Anybody biting into that cheaper iPhone Mini?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief January 12, 2013 · 2 min read

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There’s been a lot of rumors surrounding what supposedly is a less expensive iPhone Mini. The same reason that Apple decided to make a more affordable iPad Mini, the iPhone Mini could also be a move to gain more market share. The question is — will people bite into that Apple idea?

In a previous article, we shared with you why we think the iPhone Mini makes a lot of sense for Apple

So we thought we’d put it to a test — here’ what we think an iPhone Mini would look like.

It will come in a smaller screen, just like the old iPhone 4. Here’s the possible specs:

iPhone Mini specs:
3.5-inch Retina Display @ 960×640 pixels
Apple 1.0GHz A5 dual-core chip
1GB RAM
8GB, 16GB internal storage
3G/HSPA+
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/ aGPS support
NFC
5MP rear camera with LED flash
2nd front-facing camera
iOS 6

It will be around 9.3mm thin. By this time, Apple would have announced the iPhone 5s (or possibly the iPhone 6) and will try to build NFC around the app ecosystem.

The other question is how will Apple sell this, if ever they will? First, we believe that a $99 price tag (with contract) will be the selling point when they announce it with US carriers. In other countries like the Philippines, it could be in the $499 to $549 price range.

So, if the iPhone Mini will ever be true, it’s like Apple is selling you a re-designed iPhone 4/4S. Will you bite?

What screen size is the rumored iPhone Mini expected to have?

The iPhone Mini is expected to have a 3.5-inch Retina Display with 960x640 pixels.

What processor and RAM are speculated for the iPhone Mini?

It is speculated to have a 1.0GHz A5 dual-core chip and 1GB of RAM.

What is the expected price range for the iPhone Mini in countries like the Philippines?

In countries like the Philippines, the price could be in the $499 to $549 range.

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iPhone Mini Philippines

Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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72 Comments

shitotaku · 13 years ago

the only reason why apple is doing it is to compete in the “low-end phone” market. apple is doing shitty products now. and steve jobs always go for maximizing the quality of the product, not the profit.

EG · 13 years ago

please don’t :O Steve Jobs wouldnt like it. :))

fat internet guy · 13 years ago

Me me!! I’ve always wanted an iPhone but could never afford one. :( I hope this comes soon so I can finally have an iphone too!

Joseph · 13 years ago

I still vote for 4s, for me its more user friendly.

Tolits · 13 years ago

No I want IP5 with mini price xd

kend · 13 years ago

If it’s 20k+ , no thanks. They’re just copying BB’s trick to recon their parts to sell it as new model with the same specs as their not-so-older model/s. If it’s “cheaper” iphone then it should be aroung 15-20k range.

Kel · 13 years ago

No, the keyboard might be too small or too uncomfy to type in if they reduce the screen size to help save on expense.

Name: Ghost Riley · 13 years ago

Why the NFC? Having it will just drive the cost up.

The iPhone Mini is already here. It’s the iPhone 4.

BernarDroid · 13 years ago

iphone para sa anak

iSheep · 13 years ago

Baaaaaa baaaaaaaa baaaaaaeeeeeest phone evur!

garz · 13 years ago

I don’t think it will have NFC. If Apple were to include it, it would have to be on the 5S or the 6th.

Justin · 13 years ago

Q: Anybody biting into that cheaper iPhone Mini?
A: Yes. Pa-proma consumers who don’t know that there are tons of better options out there and who have money to burn.

edisson · 13 years ago

Smaller than 3.5? No thanks. I had enough suffering from galaxy mini. iPhone mini will still be more expensive than other better low-end smartphones.

John · 13 years ago

No… read this:
http://www.gsmarena.com/phil_schiller_dismisses_rumors_of_apple_making_a_cheap_iphone-news-5332.php

Mica · 13 years ago

My theory is people who get this, will get this for the sole reason that they want a cheaper version of the iPhone – which is perceived as a symbol of status.

This could either be a big hit or a big flop.

RedSimba · 13 years ago

Meron pa pla i mi mini yung iphone . Kala ko mini na yung iphone ngayon. Bagong design na lang sana.

jeykoy · 13 years ago

i will buy one if it cost 15k below, which will be impossible

anOnymous · 13 years ago

aPPLe should follow SamSung

ChrisP · 13 years ago

Negative.

If I want an iOS experience, I would like to have the ipad mini or an ipod touch instead.(personal preference)

Aside from that, iphone5 is not that big to have a smaller version. Maybe if iphone 5s/6 would grow to 4.3″-5″.lol

rose tattoo · 13 years ago

Apple is reportedly making a less expensive version of the iPhone. They’re calling it the Samsung. – Conan O’brien

jose procopio · 13 years ago

Utot mo pink.. :D

iPad = Apple Tablet
iPod = Apple Media Player
iPhone = Apple (NOT THAT) Smartphone
iDiot = Apple (SOCIAL CLIMBING) Users

ronjiedotcom · 13 years ago

talaga, nakalimutan niyo na? Apple had a redesigned iphone 4 nung lumabas yung iphone 4s. wala dating 8gb na iphone 4, pero gumawa sila na kasabay lumabas ng iphone 4. bukod sa new storage capacity, may kaunting binago din sila sa loob. so, yes, pwede nilang gawin ito dahil ginawa na nila to dati. pero… iphone mini na 3.5 inch? sounds more like “old” iphone to me than iphone “mini.” ergo, palagay ko lang na hindi tatawagin ng apple na “mini” ang luma nilang 3.5 inch. if ever maglalabas sila ng “mini” na mas maliit sa 4″ ang screen, 16:9 aspect ratio malamang para madali sa developers. ang tanong din diyan is kikita ba sila tulad ng kinikita nila sa ipad at iphone, kasi kung hindi, malamang na hindi nila gagawin.

pabs · 13 years ago

Am not biting. Ever since I left Nokia for Android, there’s no turning back,Androids just keep on getting better and better and also more affordable and with a lot brands to choose from…

wis · 13 years ago

Definitely no…still too expensive for that specs…why get an iphone if you can have an s3 for that price…making a cheaper down specs iphone doesn’t make sense since the iphone 5 itself is not up to par with the competition…iphone needs a better iphone 6 asap and iphone 5 will be the cheaper phone…

jason · 13 years ago

Agree! Only an idiot would buy it.

Noir · 13 years ago

I dont think will ever make an iphone mini if they ever will their brand will take a hit.

They are adored by a lot because they are the “HIGH END”

of course this will most likely make people choose other brands since apple will now be “affordable”

jose procopio · 13 years ago

nahh.. di binibili nang nakararaming tao ang iphone kasi “HIGH-END” (di naman talaga both specs and os) pero dahil “SOSYAL” ka pag naka iPhone ka.. Pag nakaandroid ka kahit anong taas ng specs or kahit sobrang feature rich na ang os.. cheap parin.. why? kasi di kabilang sa “SOSYAL” na bagay.. MAGDEDENY PA??

Banana · 13 years ago

Jose Procopio,

Hindi lahat ng bumibili ng Apple products ay “NAGPAPASOSYAL”.

Dalawang halimbawa ng mga nagpapasosyal :
1) Mga teenager na nagpapabili sa magulang ng iphone para lang “in” sila, kahit na di CALL/TEXT at CHAT lang naman ang gagawin sa iphone. (sige na nga music na din)

2) Mga di naman talaga kaya bumili ng iphone pero gagawa ng paraan para lang masabing ‘apple user’ pero wala naman talagang alam sa “SMART PHONE”.
—

PS : Maraming dahilan bakit may mga bumibili ng iphone – STYLE/SPECS/USER PREFERENCE.

Alwin · 13 years ago

for the right price, why not? why not an older iPhone? because of the likelihood that it’ll end up at the bottom of Apple’s hierarchy as far as support is concerned. also, it’s not about the size, but the price.

Digest · 13 years ago

Well said my friend.

thejorlanb · 13 years ago

with the nfc, yes. at last, if this be it, then i could develop nfc apps for ios.

lolwut · 13 years ago

Quite impossible for this mini version to have NFC. If the iPhone 5 didn’t get it, putting it to the mini will just make this phone better than it. And Apple doesn’t wanna do that. This news, for me sounds like one of Apple’s gimmick to stay relevant though.