The latest buzz surrounding the new iPhone 17 Slim has everyone, including Apple fans, intrigued. Phone Arena’s Tsveta Ermenkova raises some pertinent questions that are likely on everyone’s minds. Here’s what he has to say:
Where’s the Mini?
Rumors about Apple developing a new iPhone model have been swirling, with speculation that the company might introduce the iPhone 17 Slim as a replacement for the Plus model. However, in a surprising twist, the latest gossip suggests that the 2025 iPhone Slim will be more than just a regular offering—it’s said to be priced higher than the Pro Max, featuring a new design.
This sleek device is expected to pack Apple’s own A19 chip and sport a screen size between the standard iPhone’s 6.1 inches and the Pro Max’s 6.7 inches. There are even whispers that it will measure 6.6 inches and, true to its name, be significantly slimmer than its contemporaries. While this all sounds exciting, I can’t help but wonder: Apple, where’s my Mini?
When I first heard about a potential new addition to the iPhone 17 family, my hopes were high for an iPhone 17 mini. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the case. The trend towards larger screens is undeniable, and most people seem captivated by the idea of bigger displays. However, not everyone wants a bulky phone that feels like a brick in their pocket.
Is There Any Hope for a Mini Version?
The story of the Mini began with the iPhone 12 and abruptly ended a year later with the iPhone 13 Mini. Apple introduced the Mini variant alongside the iPhone 12, and the following year, they released the iPhone 13 Mini, the last model to feature a 5.4-inch screen. I’ve been using it for three years now, and honestly, I’m not thrilled about the idea of upgrading to a larger phone. I’m sure many others share this sentiment, but our voices seem to go unheard.
With the iPhone 14, Apple replaced the Mini with the Plus, a behemoth of a phone with a 6.7-inch screen matching the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Theoretically, it’s a clear distinction, but in practice, it’s almost comical. My trusty iPhone 13 Mini looks like a miniature companion next to the iPhone 14 Plus.
I often wonder why Apple chose to discontinue the Mini when they already offer so many larger options. The company hasn’t provided a straightforward answer, but it likely boils down to sales figures. Data from 2020-2021 reveals that the iPhone 12 Mini was the least popular model, and while the iPhone 13 Mini performed slightly better, it still accounted for only 4% of iPhone 13 sales in its launch year.
There are a few reasons why the Mini didn’t take off, and why Apple seems reluctant to give it another go. Firstly, when the first Mini was released, Apple also launched the iPhone SE, which essentially stole the spotlight by offering a similar experience at a $300 lower price point. Then there was the issue of the meager battery life on the iPhone 12 Mini, which Apple addressed in the next iteration, but the damage to its reputation had already been done.
Of course, we can’t ignore screen size. For people like me who don’t spend hours gaming, scrolling through social media, or watching videos on their phones, a smaller display isn’t a deal-breaker. But let’s face it, most of us use our devices for these activities, and when it comes to entertainment, bigger screens usually win out.
How Long Will the iPhone 13 Mini Last?
If you’re still clinging to your iPhone 13 Mini, the best-case scenario is that you’ll be able to keep it for another four years. This means Apple will continue to release iOS updates until around 2026-2028. Typically, Apple extends security updates a little longer than OS updates, so we might still receive security patches for an additional 1-2 years after OS updates cease.
But what happens after that? Users will be faced with a choice: embrace the large-screen lifestyle or seek out one of the rare small-form-factor smartphones on the market. It’s a challenging decision in today’s era of ever-growing screens. Even switching to Android doesn’t offer much respite, as options like the Asus ZenFone 10 seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
It would be fantastic if Apple decided to grace us with a new Mini model, perhaps not on an annual basis due to low sales figures, but at least every three or four years, similar to the release cycle of the iPhone SE. While there are no Mini models on the horizon until 2027, fans of compact phones can keep their fingers crossed that the iPhone 18 Mini will make an appearance in the tech giant’s future plans.
