That is a good point I’ve had theories like:
What if the Pixel 10a becomes as compact as the 16e
What if Apple decides on the iPhone 19 or 20, they’ll rerelease the mini with their main feature being silicon carbon batteries?
But then I look at the pixel 9 and 10 and I’m like
“well it’s the same exact dimensions and design and I foresee Google continuing this trend”
and Apple’s past history ever since the introduction of the X, XS and XS Max, then the 12 mini and 13 mini and killing it and I’m like
yeah no way they’re returning this even with silicon carbon battery existing now which makes for denser batteries and very ideal for mini phones.
And then even companies who already make phones with silicon carbon battery like vivo, like oppo and oneplus. their “mini” phones are more like the size of standard phones.
Also Apple’s transition from 16 to 17, the 17 actually became bigger than the 16, not smaller.
and the nail in the coffin is that at the end of the day, consumers usually choose the bigger phone than the smaller one and companies know this and this leads to way less motivation to do smaller phones. I would bet that Apple’s Air phone will go 2 generations away before killing it like the mini due to lack of sales. Same with the S25 Edge, this is also especially as they missed a serious shot with not adding silicon carbon battery to it.
And it will take a long LOONG while for companies to embrace silicon carbon and it baffles me they’re not doing it now since the Chinese phone makers have proved it is viable.
With all these factors im less of a techno-optimist when it comes to phones. Hence while it would be wise to wait, im leaning between pixel 8 and fold at this point or waiting and getting whatever latest is supported by GrapheneOS