Apple reportedly increased iPhone 13 orders after coming to the realization that there’s not enough demand for smaller smartphones.
Both iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini experienced “dismal” sales performance, according to an analyst. And Apple already cut orders for its revised iPhone SE due to weaker-than-expected demand.
No one wants small smartphones
Apple has long believed that smartphone users want compact devices they can use with one hand. That’s why it stuck with 4-inch displays all the way up to iPhone 5s, while its rivals shipped significantly larger devices.
But that’s not the case for the vast majority, who want displays that are large enough to comfortably play games and watch movies. They also want the other benefits that come with bigger phones, like better cameras and increased battery life.
Analyst John Donovan of Loop Capital says Apple finally realized there’s not enough demand for compact iPhone models anymore.
Apple ramps up iPhone 13 orders
In a note issued to investors this week, Donovan used the “dismal” word to describe iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini sales. He said Apple is starting to see that smaller smartphones have “limited appeal.”
The lack of demand “is surprising to AAPL,” Donovan added, but Cupertino is now “pivoting” to produce more iPhone 13 units to meet the much stronger demand for that model. Apple supposedly cut iPhone SE orders by around 20 million units.
“Donovan also noted that Apple has been looking at an iPhone SE Plus product” for the future, said Seeking Alpha. This would allow Apple to continue offering an entry-level option while meeting the demand for larger displays.
Investors aren’t bothered by iPhone SE
Despite the lack of demand for iPhone SE 3 — which offers a significant improvement over its predecessor, thanks mostly to its A15 Bionic chip — Apple investors do not appear too concerned.
Apple’s share price is up 12.02% over the past month. Rather than worrying about the doomed iPhone mini, investors seem more interested in what will happen with iPhone 14 later this year.
