The problem is there aren't enough people buying mini phones to make it worthwhile to Apple. But that's only if they keep a mini around permanently.
However if Apple released a new iPhone mini model every fourth year, I'd wager these would be like a McRib-style smash hit sales event, compressing the comparatively small mini-enthusiast audience into a time-limited buying window. It would also trigger FOMO at a time when many people are increasingly willing to delay upgrades for 5+ years.
This is a brilliant idea, I really hope somebody on the iPhone 18 design team reads it. I think there’s a huge pent up demand for a mini model, many of us would pay more for it than the large versions.
This is what I'm banking on. I really want a new mini next year.
If anyone from Apple is reading this and wants more support for another mini model, here I am. Rocking a 13 mini for personal use and a 12 mini for work, no plans to upgrade until another mini comes out or these die in which case I will consider all options (although, will happily upgrade to another Mini should one come out).