iPhone 13 mini Are you happy with your 13 mini?

[dan98]

I doubt the 13 mini can work for me due to PWM issues (see other threads) but staying open-minded, I gave it a demo recently.

Coming from the 2016 SE... design-wise that damn notch is so ugly. I know this topic has been done to death, but I find this a massively inelegant solution to a problem that didn't exist. Do you really get used to it??
I feel sure that Jobs would've screamed at the designers until they found a better way of doing it.

And then the big camera bumps on the back...overall alongside the SE, with it's basically 'flawless' design, it seems like Apple have taken such a backward step--- pure function over form which you'd normally expect from the Android school of design.

Size-wise ..well the SE is more comfortable to use with one hand that's for sure, but the mini is usable at a stretch...can't say I prefer the size.

Everything else is obviously a bit slicker / smoother and so on. I can imagine missing Touch ID though, especially during these mask-wearing days.

But considering the 13 mini doesn't actually DO anything that I can't already do on the SE (unless I'm missing something)...I guess I simply don't see the point.

 

[meson]

I’m really enjoying the 13 mini. I came from the original SE.

Spending a fair amount of time on or near the water lead me to keep the SE in a generic waterproof case. As it turns out the Spigen tough armor case has virtually identical outside dimensions keeping the pocketability the same which is nice.

I miss Touch ID a bit but Face ID works quite well and unlock with Apple Watch is working well when I have a mask on at work.

I wasn’t too sure how I would feel about the notch, but as a dark mode user, it disappears a lot of the time so I hardly notice it’s there.

Perhaps the one thing I’m not thrilled about is sound quality on calls. When I got my first call from my wife, it was jarring at how different the sound was. It’s kind of tinny sounding. After taking a few calls I’m getting used to it, but with Apple’s focus on audio lately I expected a bit more here.

Somehow I doubt that I keep the 13 mini for over 5 years, but the phone is fully capable of meeting my needs for a long time to come.

 

[CrazyForCashews]

Perhaps the one thing I’m not thrilled about is sound quality on calls. When I got my first call from my wife, it was jarring at how different the sound was. It’s kind of tinny sounding. After taking a few calls I’m getting used to it, but with Apple’s focus on audio lately I expected a bit more here.

Hmm, I've noticed a few people complain about the call sound quality on the iPhone 13 models, I wonder if the 12 had the same issue?

 

[meson]

Hmm, I've noticed a few people complain about the call sound quality on the iPhone 13 models, I wonder if the 12 had the same issue?

I've seen that too. In one thread, someone posted that his kid's 11 sounded very similar.

The speaker sounds fine when outputting sound in stereo while using apps. So, it has to be some sort of software-based issue with processing the carrier's signal or the carrier's signal itself (I'm on Verizon). Maybe it'll get tweaked in a software update. I've never been much of an audiophile, so for me to pick up on it, it has to be noticeable.

 

[FlyingTexan]

Do you need validation, then?
Why do you care how others feel about their mini?

You upgrade every year, and like the latest. Okay, so be it. What does it matter then what others opine about their 13 mini?

It matters a lot because maybe they’ve tried other devices they prefer better or have found functions here lacking or issues I could relate to. Because I like the latest doesn’t mean I don’t wonder what the overall user experience has been and I make the right choice. I could ask the same of you and your purpose for posting here.

 

[macintoshmac]

Hmm, I've noticed a few people complain about the call sound quality on the iPhone 13 models, I wonder if the 12 had the same issue?

Maybe 15.1.1 fixes that issue. There’s the single mention of improvements to calling on iPhone 12 and 13 models.

 

[Pluselike]

I wonder if the 12 had the same issue?

Apple 12 began to recall their Apple phones.

 

[ghanwani]

Just bought a 13 Mini a couple of days ago to see if it would work for me. Unfortunately, it causes headaches and blurry vision so I will have to return it.

I think I'm doomed. Not sure where to go after my 2016 SE stops working. I already find that sometimes apps can take several seconds to load.

 

[macintoshmac]

Just bought a 13 Mini a couple of days ago to see if it would work for me. Unfortunately, it causes headaches and blurry vision so I will have to return it.

I think I'm doomed. Not sure where to go after my 2016 SE stops working. I already find that sometimes apps can take several seconds to load.

Eh? If you want to be doomed without a fight, that's your prerogative.

However, if you are referring to OLED PWM issues, the 2020 SE is an option for you even today. And, then, you may be able to use an 11 as well, depending on your preferences for smartphone sizes.

 

[kstewart61]

Gave the 12 mini to the wife and I picked up the 13 mini and love it.

 

[teohyc]

I bought a 13 mini for my wife and saw that she used the phone a lot. I replaced that with a normal 13 so that she can get a larger display and better user experience.

 

[ghanwani]

Eh? If you want to be doomed without a fight, that's your prerogative.

However, if you are referring to OLED PWM issues, the 2020 SE is an option for you even today. And, then, you may be able to use an 11 as well, depending on your preferences for smartphone sizes.

Probably my best option now is the 2020 SE. I tried an 11 but found it too big and heavy. Don’t like the feel of the SE either but it might be workable with a case.

 

[macintoshmac]

Probably my best option now is the 2020 SE. I tried an 11 but found it too big and heavy. Don’t like the feel of the SE either but it might be workable with a case.

2020 SE is the smallest possible iPhone you can get then, with modern internals.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I had the X and now the 11 Pro
I hope Apple will bring the 5.8 size back, even though I doubt they will

They won’t, but I’m with you.
I had the 11 Pro and now the 13 Pro, and I think the 5.8” display was the sweet spot.

The Mini is just too small to be useful for my needs.

 

[Kataran]

They won’t, but I’m with you.
I had the 11 Pro and now the 13 Pro, and I think the 5.8” display was the sweet spot.

The Mini is just too small to be useful for my needs.

Well if the Mini was conceived earlier I would have been on it

Had the 5-5S-SE held on for 18 months then got the iPhone X then 11 Pro Max because I wanted to be a one device guy and now the 13 Pro Max.

Can’t go back now !!

 

[dan98]

Just bought a 13 Mini a couple of days ago to see if it would work for me. Unfortunately, it causes headaches and blurry vision so I will have to return it.

I think I'm doomed. Not sure where to go after my 2016 SE stops working. I already find that sometimes apps can take several seconds to load.

My 2016 SE runs brilliantly and is still the perfect phone IMO.
It runs the latest iOS and is capable of doing everything the 13 can do, more or less.
Don't get sucked into the hardware update hype - the tweaks are practically irrelevant for the non power-user.

I suggest putting a new battery in, completely erasing and re-installing the iOS - at that point it should run like new.
Then only install the apps you actually use and remove the rest. Streamline the system with minimal animations, disabling background activity etc. etc.
Clean it up, get a nice new screen cover / case and you're good to go for a few more years!

 

[calderaro28]

Greetings! I'm using the 13 mini since October 22nd. It's my first iPhone ever, coming from a 6.2 inch mid-range Android phone.

I'm happy with 13 mini's size, the main reason why i picked it. 5.4 is fine for most things, I'm really used to watch content on it, safari browsing, sendind messages and videocalls. I'm a small man, with small hands and I can really hold the phone in one hand, this grip is perfect!

The design is incredible. I consider the iPhone 13 mini a jewel, i can see the refinement on construction and in thoughness too, it seems the phone will last for some years.

Battery life is Ok to me, it's lasting one day from 80% to 20%, but somedays i use it more and i need to fully charge it to 100%. 5h Screen on time per day, it's fine to my use.

I highly recommend it. I considered picking the standard 13 model due to higher battery capacity, but the size compromises and the higher price don't justify it. Every phone will need a charge per day, better use a phone that i'm happy with it than having a brick in my pockets just because of battery life.

 

[jakja83]

My 2016 SE runs brilliantly and is still the perfect phone IMO.
It runs the latest iOS and is capable of doing everything the 13 can do, more or less.
Don't get sucked into the hardware update hype - the tweaks are practically irrelevant for the non power-user.

I suggest putting a new battery in, completely erasing and re-installing the iOS - at that point it should run like new.
Then only install the apps you actually use and remove the rest. Streamline the system with minimal animations, disabling background activity etc. etc.
Clean it up, get a nice new screen cover / case and you're good to go for a few more years!

The camera on the 2016 SE show it's age and I hate the fact that it handles cold weather poorly and not being waterproof, but otherwise it is a great product. Love the look and size.

 

[dan98]

The camera on the 2016 SE show it's age and I hate the fact that it handles cold weather poorly and not being waterproof, but otherwise it is a great product. Love the look and size.

What's the cold weather issue? I can't say I've noticed it.

On the camera point - I'm sure you're right that it's not as good as the current phones, even though I'd had some great photos out of it over the years.
An important point however is that it's extremely prone to dust getting in the lens after a couple of years...this gives the impression of a poor quality / unfocussed image.
The solution is to replace the lens - a cheap fix.

 

[Kaikidan]

What's the cold weather issue? I can't say I've noticed it.

On the camera point - I'm sure you're right that it's not as good as the current phones, even though I'd had some great photos out of it over the years.
An important point however is that it's extremely prone to dust getting in the lens after a couple of years...this gives the impression of a poor quality / unfocussed image.
The solution is to replace the lens - a cheap fix.

On really cold days with the SE I Aways had trouble with gloves and touchID, having to input passwords all the time and imagined how nice FaceID would be in those situations, Now on covid days with 13mini I always have trouble with faceID and masks and imagine how nice TouchID would be in those situations.... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[braddick]

I love this iPhone 13 mini (pink with the apple brown leather case) and will keep it until the wheels fall off.

 

[macintoshmac]

I love this iPhone 13 mini (pink with the apple brown leather case) and will keep it until the wheels fall off.

I was torn between the pink and starlight. Eventually took Starlight as that was the only one available for immediate Store purchase.

 

[braddick]

For me, it was my only option with AT&T. It's grown on me, and really, in a case, the color (a muted "pink" really) looks terrific, and so far, no one has hassled me for my choice at work.

 

[trash eighty]

I've had mine since October and love it so much. Its my joint fave iPhone of all time with my beloved original SE. I just hope in 3 years when i am looking to move on there is still an Apple option in this size.

 

[trash eighty]

What's the cold weather issue? I can't say I've noticed it.

The battery could be badly affected by cold weather. I usually have my phone in my jeans pocket but with my SE i would have it in my coat pocket (usually in my hand) if it was really cold as otherwise the battery would die.