
cheschire 23d ago
Why carry a phone at all? Just buy one and leave it at all the places you go. Have your personal security carry a backup in case you go somewhere your assistant hasn’t been able to get a phone delivered to yet.

Jskewel 24d ago

4%-6% of iPhone sales, but not of profits.

londons_explore 24d ago

larger screen possibly leads to more hours of usage per day, more ad-surfaces, more software and services revenue per user per year.

elAhmo 24d ago

Was the 4-6% figure officially confirmed or just speculation?

ramraj07 24d ago

You dont seem to understand why people buy the most expensive phones. Most of the time (especially outside tech circles) its a show of wealth. In a lot of ways the iphone has always been the Achilles Heel of the ultra wealthy, no matter how many billions you had, you could never do fancier than a 1500 buck iphone. Apple IMO is just trying to capitalize on this phenomenon and capture the pretentious luxury market. Anecdotally the galaxy fold did really well with the obnoxiously rich circles in my country, people who previously all had iphones. So they kinda have to do it as well now.

tsunamifury 24d ago
Asia and America are very different
- neya 24d ago
  People who want to flaunt wealth they don't have will do so regardless of the continent they're from. This statement isn't even factually correct. If you look at some place like Hong Kong and LA, you'll find a lot of similarities in demographics.
  - tsunamifury 24d ago
    They are very different and it’s insane that you think otherwise
    - coldtea 24d ago
      They're the same in this regard, and it’s insane that you think otherwise. Asians might get the fame today with movies like "Crazy Rich Asians" but Americans have long been seen as the typical "flaunting wealth" conspicuous comsuptiom people by Europeans for example. In 2026 even the President has golden toilets and golden everything to flaunt his wealth.
      - tsunamifury 23d ago

benob 24d ago

Lots of people in non-tech jobs are dropping their laptop/desktop for their phone for all work-related tasks. They love having more screen real estate, plus their company pays for the premium.

jtrn 24d ago

If the fold make up 4% of sales, but with 2x or more margin vs mini, it might be worth it for them. Seems like a product that MIGHT survive due to that.

blitzar 24d ago
+ the pricing anchor drags the others models up and makes them look "better value" ... vs a lower price model selling 4% but anchoring the price downwards.

rswail 24d ago

I'm a 12/13 mini on my second refurbished 13 and a new battery. This is the first iPhone I've considered. Even so, the price is... impressive. I want a screen that my thumb can reach from top to bottom without stretching or doing weird half-screen swipes to get at. Also weird that they've gone back to touch ID instead of face ID to open/unlock. But I'll definitely be looking at it.

larodi 24d ago
My 12 was refurbished like... 5 times already - I break various parts of it, and I have a spare 13 that was refurbished 2 times. Even though I can allow myself newer phone, nothing comes close to these models in portability, yet speed.
silverwind 24d ago
It's quite a lot wider and thicker than a mini, and imho looks quite ugly when folded, I don't see the appeal as a single-handed device.
urbandw311er 24d ago
This is likely a technical limitation rather than a preference; with the requirement to be so thin, there is probably not enough room for the necessary depth scanning hardware required for Face ID.
- user43928 24d ago
  The reason they gave was that with TouchID it can be unlocked consistently both when folded or unfolded. For FaceID they would need to include that hardware twice, also under the display in the inner screen.
harrouet 24d ago
Same here: 13 Mini (bought new at launch) with renewed battery. I took my passport in my hand yesterday to see how it feels. Yikes, it feels even harder to control the whole screen with your thumb.

fakedang 24d ago

Basically Apple had Samsung et al validate the use case for a flip phone before executing their move. The others proved there is a market for this, hence Apple jumped on the bandwagon. This is not like the iPhone mini, where they were competing with both lower end phone companies, and their own older refurb models. This one's all about ostentation.

meerita 24d ago

They will stick with this product for a long time. Asia is the biggest market in the world for these kinds of devices.