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iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 mini users - will you upgrade or keep using?

I love my 12 mini, one handed usability is truly the killer app of this phone. My plan is to keep my 12 mini as a memento along with my iPhone X and upgrade to a 14 pro (the titanium iPhone 15 Pro just doesn't feel premium enough for the money)
 
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Just 'upgraded' from 12 pro max to 13 mini. Needed more storage in a phone and my bat health was taking a dive.

Can't wait for it to get here. I'll hold it for a few years at least.
 
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Tried a 15 Pro. My test was to use it exclusively for 10 days to see if I could get used to it and then go back to the 13 mini for a day or two before deciding if I'd keep it or not. There are a lot of things I liked about the 15 Pro. Screen was better, it was faster, camera(s) better, battery life was better, upgraded materials, I dug the action button etc. I did get used to and get better at doing things one handed. But then when I went back to the 13 mini after not using it for that time I instantly remember why I prefer the smaller size in the first place. It just felt better in the hand, it was so much easier to use one handed, it fit better in my pockets (like my jeans or even in workout shorts). So I returned the 15 Pro and saved my self $1K!

When I'm out and about I'm pretty active and I prefer the smaller size over the functionality of the larger iPhone. I don't often enough do the things when I'm out that takes advantage of the larger screen/size. Another huge factor is that I am privileged and also have various iPads. So in many cases where other people would use their iPhones at home, I reach for my iPad which for those tasks are MUCH better than any large screen iPhone would be anyway.

Bottom line - I could use a 15 Pro if I HAD to. But for ME using the 13 mini fits my lifestyle better and besides that I already have it and don't have to pay for something else!

IF Apple was to produce a slightly larger than mini but not as large as regular Pro (say a 5.8/5.9" version with the slimmer bezels/body vs what the X/Xs/11Pro was), I'd probably be really happy with that.
 
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I’m considering it but mine is getting pretty slow. I’ll have apple at least replace my battery in the fall if I decide not to get a 16.
 
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I will upgrade to a foldable iPhone. As long as it is small enough in my pocket I don't care 😤

(I will miss the easy reachability... and the size better suited to use as a "phone"... oh well!)
 
azentropy said:
Tried a 15 Pro. My test was to use it exclusively for 10 days to see if I could get used to it and then go back to the 13 mini for a day or two before deciding if I'd keep it or not. There are a lot of things I liked about the 15 Pro. Screen was better, it was faster, camera(s) better, battery life was better, upgraded materials, I dug the action button etc. I did get used to and get better at doing things one handed. But then when I went back to the 13 mini after not using it for that time I instantly remember why I prefer the smaller size in the first place. It just felt better in the hand, it was so much easier to use one handed, it fit better in my pockets (like my jeans or even in workout shorts). So I returned the 15 Pro and saved my self $1K!

When I'm out and about I'm pretty active and I prefer the smaller size over the functionality of the larger iPhone. I don't often enough do the things when I'm out that takes advantage of the larger screen/size. Another huge factor is that I am privileged and also have various iPads. So in many cases where other people would use their iPhones at home, I reach for my iPad which for those tasks are MUCH better than any large screen iPhone would be anyway.

Bottom line - I could use a 15 Pro if I HAD to. But for ME using the 13 mini fits my lifestyle better and besides that I already have it and don't have to pay for something else!

IF Apple was to produce a slightly larger than mini but not as large as regular Pro (say a 5.8/5.9" version with the slimmer bezels/body vs what the X/Xs/11Pro was), I'd probably be really happy with that.
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Thank you for writing... this would be my plan this Fall, try the smaller pro model and go from there. I'm pretty sure I will feel EXACTLY the same way. Everything is just a little bit better and would be nice to have but it just doesn't feel comfortable to hold/use....

I appreciate the write up.

Philly
 
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My mini works very well as a phone that slips easily into my pocket, connects easily with my watch for paying and with my AirPods for music and calls.

All things being relative, I feel no urge to lug a device with a screen large enough to give an iPad a run for its money around, nor to make my MBP redundant with a pocket device designed to perform a different set of functions (with some overlap).

Also, while it’s good to hear other opinions on things, it’s worth bearing in mind that the internet is peppered with paid and unpaid sales people.
 
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CharlesShaw said:
If there's a secret society devoted to promoting the value of the discontinued iPhone mini, then so be it. 😁
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“So be” what, pretentious attempts to discredit an observation you don’t like with strawman terminology like “secret society” that begin and end only within the confines of your own head? 😁
 
Using 13 mini due to disabilities that won’t allow me to use a bigger phone, and I have an iPad mini 6 if I need a bigger screen. So far it’s still running strong except for battery life, but that can be replaced.
I hope that the SE eventually evolves, sooner rather than later, into something that will be better than the 13 mini.
 
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Had the 13 Mini when it first came out in '21, replaces the 12 Mini I had. Currently at 86% battery health.

Will continue using it until Apple stops OS support or when it dies.

When battery health goes below 80%, I'll probably get the battery replaced by Apple.
 
I got the 13 mini because it had a SIM card slot. The larger models that year in the USA were only eSIMs. I need the SIM card capability for my UK based O2 "pay as you go plan" as we go there frequently to visit my wife's family. So as long as it works as a phone (don't need all the other fluff), I will keep it working for us.
 
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switz said:
I got the 13 mini because it had a SIM card slot. The larger models that year in the USA were only eSIMs. I need the SIM card capability for my UK based O2 "pay as you go plan" as we go there frequently to visit my wife's family. So as long as it works as a phone (don't need all the other fluff), I will keep it working for us.
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If I decide to buy a new iPhone after my 13 dies, I'm driving to Canada to buy one since they still have physical SIMs at the moment.
 
No guarantees Apple will not discontinue SIM card capability in Canada.

While in seven countries while in Southern Africa, never saw anyone trying to peddle eSIMs at any of the borders. Flip phones of the 90s and early 2000s are everywhere. Only the most fortunate have the resources to buy a “new” Apple iPhone.

So, in large areas of this planet, phones have to include a SIM slot even if they support eSIMs.
 
switz said:
No guarantees Apple will not discontinue SIM card capability in Canada.

While in seven countries while in Southern Africa, never saw anyone trying to peddle eSIMs at any of the borders. Flip phones of the 90s and early 2000s are everywhere. Only the most fortunate have the resources to buy a “new” Apple iPhone.

So, in large areas of this planet, phones have to include a SIM slot even if they support eSIMs.
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I know, I figure this might be temporary and they may move to all eSIM at some point.

In the meantime, at least I have that option as a US resident.
 
azentropy said:
Tried a 15 Pro. My test was to use it exclusively for 10 days to see if I could get used to it and then go back to the 13 mini for a day or two before deciding if I'd keep it or not. There are a lot of things I liked about the 15 Pro. Screen was better, it was faster, camera(s) better, battery life was better, upgraded materials, I dug the action button etc. I did get used to and get better at doing things one handed. But then when I went back to the 13 mini after not using it for that time I instantly remember why I prefer the smaller size in the first place. It just felt better in the hand, it was so much easier to use one handed, it fit better in my pockets (like my jeans or even in workout shorts). So I returned the 15 Pro and saved my self $1K!

When I'm out and about I'm pretty active and I prefer the smaller size over the functionality of the larger iPhone. I don't often enough do the things when I'm out that takes advantage of the larger screen/size. Another huge factor is that I am privileged and also have various iPads. So in many cases where other people would use their iPhones at home, I reach for my iPad which for those tasks are MUCH better than any large screen iPhone would be anyway.

Bottom line - I could use a 15 Pro if I HAD to. But for ME using the 13 mini fits my lifestyle better and besides that I already have it and don't have to pay for something else!

IF Apple was to produce a slightly larger than mini but not as large as regular Pro (say a 5.8/5.9" version with the slimmer bezels/body vs what the X/Xs/11Pro was), I'd probably be really happy with that.
Click to expand...
I have a 13 mini, an 8+, an iPad mini 6, and an iPad 9. Prepping for 5 nights at a resort and flying with only an underseat bag, I considered taking the 8+. So I updated it and loaded it with what I needed but after half a day using it at home, I couldn’t get used to the extra size and mass. So I’m taking both minis.

I don’t feel that bad. Would John Wick go out with just one tool?
 
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