Those well versed in the smartphone market will know there is one type of device that is an obvious disappointment: mini flagship devices. Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony have all done it; after announcing their new flagship device, they quickly follow it up with a mini device that resembles the flagship device only in name, with less powerful hardware, sometimes less features, and yet the price often remains higher than mid range devices. Sources in Taiwan have reported that these devices performing poorly due to “uncompetitive performance price ratios”. This is especially obvious in the Asian region where mid range devices are sometimes half the price of these so-called “mini” devices.
The only exception to the above rules is the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, which ditched the “mini” nomenclature in hopes of avoiding the stigma associated with these devices. Unfortunately, according to this report, the Z1 Compact has also under-performed on its expectations. This is a shame as the Z1 Compact is the only “mini” device that is a genuinely impressive smartphone, with all the flagship hardware squeezed into a 4.3-inch frame. With this feedback in mind, expect manufacturers to shy away from “mini” devices.
What do you think about the performance of these mini flagship devices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: DigiTimes via Phone Arena
