If you're a fan of smaller smartphones but are holding off on getting the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini, you might want to start shopping early. Apple is reportedly discontinuing production of its most compact iPhone 12 model and plans to sell any remaining inventory on hand.

This comes from Taiwan-based TrendForce, which published a report covered by MacRumors. In that report, the research firm stated that the iPhone 12 mini "reached End-of-Life ahead of schedule" during the just-completed Q2 2021. apple declined to comment when we asked the company about the report.

The report blames slow sales for the decision to discontinue further production of the iPhone 12 mini, but in fact we have heard numerous reports that the iPhone 12 mini has not enjoyed the widespread adoption seen with other iPhone models. This may reflect shoppers' desire for a larger display, as well as the fact that there was little difference between the iPhone 12 mini and the standard iPhone 12.

Then again, the iPhone SE, released last year, has been a strong seller for Apple, and its screen is even smaller than what you get with the iPhone 12 mini; the SE's $399 price is $300 less than Apple's iPhone 12 mini, and its appeal likely played a role in this.

Of course, slow sales may not be the only reason Apple has reportedly put a stop to iPhone 12 mini production. The company is also working on a fall phone release and the iPhone 13 is expected to include its own mini model. Since it is unlikely that Apple will keep two 5.4-inch phones, it was never likely that the iPhone 12 mini would be one of the phones Apple would keep after the iPhone 13 release.

Earlier rumors suggested that Apple might drop plans for the iPhone 13 mini, but the latest rumors suggest that the smaller phone will still be available in the fall. However, reports regarding Apple's 2022 iPhone plans indicate that there will be no mini phone in the iPhone 14 lineup.

The iPhone 12 mini is in stock at Apple and there will be no delivery delays for any model ordered. This includes the purple version of the iPhone 12 mini that Apple introduced this spring.

In addition to the iPhone 12 mini information, TrendForce is also looking at a new iPhone model coming this fall, which TrendForce identifies as the "iPhone 12s" (the name has been rumored in other reports), but adds that an official name has yet to be determined. It adds that it has not yet been named." The report claims that "Apple will prioritize optimization of existing features in the iPhone 12s series, and retail pricing is expected to be at the same level as the iPhone 12 model released last year.