The Case for Diverse iPhone Sizes

The transition from the iPhone 6 to the iPhone X was a remarkable upgrade for me, but I found the iPhone X slightly cumbersome to carry. Hence, I was eager to adopt the iPhone 12 mini two years ago. While I appreciated the mini, it felt like an overreaction, ultimately being a bit too small for my liking. I realized I was looking for a device that was just a touch smaller than the iPhone X, not an exceedingly compact phone.

With the latest iPhone announcement, it's unfortunate to see that every new model now exceeds the size of the iPhone X. This trend was predicted by Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo over a year ago, warning that the mini’s future was uncertain.

Reports have surfaced indicating that the iPhone mini has struggled in terms of sales, prompting Apple to reduce its supply chain orders. Despite this, the overall sales for the iPhone 12 remain strong, particularly due to the high demand for the Pro models.

In the 2022 lineup, Kuo reiterated that the 5.4-inch version has been discontinued, leaving us with four models: two premium ‘Pro’ versions with 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch displays, alongside two standard models of the same sizes.

Now, with Kuo's forecast coming true, I find myself facing a choice between oversized and excessively oversized iPhones. This situation likely arises from Apple’s misjudgment that consumers prefer larger devices. This assumption seems to be reinforced by the fact that the iPhone 13 mini constituted a mere 3% of total iPhone sales. Yet, instead of concluding that the future lies solely in larger screens, an alternative interpretation emerges: the mini was perhaps too small for users like myself, who find the standard iPhone slightly too large, while it’s still too big for those who genuinely desire a compact phone. The actual lesson from the mini might be that three sizes are not sufficient.

Rather than discontinuing the mini, Apple should acknowledge that it could have served as a medium-sized option within its lineup. A slightly larger version would likely resonate better with consumers seeking a reasonably sized iPhone—not too big, not too small, but just right.

With this adjustment, the iPhone family could offer medium, large, and extra-large models, creating demand for a truly compact phone to round out the collection. While I may not be in the market for a small phone, the 5th generation iPod Touch (which I still use occasionally) has always felt perfectly sized in my hand. If you’re having difficulty envisioning a contemporary iPhone with dimensions akin to the iPod Touch, take another look at the accompanying image.

The Reality of Upgrading

As much as I wish for the medium-sized iPhone described above, it seems unlikely to materialize soon, if ever. For now, the iPhone 14 Pro stands out as my preferred upgrade from the iPhone 12 mini. While I dread the idea of moving to the largest and heaviest phone I've ever owned, features like the Dynamic Island, always-on display, and 48-megapixel main camera make me consider the trade-off.

However, I can't justify the $999 price tag, nor the $749 after the $250 trade-in discount for my mini. Consequently, I opted out of last Friday's iPhone upgrade festivities, choosing instead to await the iPhone 15 event. That was until I spotted AT&T's offer of an $800 trade-in value for my iPhone 12 mini, which compelled me to place an order for the iPhone 14 Pro—despite not having purchased through a carrier in over a decade. It may not be the iPhone I hope for, but as Tony Stark famously said, “It’s an imperfect world, but it’s the only one we’ve got.”