When the iPhone 12 series was launched, special attention was paid to the iPhone 12 mini. Finally, people who wanted a smaller format had a device that didn’t compromise on performance. But no matter how much praise is given to the device, sales have apparently been below expectations.
William Yang from JP Morgan, via AppleInsider, reportedly revised its mix of iPhone construction plans for 2021. Apparently, demand for the iPhone 12 mini remains weak by Apple standards, prompting Yang to cut production expectations by 11 million units. Yang apparently says that Apple could halt production of the device in the second quarter of this year if things don’t get better.
A separate report by Counterpoint Research (via Reuters) revealed similar results. The iPhone 12 mini was responsible for only 5% of the total sales of the iPhone 12 series during the first half of January in the United States. Both reports seem to corroborate a growing set of data that suggest the iPhone 12 mini is not as popular as Apple expected.
In all accounts, the iPhone 12 mini is a great smartphone. And with a starting price of $ 700, it is relatively affordable when it comes to major iPhones. However, the data may underline how the smartphone market has evolved far beyond the smaller form factor. Sure, the iPhone 12 mini may be easier to hold and put in your pocket, but the smaller screen size isn’t as pleasant to use when watching videos or playing games. And the smaller form factor means a smaller battery.
To be fair, the iPhone 12 mini only went on sale in November. And it was launched in the middle of a pandemic. However, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is selling very well, with Yang revising its iPhone 12 Pro Max sales expectations by 11 million units. Apple does not report unit sales for any of its products, so we will never get official numbers. Even if sales of the iPhone 12 mini are lower than Apple expected, they could still be high by other manufacturers’ standards.