Apple may stop producing iPhone 12 mini next quarter

By Stephen Warwick
published

Iphone 12 Mini
Iphone 12 Mini (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

  • One analyst claims that Apple's supply chain may stop producing the iPhone 12 mini next quarter due to ailing demand.
  • Apple is conversely expected to make many more iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12Pro, and iPhone 11 devices.

A new report from JP Morgan's William Yang claims Apple's supply chain might stop making the iPhone 12 mini next quarter.

From AppleInsider:

Forecasting higher build numbers for Apple's "iPhone 13" lineup.

In a note to investors seen by AppleInsider, JP Morgan supply chain analyst William Yang tweaks some of his forecasts for the current iPhone 12 lineup and the next iPhone series expected in the latter half of 2021.

The report claims Yang believes Apple will make a much higher percentage of iPhone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro devices, as well as the iPhone 11 than previously expected. Yang revised build numbers to 11 million, 2 million, and 8 million units respectively. Yang, however, cut expectations of iPhone 12 and 12 mini builds by 9 million and 11 million:

He has also cut iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini build number expectations by 9 million and 11 million, respectively. Yang notes that given the seemingly weak demand for the iPhone 12 mini, the supply chain may stop producing it by the second quarter of 2021.

There is no indication or reason to believe that Apple would stop selling the iPhone 12 mini or marketing the phone for the remainder of its lifespan. Rather, it seems Apple simply can't shift any of the stock it already has, negating the need to make any more.

The news follows numerous recent reports that Apple's iPhone 12 mini is the least popular iPhone 12, only accounting for 6% of sales. One report noted "weaker-than-expected" demand was prompting Apple to switch production efforts to its other models, echoing this report.

Stephen Warwick
Stephen Warwick
News Editor

Stephen Warwick has written about Apple for five years at iMore and previously elsewhere. He covers all of iMore's latest breaking news regarding all of Apple's products and services, both hardware and software. Stephen has interviewed industry experts in a range of fields including finance, litigation, security, and more. He also specializes in curating and reviewing audio hardware and has experience beyond journalism in sound engineering, production, and design.

Before becoming a writer Stephen studied Ancient History at University and also worked at Apple for more than two years. Stephen is also a host on the iMore show, a weekly podcast recorded live that discusses the latest in breaking Apple news, as well as featuring fun trivia about all things Apple. Follow him on Twitter @stephenwarwick9

3 Comments
  • I think Apple made a few mistakes with their first foray into an all-screen “small” iPhone:
    (a) Calling it “Mini” gives the impression of compromise, when clearly the specs says otherwise. In a world where phones are as much a modern extension of a bloke’s manhood as his car used to be, many men wouldn’t be proud to whip out their Mini in public. (Sad but true.)
    (b) The drive to make the device thinner. Most people would take better battery life, making the unit’s depth especially important in a body with less length/width.
    (c) The price. £50 less might help sway a few more towards the smaller model.
    I really hope the alleged 6% share of sales doesn’t put Apple off trying again. Clearly I, and thousands like me, love the smaller form factor.
  • I believe this was a test run for Apple on smaller form factors. I think sales wasn’t great because of the portfolio of phones they have currently on the market. iPhone SE, iPhone XR and iPhone 11 are cheaper than the 12 mini, because of that those 12 mini sales went to other devices. I thank Apple for creating a smaller flagship and having the option in general. Apple is the only manufacturer providing smaller flagship options. I hope they keep the mini line around. I mean they haven’t discontinued the iPad mini yet (which I am a huge fan of) let people have options and the sales will come. I don’t see Apple thinking these sales numbers was a failure, as well as, I don’t think Apple was expecting such high demand for the Pro line either. So this is a strategy change for them.
  • I bought a iPhone 12 Mini and are happy about it. But I guess many that like a more compact device may already bought a iPhone SE (2020).
    So the upgrade cycle may coming later for the iPhone 12 Mini. I think its to early to call it a failure.