In an era where smartphone screens are growing larger, there remains a group of enthusiasts who insist on using small-screen devices. Their reasons for choosing such devices are simple: one-handed operation, comfortable grip, and the convenience of fitting in a pocket without weighing it down.
However, opting for a small-screen smartphone also means accepting shorter battery life. Despite over a decade of smartphone development, there hasn't been a significant breakthrough in lithium battery technology. The increase in screen size correlates with the decrease in battery life.
Many small-screen enthusiasts fondly remember the compact and efficient phones of the iPhone 5 to iPhone SE era, and thus opt for small-screen smartphones. Yet, with the widespread adoption of 4G, the emergence of 5G, and the explosion of short video platforms, today's smartphone usage scenarios are vastly different from those of the past. Many small-screen enthusiasts find themselves reluctantly switching back to larger devices after using small-screen phones for a year or two, primarily due to battery life concerns.
To use a small-screen phone, one must lower their expectations. Besides battery life concerns, small-screen smartphones typically come with lower specifications. The compact form factor limits the inclusion of larger camera modules, high refresh rates, or even dual SIM functionality, leaving many small-screen phone users with mixed feelings.
Take, for example, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. Users praise their compact size, yet lament their drawbacks, such as compromised battery life and reduced features. Users desire a small size without sacrificing battery life or features, which poses a challenge for manufacturers.
For smartphone manufacturers, producing small-screen devices presents technical challenges and increased costs, requiring advancements throughout the supply chain to reduce costs. Consequently, it's challenging to find small-screen smartphones that excel in all aspects.
After the lukewarm market response to the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini, Apple decisively discontinued the mini series. It's unlikely that Apple will release flagship smartphones with small screens in the future, but they will continue to update the relatively smaller-screened, lower-spec, and lower-priced iPhone SE series.
The iPhone SE series has enjoyed excellent sales. Reports indicate that the iPhone SE 2 shipped approximately 20 million units globally, second only to the flagship iPhone 11 in its release year. User reviews of the various iPhone SE models are consistently positive. The differing sales figures between the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 13 mini, and iPhone SE primarily stem from their pricing strategies.
The release of the iPhone XR in September 2018 proved this point. The price of 6499 made consumers wonder why they shouldn't opt for the better experience of the iPhone XS, which wasn't much more expensive.
To boost sales, Apple initiated promotional campaigns on major e-commerce platforms, leading to a drop in the iPhone XR's price to around 5000. The outcome was a staggering 80% increase in sales within just 20 days.
In this light, compared to the smaller screen, price is the more crucial factor. The author believes that the lackluster sales of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini are not due to a lack of demand for small-screen phones, but rather because consumers find them too expensive at this price point and not competitive enough compared to larger iPhones.
Since consumers aren't buying it, Apple has no choice but to shut down the mini product line. It's akin to vehicles like the Wuling Hongguang mini, priced around 30,000 CNY, which everyone loves. However, if such a car were equipped with some luxurious features and priced at 100,000 CNY, it definitely wouldn't have the same sales now because at 100,000 CNY, most people would opt for a more spacious, versatile vehicle.
Small-screen phones do have a market, but they can't be made high-end; they can't justify a high price tag.
However, small-screen phones are certainly not going to disappear. Several smartphone manufacturers are still producing small-screen phones. Additionally, the iPhone 13 mini is still available for purchase. Although its 4G RAM may be a bit limited, causing some background apps to close frequently, it's still highly recommended for light phone users or as a backup device.
For Apple enthusiasts, there's also the upcoming iPhone SE4 to look forward to. Furthermore, the 6.1-inch small flagship Samsung S23 is a good option, featuring the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen2 chipset, a 120Hz refresh rate, and weighing only 168g. Considerations could also be given to Asus's Zenfone 10 and Sony's Xperia elongated phones.
