iPhone 12 mini

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on iPhone 12 mini:

iPhone 13 battery life improvements come at the cost of increased weight

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iPhone 13 battery improvements come at the cost of increased weight
The iPhone 13 is heavier than its predecessor. But that’s because of a larger battery.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The good news for buyers of the iPhone 13 series is that all four handsets promise significantly longer battery lives. The downside is that the change required putting in bulkier batteries that add to the weight and thickness.

Still, the increases are fairly marginal for an improvement that’s near the top of so many iPhone users’ wish lists.

Bag a ‘grade A’ iPhone 12 mini refurb from just $579.99 today only

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iPhone 12 mini held up
By far the best small smartphone money can buy.
Photo: Apple

Treat yourself to one of Apple’s newest iPhone models at its lowest price yet. Woot is now offering “grade A” iPhone 12 mini refurbs from just $579.99 today only. They’re all unlocked and ready to use on any network.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple plans for 5G iPhone SE to help phase out iPhone mini

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iPhone 12 mini
Apple's ditching the "mini" iPhone lineup.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple is looking to phase out the iPhone mini line in favor of its next-gen iPhone SE, a Wednesday report by Nikkei Asia suggests.

Apple debuted its first iPhone mini with last year’s iPhone 12 generation. However, sales have never materialized to match its bigger siblings like the regular iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. While Apple will release an iPhone 13 mini this year, expect that to be its last.

In its place? More emphasis on Apple’s other low-cost handset: The iPhone SE.

Apple launches MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 series [Updated]

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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Here's how the new MagSafe Battery Pack looks when attached to iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Photo: Apple

On its website Tuesday, Apple offered a new MagSafe Battery Pack, designed to work with the iPhone 12 series from mini to Pro Max. That is, it’s designed to work as of the release of iOS 14.7, due imminently.

Unlike all the other unofficially “MagSafe compatible” wireless battery packs that came out after the iPhone 12’s release, this one’s MagSafe-approved, straight from Apple. It took a while, but it’s here.

Save up to 60% on official Apple cases for iPhone 12

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iPhone 12 MagSafe Sleeve case
Save $77.01 on the new Leather Sleeve with MagSafe.
Photo: Apple

Bag yourself an official Apple case for iPhone 12 and save up to 60% for a limited time only. Prices start at just $19.99 — down from $49.99 — for the Silicone Case with MagSafe for iPhone 12 mini.

Our top pick, however, is the Leather Sleeve with MagSafe for iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s now down to just $51.99 — its lowest price yet after a $77.01 discount.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Want a purple iPhone 12? Sell your old model today for fast upgrade cash

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purple iphone 12
Find out how much your old iPhone is really worth.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPhone 12 and 12 mini is now available to preorder in purple for the first time. If the new color option has encouraged you to upgrade, it’s time to turn your old model into fast upgrade cash.

Sell your old iPhone (and other Apple devices) to Cult of Mac today and we’ll send you a fat stack of cash to make your upgrade more affordable.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now comes in purple

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purple iphone 12
The iPhone 12 and 12 mini now come in purple.
Photo: Apple

In a surprise move, Apple just introduced a brand-new color for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini — purple.

The new color spiced up Apple’s “Spring Loaded” special event Tuesday. It’s an unusual move for Apple, which rarely introduces new colors or finishes mid-cycle.

2021 could mark end of the road for iPhone mini

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iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini was a great phone. Trouble is that it didn't sell.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iPhone mini looks unlikely to last longer than one more generation, based on a Wednesday report from a reliable Apple tipster.

Looking forward to the 2022 iPhone, TFI International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple will continue its recent pattern of releasing four models. However, these will include higher-end 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch iPhones like the current Pro lineup, and lower-end models in the same sizes.

The 5.4-inch iPhone mini sounds like it’ll be nowhere to be found.

Save $15 on Zagg’s antimicrobial screen protector for iPhone 12 mini

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Zagg VisionGuard iPhone 12 mini
Kills up to 99.9% of bacteria!
Photo: Zagg

Want to ensure your iPhone 12 mini isn’t harboring nasty germs? Pick up the InvisibleShield VisionGuard+ antimicrobial screen protector from Zagg at $15 off its usual price for a limited time only.

The VisionGuard+ promises to be four times stronger than traditional glass protectors, and it features revolutionary ClearPrint technology that makes fingerprints near-invisible. It also kills up to 99.9% of bacteria.

Bag yours before the price returns to normal.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Apple ‘slashes’ orders for iPhone 12 mini

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iPhone 12 mini held up
Tiny in size. Tiny in demand. (At least by iPhone standards.)
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 12 mini is looking more and more like the runt of the iPhone 12 litter — and not just because of its diminutive size.

While the iPhone 12 series reportedly has been a massive hit for Apple overall, the iPhone 12 mini hasn’t been along for the ride. On Wednesday, Nikkei Asia reported that Apple is “slashing its planned production of the iPhone 12 mini for the first half of this year.”

Why we want a bigger iPad Pro Max [Cult of Mac Magazine 388]

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We want a bigger iPad -- call it an iPad Pro Max. Please make it happen, Tim!
Please make it happen, Tim!
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac Magazine

When it comes to iPad Pro, bigger would be better. And when it comes to iPhone 12 mini, smaller was definitely not better – at least from a sales perspective.

Get those perspectives in this week’s top opinion/analysis pieces from Cult of Mac Magazine. Then enjoy the rest of the week’s top Apple news, how-tos and reviews. It’s all free and ready to download and read on your favorite iOS device.

P.S. After weeks of Apple car rumors, don’t miss our thought experiment that explores five ways Cupertino could shake up our ideas about automobiles.

There should never be another iPhone mini

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iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 12 mini is a great little device ... that almost no one wants.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

iPhone 12 mini is the worst selling of the new iOS handsets by a wide margin. Apple should be embarrassed because there was plenty of evidence before the launch that sales would be poor. Take note: Another super-small iPhone would just compound the mistake.

No more 5.4-inch iPhones. Ever.

These affordable cases protect iPhone 12 against almost anything

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SwitchEasy case for iPhone 12
Prices start at just $14.99.
Photo: SwitchEasy

iPhone 12 may be Apple’s prettiest smartphone to date, so you’ll probably want to keep it looking that way by protecting its glass and metal frame. Do it with a brilliant new case from SwitchEasy.

SwitchEasy’s new lineup is available today from the Cult of Mac Store, with prices starting at under $15. It includes super-slim skins that keep things thin, and rugged cases that protect against almost anything.

Another report claims iPhone 12 Pro is booming, iPhone 12 mini is a bust

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iPhone 12 Pro parts cost shockingly little
Some iPhone handsets are proving more popular than others.
Photo: Cult of Mac

A pair of reports published by Digitimes Friday add more evidence to previous ones claiming that the iPhone 12 Pro series is proving to be the big hits of this year’s iPhone refresh. The iPhone 12 mini? Not so much.

One report claims that Apple manufacturer Foxconn is “expected to see extra momentum in the first quarter of 2021” thanks to Apple increasing orders for the iPhone 12 Pro handsets. A second report, meanwhile, claims that fellow manufacturer Pegatron has seen a slowdown in orders for the iPhone 12 mini. The report blames this on shrinking sales in the US and Europe due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Apple cuts iPhone 12 mini production to meet stronger Pro demand

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Get the Phone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini with no extra wait.
iPhone 12 mini isn't as popular as its bigger brothers.
Photo: Apple

Apple reportedly cut iPhone 12 mini production so it can meet stronger demand for the pricier iPhone 12 Pro.

Cupertino’s smallest handset apparently accounted for just 6% of all sales during the iPhone 12 series’ launch period last fall. And it suffered from lackluster demand ever since.

New ‘Shot on iPhone’ images showcase what’s possible with iPhone 12

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iPhone 12 Pro Max image
NKCHU from China took this stunning image using an iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Photo: Apple

Whether it’s the iPhone 12 mini or the high-end iPhone 12 Pro Max, Apple’s latest handsets are pretty darn great when it comes to taking photographs. To show just how good, on Tuesday Apple released a lineup of images, snapped using its latest iPhones.

From hyper-detailed close-ups to moody interiors to gorgeous landscapes, they show off just how versatile Apple’s new camera phones actually are.

Shield your iPhone with great cases, protectors and stands at 20% off

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Laut iPhone 12 cases
Check out Laut's new iPhone 12 lineup today.
Photo: Laut

The Cult of Mac Store’s big January sale is in full swing, offering big discounts of up to 72% on must-have accessories. We’re now expanding it by adding all products from Laut, which are now available at 20% off the usual price.

You’ll find iPhone cases and screen protectors, stands for all your Apple devices, and lots more. Bag yours before the sale ends!

It’s not just you: Complaints about iPhone 12 battery life and dropped calls are widespread

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It’s not just you: iPhone 12 battery problems & dropped call complaints are widespread
Other people also have iPhone 12 battery problems or dropped calls.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Some iPhone 12 users are reporting problems with either battery life or dropped calls. The difficulties aren’t happening to every user, but they seem to be fairly widespread.

There have been complaints about all four variations of the iPhone 12, not a specific model.

iPhone 12 is Apple’s best-selling handset in years

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Get the Phone 12 Pro Max and iPhone 12 mini with no extra wait.
Week one iPhone 12 sales were higher than any Apple launch in at least three years. The Pro Max did extremely well, but the mini...
Photo: Apple

In the first weeks they were available, each of the iPhone 12 models sold far better than any of their predecessors released in the past three years, according to a research firm.

And the biggest, most expensive version sold far better than any recent Apple model. But iPhone 12 mini sales might surprise some people.

New Apple gear … and the reviews are in! [Cult of Mac Magazine 376]

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iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 12 mini and HomePod mini reviews: So many Apple products, so little time ...
So many Apple products, so little time ...
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

With so much new Apple hardware arriving on doorsteps around the world, it’s like Christmas in November. That makes it a target-rich environment for reviews.

In this week’s free edition of Cult of Mac Magazine, we showcase a shootout between the year’s two most intriguing iPhones. It’s the iPhone 12 Pro Max versus the iPhone 12 mini in dueling reviews. And then there’s the HomePod mini

Our fearless leader Leander Kahney went nuts reviewing everything he could get his hands on this week. Grab the free mag to read on your iPad or iPhone. Or view the stories at the links below.

P.S. Like podcasts? We discussed all three of these devices, and the amazing new M1-powered Macs, on this week’s episode of The CultCast. It’s now available as a video, too.

On The CultCast: M1 Macs are totally insane, our HomePod mini reviews, and iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. mini!

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M1 Macs
Apple's M1, destroyer of benchmarks!
Photo: Apple

This week on The CultCast: Apple’s new M1 Macs are breaking all the benchmarks, and are now officially the fastest Macs ever made. The MacBook Air is outperforming the iMac — these M1 Macs are insane.

Plus: iPhone 12 Pro Max versus mini — we’ve got them both! Which one is the keeper? We discuss. And stay tuned for our HomePod mini review, and our favorite new gadgets in an all-new Under Review!

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast. Use offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain.

Apple squashes iPhone 12 mini Lock Screen bug with iOS 14.2.1

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iPhone 12 mini held up
If your iPhone 12 mini touchscreen has a Lock Screen bug, you need iOS 14.2.1.
Photo: Apple

Apple today released a small “bug fix” update for iPhones. iOS 14.2.1 takes care of problem that caused the iPhone 12 mini’s touchscreen to not always respond on the Lock Screen. A couple of other small problems were taken care of too.

In an unusual move, there is no iPadOS equivalent for this update. It’s iPhone only.