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iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 mini users - will you upgrade or keep using?
- Thread starter sleven
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I used to enjoy flipping open my flip phone like a pocket knife back in the day. It could be done quick and easy using just your thumb and a flick of the wrist as you pull it out of your pocket. Is that not the case with flip phones nowadays?
I don’t play games on my phone, no. It’s just a nicer and smoother experience. I never had a problem with 60 hz, but the pro motion is certainly better. I wouldn’t call myself a “photographer” either, but the telephoto is cool with travel and various outdoor shots. Battery life being better is also nice but not “necessary.”Good that you could made a choice
I am not a photographer so I wouldn’t need the telephoto.
Just wondering what’s so cool about the 120hz? Do you play games that require it?
In my daily usage (browsing the web, watching youtube) I barely notice it, I compared in the shop and I could notice the smoother animations and scrollong on 120hz but the 60hz doesn’t seem laggy to my eyes.
So yeah, the base 16 would be fine, I don’t *need* the pro features. But I also just don’t see the regular 16 as meaningfully better than the pro in terms of size and weight. It’s still heavy and it’s still a 6+” phone.
I just ordered a 16 to replace my 12 Mini and I'm heart broken.
It was time. The speakers, both on the bottom and the ear piece, were becoming barely audible. It's apparent that the current UI is designed for a "full size" phone leaving a lot of elements disturbed on the smaller screen. And the battery life has dropped significantly in recent months.
I was considering holding out for the rumored 17 Air but that apparently will be the Plus size. Screw that. If the "airPhone" were as slim as rumored and with one camera, and smaller than the regular iPhone, I would be the first to order that. Ultimately, I can barely hear anything so I have little choice in the matter.
The 16 should arrive in a couple hours. I'm excited about the unboxing and set up (new is always fun) but really nervous about the increased size and the camera mountain. There's literally nothing about the iPhone 16 that I'm looking forward to. To be honest, I'm a little angry about the whole thing.
RIP 12 Mini. You were the perfect phone 😢💔
Update: New iPhone 16 in hand. I hate it already 😡 Apple - GET RID OF THE CAMERA BUMP. This is ridiculously large. I have to put a stack of index cards beneath the phone just to use it.
It was time. The speakers, both on the bottom and the ear piece, were becoming barely audible. It's apparent that the current UI is designed for a "full size" phone leaving a lot of elements disturbed on the smaller screen. And the battery life has dropped significantly in recent months.
I was considering holding out for the rumored 17 Air but that apparently will be the Plus size. Screw that. If the "airPhone" were as slim as rumored and with one camera, and smaller than the regular iPhone, I would be the first to order that. Ultimately, I can barely hear anything so I have little choice in the matter.
The 16 should arrive in a couple hours. I'm excited about the unboxing and set up (new is always fun) but really nervous about the increased size and the camera mountain. There's literally nothing about the iPhone 16 that I'm looking forward to. To be honest, I'm a little angry about the whole thing.
RIP 12 Mini. You were the perfect phone 😢💔
Update: New iPhone 16 in hand. I hate it already 😡 Apple - GET RID OF THE CAMERA BUMP. This is ridiculously large. I have to put a stack of index cards beneath the phone just to use it.
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Sorry the new iPhone experience isn't starting off on the usual best foot forward. Having taken about fifty photos total on my mini this year, I would resent having to own the current camera bump. Imagine if you needed a new lounge chair but only sofas were being made --with built-in recliners and cupholders.
I have an unboxed 13mini (blue) to replace my 13mini (white) when it goes RIP.
If both my minis died today and I needed another iPhone, I'd buy a SE-3gen. They're ridiculously cheap from ATT Mexico with a plan that is so inexpensive, I would never bother to use the SIM. Less than $300 bucks for phone and plan.
The SE-3gen is roughly the same size as a mini—I still use a 2gen with a US prepaid-SIM. It was my primary iPhone before I bought my mini. Yes, the screen is duller but when I look at photos that I took with it, they're a-okay. Because the SE-3gen uses the same generation processor as the mini, it should be supported with the same iOS upgrades.
On the subject of iOS upgrades, unless Apple Intelligence becomes a BIG thing, the old systems are still solid and familiar. I have iOS 16 on an 8+ and iPadOS 15 on an iPad mini4. They don't feel old and clunky, and still do their thing.
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You can still get a new 13 mini from Best Buy and lots of carriers. Will probably get iOS updates another 4 years or something. Don’t keep a phone you hate.
I’ve just bought a refurbished 13 mini to use as second phone when I’m out running or doing something where I don’t need a bigger device and I’d forgotten how much I liked the size after selling my 12 mini for a 13 Pro. Such good phones.
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How do you switch eSims from your regular phone to the 13 mini? Or do you maintain two phone numbers (which seems annoying).
Two numbers but I use WhatsApp for calling & texting most of the time and you can link devices. I could technically swap the physical sim each time but went for an eSim for my mini. Could also use call forwarding if I needed.
I’ve been keeping a backup 13 mini for running and when I want to carry something light while wearing dress pants. I also use it around the house sometimes for listening to podcasts and music. Apart from battery life it’s a fantastic phone when you need a phone and not a mini-computer.
Following up earlier post. I went on a ridiculous journey with the 16s. I’m a HUGE Mini fan generally. I came from a 15 Plus, then a 15 Pro. I never felt the 15 Pro had the stamina I needed.
Got the 16 Pro Max. Thought it was too heavy. Got a 16 Plus. Loved the lighter weight. But didn’t love the feel in my big hands. I’m trying to go case-less, at most a skin or a back-case (like the Suti ones).
Rocking the 16 now, with no case. I really feel the battery is much better than the 15 Pro, no anxiety.
Size-wise, it really does get close enough to feeling like the Mini. So if you’re on the fence, definitely go check them out in person, you may be surprised.
Got the 16 Pro Max. Thought it was too heavy. Got a 16 Plus. Loved the lighter weight. But didn’t love the feel in my big hands. I’m trying to go case-less, at most a skin or a back-case (like the Suti ones).
Rocking the 16 now, with no case. I really feel the battery is much better than the 15 Pro, no anxiety.
Size-wise, it really does get close enough to feeling like the Mini. So if you’re on the fence, definitely go check them out in person, you may be surprised.
I went on a similarly ridiculous journey when I replaced my 10.5" iPad Pro, involving all the sizes, but settling on the "regular" 11" in the end. I'm hoping my mini lasts enough years that there's at least a lighter, affordable option, even if the screens never fall below 6" again.
I couldn’t take the lightning port and 60 Hz display any longer despite the amazing form factor. I got a 16 Pro and I wish it were smaller but the fast screen and USB C are wonderful. I miss the mini, I hope it comes back.
I'm pleased that you're happy with your transition!
I can't be the only one here who has not experienced an iPhone with a variable 120Hz screen. When do you notice the difference?
(I live in a household with mixed cords, even using older USB drives with an adapter.)
Same. I own a few items (pricey bike gear) with micro-USB that will probably outlive me. I also think my Siri Remote and Mac Magic Keyboard will be in service for many years.
I'm wondering if the 17 Air will be a win? A single lens camera with adequate CCD density would allow for a high quality iPhone with reasonable total volume and mass. (When the 5S gave way to the 6, the volume of the 6 continued to permit it to be tossed into a breast pocket. A jeans front pocket was more challenging but do-able.)
I also went from mini to the 16 pro and to be honest I’ve zero regrets. I still loved the mini size but the pro hasn’t been as unwieldy as much as I anticipated.
Battery is also insanely great. I’ve consistently been using it in the same way as I did my mini and this goes a full 24 hours of no charge and still at 30-40% give or take
Battery is also insanely great. I’ve consistently been using it in the same way as I did my mini and this goes a full 24 hours of no charge and still at 30-40% give or take
I think that battery life doomed small phones. If there’s a breakthrough in battery tech and/or efficiency, they may return. Who knows?
(When I dropped and killed my iPad mini6, I switched to a surplus iPad gen9. WOW! The difference in battery life!)
Yeah in early smartphone days, small phones were adequate for most, but over the years as screen time skyrocketed for the mainstream, they wanted bigger batteries to power their usage, as well as bigger screens for better consumption. If there's a breakthrough in battery life, I think small phones will probably make some sort of comeback. But of course also there would still be a good amount of people who will still want their large screens. I think the only thing that could disrupt that is some sort of future AR glasses.
The difference in refresh rate is something you can’t really see until you’ve seen it, if that makes sense. Load the same website on a pro at the store and your mini (or whatever) and scroll through them. Apple.com works well as an example. You’ll quickly notice how much smoother the pro is, and conversely, how “laggy” the mini starts feeling. I would recommend not doing this if you want to be at peace with the 60Hz screen 😂
It’s really a disease. You start to notice the lag on old monitors and more. I bought a 120Hz computer monitor recently because it’s just so much more smooth.
The way I think of it is like… back when 720p monitors were first introduced, they looked incredible!! “Wow, this thing is so high resolution! And it’s so thin! No cathode ray??” Well, they don’t look so great anymore, do they 😅
How is the performance of iOS 18 on the Mini 13?
For people either "sweating" a previous expensive purchase, or those that prefer the Mini form factor (which I am both).
I also have a M1 MBA, so I have the same question for macOS Sequoia (v15). And as they work in combination in modern Apple ecosystems...
I am not in a position (nor do I want) to upgrade EVERYTHING, which fits the modern ecosystem approach. People on "planet sensible" - what is the best path for us? iPhone mirroring would likely be a killer feature for me, but would need to upgrade both devices...
Will the performance on both be worth it?
For people either "sweating" a previous expensive purchase, or those that prefer the Mini form factor (which I am both).
I also have a M1 MBA, so I have the same question for macOS Sequoia (v15). And as they work in combination in modern Apple ecosystems...
I am not in a position (nor do I want) to upgrade EVERYTHING, which fits the modern ecosystem approach. People on "planet sensible" - what is the best path for us? iPhone mirroring would likely be a killer feature for me, but would need to upgrade both devices...
Will the performance on both be worth it?
Very nice description. Thank you! I’ll continue my avoidance of iPhone Pros.
P.S. The Tv in our home is a rarely used 32” 720p. No Tv at beach casita. Wife and I watch separately on iPads.