iPhone 5C

Is the iPhone 12 mini too small? Or too big? Coming from the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and the iPhone SE (2016)

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Ignore the cling wrap please LOL

Having seen the iPhone 12/Pro in person, I am pretty convinced that without a case, the size of the 12/Pro is probably just nice for many people. Which bring the questions;

  1. Will the 12 mini be too small?
  2. Is this the real successor to the iPhone 5s size phones that 5s and SE (2016) users have been wanting since 2018?

Too Small?

What constitutes ‘too small’? Is the iPhone 5s too small? Is the iPhone 4 the right size? Everyone’s idea of the perfect size for phones has been changing through the last decade, no thanks to the ever growing sizes of phone displays, as phone manufacturers find ways to justify increasing their product prices.

One way to determine if it is too small is obviously through the physical dimensions of the phone. Take note that a “5.4 inch display” really does little to inform you of how the iPhone 12 mini will feel in your hand. It is, after all, physically even smaller than the iPhone 8 which had a 4.7 inch display.

Apple’s site states the following dimensions for the iPhone 12 mini – height 131.5mm, width 64.2mm and depth 7.4mm, with a weight of 133 grams.

The iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone SE (2016)’s dimensions are – height 123.8mm, width 58.6mm and depth 7.6mm, with a weight of 112/113 grams.

Looking at the numbers we can see that the iPhone 12 mini is a little taller, a little wider, and actually a little THINNER than the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s and iPhone SE (2016).

True Successor to the iPhone 5s?

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Here is a photo of the iPhone 12 mini case in my asian size male hand.

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Comparing it with the iPhone 5s in a case, the additional height and width is barely noticable. If you are coming from an iPhone 5, iPhone 5s or iPhone SE (2016), you are barely going to notice a difference in the feel of the iPhone 12 mini (in a case) in your hand. Unless of course, if even the iPhone 5s is too big for you, you probably need a feature phone (if you can still find one).

Singtel Prices for the iPhone 5s and the iPhone 5c in Singapore!

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Click on the image to view it in full size.

This year’s prices are quite a bit higher, due to the fluctuation in exchange rates.

It is however, interesting to note that the iPhone 5c is only retailing at $318 at the lite plan (the plan most Singaporeans will pick), while the iPhone 5s is retailing at $538 at the same plan, with the 5c at a full $220 cheaper.

Looks like the subsidies are higher for the 5c, and those buying on contract should do well to consider the 5c instead.

While I am most probably buying a 5s because I am already carrying a 5, truth be told, I will much rather buy a blue 5c this Friday. It’s just a bit funny to consider the phone with the same specs when you are supposed to be upgrading.

Those without the 5 though, I cannot stress this enough – the iPhone 5c is a superb phone for the price. Don’t believe me? Just touch the real thing this Friday. You won’t be disappointed.

There are units reaching Mac retail stores (NuBox, epiCentre) TODAY, 18th September 2013. While I am not sure if there will be display units out today, if you are nearby one it makes sense to go in and ask if you can try out the 5c.

The Mystery of the iPhone 5C placement in Apple’s lineup

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Apple Event 10th September 2013

As recent rumors have pegged, tonight’s Apple event will introduce two new iPhones – the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C.

We have seen enough leaks to know everything there is to know about the iPhone 5C’s five colors and construction, and how they are really just iPhone 5 innards in a new plastic housing.

That said, the exact placement of the iPhone 5C in Apple’s iPhone lineup remains a mystery up till now.

In a previous post, I had revealed that the iPhone 5C had a 4-inch screen and a Lightning port (thanks to my friends) and speculated that the iPhone 5C will replace the iPhone 4S at the lowest end of the iPhone lineup and complete the transition of the iPhone line to Lightning ports and 4-inch screens this year, leaving the iPhone 5S at the top and the current iPhone 5 in the middle of the lineup.

I still think that this will be the arrangement, but rumors (from idiotic analysts nonetheless) suggest that the iPhone 5C will replace the iPhone 5 completely, leaving only the two new iPhones (and the old iPhone 4S) in the iPhone lineup.

This is weird for various reasons.

Firstly, it will leave a big gap between the pricing of the iPhone 5S and the iPhone 5C, assuming that the iPhone 5C will be quite a bit cheaper than the iPhone 5S. Previous years, the mid-range iPhones have always been about 100USD cheaper than the top-of-the-line models, and people who are intending to buy mid-range this year will not be happy that they are paying for something that are not last year’s models, at the same top-range-minus-hundred price point.

Secondly, it will not be feasible to have the iPhone 4S remain on the lineup, for the extra effort Apple needs to maintain the dock connector accessories and the assumed extra cost of making the iPhone 4S’ metal and glass housing will outweigh the benefits of just letting the same production lines making the now lesser in demand iPhone 4S continue running.

The only reason/way I can see it (iPhone 5C replacing the iPhone 5) is if the supply yield of the delicate aluminum and glass housing of the iPhone 5 still remains small today even after one year of production, due to the care needed to prevent scratches on the soft aluminum on the assembly lines.

If that is truly the case, it will make sense for Apple to divert all current iPhone 5 housing production lines to the production of the iPhone 5S, to ensure maximum supply of the iPhone 5S on launch day (20th September) and in the months after that, especially with the rumored increase in color choice.

Plastic housings are extremely cheap and easy to produce (ask Samsung), and will be produced fast enough to meet iPhone 5C launch demand, and a big supply of iPhone 5Cs is need if China is going to be part of the first launch countries this year.

Apple will still have to adjust their prices accordingly, and there will still be a gap, unless of course they just went ahead with the old top-range-minus-hundred pricing assuming that people will pay for the "newness" of the multi colored iPhone 5C lineup.

Can’t wait for tonight! Will love a blue 5C.

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