The iPhone mini was an experiment Apple launched in 2020, hoping to win over users who preferred smaller, more compact devices without sacrificing the power and experience of an iPhone. However, after two generations—the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini—the tiny device hasn’t been a success, and the company decided to discontinue it.
Along these lines, and given the possibility that he might return soon, we have to say, sadly, that he will not return.
Final goodbye to the iPhone mini
This denial comes on the heels of leaks revealing that Tim Cook’s team has no plans to bring it back. At least not in the near future. For fans of this type of device, this news may not sit well, but let’s be honest: who in your circle has an iPhone mini?
In fact, with the disappearance of the third-generation iPhone SE, replaced by the new iPhone 16e, Apple has left behind screens smaller than 6 inches, so we will no longer find an option of this type in its catalog.
The last iPhone mini Apple released was the iPhone 13 mini in 2021. Its 5.4-inch size made it an attractive option for those looking for a more manageable device without sacrificing power. However, sales were slow, and Apple decided not to continue with the iPhone 14. Since then, many users have expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of compact options in the company’s ecosystem.
Journalist Mark Gurman, known for his Apple leaks, confirmed in a recent Q&A session that the company doesn’t have a return of an iPhone mini on its roadmap. According to his statements, we won’t see a model with these features in the coming years, consolidating Apple’s tendency to focus on larger devices. This decision doesn’t come as a surprise, as the market has shown a clear preference for larger screens, which is where the iPhone Pro Max and the new iPhone 16e fit in.
The iPhone 16e, which Apple launched in late February 2025, is now the company’s smallest model, although it still surpasses the dimensions of the old mini. With a 6.1-inch display and a slimmer design, it’s the most compact option in the current lineup.
The public wants bigger iPhones
The demise of the iPhone mini reflects a clear strategy on Apple’s part: small phones aren’t profitable. Although a small group of users continues to demand them, the reality is that the bulk of the market demands larger screens. The company seems to have learned its lesson from the mini’s poor sales and isn’t willing to repeat the trend.
For those still looking for a compact iPhone, the options come down to buying a pre-owned iPhone 12 or 13 mini or settling for the iPhone 16e, which, while not small, is at least more manageable than the Pro Max models.
Apple has set the course, and everything points to no turning back. With each new generation of iPhone, the models are larger and more powerful, leaving behind those designs that focused on pocket-friendliness. The iPhone mini is a thing of the past, and it seems there’s no intention of it coming back.
