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iPhone 16/Plus iPhone 13 Mini User- Is now the time to upgrade?

Z

Zachary1992

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 16, 2020
10
7
I currently have an iPhone 13 mini and love it dearly. Sad that Apple has chosen to discontinue it. With that said, the battery life on my mini is caput (80% battery health) and I am interested in the Apple Intelligence function in the new models, so am looking to upgrade. Factors going into selection:

- Apple Intelligence

- Size: the smaller the better

- Battery life: need something I can rely on without dying after a few hours without charging.

- Storage: 128GB to 256GB preferable. I have 2T storage via iCloud.

- Camera does not matter at all, I own a Fujifilm and take most all my photos on that.

With that said, I am thinking about paying $89 to replace the battery on my mini and get me through the next year before the iPhone 17 comes out. So I guess my question is, given the factors above, is:

Do I upgrade now from the 13 mini to the iPhone 16?

OR

Replace the battery on my 13 mini and wait for the iPhone 17?
 
Knowing they’ll probably never make another Mini there’s a few options;

A - wait for the potential iPhone “Air”
B - get a refurbished iPhone 15
C - replace battery while waiting
 
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Sheepish-Lord said:
Knowing they’ll probably never make another Mini there’s a few options;

A - wait for the potential iPhone “Air”
B - get a refurbished iPhone 15
C - replace battery while waiting
Click to expand...
I'm leaning towards a combination of option A and C.

Would love to get my hands on a device with Apple Intelligence, but it's looking like Apple won't have any serious AI offerings for a while.

Also, 80% battery health, is that quite low? I have no context, but I see my current phone just dying on me like crazy.
 
I’d get a new phone – the regular 16 looks fine – but hold onto the 13 mini as a backup or for situations when you’d prefer something very small. I have a 16 PM but also have a 13 mini I use for running races (and the occasional formal event) and I’m not planning to get rid of it any time soon.
 
turbineseaplane said:
If you have a Mini, I assume the size was a key factor (I'm also a 13 Mini user)

There is nothing to "upgrade" to
Click to expand...
I know, which I am sad about, but have accepted that reality. I'm now at the point where I am wondering if the 16 is enough to upgrade to or if I wait till 2025 for the 17?
 
PatrickNSF said:
I’d get a new phone – the regular 16 looks fine – but hold onto the 13 mini as a backup or for situations when you’d prefer something very small. I have a 16 PM but also have a 13 mini I use for running races (and the occasional formal event) and I’m not planning to get rid of it any time soon.
Click to expand...
You don't think it's worth waiting for the 17 and sticking it out with the mini?
 
Zachary1992 said:
I know, which I am sad about, but have accepted that reality. I'm now at the point where I am wondering if the 16 is enough to upgrade to or if I wait till 2025 for the 17?
Click to expand...

Just up to what you want to spend

Lots of reports of how very little is actually changing year over year from the 14 to 15 to 16 (or wait on 17 ... new article about that today in fact)

It's more about how much you want to spend and if you want Apple Intelligence or not

Personally - I find iPhones to be WILDLY overpriced and thus I always buy gently preowned and let someone else eat 30-40% depreciation
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Just up to what you want to spend

Lots of reports of how very little is actually changing year over year from the 14 to 15 to 16 (or wait on 17 ... new article about that today in fact)

It's more about how much you want to spend and if you want Apple Intelligence or not

Personally - I find iPhones to be WILDLY overpriced and thus I always buy gently preowned and let someone else eat 30-40% depreciation
Click to expand...
Totally feel you. I also would like to be 100% on board across all my devices with USB-C charging. Let's see. Going to go in-person and see how I like the look and feel of them
 
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Personally I would wait.

I still have and regularly use a 13 Pro, and to this day it makes me regret the expense of having a 16 Pro. Your processor is the same as the 13 pro, and I am never left wanting on the speed / performance of the device. The 16 pro is faster, the cameras are better (but only in some situations), and video quality on the 13 series is still really good!

I miss smaller phones, I caved and got an xS Max, and 11 Pro Max, but since have switched down to base Pro models due to having a far better size.

With how rarely I use 3x (and now 5X) zoom on my phones, I feel the 2 camera system will be a great fit for me. I just want decent processing power for overall longevity.
 
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turbineseaplane said:
Same
And I say this as a 13 Mini user

(I miss the even smaller phones)
Click to expand...
I still have, play games on, an iPhone 4.

May be a touch too small (native screen size) for daily use, but a modern EQ in that form factor (Full OLED Screen) would be one hell of a device with modern processors and even a single wide camera.

Insta buy for me lol.
 
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Zachary1992 said:
I'm leaning towards a combination of option A and C.

Would love to get my hands on a device with Apple Intelligence, but it's looking like Apple won't have any serious AI offerings for a while.

Also, 80% battery health, is that quite low? I have no context, but I see my current phone just dying on me like crazy.
Click to expand...

iPhone Air is rumoured to be quite big, replacing the current Plus. You could change a battery now and then consider these options:
- iPhone SE 2025 in the spring 2025 (might be the lightest of 6.1” if it has only one rear camera);
- in the autumn 2025, get a regular iPhone 16 (which will have a lower price) or 17, if the latter has something more appealing to you.
 
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Zachary1992 said:
I currently have an iPhone 13 mini and love it dearly. Sad that Apple has chosen to discontinue it. With that said, the battery life on my mini is caput (80% battery health) and I am interested in the Apple Intelligence function in the new models, so am looking to upgrade. Factors going into selection:

- Apple Intelligence

- Size: the smaller the better

- Battery life: need something I can rely on without dying after a few hours without charging.

- Storage: 128GB to 256GB preferable. I have 2T storage via iCloud.

- Camera does not matter at all, I own a Fujifilm and take most all my photos on that.

With that said, I am thinking about paying $89 to replace the battery on my mini and get me through the next year before the iPhone 17 comes out. So I guess my question is, given the factors above, is:

Do I upgrade now from the 13 mini to the iPhone 16?

OR

Replace the battery on my 13 mini and wait for the iPhone 17?
Click to expand...
Why do you say it's kaput ? Mine is 82% (iPhone 12 mini) and it still lasts adequately. I also really love the mini form factor, it will be hard to change. I also have some hopes on this iPhone Air. Even if it will be bigger, making it thinner will help on handling I hope.
 
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Replace the battery and get grammerly for the AI stuff.

Take the case off and feel how nice it is in your hand. Thats what I do anytime I feel like apple is tempting me with upgrades.
 
one more said:
iPhone Air is rumoured to be quite big, replacing the current Plus. You could change a battery now and then consider these options:
- iPhone SE 2025 in the spring 2025 (might be the lightest of 6.1” if it has only one rear camera);
- in the autumn 2025, get a regular iPhone 16 (which will have a lower price) or 17, if the latter has something more appealing to you.
Click to expand...
+1 on the SE2025, since camera isn't a priority I'd say SE sounds like a good match (if the rumors right on the specs).
 
Replace the battery and wait and see if Apple Intelligence is a big thing.

I have the first iteration on my MacBook Air and so far, meh.
 
Septercius said:
The fact that the 13 mini can't get Apple so-called Intelligence sounds like a compelling reason to keep my mini forever.
Click to expand...
In truth, if I have Ai on my MacBook Air and iPad Air, I’m not sure that I need it on my iPhone.

Most adults in the USA have another device in addition to their iPhone.
 
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