• Why there Will or Won't be a Smaller Apple iPhone

    Why there Will or Won't be a Smaller Apple iPhone

    Rohan Naravane & Prasad Naik, Feb 14, 2011 1810 hrs IST

    Two separate views on the rumored iPhone mini

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Rumors of an iPhone Mini and iPhone Nano have been doing their rounds for a very long time now. We think that it is something that people desire and we had even written about it a while back. However, so far no such devices have seen the light of day, which seems to suggest that Apple is sticking to its "best or nothing" theory for its product line. As consolation, Apple keeps manufacturing the earlier generation model -- currently it is the 3GS, along with their most recent flagship (the iPhone 4). But the iPhone 3GS isn't substantially cheaper, especially in a country like ours where the official pricing (Rs. 35,500) is downright horrible.

Apple seems to have finally turned its attention to the matter, as more and more news of a smaller iPhone keep cropping up these days. So far, we know that it could roughly be either half or two-thirds the size of the original, will be sold without a contract for anything between USD 200 to 300 (Rs. 9,115 to Rs. 13,675), will have some form of voice-based input and an edge-to-edge screen. So, what are the pros and cons if the company actually goes ahead with this?

I, Rohan Naravane, believe that an iPhone Mini is the need of the hour, while my colleague Prasad Naik has a different perspective, which suggests that an iPhone Mini doesn't fit in Apple's product portfolio.

Why Apple Should Make an iPhone Mini



First and foremost because the iPhone's contract free price is out of reach for many among us. This is where Google's Android based phones are using this opportunity to capitalize by giving a similar functionality at a cost that's at least 50 percent lower. For example, hardware-to-hardware, the LG Optimus One P500 isn't any different from the iPhone 3GS, yet sells for almost one third of the latter's official India price. On the software front, Android's UI is fairly intuitive, the support for apps is second to none. I cannot think of a task that can be done on the iPhone but that cannot be done on the Android phone.

India and China are two countires that have witnessed fast growth in cellphone usage. Although the iPhone was well received in China, the Indian response was ironically lukewarm and we wonder why. Before all the inexpensive Androids eat up this market, Apple should have at least one weapon to fight back.

Back in 2007 when the iPhone just came out, there was NOTHING like it and Apple absolutely deserved to charge their customers a premium for it. But today? If you look around, all the other manufacturers and mobile OS makers have devices that are equally cool and equally functional, if not better. Is iPhone 4 a great smartphone? Of course yes, but it does not have the privilege of standing alone at the top like it did four years ago. And with every new iPhone-killer launch, Apple loses more and more potential iPhone consumers.

Is it possible to make an iPhone Mini without a big compromise? Of course. The rumors suggest a phone that's smaller, yet have an edge-to-edge display. After using phones with 3.2 inch displays like the HTC Wildfire, we feel that screen size is quite fair. Despite being 0.3 inches smaller than the iPhone's 3.5-inch display, HTC could accommodate a big enough portrait mode on-screen QWERTY, which did not feel cramped at all. But if it is any smaller, typing could be an issue. But hey, before the iPad launch, people had hoped for Apple to come up with some innovative way to type, but all it did was put a big-ass version of the same iOS keyboard there, and people got used to it.

Having consistency with display resolutions is Apple's forte, as it keeps developers happy by not having to redesign their apps differently. The iPhone 4's quadrupled resolution (960 x 640 pixels) over previous iPhones is still the best display in terms of pixels per inch (PPI) one can buy today. So, that can be passed over to the iPhone 5, while the iPhone 3GS's 480 x 320 pixels can be put into the smaller non-IPS display of the iPhone Mini -- which would at least look crisper than how it looks on a bigger 3.5-inch display.

There's talk of leftover internal components of the iPhone 4 being used in this smaller iteration. Hell yeah, while the iPhone 5 gets a dual-core processor treatment, the current fastest Apple A4 architecture should make the iPhone Mini fly (and very unlike how laggy the iPhone 3G has become post the iOS 4 update). Journalists across the world have lauded the 5 megapixel back-illuminated sensor on the iPhone 4, so possibly that could even be carried onto the iPhone 5.

In that case, the iPhone Mini could have the 3.2 megapixel sensor of the iPhone 3GS, with 720p HD video recording capability like the newest generation iPod Touch. Hey, I would have liked that 5 megapixel camera, but feasibility would trump desire if they actually sell it for USD 200. Rest of the things like 3G, Wi-fi, GPS chips and the accelerometer/gyro will obviously stay.

Lastly, in my opinion an iPhone Mini will do nothing to hurt Apple. Just like how an iPod Touch somewhat acts like a gateway to a person actually considering an iPhone to be his next cellphone, the iPhone Mini too could coax people to upgrade to its big brother in the future. If there isn't an iPhone Mini ever, people obviously look at Android for the answer. And what happens when they want to swap their entry-level Android phone with something better? How many will want to crossover to the iOS side, as opposed to purchasing a Google Phone?

I end by saying that even if it's a little late, the iPhone Mini still has a great potential, especially in a country like India.



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Discussion Board
(23) Comments
velsarav
,India, on Feb 16, 2011 09:40 AM
Apple will make iPhone Mini. It will be like the variants in iPod. Otherwise they can't survive the Android storm. Changing the iOS for screen size is not big thing.They already changed a lot for iPad screen size from iPhone screen. If they didn't bring iPhone Mini to mass market like India they will loose to Android, like they lost to Microsoft in PC during 80's. Again Steve Job's need to give statement like Android copied iOS later in Standford University.
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mrinmoy
,New Delhi, on Feb 16, 2011 12:08 AM
i'll go with mr. naik, i don't think anything like an iPhone mini is EVER going to be made. what Apple products mean to us, its in the top, best of all, the company which never compromises with the price segment.. somehow if they think of sale nos. n launch an iPhone mini with more or less similar features, who's gonna buy their full iPhone... mass people think of price segment n does it really matters some 0.4-inch screen size to anybody n by this way Apple will lose their charm of owning an Apple product...
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murali
,bangalore, on Feb 15, 2011 10:58 AM
an update from unofficial apple blogger that theres is going to iphone mini ( wallstreet journal also posted the same news) Half the size Half the price Has an edge-to-edge screen that could be manipulated by touch Virtual keyboard and voice-based navigation MobileMe improvements.
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Ankur Jain
,London, on Feb 15, 2011 05:11 AM
I on't think iOS should be the only reason to not to introduce an iPhone mini. OS can be tweaked to work well on the smaller screen. In US & other countries, iPhone is a hit because it is available of contract basis. In a country like India, there are very few people who can spend their 1 month salary/even more than that on a phone even it is iPhone. Apple should seriously think of an iPhone mini.
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DR ARPAN GANDHI
,NEW DELHI, on Feb 15, 2011 09:17 AM
i totally agree with Ankur Jain .As an Apple user i know lots of my patients and friends not optin for it because of the cost. A apple Iphone mini is the need of the hour in India and it will do wonders
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psycho anna
,mumbai, on Mar 01, 2011 05:18 PM
iphone ...What....who.."{nokia samsung lg micromax maxxx lava spice fly } why should one buy an iphone when android is there iphone makes us feel like india 1947.. angrez ki gulami..... android is like democracy....iphone is like yeah feels gr8 in my hand...but only in hand... iphone is like indians who wre chatuus of angrez in those pre partition years...and does it really matters what phone you use... zzzzzzz
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Maverick
,Bedrock, on Feb 22, 2011 06:02 AM
Who cares, the ifashion 4 is so badly made I don't know why anyone buys it
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alphageek
,mumbai, on Feb 18, 2011 07:54 PM
One of the reason why companies other than apple are still making phones.... is that Apple products are expensive than their counterparts. Apple doesnt cannibalize their own products... Apple doesnt brings out multipkle models of the same thing... Guess what.. Steve Jobs will not be running Apple forever.... whos stopping them then from goin after nokia's jugular....
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Yash B
,Ahmedabad, on Feb 15, 2011 02:30 PM
Certainly a nice article from both view points... Apple may or may not is a tough call. But iPod Touch for 15k* and iPhone for 35k* is a huge difference in terms of money considering the capability differences between the two. So if Apple can sell iPod Touch at this price will all the quality and now even with a dual cam, selling a iPhone mini or nano at say 25k is not going lower the Apple brand image. They dont need to have number of phones lined up like other phn makers but they can atleast have an alternate, right! Coming up with something which might need the least extra efforts can be handled like they have iPad with iOS. Or lets take it a different way, when they have a new phone out in market, they can keep selling the previous gen model at a bit of discount. E.g. 3GS for 35k and 3G for 25k. I agree with Rohan that Apple should bridge the gap. WILL or WON'T is tough thing because delaying the product launches in India for so long that the next gen product is near its debut doesn't seem to have positive strategic impact according to me. So when they dont care about these launches, they may even not care about bridging the gap.
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Nitin Maheshwar
,Mumbai, on Feb 15, 2011 01:01 PM
I agree with Prasad on this iphone mini rumour to be as false as ferrari making a entry into D-segment cars. Well its not they cant ,but they wont especially ruining down the excitement a person has owning a apple product that exclusivity would no longer exist and people wont be ready to pay prices apple marks for their products. Iphone mini can exist only if there is a certain amount of females request for a sleek phone with similar features but great looks. So budgeting is not apples way providing customer a exclusive product is at their forefront and retaining the tag of being elusive and exclusive gets apples billions and not just millions. Hope you have a take on this Rohan!!
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Jay
,Mumbai, on Feb 15, 2011 12:50 PM
Apple has the most absurd marketing policies wen it comes 2 India. It uses India as a dumping ground for left over iPhone Models cos they launch the outdated model here only after they have launched the Newer 1 in US.....wonder wen iPhone 4 will hit Indian shores???? Ur guess is as gud as mine....after iPhone 5 is out. And then their user policies....we can use the apps that r approved n passed by them only...if u install nething dat is not supposed to be on ya phone den they have the right to delete it....m sorry but i don wanna be a slave to their demands of how to use my own phone which i have bought wid my own money!!!!! Its a free market and Android is the way ahead....n i know a friend mine who runs Android on His Jail broken iPhone. Yeah ppl give all ur advice to Apple as u want but they r a bunch of arrogant boffins who would turn a deaf ear 2 it.
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Gitesh K
,Mumbai, on Feb 15, 2011 12:17 PM
This is in response to Sunil who says that Apple should manufacture their product in India to lower their costs. Sunil, Apple does most of its manufacturing in China where companies such as the Hon Hai Precision (aka Foxconn) manufacture the components at costs way lower than the daily wage rate paid in India. And as far as capturing emerging markets is concerned, Apple has managed pretty well without it. So, while Nokia today ships a third of the world's handsets, Apple pulls in more than half of the profits, despite having a meagre 4% market share. Looks like it has got its priorities set right.
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Mandeep Sahni
,Gurgaon, on Feb 15, 2011 11:32 AM
If iPod Nano can evolve into smaller iPod Touch, then smaller cheaper iPhone can become a reality too. Apple, are you listening? Twitter at "whatdidithink"
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marex
,vadodara, on Feb 14, 2011 09:44 PM
Apple cannot and might not stay at the top with their narrow minded approach towards the budget segment in India and other developing countries. I agree there might be some iphone lovers but the normal public in India will always think twice, heck, more than 5 times before spending on a phone more than 20k. Unless and until we get iphones at subsidised rates like in the US majority of the people willl shy away from such phones. Apple may not realize this now because of their arrogant approach but in the long run they have to understand, and they will, that it is these developing countries will shape the future of many competitors that might some day produce a true iphone killer.
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Jay
,Mumbai, on Feb 15, 2011 02:17 AM
I completely agree wid every thing Marex says n would like to add that Apple has been using India as a dumping ground and gettin their iPhones here only after they have launched d newer version.....case in point is d iPhone 4 here yet and iPhone 5 seems 2 being ready for launch soon enf. Not to metntion the User Policies they have of using apps that r stamped ok by them .....i am not willing to be a slave to this company for choosin wat to use on my own phone. Many of ma friends have iPhones but all r hacked....so even if they launch it will be under their intolerable dictatorship rules which i shall never adhere 2....Android is they way ahead and Galaxy S is the phone....with free market of apps 1 can thoroughly njoy the device with its legit firmware.
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DR ARPAN GANDHI
,NEW DELHI, on Feb 15, 2011 09:19 AM
i totally agree with Marex .As an Apple user i know lots of my patients and friends not opting for it because of the cost. A apple Iphone mini is the need of the hour in India and it will do wonders and U ARE RIGHT THE COSTING IS A MAJOR CONCERN
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sunil
,Jammu, on Feb 15, 2011 11:02 AM
i Phone is not subsidized in US, the initial amount is always paid with the contracts and in two years, the cost is recovered with service plans. I don't think apple should go for a Mini 'iPhone'. Instead, they should set up a manufacturing unit in India for global demands (Lowering costs and targeting the underdeveloped economies). Another thing, Apple should consider lowering their profit margin per unit and reduce the cost (As in Hong Cong they sell unlocked iPhone 4 for less than Rs 29000). Manufacturing in India, iPhone can sell world over with further less price and it will be hit in India itself
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pvgk
,hyd, on Feb 15, 2011 10:50 AM
very nice article !!! what I feel is that if apple is adamant about pricing of iphone, ipad, etc., and not going to reduce the price, at least apple should make its latest models of iphones and ipads available accross the world including India at the same time when launched in US. With this, they will have greater reach for their niche products !!!
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muraliand
,bangalore, on Feb 15, 2011 10:50 AM
an update from apple unofficial blogger there is going to be iphone mini, http://blogs.computerworld.com/17806/iphone_nano_a_no_no_everything_you_need_to_know
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marees
,chennai, on Feb 15, 2011 01:58 AM
Prasad, what about an iPhone Nano or a watch-phone? an entirely new category of phones, premium, but still costs only in 4 figures?
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Aditya
,Bangalore, on Feb 14, 2011 09:15 PM
i just want to make one point, i have read many reviews on mobile phones on this site and many others as well and nobody really talks about the overall user experience, its always just the features, yes they are important but not so much...people must see how the phone is in everyday use not see how it works in a studio and judge their choice
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Agam
,Ludhiana, on Feb 14, 2011 07:01 PM
Although I want Apple to make a smaller cheaper iPhone, I am 99% sure, they wont. I agree Apple would never care about budget segments.
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mubashir
,jeddah, on Feb 14, 2011 06:44 PM
what is code of mobile
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