The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. This is the main selling point of the iPhone 13 mini over the 12 mini, which left us wanting when it came to longevity. But so far Id gladly take a few extra grams in weight on the iPhone 13 in exchange for its boosted battery life. The iPhone 13 could just as easily have been called the iPhone 12s and no one would have batted a lid. The iPhone 13 mini is the smallest Apple smartphone even slightly more compact than the iPhone SE (2020). We have a host of Buyer's Guides that take deep-dive into all of the differences between various iPhone models, so if you are now considering either the iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 mini, take a look at our comparisons with the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max to be sure you are making the right decision: The most important decision point between the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 comes down to screen size, but comfort, pocketability, weight, and battery life are also important considerations. An iPhone SE 4 launching in a year or two would likely resemble a current iPhone, so Id expect a larger display more than six inches, at least. When its folded, the Z Flip 4 is almost two inches shorter than an iPhone 13 mini, though its admittedly thicker. There was a time between the late 1990s and early 2000s where the tech world was obsessed with making things smaller yet more capable. If youre used to an older iPhone model, youll likely be happy with the day of usage from the iPhone 13 mini. So actual pros, or people who fancy themselves pros, will probably want to investigate these cameras. Your storage options here are 128GB, 256GB or 512GB. However, the iPhone 12 mini just isn't much of an upgrade from my iPhone XS, so it doesn't make a lot of sense to buy one. That screen is notably brighter than the iPhone 12 mini as well, reaching 800 nits in outdoor settings. Although the two phones share the vast majority of features, there are a small number of differences between the devices besides just screen size. iPhone 13 Mini Quick Review: Pros and Cons Konsyse iPhone 13 Mini Quick Review: Pros and Cons Posted on March 19, 2022 by Denver Lewis The iPhone 13 Mini is the smallest device under the 15th-generation iPhone or iPhone 13 line of iOS smartphones from Apple. If you want the smallest and lightest possible iPhone, the iPhone 13 mini will be a better choice than the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 mini takes whats great about the full-size iPhone 13 and squeezes it into a body not much larger than the iPhone 5S without cutting back on features or power. In addition to easier one-handed typing, the iPhone 13 Mini's smaller profile makes tasks like scrolling through Instagram and swiping between app screens more manageable with one hand. We found all low-light shots we took were among some of the best weve seen on smartphones. Technically, the Sony Xperia 5 II is out there at 2.6 inches wide, but it's much more expensive than the mini and doesn't have 5G or wireless charging. It's great that iPhone users who prefer smaller devices won't have to sacrifice processing power or camera capabilities when opting for Apple's petite iPhone. Thats a mix of brightness levels and a variety of tasks such as watching video, instant messaging, gaming, and browsing the internet. Apple often updates its devices for six years or so, which we expect this to continue. The display has the standard 60Hz refresh rate like the previous mini. We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure youre buying the best. Benchmarking scores were impressive for the iPhone 13 mini with it getting a Geekbench 5 multi-core score of 4,643. 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This comes with 4GB of RAM, so it isnt as powerful as its Pro siblings that come with 6GB, but it was capable of running all the top-end apps we threw at it during our testing time. The size of the iPhone 13 mini makes it much more pocketable than the iPhone 13. In my experience, the iPhone 13 had 50% of its battery left after I had used it from 8 a.m. to around 11 p.m. In a reversal of the uncarrier messaging that has been presented to US phone buyers in particular over the past several years, subsidies now abound. My first smartphone was the iPhone 4s with its dinky 3.5-inch display. If youre switching from Android, it differs with a slightly different interface and a more locked-down approach to apps and customization. This means that Apple can charge more for the larger-display iPhone Plus and also realize a wider profit margin than it could on an iPhone mini. Its 18W charging, which Apple says can recharge your phone to 50% in 30 minutes. iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 5.4-inch OLED display: 6.1-inch OLED display: 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution: 2532 x 1170 pixel resolution: 17 hours of battery life when playing video If youre one of those people who has been holding on to your iPhone for yearsand kudos to you for thatand are now eyeing an upgraded device, the iPhone 13 may be all the phone you need. Nothing Phone (2) software support confirmed and its good news, Motorola Razr (2023) hands-on review: The first affordable foldable, Dell XPS 17 (2023) review: Big screen, big power. Otherwise theres not much to dislike. The only major difference was that I also took a phone call that lasted for roughly 35 to 40 minutes on the iPhone 13. Written By Zee Media. But inflation in most regions accounts for the higher asking price. The iPhone gives you arguably better performance, but the Pixel is no slouch with its great cameras and cool features. 7. Frankly, I thought Apple might skip the foldable phone fad altogether and jump straight to glasses, but with recent rumors spotting the Apple Glasses launch price in the stratosphere, Ive changed my tune. Thats especially important here as the display is only 5.4-inches big. The iPhone 13 Mini is easier to fit in small spaces, but the keyboard feels cramped when typing with two hands. Apple does not provide an expected lifespan for the iPhone 13 minis battery, but it can be replaced for 69. With the iPhone 13 range tipped to be revealed in September, theres not long to wait to see what rumors come to fruition and which have been left to wither and die on the hearsay tree. Look closely, though, and there are subtle build differences between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. The base-model iPhone 13 and 13 Mini also ship with 128 gigabytes of internal storage. Call quality, 5G and wifi reception were solid. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S21 scored 3,367 and the OnePlus 9 Pro scored 3,630. We are expecting changes and possibly a new Ultra tier in Apples iPhone hierarchy, but there wont be an iPhone 15 mini, and we probably wont see a mini iPhone ever again. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps, Undisclosed; Apple lists 17 hours of video playback, Undisclosed; Apple lists 19 hours of video playback, 5G enabled; MagSafe; water resistant (IP68); wireless charging; dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM), $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB), 779 (128GB), 879 (256GB), 1,079 (512GB), AU$1,199 (128GB), AU$1,369 (256GB), AU$1,719 (512GB), AU$1,349 (128GB), AU$1,519 (256GB), AU$1,869 (512GB). A new report has claimed that come 2022 there will be no smaller flagship Phone, with the so-called iPhone 14 coming in 6.1- and 6.7-inch sizes. I ended up using the mini less than other smartphones just because of the size, which might be a plus for some. Its also wider, taller and heavier, with huge bezels and an old-school home button, like our parents used. The smaller design of the iPhone 13 mini means it doesnt provide as strong battery life as the rest of the series, so you might want to invest in one of the best iPhone chargers. Roland Moore-Colyer a Managing Editor at Toms Guide with a focus on news, features and opinion articles. Wireless carriers are too; Verizon is offering $800 off on some trade-ins, as well as $500 to switch from another carrier, which more than covers the cost of the new iPhone. I talk with my sister via FaceTime almost every day, and I've definitely noticed that being able to see her on a bigger screen makes the call feel more engaging. This is partly because the carriers want to spur adoption of 5G, which all of these new iPhones support. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. The battery doesnt last quite as long as the bigger phones, however, making it about 38 hours between charges with the screen on for just over four hours during that time. However, I will likely snatch up a 13 mini. For people after a smaller Apple phone an updated iPhone SE will be released complete with 5G capabilities. For comparison, the iPhone SE costs 389, the iPhone 13 costs 779, the iPhone 13 Pro costs 949, the Samsung Galaxy S21 costs 769, the OnePlus 9 costs 629, and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 costs 949. We got a "midnight" mini, and let me tell you, it's a bit of a mind trip. But the chasm between the iPhone 12s cameras and the iPhone 13s isnt as wide. The reason? The iPhone 13 mini starts at $599 and the iPhone 13 starts at $699. The current iPhone 14 is $799 / 849 / AU$1,339. This is the smallest iPhone in the 13 series and the cheapest, but its also more expensive than the iPhone 12 mini in most regions. This is similar to what weve seen on past Android phones, and its protection for knocks and drops makes the phone four times stronger than iPhone models that dont feature the technology. Visit our corporate site. The company breaks down the phones environmental impact in its report. We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices. Is the iPhone 13 Mini the phone I wanted to carry with me on hikes this week? Mini model trounces competition with great camera and performance, but isnt the best iPhone for the year. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reading is more enjoyable on the iPhone 13's bigger display since characters appear larger, and the 6.1-inch screen can fit a few more lines of text compared to the Mini's 5.4-inch display. It should be easy to reach from one side of the phone to the other no matter the size of your hands. Its designed for those who want a smaller device, with Apples smartphones increasing in size over the last five years. Founder Arnold Kim (The MacRumors Show S02E20), Privacy / DMCA contact / Affiliate and FTC Disclosure, 17 hours of battery life when playing video, $699, $799, and $999 for 128GB/256GB/512GB, $799, $899, and $1,099 for 128GB/256GB/512GB. But despite this, Apple decided to come out with the iPhone 12 mini last year. A15 chip? (This does establish a price difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13on Apples own site, the cheapest iPhone 12 will run you $100 less than a new iPhone 13. This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. Say hello to 128GB, 256GB and 512GB minis but also, say hello to higher prices for the phones in most regions. Read more: iPhone SE 3: 6 upgrades we want in Apple's next budget smartphone. Two-thumb typing is awkward, but one-handed use is far easier than with bigger smartphones. Its set to get an improved chipset, either in the form of the A14 Bionic or rumored A15 chip that's slated for this fall's iPhone 13 lineup. Want CNET to notify you of price drops and the latest stories? I don't want the spec slashes they'll make to an iphone SE 3, and I'm super excited about the 256GB storage option. Yes, there are updates but they are small and incremental. Apple's most powerful Mac will finally shift to Apple silicon. The iPhone 13 Mini is once again a clone of its larger sibling -- this time with improved battery life -- making it an appealing choice if you want a phone that's smaller (and a little cheaper) than Apple's flagship. Apple iPhone 13 mini advantages Apple iPhone 13 mini does not have expandable memory via card slot, It does not offer a 3.5mm jack, It does not have FM Radio, It does not come with an Infrared port, and it does not contain a Temperature sensor. The iPhone 13 mini costs 679 ($699/A$1,199) with 128GB of storage, 779 ($799/A$1,369) for 256GB or 979 ($999/A$1,719) for 512GB. So with this in mind, Im slightly miffed as to why Apple might wait until the iPhone 14 to cut the mini model from its phone lineup; why not just start with the iPhone 13? There are still some minor differences between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro, but the gap between the two has closed. Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. One of them is a wide-angle camera, and the other is an ultrawide. The most noticeable difference between the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 is the size of their displays. In all of these ways it's just like its sibling the iPhone 13, so turn to my main iPhone 13 review for more details. Would you pay $100 / 170 / AU$200 less for a smaller version of the same phone, with less screen and worse battery life? 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The 13 mini runs the same iOS 15 software as the rest of its lineup, including various new features to help process notifications and faster voice recognition. If you want slower recordings, Full HD will also stretch up to 120fps and 240fps. Software Another factor that demarcates the difference between the two devices is their weight. iPhone 13 Mini comes with its own set of disadvantages which is that it has a 60Hz display but within the same price range, one can get a higher 120Hz refresh rate. The iPhone 13 mini was released on September 24, 2021, 10 days after its reveal. Heres how it works. When streaming music, the iPhone 13 mini offers 55 hours of battery life compared to the iPhone 13's 75 hours. In fact, its arguably still the best small phone on the market. The iPhone 13s build is nicer, a callback to the sleeker, flat-edged iPhones of the past. The iPhone 12 mini landed in the market as the smallest flagship smartphone, at a delightful 5.2 by 2.5 by 0.3 inches (HWD). Amazon workers walk out to protest return to office mandates, Google Magic Eraser cleans up your messy photo mistakes, and that's a bad thing, Wear OS may finally have its own Apple Watch-beater, thanks to Oppo. For the biggest iPhone with maximum battery life, there is the 6.7-inch iPhone 13 Pro Max for $1,099. As for everything else, the iPhone 13 mini handles 4G and 5G; it runs iOS 15 on the new A15 processor; and it has two 12-megapixel cameras on the back, along with one on the front. On the front of the phone theres a 12MP selfie camera. The SE is less powerful all around, but it's still a delightful entry-level phone for new or light users. But if its not sold that well, then it doesn't look like theres that much of a demand for a smaller iPhone. As I said, it's a trip, but it's also a very cool color. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. It will be years until people replace their iPhone with a wearable, if that ever happens. Get weekly top MacRumors stories in your inbox. The same is true of the iPhone 13 mini. Theres also good news if the iPhone 13 mini inspires you to take more photos: Apple has bumped up the storage tiers from 2020s devices, so gone is the severely limiting 64GB entry-level size. (My loaner phones did sometimes connect to 5G networks here in San Francisco; I didnt notice a major difference in speeds at those times.). If you don't have an Apple Watch, you've probably found yourself in the same position. This is one area in which the iPhone 13 Mini's smaller size brings a major convenience. Rumors suggest that the next update for the iPhone SE wont happen until 2024 or later. Camera Here's CNET's review of the . It elaborates the advantages and drawbacks of this application and the possible influences it will bring to users. The iPhone 13 mini is the best iPhone for those who want a smaller device on Apples iOS platform. Whenever I pick up my phone to respond to a text or a work email, my two thumbs instinctively gravitate towards the bottom of the screen. One of the main disadvantages of going with smaller phones is shorter battery life it was one of the major cons of the iPhone 12 Mini. Cons. Not enough people bought the iPhone 13 mini, thats why Apple made the iPhone 14 Plus as its fourth model for the family. That decision shifts with the $399 iPhone SE, simply because the SE is so much less expensive and is therefore in an entirely different class. The current iPhone SE (2022) is only small because it resembles older iPhone 8 devices. That was the case in our testing when we used a compatible charger. The iPhone 13 mini is the best small phone you can get by some margin, but is not cheap. The iPhone 13 mini has a display size of 5.4 inches and the iPhone 13 has a display size of 6.1 inches. All Rights Reserved. So again, Id wonder why Apple would keep it going for another generation. I'd even go down so far as to say to get this over the $499 iPhone 11, because our tests show better battery life than the 11, and 5G will genuinely help with coverage and signal quality over the next two years. It came out alongside the rest of the iPhone 13 series, and you can buy it in the US, UK and Australia. Although I generally prefer having a larger screen for FaceTime chats, the iPhone 13 Mini's lighter build was definitely less of a burden on my hand during lengthy video calls. For video recording, the iPhone 13 mini is capable of recording up to 4K in 24fps, 30fps or 60fps. It is the essential source of information and ideas that make sense of a world in constant transformation. And that battery life comes running all of the same features as its larger sibling, with no throttling, reduced camera quality, or lesser signal performance. Earlier this year, Google announced that it planned to unify its Drive File Stream and Backup and Sync apps into a single Google Drive for desktop app. The question for consumers is more about where they are in the upgrade cycle, and what kind of technology they can get in their pockets for a certain price. If storage is a priority for you, it may be . If you click an affiliate link and buy a product or service, we may be paid a fee by that merchant. The iPhone 13 mini has significantly better battery life than the iPhone 12 mini does; in our battery rundown test, it did about as well as the standard iPhone 12. Its called the A15 Bionic, and as usual, Apple is touting its billions of transistors and its advanced graphics and artificial intelligence capabilities. A brand new iPhone 13 mini costs $599 / 649 / AU$1049, which is only a minor price reduction over its initial cost when it launched in September, 2021. But all of the other iPhone 13 models have even better batteries. Why you can trust TechRadar The Top Features in Apples iOS 15and Its Newest Update. The iPhone 13 mini is the most powerful small phone ever. The iPhone 13 is what a basic iPhone should be. The phone sits comfortably in the hand, and its easy to use single-handedly. That said, if you upgrade to one of the larger models in this series youll experience even better performance. While lauded for its neat design, solid capabilities, and for being more inclusive for people with smaller hands, the iPhone 12 mini didnt sell well. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you. Yes, yes it was; I even forgot it was in my pants pocket. Despite all the clamor around the iPhone 13 prior to its launch, the new series from Apple isn't a massive update. It is very comfortable to use since it can be operated with one hand. It uses the same Apple A14 Bionic processor. 1 Average: 0 Bad: 0 Read Pros & Cons See all reviews Price: $ 699 TechSpot is supported by its audience. She has been writing about technology for almost a decade. The iPhone 12 with 128GB of storage costs $649 and at 256GB it costs $749, $50 more than the iPhone 13 mini with the same amount of storage. A selection of quick iOS tips that will make you a lot more time-efficient in the long run. Its thinner, with an even smaller 4.7-inch display, compared to the 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone 13 mini. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, On the other hand, most competitor phones are even larger than the iPhone, and the difference shows. So goes the small phone life. WWDC 2023: Everything You Can Expect to See! Despite this, the rumors around the iPhone 13 so far suggest there will be another version of the mini when the new phone range supposedly arrives in the fall. The iPhone 13 Mini's battery life is a big improvement over the iPhone 12 Mini, but it still doesn't last as long as the iPhone 13. Its partly because Applebumped up the storage size, axing the 64GB version and starting with 128GB. If you put the big sports car engine into the little car, it still uses a lot of gas. Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR display, the A15 Bionic chip, 5G connectivity, dual cameras with 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide lenses, and are available in the same colors. A clamshell foldable like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, while not quite as elegant as anything youd expect from Apple, is the most compact and mini phone I recommend. The iPhone 13, by comparison, has 2X optical zoom out and digital zoom up to 5X. It's black enough to give the initial impression of being black, and then you think, there's something off about this. There's really nothing like it from any of the Android vendors on the US market; the Samsung Galaxy S21 is the size of the standard iPhone 13, not the 13 mini. As folding displays improve and finally lose the ugly, Apple-offending crease, we could get a premiere iPhone Fold. Benetti tired of the constant issues with her cheaper Android devices and made the switch to . The low-light performance on the iPhone 13 mini is remarkably good, but iPhone products have worked well in this space for the last few years. The iPhone 13 Mini, by comparison, had 40% of its battery left when I had used it for the same amount of time on the previous day. The iPhone 13 Mini is easier to hold, but I prefer having a larger screen for reading and taking photos. The WIRED conversation illuminates how technology is changing every aspect of our livesfrom culture to business, science to design. The iPhone 14 has only a slightly. Instead, an iPhone 14 Plus was launched in its place, with a big display yet lower specs. The iPhone 12 is available in six colors: black, white, red, green, blue, and purple. If you want more storage t youll need to opt for the 1TB iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max. There isnt a 1TB model for the iPhone 13 mini, so youll want to look to the Pro editions to get more space. When not at his desk Roland can be found wandering around London, often with a look of curiosity on his face. And Im already concerned that Apple might create a fork in the iPhone 13 range by reserving 120Hz LTPO displays for only the Pro handsets. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The basic difference between the iPhone 13 and the 13 mini is screen size, dimensions, We had similar results from the iPhone 13. Typing with two hands (as I normally do) feels restrictive since the keys are smaller and the phone itself isn't as wide. The screen notch is smaller, but most certainly hasnt gone away (and on a smaller phone, it feels like it eats away at the screen real estate even more than on the iPhone 13 Pro Max). The battery life on the iPhone 13 mini is better than the iPhone 12 mini, but its still not great compared to its rivals and the other iPhone 13s. The iPhone 13 starts at $799, while the iPhone 13 Mini starts at $699. Plus, with a phone like the Pixel 7, you get a much bigger, brighter, and faster display than Apple gives you with the iPhone 13 mini. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Apple has said these are not filters; a lot of people will interpret them as filters. Ad Choices. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. The added $100 for the iPhone 13 seems fair for the added display area and battery life, but it is important to weigh up these additional factors in your personal use case. Those high-end components cost more. PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships. When it comes to video chatting, a bigger screen almost certainly leads to a better experience, and that definitely held true on the iPhone 13. The iPhone 13 and 13 Mini received a number of significant upgrades including new cameras, a bigger battery, more storage and a brighter screen. 5G connectivity also returned on the iPhone 13 mini, so youll be able to easily connect to next-gen networks as long as your carrier and plan support them and youre in an area with 5G coverage. The average person interested in a small smartphone will finally be able to run the phone a full day without a recharge. MacRumors attracts a broad audience of both consumers and professionals interested in the latest technologies and products. Tom's Guide Verdict. New York, Apple also offers trade-in and free recycling schemes, including for non-Apple products. Here's a closer look at where the iPhone 13 Mini succeeds over the iPhone 13 and where it falls short. Specs and performance It fits in pockets easily and works great for messaging and calls. Here, the popularity of the iPhone also means that there are many IOS applications that are not available on other platforms like Apollo and Drafts. In short, the answer to the question I asked at the outset, is there doesn't seem to be much of a point to the iPhone 13 mini other than a way for Apple to save face. These users will be willing to trade off a couple of hours of battery life for the more compact and lightweight design. Batteries in similar devices typically maintain at least 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles. The short version is that I saw a significant jump in quality when I compared photos and videos captured on iPhone 11 versus those on the iPhone 13. Its powerful, the camera is top-tier, and the battery life is better than that of the iPhone 12 mini. Elsewhere, the iPhone 13 mini camera works well taking clear shots that have true-to-life colors. 128 gigabytes of base storage. Reviews ethics statement. Here's what we know so far. Both phones have the same thickness of 7.65mm. Another standout feature is Cinematic video mode, which uses AI to create a depth effect during live video capture and shift the focus as you move from subject to subject, or as a person or object within the frame looks in another direction. Its unlikely that Apple will make another small iPhone mini, and you shouldnt hold out hope for a small iPhone SE 4, either. I was sitting with our photographer with the two of us asking, is it black or not black? There are five color options for the iPhone 13 mini, which are blue, pink, red, Starlight, and Midnight. If you're upgrading from another small iPhone (like the iPhone 8 or earlier), the iPhone 13 Mini won't feel tiny. The smallest and least expensive of Apple's 2021 smartphone lineup, the iPhone 13 mini (starting at $699) is basically an iPhone 13 in a smaller size, with a smaller battery. Analyst reports claim that Apple has purchased 59% more iPhone 14 Plus display panels than it did iPhone 13 mini screens, over the same period in each phones lifespan. This is a long overdue improvement from last year, when the cheapest model of iPhone 12 came with just 64 gigabytes of internal storage. Commentary: The iPhone 13 Mini is an improvement over the iPhone 12 Mini, but I still don't see the appeal. With the iPhone mini you get the same performance and camera as the bigger phones, with big sacrifices on screen and battery. In fact, Apple used the same chips again in the iPhone 14, so you know this mini phone is a serious performance beast. The iPhone 13 Mini, however, leaves plenty of room for other items in my waist pack, and the reduced clutter makes it easy to quickly find other belongings when I need them. The iPhone 13 mini is 15.2mm shorter and 7.3mm narrower than the iPhone 13. 5.4inch (diagonal) allscreen OLED display. Apple previously offered a 64GB model as its starting edition, but that isnt an option here. It has a great camera, 5G, fast performance, solid battery life, decent storage and long software support. But if you often type with one hand, it'll be easier to stretch your thumb across the display to reach both sides of the keyboard without having to use a second finger. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The 13 mini has the same improved dual-camera system as its larger sibling, making it one of the best you can buy but lacking in optical zoom. The 5.4in OLED screen is superb: crisp, bright and now with a smaller Face ID notch taking up less room at the top. The iPhone 13 Mini's battery life is a big improvement over the iPhone 12 Mini's, but you'll still get more mileage out of the iPhone 13. Pros: small and easy to hold, great camera, water-resistant, MagSafe, Face ID, top performance, great screen, 5G, long software support. The 13 mini's 5.4-inch OLED display has 2,340-by-1,080-pixel resolution (like the 12 mini's), making it slightly denser than the iPhone 13's 6.1-inch display, but with fewer overall pixels because it's smaller. The iPhone 13 mini is expensive, especially for what you get. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. At first glance the iPhone 13 looks exactly like the iPhone 12. You want way better battery life than the 12 mini. The iPhone 13 mini is powered by Apples A15 Bionic chipset. This approach seems like the right compromise since the Xperia 5 II's narrower build should make it easier to use with one hand while still providing the benefits of a 6.1-inch screen. Now I applaud Apple for making a phone thats easier for people with smaller hands to use. 50 features and changes you might have missed in macOS Ventura. The iPhone 13 mini is still the smallest and lightest premium smartphone on the market. We cant say weve really noticed the difference during our testing, but it gives you a slight increase in screen area. However, the iPhone 13s wide camera has a larger sensor, which is supposed to let in more light. Ive spent the past week carrying around a few phonesiPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13capturing media in various settings and lighting environments. Granted its design is hardly cutting edge, but its specs and single camera performance are rather impressive for a $399 phone even a year after its release. Learn more. 6. There are five color options, including blue, pink, red, "midnight" (a blue so dark it can read as black), and "starlight" (a subtle off-white, like eggshell). The problem, however, is that I rarely text with one hand. Close-up shots notably struggled on the 13 mini, and the macro mode on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max are much better at focusing when you're closer to a subject. The iPhone 13 mini can deliver up to 17 hours of video playback, according to Apple. But Ive been using the non-Pro version of iPhone 13 for just under a week now, and Ive used the iPhone 13 Mini for a few days too. And finally, battery life: I was impressed by the battery life on the iPhone 13, but I remain disappointed by the battery life on the iPhone 13 Mini. Since the iPhone 13 is larger, it can accommodate a larger battery and therefore offer a longer battery life. It has a Super Retina XDR display. This iPhone 13 Mini's smaller keyboard cuts two ways. That could make it easier to hold the Mini for long periods of time compared to the iPhone 13, especially if you often find yourself on long phone calls. But if youve been hanging on to an iPhone 5S or 2016 iPhone SE because newer models are too big, or you just long for a smaller smartphone, this is the iPhone for you. The standard-sized iPhone 13 should last for an extra 2 hours compared to the iPhone 13 Mini when playing video, according to Apple. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, If Apple is going to make a foldable iPhone, I hope that it goes for an iPhone Flip design rather than a iPhone Fold-type. A smaller, 5.4-inch iPhone is not for everyone. In other words, I guess what I'm really asking Apple for is an iPhone 13 Slim rather than an iPhone 13 Mini. Here's CNET's review of the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, and our review of the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. Bump up your storage capacity to 256 gigabytes and youre looking at $899 for the regular-sized phone and $799 for its tiny sibling, and then $999 and $899 for 512 gigabytes of internal storage. The quality here doesnt differ much from the iPhone 12 mini, but its still remarkably good for a smartphone at this price. The best compromise will be a phone that is easier to hold in other ways. We found the front camera was capable when taking selfie shots as well as recording video. On both devices, I streamed 30 minutes of music via Spotify, 20 minutes of YouTube video and participated in a 10-minute FaceTime call in addition to my other daily activities, such as checking notifications, sending texts and reading emails. Yes, I also want to receive the CNET Insider newsletter, keeping me up to date with all things CNET. 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Its not the same as an iPhone mini, I know. https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/apple-iphone-13-mini. The iPhone SE (2022) is a newer phone than the iPhone 13 mini. Alternatives, our verdict, pros and cons Apple iOS Alternatives The Apple iPhone 13 is obviously a very minor upgrade over the iPhone 12, and we cannot think of a single reason why any. If youve already decided that youre splurging on the iPhone 13 Pro or Pro Max, then you should read my WIRED colleague Julian Chokkattus review of that phone. The breakthroughs and innovations that we uncover lead to new ways of thinking, new connections, and new industries. With a few big exceptions. It's still best to think of this device as a shrunken-down version of Apple's flagship iPhone. The screens size makes watching videos a bit more difficult than some large-screen phones we test. On the rear of the handset, theres a camera module that juts out a lot from the rear of the phone. If making a phone that's easier to use with one hand was Apple's main goal with the iPhone 13 Mini, I would have loved to see a design that's more optimized for that experience rather than a shrunken iPhone 13. By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our. The iPhone 13 represents the baseline for what you can get out of an iPhone, and most users will be happy with this size. And this is a bit baffling to me for a couple of reasons. PCMag.com is a leading authority on technology, delivering lab-based, independent reviews of the latest products and services. Lightning cable need to go No Type-C charging port and you're still stuck with a lightning cable, According to a piece of recent news EU proposed mandatory type-c on all devices and will give 2 years' time. The iPhone 13 Mini's shining attribute, unsurprisingly, is its pocket-friendly design. Future folding phones could be even more svelte. I can't see it with my eyes; I'm waiting for some testing results from DisplayMate Labs to verify Apple's move here. Thats the same processor as other 2021 iPhones, and weve found it to be seriously powerful, easily capable of loading and running multiple apps. Apple included two cameras on the iPhone 13 mini a 12MP f/1.6 wide camera with 1.7m pixels for better low-light performance, and a 12MP f/2.4 ultra-wide camera with 120-degree field of view. The iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max have far more impressive camera specs, but if youre looking for a rear camera that can take good enough shots for your social media profile, we believe this will be good enough for you. Equally, Apple has reportedly stopped making iPhone 12 mini models, which indicates there's not a lot of demand for it and Apple has no plans to keep that particular phone around past the fall,. Sony's Xperia 5 II is a great example. That only helps if you can read very tiny text. In fact, some of the best Android phones out there already have the fancier features of the iPhone 13. WIRED may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The few competitors that exist are usually cut-down, cheaper models with compromised experiences, where the 13 mini is a full iPhone, just condensed. Not to mention, the iPhone 13's speakers also sound louder than the iPhone 13 Mini's, which also comes in handy for video calls. iPhone privileges Owning an iPhone also means that we get access to various Apple only features like Apple music, Apple car play, iMessages, Face time and many more. This essay created by MiniTool support discusses a new technology the may be applied to iPhone 13 - no ports. The buttons on the side of the phone are seated lower than they are on the iPhone 12, which I didnt notice until I jammed the iPhone 13 into my usual car mount and inadvertently powered the phone down a few times. Our guide highlights the differences between the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13, and helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhone models is best for you. But youll find superior cameras out of the iPhone 13 Pro lineup, including a telephoto lens and ProRes video. The iPhone 13 starts at $799, while the iPhone 13 Mini starts at $699. Other versions of this page are available with specific content for the following regions: TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The $699 (679, AU$1,199) iPhone 13 Mini is the cheapest device in Apple's iPhone 13 lineup, and it comes with a 5.4-inch screen just like last year's iPhone 12 Mini. Discover the latest news and best reviews in smartphones and carriers from CNET' mobile experts. The smartphone is generally repairable, with an out-of-warranty screen replacement costing 216.44. Its not the smallest iPhone, not in the display. The argument for a smaller iPhone gets harder and harder, especially from Apples perspective. A bigger screen also means a larger viewfinder in the camera app, which I find easier for setting up my shots and cropping them afterward. This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and Apple offers the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro lineup in three different sizes to meet all users' needs. Heres the bad: you get less display, obviously, and display size correlates to the size of the battery. The Pro phones also shoot in Apples RAW mode, which means the photos have the specs of standard RAW imagery combined with Apple image processing. So a phone that can more easily fit into a pocket makes more sense for me. That means the chip inside the iPhone mini cost Apple just as much as the chip in the iPhone 13 Pro. In terms of pricing, the iPhone 13 retails for: $799 for 128GB of storage. If you're curious about pre-planning your finances, here are some bills you should (and should never) put on auto-pay. That makes the iPhone 13 mini the second and last member of Apple's small-body line, though it's not a huge upgrade over the iPhone 12 mini. That lesson is part of why I'm recommending the standard-size iPhone 13 over the mini this year. Theres a Lightning port between the phones speaker grilles on the bottom of the handset. published 6 March 2023 (Only for a moment, mind you.) I'm that 5G guy. Its a nice-to-have feature, rather than a must-have reason to upgrade. Sign up for Fully Mobilized newsletter to get our top mobile tech stories delivered right to your inbox. The main differences between the 13 mini and the 12 mini (like with base 13 and 12), are a smaller "notch" on the front and slightly larger, diagonally arrayed cameras on the back. Forget to slip it into your bag in the morning, and you might find yourself with only a smartphone to work from. And Ive been showing cinematic video clips of my cat to pretty much anyone whos vaccinated and willing to come closer than social distancing rules allow. Apple's smallest smartphone trades battery life for portability. The phone has a physically larger battery than the iPhone 12 does, and the retooled processor provides some more power efficiency too. Theres far less room for a battery, and that means its only a 2,438mAh cell inside. It isnt the best iPhone outright, but if youre looking for a smaller device then youre in luck. The iPhone 13 is a delightful upgrade to last year . Read more:These smartphones are coming in 2022, and they already look exciting. Impressive cameras. At 5.2 by 2.5 by 0.3 inches and 5.0 ounces, it's significantly smaller and lighter than the iPhone 13 (5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches, 6.1 ounces), and close enough to the iPhone 12 mini that it will fit in some of the same cases. The 13 mini takes one hour 43 minutes to fully charge, hitting 80% in 46 minutes, with a 20W USB-C charger (not included in the box). The iPhone 13 mini is 33 grams (1.16 ounces) lighter than its larger counterpart, at just 141 grams (4.97 ounces) in total. iOS 15 software is available on the iPhone 13 mini as a default, and we expect to see this handset get updates for at least the next few years. The new iPhone has a smaller screen notch and a slightly thicker body. It isnt the best Apple phone this year; its just too small for many things. It is too small to fit in my car windscreen mount, watching video on it is a bit tedious, games are cramped, and you end up scrolling around in documents a lot. 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