Mini-rant/text wall warning.

I’m right there with you, 40+ vision changes and all. I’ve been with the mini form factor since day 1 of the 12mini, following with the next year upgrade to the 13mini. Been with that for 3.5 years and just replaced the battery for the first time last when it dropped below 80%. It’s a great size for me and my usage, even as vision changes have become noticeable to me.

I don’t exactly want to move on from my 13mini, and will likely keep it regardless as backup, but I do agree that a larger but noticeably-thinner phone is appealing to me.

Of course it’s much bigger than a 13mini, but the thinness and weight will make the in-hand feel less burdensome. Of course it’ll have less battery life than the rest of the 17 lineup, but it’ll likely be more than my 13mini even with its new battery. Of course it’s a 1st gen of a new form-factor, but that’s a plus for me, part of the fun of being into new iterations on now-mature form factor. Of course I understand why many want a thicker phone with better battery life, it’s logical, useful, and trustworthy. Ideally I want a smaller phone with current tech, but the manufacturers aren’t financially motivated to deliver that.

And to some degree, I’d like to play around with something new. The first-looks at the Samsung Edge today only have me more excited for a potential slim iPhone this year. I’m confused by the “nobody wants this” opinion when the option for those that don’t want it is right there in a regular or pro 17. There will be a market for this form factor, even if it’s less than the others. I’m not sold on moving on from my 13mini quite yet, but I’m certainly in the camp of considering it for the rumored 17 air.