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Are you a fan of Apple's iPhone Mini range? If so, you might be wondering why there wasn't an iPhone 15 Mini or even an iPhone 14 Mini. While it seems that the Mini has been discontinued, is there hope for a new iPhone Mini model in the future? Here's everything we know about why Apple ditched the Mini and why we didn't see an iPhone 15 Mini in the 2023 lineup.

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In this blog:

• Why did Apple ditch the iPhone Mini?
• What smaller-sized iPhone should you get?

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Why did Apple ditch the iPhone Mini?

After the release of two Mini models, the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini, why did Apple ditch the iPhone 14 Mini and iPhone Mini 15? The simple answer is there just wasn't a demand for the Mini range. The iPhone 12 Mini accounted for less than 6% of the iPhone 12 series sales, while the iPhone 13 Mini racked up an even smaller 3% of sales.

So why did sales for both the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini tank? There are a few reasons, but the main one is that small smartphones aren't as desirable anymore. This reason and the poor sales figures for the iPhone 12 and 13 Mini could explain why Apple switched up their 14 series, opting for an iPhone 14 Plus rather than an iPhone 14 Mini.

Along with the lack of desire to have a smaller phone, the iPhone 12 and 13 Mini models offered a smaller battery and display, but they didn't offer a substantially smaller price either. The iPhone 13 was priced at £799, while the iPhone 13 Mini cost £679 – a difference of £120. If you were desperate for a smaller handset and didn't mind the battery downgrade, the iPhone 13 Mini was a great option, but for many, the price wasn't worth it.

What smaller-sized iPhone should you get?

Since there is no iPhone 15 Mini or iPhone 14 Mini, you may be wondering what the next best iPhone is if you want a smaller one.

One option is the iPhone 13 Mini, the newest of the two Mini models currently on the market. Released in 2021 and using the same A15 Bionic chip as the iPhone 14, the iPhone 13 Mini is still well worth considering if you want a smaller handset.

If you don't mind something a little older, you could opt for an iPhone 12 Mini. This model is no longer being manufactured, so the only way to get your hands on an iPhone 12 Mini is to buy a refurbished one.

You could also choose one of the three iPhone SE models Apple has to offer. The iPhone SE (1st gen) is the smallest of both the SE and Mini models, with a 4-inch display and dimensions of 4.87" (H) and 2.31" (W); however, it's also the oldest and most dated model.

Both the 2nd and 3rd gen iPhone SE models share the same display size and dimensions, sporting a 4.7-inch display and dimensions of 5.45" (H) and 2.65 (W). While these dimensions aren't as small as the Mini models, they're not too far off. The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is the newest of the three models, having been released in 2022, so it's well worth considering if you want a smaller, budget-friendly phone that's still pretty new.

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