Apple’s Reportedly Replacing the iPhone Mini With a Cheaper Pro Max and 5G iPhone SE

The destiny of the iPhone Mini hasn’t seemed too nice as of late. Earlier this yr, the excitement was that Apple would cease manufacturing its tiniest telephone after poor gross sales. Yet, iPhone 13 rumors have persistently included the Mini as a part of a four-phone lineup. However, a brand new Nikkei Asia report says {that a} 5G iPhone SE will likely be obtainable beginning in early 2022 and {that a} lower-cost iPhone Pro Max will substitute the iPhone Mini for the iPhone 14 lineup.

Fans of the Mini’s show is probably not proud of the information that Apple plans on doubling down on the SE as its small-screen possibility. According to Nikkei, the 5G iPhone SE will nonetheless be based mostly on the iPhone 8—that means a 4.7-inch LCD show as a substitute of the Mini’s 5.4-inch OLED. Earlier iPhone SE rumors additionally hinted that the house button may even stick round. The excellent news is it’ll have the identical A15 processor as the remainder of the iPhone 13 lineup, in addition to Qualcomm’s X60 modem for 5G compatibility.

Citing an nameless supply, Nikkei Asia additionally claims that as a substitute of one other small-screen telephone, Apple will as a substitute go larger, changing the Mini with a brand new 6.7-inch iPhone Pro Max. The supply described this Pro Max as a “relatively cost-effective version”, leaving the lineup at two 6.1-inch telephones and two 6.7-inch telephones. Meaning, if you need a smaller telephone, you’re going to have to stay with the SE going ahead. That’s not horrible, contemplating it’s going to obtain the identical processor. However, apart from a quicker chip and 5G, it’s unlikely the SE will get extra superior options like FaceID and MagSafe, and thus far there’s been no indication it’ll get a greater digital camera both. That stated, we discovered the 2020 iPhone SE impressively held its personal in opposition to the 11 Pro Max.

This makes lots of sense. When it got here to iPhone 12 gross sales, the Mini and Pro Max each grew to become obtainable in November 2020. However, the iPhone Mini solely accounted for 6% of sales at the time, whereas the Pro Max exceeded expectations with 20% of gross sales. This means when you held off shopping for an iPhone 12 Mini, however nonetheless desire a smaller telephone with extra of Apple’s superior options and a greater digital camera, you’re in all probability going to wish to purchase an iPhone 13 Mini.

As for Apple’s different merchandise, Nikkei Asia claims that new AirPods will enter manufacturing subsequent month—lining up with Apple’s manufacturing schedule for the brand new iPhones. So far, AirPods 3 rumors point out the next-gen, entry-level earbuds will borrow closely from the design of the AirPods Pro. This additionally implies that the buds will debut concurrently the iPhones and that Apple itself is returning to its common September launch occasion timing. Last yr, the pandemic screwed with provide chains, main Apple to unfold out its fall product launch schedule into three separate occasions spanning from September to November.