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I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

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Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#371
post #356

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But they could have both things in two separate models. Wasn't the 11 pro the size of the mini / SE? I don't remember whether there was an 11 mini, but it seems to me that 11 pro / SE were exactly that, and the current minis / se are the size of the 7/8/se/11 pro. I the time I couldn't justify buying a new phone, but I remember late last year, when I figured I could start looking, I was possibly contemplating getting…

first gen SE is smallest, and both it and the 2nd/3rd gen SE are smaller than the 11 pro (though the latter is closer, only 0.2" smaller in both length and width). The iphone 12 mini and 13 mini are both smaller than the 2nd/3rd gen SE but larger than the 1st gen SE. The 2nd/3rd gen SE is the same size as the iphone 8.

I used a first-gen SE up until last year and thought it was great. I know it was super old, but it being really small was one of the biggest selling points of it for me.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#373
post #49

Without a 3.5mm headphone jack, I would have to carry wireless earbuds, which would defeat the purpose.

The thing I never understood about the headphone jack and its disappearance: it doesn't need to be a jack. It need only be three contact points. You could have it on the outside rim of a phone and have a magnetic sheath hold the headphone pin to it. But I suppose it's not just about getting rid of the jack itself but also any DAC component? (But, isn't it doing that anyway for the speaker?)

We have (had?) that. It's called USB-C Audio Accessory Mode.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#374

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wonder if there isn't a third factor: 3. Android OEMs can't make a good small phone, even if there was the demand to produce it at scale Because of how efficient Apple's SoCs are compared to Snapdragons, Android phones typically have much larger batteries than iPhones while getting about the same battery life. Big battery requires a big phone. The occasional somewhat small Android phone (for example Galaxy S10e) te…

You can make thick phone. Thick phones are much more pleasant to hold.

That's another thing I want from a phone that no OEM seems to want to make. Make the phone thicker, get rid of the camera bump, and fill the extra space with a bigger battery!

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#375
post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Agreed. I hope the rumors are false and that they'll continue to make the Mini. However, 5% does not mean much if market research proves that those people would buy a regular iPhone anyway if they drop the Mini. I think there is also some competition with the iPhone SE. Even though the Mini is not intended to be a budget phone, it is 100 Euro cheaper than the non-mini. So, I can imagine a chunk of people would buy it…

It's as good as guaranteed that the mini won't be returning this year - dummy models of the upcoming line which are used to size cases have made their way to the usual leakers, and even before that the front panels of the line were leaked. No mini, unfortunately :/

That said, Apple does tend to keep their designs for a fair while, so it's possible there will be one next year, or that it will become the new SE at some point.

I really really want a Pro Mini :(

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#376
post #270

Hi Eric, I'm a hardware startup guy myself (our paths have crossed) with the distinction that my own "very specific set of skills" has been honed at smartphone megacompanies and smartphone startups. OSOM, Essential, HTC, Samsung, Apple. I've designed and built a lot of phones. I'm building one now. I think this is a noble effort, I personally prefer pocketable phones too, but I think there are nigh-insurmountable hur…

Talking about notch/hole-punch displays. As somebody who never ever uses front-facing camera, can I have a phone/display without such defects, please?

Indeed. Those notches, hole-punches etc, I could do without. I very much prefer to have a bit of bezel and have a proper screen (preferably even with angular corners, rather than rounded corners). This also helps when handing the phone to somebody else to show them something... they have a place to hold the darn thing without accidentally swiping, tapping, or - worst of all - hitting the back button.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#378
post #352

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> In the real world, billions of people earn a very nice living making niche products. But rarely something as expensive to create as a smart phone.

Really? Because things like cabriolet cars, speciality cars, high-end audio equipment, luxury furniture and many others exist. If anything, mobile phone market is exceedingly horrible because of consolidation into a single product with not much choice.

Maybe we could have a market for very high end phones that cost $3000, but I haven't seen anyone try to fill that niche yet. Maybe it isn't there?

Even if it was there, that doesn't mean the phone would be small. People who want small phones aren't necessarily wealthy, so they would only be going after the market for the intersection of 'wealthy + want small phone'... which might be a very small market and not worth pursuing.

Re: I want an iPhone Mini-sized Android phone

#380

I wanted this and it didn't exist, so now I use an iPhone 13 mini. I'll likely replace the battery on this a few times since rumor has it the mini model won't be continued. It's too bad that Apple is running entirely on the sales numbers of the mini itself for that decision, as since getting an iPhone 13 mini I've bought 3 of the newest model of macbook pro for members of my family, started using Apple TV+ and Apple…

I think we will see the small phone format returning down the road under the SE brand instead. So a year or two from now a new SE that looks like today's 13 mini.

While the rumors themselves are usually pretty accurate, the interpretations and conversations around them remain pretty wild and emotional. Low sales numbers probably proved that the mini isn't the format that needs a refresh every single year and the 13 mini was unique because the 12 mini had a few weak points that needed addressing.

I think Apple has lately really had it's sh*t together when it comes to strategy and timing lately. They knew years ahead of time that the interest in the small format (in which you can reach across the entire screen with your thumb) would return as soon as everyone got used to and bored with big screens.

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