Apple iPhone Mini Set to Launch in 2014: Few Concept Renders of the Rumored Smartphone [IMAGES]

| Published: Friday, January 4, 2013, 18:04 [IST]

It sounds like 'mini' is the current trend in the world of tech as several hot sellers irrespective of their category are getting miniature variants. One of the main reasons for the companies to come up with 'mini' versions of their popular products is to capture the untouched segment of consumers.

Following the fame of Galaxy S3, Samsung launched Galaxy S3 Mini. Following on the similar lines, Apple also came up with the miniature version of its market dominant - iPad with iPad Mini.

Interestingly, now there are reports circulating on the web claiming that Apple will reportedly come up with a new smartphone - iPhone Mini in 2014 targeting Indian and Chinese markets similar to iPod Mini, iPad Mini and the recent Mac Mini.

Tech experts believe that the demand for an iPhone Mini will be way too high as the fantastic iPhone is too expensive. A smaller iPhone would definitely prove to be popular with people who like to use iPhone, but could not afford it.

Moreover, Apple has recently dropped Galaxy S3 Mini from the patent filings and hence, this could be the right time to launch the cheaper iPhone Mini into the market, thereby creating demand from the low-end smartphone seekers, claims Strategy Analytics.

According to Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White, Apple is all set to overhaul its smartphone lineup after more than five years by launching a low-priced smartphone in markets including China and India so that it can trengthen its grip to the top position.

Reportedly, part of Apple's new smartphone blueprint, which the tech giant is likely to reveal by Q3 2013, is to offer two different screen sizes for the iPhone 5S, strongly suggesting that there is an 'iPhone Mini' currently in the works.

However, Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics claims that iPhone Mini is not expected until 2014. Further, he states that, "We think Apple will have to launch an 'iPhone Mini' at some point over the next three years to address the hundreds of millions of prepaid users worldwide that cannot afford the current iPhone."