One of Apple's newest iPhone models could already be doomed
'End-of-life' doesn't sound good.
Of all the iPhone models released in 2020, perhaps the most curious is the iPhone 12 mini. In a world of enormous smartphones that require at least three hands to hold, the tiny 5.4-inch iPhone was notable for bucking the trend. But alas – it seems it wasn't quite the triumphant return to small phones that Apple might have been hoping for.
According to new reports, the iPhone 12 mini has "reached End-of-Life ahead of time", meaning Apple has begun winding down production of the unit. It's one of our best smartphones right now, but might the mini not survive the jump to the iPhone 13 line up?
According to TrendForce, thanks to "disappointing sales performances compared to other models", Apple is planning to shift its attention away from the mini, focussing instead on driving sales of the other, larger models. The company did unveil a new purple colour for the iPhone 12 and 12 mini this spring – but could it that be the last of the mini iPhones?
We're a little surprised to hear that iPhone 12 mini is performing poorly enough for Apple to cease production entirely. We were excited about the revived tiny form factor when the device was first revealed in October, and called it a "welcome compact alternative to the oversized competition" in our iPhone 12 mini review. Not only that, but it's also the cheapest iPhone 12 available, starting at $699/£699. But perhaps portability and price are no match for the large screen and incredible camera of the likes of the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
For us, the big question now is whether we'll see an iPhone 13 mini later this year. Rumours have suggested that, just as with the iPhone 12, there'll be four iPhone 13 models – but this latest development could well harm the 5.4-inch model's chances.
Time will tell whether the next generation of iPhones includes a 5.4-inch model, but there are certainly enough tantalising iPhone 13 leaks to suggest the new iPhone line up will be incredible – mini or no mini. If you're a fan of the small form factor, though, you might find yourself having to hold on to that 12 mini for as long as you can. Check out today's best iPhone 12 deals below, and don't forget to explore our Apple deals page for more brilliant offers.
Read more:
Get the Creative Bloq Newsletter
Daily design news, reviews, how-tos and more, as picked by the editors.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Daniel John is Design Editor at Creative Bloq. He reports on the worlds of art, design, branding and lifestyle tech (which often translates to tech made by Apple). He joined in 2020 after working in copywriting and digital marketing with brands including ITV, NBC, Channel 4 and more.
Related articles
- I can't resist snapping up this 3D pen with 30% off – it's perfect Prime Day fun
- I've used all of xTool's laser craft machines, and never expected the new M1 Ultra to have $600 off for Prime Day
- The actually good Chromebook Prime Day deals are not all on Amazon
- 3 of the best 3D scanners we've tested are cheaper on Prime Day