We have spent months… or rather, we have been witnessing for years the drama of finding a compact Android mobile. Although there are some exceptions, the smallest sizes are around 6 inches on devices with the Google operating system. It’s not that these are big devices of this size, but they’re a far cry from what Apple was offering until yesterday.
As expected, Apple presented its new iPhone 14 yesterday and along the way it left the “mini” models. Say goodbye to a range and this, although we are talking about Apple, is also bad news on Android. At least for those who still want compact smartphones.
The indirect consequences of Apple’s actions
As a technology analyst and with a certain specialization and knowledge of the Apple world, I have witnessed for years fervent desires of a significant portion of users to see a high-end iPhone with a compact size (Leaving the iPhone SE and its hardware and design cuts out of the equation). Thus the iPhone 12 mini arrived in 2020 and after a few months its sales failure was already predicted. Or at least less impact than Apple could have expected.
Still, the iPhone 13 mini arrived in 2021. And unsurprisingly, it didn’t have a good impact on sales either. The expression could apply here eat with your eyes. And it is that many of us like compact mobiles, but they do not buy them.
Anyway, at least as the personal opinion of this humble servant, the good intention of Apple to try to enter the market with devices of this type is appreciated. However, ending this range could cause other Android brands to reject the idea. If a high-caliber, market-savvy company like Apple fails, why shouldn’t others?
This last question is more rhetorical than anything else, but ultimately supported by a fear of risk which may be more than evident among manufacturers who at some point would consider launching such compact Android phones. And it is that even market research could not be effective for this.
This perception that I commented on a few lines ago about consumers’ desire to see a compact iPhone would likely also be reflected in internal studies managed by Apple
Little commitment to compact and folding in rare middle ground
As we said at the beginning, the market standard is 6 inches. If we go to the highest range, it will be rare to find phones under 6.5 inches. So, finding terminals like the ASUS Zenfone 9 is like finding a cola in the desert for lovers of compact mobiles who don’t want to give up great benefits. But that’s it, an exception.
The aforementioned Asus phone, as well as its previous generations, are devices that we loved testing and which, despite their negatives, offer very good features according to the most premium range of Android. But make no mistake, it’s not a bestseller.
Asus has greater recognition in other areas such as computers and so we wonder what it would be like if a manufacturer with more fame in Android decided to make a similar bet. Nail Samsungnail Xiaomi or one of the many other brands that are now battling at the high end, but increasing the size of their flagships as their specs improve.
At one point it’s debatable whether foldable phones are the new compact, especially those in clamshell format such as the Galaxy Z Flip4, the Huawei P50 Pocket or the Motorola Razr 2022. Phones which, being folded and not very heavy, are very comfortable to carry in any pocket and even on the hand . Mobiles that meet everything we ask of a compact and in addition with high-end specifications. Until they fold. This is when panels appear which, again, are closer to 7 than 6 inches.
illusioned or not, we will remain in expectation before possible movements of the industry and if a mark dares to break its fears and trying to achieve what Apple failed. Means for producing good devices in small sizes exist. Now, turning with what was said in the previous section, the fear is understandable. After all, nobody likes to fail. you already know it when you see your neighbor’s beard growing…