Big phones are set to be all the rage in 2013, but just to buck the trend, it seems Apple could be releasing a smaller iPhone next year, according to one analyst.
Strategy Analytics' Neil Mawston reckons Apple will launch a mini mobile in 2014 to combat Samsung. The Korean company has fingers in many mobile pies, whereas Apple is tied to the top end of the market. Apple will look to change that with a smaller, more wallet-friendly device, Mawston reckons.
"We believe Apple will have to launch an 'iPhone Mini' at some point over the next three years to address the hundreds of millions of prepaid users worldwide that cannot afford the current iPhone," Mawston told our US colleagues. "The iPhone 5 is growing fast and profitably right now, so there is limited incentive for Apple to launch a profit-squeezing 'iPhone Mini' this year.
"We expect the 'iPhone Mini' to be more likely next year, in 2014, when Apple's penetration of the global postpaid smartphone market will be nearing saturation and Apple will be forced to discover fresh growth streams elsewhere."
One thing is for sure -- if Apple does launch a smaller iPhone, it'll keep it lower case (mini rather than Mini), as per the iPod touch and iPad mini.
Does Apple really need to launch an iPhone mini? Mawston reckons so. He predicts Samsung will have a third of global smart phone sales this year, up from 31 per cent last year. Apple will only manage 21 per cent, up from 20 per cent in 2012, Mawston thinks. Hence, Apple will need to start to cash in on the budget end of the market.
Don't fret though if you're worried there'll be no new iPhone this year -- some say an iPhone 5S is on the way sooner rather than later.
Would Apple launch an iPhone mini? The iPad mini is looking to see off competition from cheaper tablets, so I could see Apple doing the same with a phone. How much should it cost? And are you with me on the lower case 'm'? Let me know in the comments, or on Facebook.
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anonymous 7 January, 2013 13:56
Cmon lets face it it will probably be £400ish and thats cheap to an Isheep!
anonymous 7 January, 2013 14:22
Had Apple launched a £200 phone 2 or 3 years ago, they would have swept the board and Android would never had reached its current level of market penetration.
anonymous 7 January, 2013 14:23
cheapish to Isheepish
anonymous 7 January, 2013 14:41
My LG does the same job as Iphone and it cost me half the price so why bother buying one of this so called icrap.
Im happy with LG :)
anonymous 7 January, 2013 15:59
If you dislike the iPhone then why comment on an article about it, calling people iSheep just shows that you dislike the fact people enjoy something you don't.
Pointless. End of.
kubson84 7 January, 2013 16:27
smaller than 3,5" ? no thank you, I'm gonna stick with my Nexus 4 - 4,7"
anonymous 7 January, 2013 20:43
Well up for a mini iPhone... now tablets are commonplace I just want a tiny, well connected phone (4g tethering airplay, nfc, bluetooth 4, ir) with a camera that can act as a remote. As its apple there will be plenty of cut down apps for mobile use and high quality accessories
Damien2501 7 January, 2013 21:05
What will it be able to do dozens of other budget phones can't do?? Apple is money making scam and now it is trying to scam the poor #disgusting
anonymous 7 January, 2013 23:53
Would love to see this as we have apple everything with all my music going to our family devices but can't justify £500 for sons iPhone - he's only 9. £300 would buy !
anonymous 8 January, 2013 09:29
If the current iPhone is 4 inches and the 4s is 3.5 then how can it get smaller than that. Wtf
anonymous 8 January, 2013 11:21
What ever version it may be, we need iPhone cases for all of them. All are very delicate. What is the use of mini whn the original idea was to initiate a longer and sleeker phone?
anonymous 8 January, 2013 15:15
Agree with Damien2501, i think it is disgusting apple is the biggest con in the last few decades, and as for going smaller haha its bigger i think they need to go, their icrap range are to small as it is, complete aand utter shiit......
anonymous 9 January, 2013 09:03
The history going to repeats itself once again!!! No more than 10 years from now, Apple will be no more.
anonymous 9 January, 2013 11:23
Android people should be ashamed because there are no apps available lol...
Why would I bother with a phone like that? I know Apple is an unethical company; maybe if Companies invest more in Android then I'd switch. However, because of the scarcity of applications Android suffers, I'd stick to Apple. By that I mean I'd stick to my 3gs for another year before I upgrade to the Iphone 4s. 5 or 5s? hell no! :)
Erin Lee 9 January, 2013 16:00
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anonymous 9 January, 2013 16:46
No apps on android are you serious, android have just recently matched the exact number of apps that apple have and android is expanding faster, get youre facts right first before shouting your mouth of you dimwit
anonymous 10 January, 2013 16:42
More than 65% of the smartphone market is in the budget sector and Apple don't currently sell into this market, which is predominately Android territory.
If Apple do introduce a budget iPhone, it's bound to be a big seller.
anonymous 20 January, 2013 00:10
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Here is the link: www.clipclock.com/download/4105
anonymous 20 January, 2013 00:20
Check out the CLIPCLOCK mobile app. The new social hub to discover and share the best video moments with your favorites!!!
Here is the link: www.clipclock.com/download/4106
anonymous 21 January, 2013 08:50
CLIPCLOCK mobile app. is the best social hub with its new features. Lets discover and share the best video moments!!! Check it out... Here is the link: http://www.clipclock.com/download/5050