iPhone Mini?

Rico · January 04, 2013, 08:37:24 AM

So, I've heard talk for awhile about a possible scaled down iPhone Mini. Does anyone think this will eventually happen? Maybe with a smaller screen, fewer apps, etc. I'm not seeing as much as a need here as the iPad mini but this article talks about the need for Apple to offer some more flavors of their phone to compete more with Android. Anyway, thoughts?

http://blogs.computerworld.com/smartphones/21583/analysts-offer-iphone-mini-antidote-apples-samsung-problem

Bryancd · January 04, 2013, 08:41:37 AM

Actually that I could see. Apple will have to begin to broaden the mobile phone offering line in a similar manner to what they did with the iPad, despite my skepticism of that it's turned out to be a good move. The iPhone 5 form factor is really pushing the size limit for a phone, so downscaling that at a lower price point and less features makes sense.

Dangelus · January 04, 2013, 10:46:27 AM

Pushing the size limit? The iPhone screen is pretty small compared to the best competitors already lol.

Bryancd · January 04, 2013, 03:17:47 PM

Quote from: Dangelus on January 04, 2013, 10:46:27 AM
Pushing the size limit? The iPhone screen is pretty small compared to the best competitors already lol.

Yes....keep telling yourself that, it will help soften the sting of remorse. ;)

What I mean is that you really can't get bigger and still have it be a phone that is easy to hold and speak into or put in a pocket. Larger sized screens will find a much smaller market.

Dangelus · January 04, 2013, 09:13:12 PM

Quote from: Bryancd on January 04, 2013, 03:17:47 PM
Quote from: Dangelus on January 04, 2013, 10:46:27 AM
Pushing the size limit? The iPhone screen is pretty small compared to the best competitors already lol.

Yes....keep telling yourself that, it will help soften the sting of remorse. ;)

What I mean is that you really can't get bigger and still have it be a phone that is easy to hold and speak into or put in a pocket. Larger sized screens will find a much smaller market.

Well yes everybody has a personal limit but what I'm saying is that the best selling Android phones are already larger than the iPhone 5 (The Samsung Galaxy S3 mini is actually the same size as the 5!) and I think it's more likely that Apple will do a slightly larger iPhone before an iPhone mini.

Rico · January 05, 2013, 04:58:15 AM

I don't see Apple have two iPhones that close in size in a large format. I'm sure they will tweak their current iPhone and probably make it slightly bigger - maybe with the iPhone 6. But a smaller, less costly, scaled down version still would probably serve some people. Not everyone wants a monster sized phone in their pocket. I also see them offering more case/color options at some point too.

Bryancd · January 05, 2013, 06:24:56 AM

Yeah, the popularity of the Galaxy S3 isn't that it's screen is slightly larger then the iPhone 5, it's because it's ubiquitous across so many different OS and carries world wide. The fact that iOS and iPhone compete so strongly with just a single OS option is really extraordinary and a testament to the popularity of the product and experience. Apple doesn't need a larger screen phone but they could use a smaller one.

Dangelus · January 05, 2013, 11:13:47 AM

Of all the tech blogs and podcasts I listen to I have yet to encounter an iPhone user who would like a smaller screen. Plenty that wish iPhones would catch up with Android and even Windows phone when it comes to screen size.

Also I don't think people buy android phones because they can get a bigger screen necessarily but some people like to have more choice. Different people have different requirements. For example my wife recently switched from an iPhone to a midrange Android phone (she doesn't need the power and screen real estate of an S3) and she's absolutely loving it. She told me how the apps work better and things are so much easier to use. I was gobsmacked and very proud. ;)

Rico · January 05, 2013, 11:59:00 AM

Dan - you are talking about current iPhone users. I have not been talking about those people - I'm talking about people without an iPhone or even any "smart" phone. And believe it or not - that's a lot of people (I'm one of them). Also, I know some woman at work that switched to a bigger screen phone and don't like it, they say it's too big for them and the size of their hands. In any case, there is a big market out there for a cheaper version of the current iPhone. Having basically one model is certainly limiting your market segment.

Dangelus · January 05, 2013, 12:05:09 PM

Quote from: Rico on January 05, 2013, 11:59:00 AM
Dan - you are talking about current iPhone users. I have not been talking about those people - I'm talking about people without an iPhone or even any "smart" phone. And believe it or not - that's a lot of people (I'm one of them). Also, I know some woman at work that switched to a bigger screen phone and don't like it, they say it's too big for them and the size of their hands. In any case, there is a big market out there for a cheaper version of the current iPhone. Having basically one model is certainly limiting your market segment.

I get what your saying but it doesn't sound very Apple to me. They tend to let others do the budget products.

Bryancd · January 05, 2013, 12:29:57 PM

Quote from: Dangelus on January 05, 2013, 11:13:47 AM
Of all the tech blogs and podcasts I listen to I have yet to encounter an iPhone user who would like a smaller screen. Plenty that wish iPhones would catch up with Android and even Windows phone when it comes to screen size.

Also I don't think people buy android phones because they can get a bigger screen necessarily but some people like to have more choice. Different people have different requirements. For example my wife recently switched from an iPhone to a midrange Android phone (she doesn't need the power and screen real estate of an S3) and she's absolutely loving it. She told me how the apps work better and things are so much easier to use. I was gobsmacked and very proud. ;)

Tech blogs are the worst place to do general mass market research and I will leave it at that. People buy Android phones mostly due to cost and carrier availability. Regardless, as I mentioned Apple has to broaden their mobile phone platform as these devices are a commodity as opposed to an experience for the majority of global customers. A less expensive, smaller phone can fill that space and continue to perpetuate the spread of iOS.

Dangelus · January 05, 2013, 12:41:55 PM

Quote from: Bryancd on January 05, 2013, 12:29:57 PM
Quote from: Dangelus on January 05, 2013, 11:13:47 AM
Of all the tech blogs and podcasts I listen to I have yet to encounter an iPhone user who would like a smaller screen. Plenty that wish iPhones would catch up with Android and even Windows phone when it comes to screen size.

Also I don't think people buy android phones because they can get a bigger screen necessarily but some people like to have more choice. Different people have different requirements. For example my wife recently switched from an iPhone to a midrange Android phone (she doesn't need the power and screen real estate of an S3) and she's absolutely loving it. She told me how the apps work better and things are so much easier to use. I was gobsmacked and very proud. ;)

Tech blogs are the worst place to do general mass market research and I will leave it at that. People buy Android phones mostly due to cost and carrier availability. Regardless, as I mentioned Apple has to broaden their mobile phone platform as these devices are a commodity as opposed to an experience for the majority of global customers. A less expensive, smaller phone can fill that space and continue to perpetuate the spread of iOS.

Apple don't rely on market research, they tell they're customers what they want, At least they did historically. It will be interesting to see if they adopt their competitors strategy of offering choice like you suggest.

Bryancd · January 05, 2013, 01:29:41 PM

They will still retail it above "comparable" products on the market. The real question is what kind of margins can they make on it. That's where Apple really excels is being able to source out components at great pricing and then retail the finished product for a premium.

KingIsaacLinksr · January 05, 2013, 04:14:42 PM

If there is one thing stopping people from buying smartphones, its the very expensive plans attached to them. I think if I tried to buy an iPhone or Android smartphone now, I wouldn't. The way plans are priced is pretty dang high and I'm fortunate to be grandfathered into a cheaper plan. I know that isn't the only reason people don't buy them but everyone I talk with always gives me that reason for not having one.

Bryancd · January 05, 2013, 04:19:03 PM

Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on January 05, 2013, 04:14:42 PM
If there is one thing stopping people from buying smartphones, its the very expensive plans attached to them. I think if I tried to buy an iPhone or Android smartphone now, I wouldn't. The way plans are priced is pretty dang high and I'm fortunate to be grandfathered into a cheaper plan. I know that isn't the only reason people don't buy them but everyone I talk with always gives me that reason for not having one.

Well, that's a function of economic demographics. Smart phone data planes aren't priced for college kids, niether are really nice cars, it's just the way of it. Not everything will be economicaly asscessible to everyone, gives you something to work towards. There were plenty of things I couldn't afford in my early 20's that I can now, not all of them I still want, curiously enough.