The iPhone 14 launch is likely still several months away, but rumors abound nonetheless. One of the most interesting is the idea that Apple will replace the iPhone 13 mini with an iPhone 14 Max.
Even though I’m a fan of small phones, I think this is the right choice. Right now, the only way to get a big-screen iPhone is to jump on the iPhone 13 Pro Max, the most expensive model. Some people don’t want to spend a minimum of $1,099 on a smartphone just to have a big screen.
Apple going with a non-Pro Max model is a great idea, especially if the supposed price of $899 turns out to be accurate. Some people don’t need the telephoto lens, 120Hz display, or Pro Max’s peak performance. Offering a larger version of the iPhone 14 makes a lot of sense.
Small phone fans will have to turn to the iPhone SE (2022), making a lot of concessions. The mini iPhones are nifty, but they suffer from less battery life than their 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch siblings. And rumor has it that the smaller iPhones don’t even sell as well, so it would make sense for Apple to offer people a cheaper big-screen option instead.
While I’ll miss the smaller iPhone mini, I’d rather see a less expensive non-Pro Max.
I always thought it was weird that you had to go Pro to get a big iPhone. The last time you paid a slight premium to get the big screen was the iPhone XS Max in 2018, and before that the iPhone 8 Plus in 2017. But when the iPhone 11 arrived in 2019, the larger screen has become a Pro exclusive.
Three years is a long time to wait in the land of smartphones, but I would welcome the iPhone 14 Max. Although I don’t like 6.7-inch iPhones, I think giving people the choice between the smaller iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro and the iPhone 14 Max or iPhone 14 Pro Max is a good decision . It will also streamline case selections, since you’ll only have to look at small or large.
So while I’ll miss the tiny mini iPhones, I’d rather see a cheaper large model available for those who don’t want to spend north of a large on their large smartphone. The appeal of super small phones seems to be gone and people seem to want bigger handsets. I hope this iPhone 14 Max rumor comes true.
