In disappointing news for fans of smaller smartphones, Apple has no plans to revive the iPhone Mini, according to Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman during a recent Q&A session. The tech giant has been increasingly favoring larger designs, leading to an industry trend where phones continue to grow in size, ultimately making previous compact models seem even smaller.

Gurman’s insights come at a time when Apple has halted sales of its third-generation iPhone SE, leaving a noticeable gap in their lineup for devices with screens smaller than 6 inches. The absence of compact models in their offerings emphasizes Apple's pivot toward larger screen technologies, further magnified by reports of an upcoming foldable iPhone with a 7.8-inch inner display and a 5.5-inch outer display, anticipated to launch as early as next year.

The iPhone Mini, which was first launched with the iPhone 12 in 2020 and featured a compact 5.4-inch display, last saw a new iteration in 2021. Despite carving a niche for itself among users who preferred smaller devices, such as older adults or those with smaller hands, the iPhone Mini struggled to capture significant market share. For instance, data from Counterpoint Research showed that the iPhone 12 Mini only accounted for a mere 5% of iPhone 12 sales in January 2021, and neither the iPhone 12 Mini nor 13 Mini made it to the top 10 best-selling smartphones of that year.

Industry experts have noted that the iPhone Mini’s popularity has been under constant pressure from the surge of larger models and economic alternatives like the iPhone SE and the forthcoming iPhone 16E. Ramon Llamas, a director at IDC, commented that it was clear the iPhone Mini's market presence was declining. “The writing was on the wall," he remarked, pointing to the ongoing consumer trend favoring larger devices.

While the iPhone Mini series may have found favor among a select group of loyalists, it appears that Apple is firmly focused on the future – one that emphasizes larger displays and innovative technology. With the constantly evolving smartphone landscape, it begs the question: Are smaller phones becoming a relic of the past, or is there still hope for a compact device renaissance? Keep your eyes peeled as Apple continues to navigate the competitive smartphone terrain!