The only advantage the Air has is the thickness, other than that it is too big and weighs only 4g less than the 17e.
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Other We need a new iPhone mini
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The only advantage the Air has is the thickness, other than that it is too big and weighs only 4g less than the 17e.
rui no onna
Contributor
Maybe it's because of the weight distribution but the iPhone Air (165g) actually feels lighter in hand to me compared to the iPhone SE (144g).
My SE1 weighs 113g if I'm not mistaken, so any new device weighs more... but the size of the Air is what bothers me the most.
rui no onna
Contributor
The size used to bother me as well so I returned the Air but the larger display is just much easier on my aging eyes.
I'll need a grip with any of the new phones anyway so I recently got the Air again and just use a magsafe grip with it.
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Alpha Centauri
macrumors 68000
My OG SE (2016) also weighs 113g. Are we perhaps talking about a newer SE?
rui no onna
Contributor
Alpha Centauri
macrumors 68000
Ahh thanks for clarifying, that makes sense re the weight. I've gone from the OG SE to a 13 Mini.
I'd consider an iPhone mini versus the iPhone 17e when it comes time to replace my iPhone SE 2022
Popsockets rule, couldn't imagine the Pro Max without them.The size used to bother me as well so I returned the Air but the larger display is just much easier on my aging eyes.
I'll need a grip with any of the new phones anyway so I recently got the Air again and just use a magsafe grip with it.
SUPERONE for MagSafe Phone Grip with Finger Strap, Removable Magnetic Ring Holder with Kickstand Finger Loop, MagSafe Accessories for iPhone 17/16/15/14/13/12 Series, Black
Introducing our MagSafe phone grip – the ultimate lightweight companion designed to redefine comfort and security for your iPhone. Crafted with ultra-thin, low-profile construction, this magnetic phone grip adds virtually no bulk to your device, making it the sleek, pocket-friendly upgrade you’ve...www.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I agree, I have those two phones as well and the Air somehow feels lighter. I guess more concentrated weight in the hand feels heavier.
I'm a huge fan of Oh Snap grips.
They're spendy, but worth it in my opinion. They're the only ones I know of that are super thin and do pass through MagSafe charging.
I saw them on sale half off once so I got several of them in different colors.
I can't use a modern phone without one of these.
Edit- not sure about the newest Snap Grip 5--they may have made some changes
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rui no onna
Contributor
I actually tried using Popsockets at first but I didn't find it comfortable. The soft elastic finger straps suit me better.
Coming from SE2, I was thinking about 17 or 13 mini. I decided for the mini from a refurb seller, 87% battery and like new condition for 260€. What a great device at a real bargain. And came with 36 month warranty. Can only recommend.
lets hope with John Ternus becoming CEO we get a new mini I doubt it but lets hope
a beautiful new mini is a no-brainer! own the market.
I recommend a Nomad Leather skin… real leather just for the rear. Looks like still some available, i got a couple some time ago in case they disappeared. Didn’t take enormous care putting it on, so a few nice looking wrinkles and aging nice enough… I’d already replaced the battery amd thenold leather case was worn out, so now semi-naked and the odd side ding be damned…
xxFoxtail
macrumors 65816
The 5/5S/SE and minis were my favorite iPhones. I currently use the iPhone Air. The Air checks the weight box, but it's far too big for my liking. Since the entire chipset is basically in that plateau on the back, it's too bad they couldn't downscale that into a mini size or at least a standard Pro size.
I finally traded in my beloved iPhone Mini 13 just under two weeks ago. Of the 4 iPhones I had owned since the iPhone 5, the 256GB 13 Mini was the one I kept the longest, and the overall best iPhone of any of them. But at least for me, it was time to move on. I did like the iPhone Air, and I considered it. But it was too expensive IMO for what it was.
In my case, I bought an unlocked phone outright, and it just didn't make sense to pay $1000 outright for a phone, not counting the trade-in. I ended up buying the iPhone 17e. With the addition of MagSafe and the doubling of base storage to 256GB, it finally became a compelling value, unlike the previous 16e. I am very happy with my purchase. It essentially is a regular iPhone 13 or 14, but with only a single rear camera, but with much newer and faster internals. I almost never used the extra wide angle camera on the Mini, and the loss of that camera was no deal-killer to me. I also don't need ProMotion, and I don't even like Dynamic Island (which IMO is a gimmick). I do wish a smaller phone was still an option, even though I have already gotten used to the larger size of the 17e. And I do love the much-improved battery life.
In my case, I bought an unlocked phone outright, and it just didn't make sense to pay $1000 outright for a phone, not counting the trade-in. I ended up buying the iPhone 17e. With the addition of MagSafe and the doubling of base storage to 256GB, it finally became a compelling value, unlike the previous 16e. I am very happy with my purchase. It essentially is a regular iPhone 13 or 14, but with only a single rear camera, but with much newer and faster internals. I almost never used the extra wide angle camera on the Mini, and the loss of that camera was no deal-killer to me. I also don't need ProMotion, and I don't even like Dynamic Island (which IMO is a gimmick). I do wish a smaller phone was still an option, even though I have already gotten used to the larger size of the 17e. And I do love the much-improved battery life.
TheBeverage
macrumors regular
The 16e and 17e seem like a confusing upgrade from the 13 mini, as you’re actively losing features (worse camera and no sensor-shift OIS being the largest offenders).
CharlesShaw
macrumors 68030
Agree on all points, but will add that I also didn't want my silicone case to have a "hole" for the new camera control, so that was yet another tick on the side of the 17e for me, when a loved one visiting from overseas needed an iPhone with a SIM slot, and I gifted them my beloved 13 mini.
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These days the people who like and still use the Mini 12/13 do so because of its size and not because of their outdated camera, and if you want to upgrade to something else, the 16e/17e are the smallest options avilble at the moment.
TheBeverage
macrumors regular
They're virtually identical in size to the standard models, especially in width where the main appeal of the minis lies.
iPhone 17: 5.89 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches
iPhone 17e: 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches (Per Apple's site)
MacInTO
macrumors 68000
I need a new iPhone mini! I have broken mine twice already! I broke the screen recently. I replaced that and the battery and more recently, I spilled water on it and now the front camera is cloudy and face id does not work.
I replaced it with a Xiaomi 17 which feels like a phablet to me. I like the mini because of the transit feature in wallet. I'll keep it for that and my second line. The Xiaomi phone has phenomenal battery life - I get three days of use from one charge!
I replaced it with a Xiaomi 17 which feels like a phablet to me. I like the mini because of the transit feature in wallet. I'll keep it for that and my second line. The Xiaomi phone has phenomenal battery life - I get three days of use from one charge!
in real life the 17e is smaller, lighter and don't have the camera bump in the back.
rui no onna
Contributor
My mom has an iPhone 16e and I agree with the other poster. The 16e doesn't feel much different in hand or operation compared to the iPhone 17.
Now the iPhone 15 Pro (similar chassis width as iPhone X) actually does feel a teensy bit more manageable.