Apple reportedly ends iPhone 12 mini production due to low sales
The iPhone 12 series kickstarted an upgrade supercycle that’s expected to continue into 2022 with the iPhone 13. Despite that, Apple’s iPhone 12 mini has seriously underperformed, and a new report claims that production has ended.
In a research note published this morning about Apple’s iPhone 13 series production plans for the second half of 2021, TrendForce claims that the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini reached “End-of-Life” status earlier this quarter following weak sales.
In other words, Apple has ended production of the iPhone 12 mini — permanently. The company will continue to sell existing stock over the summer months — the device is still available on Apple.com with no signs of delay — ahead of September’s iPhone 13 launch.
The end of iPhone 12 mini production, which Apple hasn’t confirmed, corroborates a research note published in February by J.P. Morgan that stated Apple was planning to halt production at some point this quarter.
The iPhone 12 mini reached 'End-of-Life' this quarter
In a research note published this morning about Apple’s iPhone 13 series production plans for the second half of 2021, TrendForce claims that the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini reached “End-of-Life” status earlier this quarter following weak sales.
The end of iPhone 12 mini production, which Apple hasn’t confirmed, corroborates a research note published in February by J.P. Morgan that stated Apple was planning to halt production at some point this quarter.
Apple stopping iPhone 12 mini assembly so soon means that it should be officially discontinued in September upon the iPhone 13's arrival. The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are also expected to be discontinued, as well as the iPhone XR.
The move would leave Apple’s iPhone SE (2020), iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 series in the lineup come the holiday season.
Apple is planning an iPhone 12 mini successor in the form of the iPhone 13 mini, despite the current model's poor performance since release. It has learned its lesson, though, and will be actively pushing the larger iPhone 13 models.
As for the long-term future of the mini model, that's in doubt at the moment. Reports suggest Apple will replace the 5.4-inch iPhone with an affordable version of its 6.7-inch flagship in 2022, likely to be marketed as the iPhone 14 Max.
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