iPhone 13 mini Small iPhones are definitely dead not coming back

[JamesMay82]

I’ve just downgraded from 14 pro max to 2020 iPhone SE in the hopes to curb my iPhone addiction! I was constantly on it and my screen time was an average of 8 hrs a day!

I find the smaller iPhones stop me using it as much and I’ve also not installed any social media apps.

Only negative is the battery life but I’m sure that will improve as I slowly cut down my usage

 

[turbineseaplane]

As a follow up to Post #198

Another SE1 has arrived and this one will be my new "by the bedside" model.
It's a White 64GB, nearly mint condition..

The one issue it has fit perfectly in with my needs.

The vibration/haptic motor is broken -- which is actually not wanted at all anyways for a device I use near my bed and at night.

Absolutely perfect!

(and "yes" -- I have a bit of an SE1 hoarding problem, I admit it. I just have so many little edge case uses for them and I like to have backups. I also still have two on 14.8 and still jailbrekable .. because... why not!? )

 

[Andeddu]

As a follow up to Post #198

Another SE1 has arrived and this one will be my new "by the bedside" model.
It's a White 64GB, nearly mint condition..

The one issue it has fit perfectly in with my needs.

The vibration/haptic motor is broken -- which is actually not wanted at all anyways for a device I use near my bed and at night.

Absolutely perfect!

(and "yes" -- I have a bit of an SE1 hoarding problem, I admit it. I just have so many little edge case uses for them and I like to have backups. I also still have two on 14.8 and still jailbrekable .. because... why not!? )

We are similar as we both have “by the bedside” phones. My daily driver is an iPhone 13 which charges overnight via an Apple MagSafe charging puck in the other room as I hate being intermittently woken up to the phone vibrating during the night due to WhatsApp messages.

My current secondary phone is my old iPhone 6S which I originally purchased in March 2016.

I used this device as my daily driver for 2 years until March 2018 when I upgraded to an iPhone 8. The device was thereafter stored in its box until October 2023 when it became repurposed as my media device with no active SIM. I even paid Apple to replace the OEM battery with a new one. The LCD screen on this (along with the OGSE) is incredible and I love watching TV shows on it via various streaming apps. I have it connected to a waterproof Bluetooth speaker so I can listen to podcasts in the shower each morning along with Apple Music+.

The A9 chips on these devices are still great even by 2024 standards which is hard to believe. I regularly use my 6S for web-browsing, banking, Skype/FaceTime calls, etc… it’s amazing how useful the 2015/16 A9 devices are in 2024.

My old OGSE, which I purchased new back in 2022, is retired in a box and in mint condition however the temptation to use it again as my secondary device is a little overwhelming. The battery in my OGSE is also a new OEM one which was recently replaced. The 6S does a great job though as I enjoy watching media on the larger screen and the chassis is thinner so the phone feels even lighter.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@Andeddu

Oh my goodness ... 😍
That gold OGSE is gorgeous

My very first OGSE, direct from the Apple store, was a Gold one
Don't ever sell that!

These form factors and materials and color choices are just absolute "peak iPhone design" in my book

 

[GerritV]

Tired of dragging around my iPhone 11 for the past 3 years, I'm in the process of turning my 2016 SE 1st gen into a minimalist "dumb phone". Still need to put in a new battery and my SIM card. I adore this small format for my future EDC, with the sole purpose of Calling and Texting.
The iPhone 11 will remain at home as a "mini computer"

 

[turbineseaplane]

Tired of dragging around my iPhone 11 for the past 3 years, I'm in the process of turning my 2016 SE 1st gen into a minimalist "dumb phone". Still need to put in a new battery and my SIM card. I adore this small format for my future EDC, with the sole purpose of Calling and Texting.
The iPhone 11 will remain at home as a "mini computer"

View attachment 2366463

I love it!
Not sure where you're at, but if in USA, I can personally vouch for these SE1 batteries off Amazon

Link: https://a.co/d/6FTunKb

 

[turbineseaplane]

Tired of dragging around my iPhone 11 for the past 3 years..

I don't even know how so many people do it -- apparently happily?

I've gone from my 13 Mini to one of my SE1's for all my walks, exercise and gym usage and even that particular size/weight (weight in particular) downsizing is a huge quality of life improvement.

I can't even imagine having a "normal" (let alone Max) sized iPhone in my shorts pockets when doing my daily walks in warm weather. It'd be totally ridiculous and cumbersome.

An Apple with any form of imaginative and creative leadership wouldn't be pushing this "big, bigger and HUGE" iPhone lineup exclusively.

Instead of a full slate of compelling options for a variety of usage scenarios, the "Ops Guy" CEO is just hyper optimizing and bombarding us with the same, but actually not all that different, SKUs for max moolah at the expense of everything else.

 

[Andeddu]

@Andeddu

Oh my goodness ... 😍
That gold OGSE is gorgeous

My very first OGSE, direct from the Apple store, was a Gold one
Don't ever sell that!

These form factors and materials and color choices are just absolute "peak iPhone design" in my book

I won’t sell this OGSE as my intention is to preserve it in this condition for as long as possible.

Once it becomes completely obsolete as a device, I’ll have the battery removed so that it can be stored in its box for the foreseeable.

I brought it out just there to photograph it for you all but the box has been taped and sealed again and will be placed into a dark cupboard, haha.

You’re right, I don’t think Apple will ever come out with another iPhone as perfect as the OGSE ever again. I had a lot of joy using it as my daily driver… I don’t know why, but it felt like it was more than just a smartphone. As awesome as the iPhone 13 is, I don’t really care for it anywhere as much as the OGSE. I guess I just miss this iconic old form factor.

 

[GerritV]

I love it!
Not sure where you're at, but if in USA, I can personally vouch for these SE1 batteries off Amazon

Link: https://a.co/d/6FTunKb

Thanks for your nice comment and the link.
Unfortunately I'm not in the USA, but I will be visiting an authorized dealer nearby.
They're charging about $100 for the battery replacement, but that includes a full diagnostics.

 

[GerritV]

I don't even know how so many people do it -- apparently happily?

I've gone from my 13 Mini to one of my SE1's for all my walks, exercise and gym usage and even that particular size/weight (weight in particular) downsizing is a huge quality of life improvement.

I can't even imagine having a "normal" (let alone Max) sized iPhone in my shorts pockets when doing my daily walks in warm weather. It'd be totally ridiculous and cumbersome.

Couldn't agree more.
I'm in the process of reading about how to digital detox and stumbled into the Marques Brownlee's video, but accidentally discovered this thread only moments ago. Looking forward to reading it all.
So great to meet other users that prefer the small size.

 

[Aoligei]

I love it!
Not sure where you're at, but if in USA, I can personally vouch for these SE1 batteries off Amazon

Link: https://a.co/d/6FTunKb

I had some Amazon battery for iPhone 7, these batteries are good for first year or two, then it will not last very long.

I guess, for $30 dollars that I spent, two years runtime is good.

The only thing for iPhone SE is that as time goes by, finding parts will get harder and harder. You can hardly find good quality replacement screens now.

 

[GerritV]

Back when my SE was new, I used a Vaya case. Happy to say that my device is still in an OK state.

 

[rocketbuc]

Great to see several examples of the small-iPhone community fighting back against the mainstream of those large devices!! I will keep using my 13 mini…while looking to buy used OGSE on a private platform here in Switzerland. As an essentialist/ minimalist I don’t need and want large phones. No gaming and movies on my phone.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Great to see several examples of the small-iPhone community fighting back against the mainstream of those large devices!!

We may be a smaller group than the majority, but we are vocal and passionate on this topic

I don't know what I would do if the 13 Mini didn't exist, but I will do almost anything other than go bigger than that for my main phone. I'd probably just keep using it (or an SE1) until the phone company literally stops supporting it I guess.

This whole situation is ridiculous.

There's no reason in this day and age of tech that we have mostly nothing but 6" screen and larger phones.

I guess I'd go to a flip or folding phone...maybe?
I don't know - I get mad even thinking about it

 

[GerritV]

We may be a smaller group than the majority, but we are vocal and passionate on this topic

I don't know what I would do if the 13 Mini didn't exist, but I will do almost anything other than go bigger than that for my main phone. I'd probably just keeping it (or an SE1) until the phone company literally stops supporting it I guess.

This whole situation is ridiculous.

There's no reason in this day and age of tech that we have mostly nothing but 6" screen and larger phones.

I guess I'd go to a flip or folding phone...maybe?
I don't know - I get mad even thinking about it

I have been looking at flip phones. Many of them have about the same width as my SE1 and are marginally shorter. But… twice as thick obviously.
How about the Light Phone?

 

[turbineseaplane]

How about the Light Phone?

Could be a good option

I almost bought a preowned one locally to try out, but I realized I wouldn't be switching to it yet anyhow and decided against it.

 

[geta]

It’s nice to see all the love the OG SE getting here lately.

 

[JSRinUK]

I went from SE1 to SE2 and then a refurb 12 mini - each replacement due to the battery not lasting long any more. Small phones suit me because I go running and don’t want to carry a big phone with me.

Just recently got an Ultra 2, though, so probably won’t be taking my phone on runs anymore. What that means for my next phone remains to be seen.

 

[a_drive]

I just created a macrumors account for the first time just to jump in and praise the original iPhone SE. I am glad to see there are other users out there who also love this device and cherish as much as I do. I have a bunch of SEs as well as a 13 mini. The 13 mini is good but still not small enough. You still have to use reachability a lot. Do-able but the SE is just pure perfection and effortless to only use my thumb.

I am curious - for you guys still using the SE, what iOS software version are you using? I’ve noticed the best version in my opinion is iOS 12. Of course the trade-off is app support today. iOS 15 on that device is flat out awful with regards to battery life. I have one at 99% battery capacity and the percentage of on-screen time drops drastically in minutes! iOS 12, I find, runs buttery smooth and no major impact to battery life in normal usage. What do you guys think?

 

[GerritV]

I just created a macrumors account for the first time just to jump in and praise the original iPhone SE. I am glad to see there are other users out there who also love this device and cherish as much as I do. I have a bunch of SEs as well as a 13 mini. The 13 mini is good but still not small enough. You still have to use reachability a lot. Do-able but the SE is just pure perfection and effortless to only use my thumb.

I am curious - for you guys still using the SE, what iOS software version are you using? I’ve noticed the best version in my opinion is iOS 12. Of course the trade-off is app support today. iOS 15 on that device is flat out awful with regards to battery life. I have one at 99% battery capacity and the percentage of on-screen time drops drastically in minutes! iOS 12, I find, runs buttery smooth and no major impact to battery life in normal usage. What do you guys think?

Welcome !

ATM I'm setting up my SE 1st gen to be my daily minimalist calling/texting device (no other purpose).
Its battery is @ 84% which is not too bad, but while using the phone the capacity drops quite quickly.
So I will have a new battery installed soon.
I'm pretty sure the dealer would insist on having the latest OS running, so I updated it already to 15.8.2.
Gosh I hope you're wrong about this

 

[geta]

I just created a macrumors account for the first time just to jump in and praise the original iPhone SE. I am glad to see there are other users out there who also love this device and cherish as much as I do. I have a bunch of SEs as well as a 13 mini. The 13 mini is good but still not small enough. You still have to use reachability a lot. Do-able but the SE is just pure perfection and effortless to only use my thumb.

I am curious - for you guys still using the SE, what iOS software version are you using? I’ve noticed the best version in my opinion is iOS 12. Of course the trade-off is app support today. iOS 15 on that device is flat out awful with regards to battery life. I have one at 99% battery capacity and the percentage of on-screen time drops drastically in minutes! iOS 12, I find, runs buttery smooth and no major impact to battery life in normal usage. What do you guys think?

iOS 10.x was the best, but due to app support I upgraded to iOS 15 (correctly on 15.8.2), it runs smoothly but it affected the battery life… anyways it’s time for new battery, so hopefully it will help a bit.

 

[a_drive]

Welcome !

ATM I'm setting up my SE 1st gen to be my daily minimalist calling/texting device (no other purpose).
Its battery is @ 84% which is not too bad, but while using the phone the capacity drops quite quickly.
So I will have a new battery installed soon.
I'm pretty sure the dealer would insist on having the latest OS running, so I updated it already to 15.8.2.
Gosh I hope you're wrong about this

good luck on your new battery! Of course everyone wants you to upgrade to the newest version. I have gone down that path before and eventually performance deteriorates with newer software/older hardware combo. I’m also for the idea of a minimalist device. for this, I upgraded to an Apple Watch Series 9 with cellular that I use during the work week to stay connected. For my personal use case I don’t need all the distracting features a phone has. When I know I’m with my kids and need a good camera I’ll use my 13 mini. The watch so far has been serving great as a “phone” and course messaging works like a breeze. I love traveling light and the watch is the ultimate minimalist device that still has all the essential tools. When I need a big screen I will pull out my cellular iPad Air to handle all the iOS computing tasks I need throughout the day.

iOS 10.x was the best, but due to app support I upgraded to iOS 15 (correctly on 15.8.2), it runs smoothly but it affected the battery life… anyways it’s time for new battery, so hopefully it will help a bit.

Yep, battery life is the biggest issue. I just couldn’t come to terms with dismal battery life. The A9 chip in the SE just can’t handle version 15 all that well. It works but to me I find it unacceptable. In general, earlier ios versions run smoother. This is also why I kept my 13 mini on the original software version, iOS 15.7.1 I believe. App support eventually will dwindle but performs remains consistent. It’s a constant trade-off!

 

[rocketbuc]

I just created a macrumors account for the first time just to jump in and praise the original iPhone SE. I am glad to see there are other users out there who also love this device and cherish as much as I do. I have a bunch of SEs as well as a 13 mini. The 13 mini is good but still not small enough. You still have to use reachability a lot. Do-able but the SE is just pure perfection and effortless to only use my thumb.

I am curious - for you guys still using the SE, what iOS software version are you using? I’ve noticed the best version in my opinion is iOS 12. Of course the trade-off is app support today. iOS 15 on that device is flat out awful with regards to battery life. I have one at 99% battery capacity and the percentage of on-screen time drops drastically in minutes! iOS 12, I find, runs buttery smooth and no major impact to battery life in normal usage. What do you guys think?

Welcome to our forum! We just added two SE1 lovers to the team. I bought a used SE1 today on tutti.ch (Swiss Craigslist). Can’t wait for it to arrive…from the description on the box it has 128GB storage, comes with all accessories and is in pristine condition. Will report back immediately once it was arrived.

 

[Closingracer]

I remember when I had the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 which is 6.3 inches and now the iPhone 15 pro is 6.1 inches and is considered “small”. I right now have the iPhone 15 pro along with a Samsung Galaxy S24 ultra and I love the S24 for the S24 and not having the Dynamic Island but in terms of hand feel the iPhone is better. I wish it was smaller.

 

[cbreze]

I prefer something smaller in a phone. Had a 13 mini but ended up selling it. Big mistake.
If I go case-less it seems smaller. Lol. I put a skin on my 13 today and like the look and feel so going that route for now, nice a grippy to. Besides it shows off the nice blue sides. Why buy color if its going to hide in a case