Several analysts expressed the hope that Apple plans to introduce a cheap compact iPhone Mini. The information comes from the agency Barclays Capital and Piper Jaffray. The cost of the new device may reach 200-250 dollars, and iPhone Mini production will begin in 2013. At first glance, this seems unlikely. iPhone Mini rumors and other variations on the theme of the budget iPhone have been going for a long time, almost since 2007, when the original model was introduced. But if you think there is an obvious pattern: Apple is going to ensure that all products are presented in two versions. MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, iPad - each of these devices have a mini version. The obvious question is: why Apple need a cheap iPhone? The first is that the company is focused on the Asian market and developing countries. For them, the emergence of cheaper smartphone becomes good news and a reason to go shopping for a new device and for Apple it's new customers and, of course, profit. Do not forget that many people begin their acquaintance with smartphones or new operating system using a low-cost devices. And in this case, Apple has nothing to offer to customers. Due to the wide range of phones running Android, the price satisfies customers. Loyalty to the originally chosen brand and OS becomes a reason to buy the next, more expensive device from the same manufacturer and with the same operating system. Apple iPhone Mini will take a position in the segment of low-cost devices and take market share from Android. What iPhone Mini features should we expect? Most likely, it will resemble the iPad mini. Apple will not position the new product as a budget model. It will be a high-quality device for those who are not chasing big screen and wants to buy a compact smartphone. It is possible that increasing the size of the screen in the iPhone 5 was the first step on the way to the emergence of iPhone Mini. Apple would not make a device with three-inch screen, but now you can return the new product with 3.5 inch diagonal and add the prefix «mini». iPhone Mini price is quite high compared with the cheap androids, but at the same time, significantly lower than the average iPhone. The device will get the stuffing from one of the previous generations. Apple clearly save on performance, screen size, and possibly its quality.