Battery life on 18.4 iPhone 13 mini

[otetzone]

As someone who hasn’t willingly updated an iOS device for about 12 years, I’m intricately familiar with incompatibility. I’ve instructed my family never to update. They’ve listened. But now, an iPhone 11 that remains in use is running iOS 14. iOS 14 will lose compatibility with a key, impossible-to-replace app so we have to update that one. It’s the first iOS device I’ve had to update for compatibility since 2013.

And it’s the perfect introduction to my question: iOS 18 still has a few months left. Do you need iOS 18 now? Is there an app you absolutely need that doesn’t work? If there is, do you have other devices you can run it on without that being inconvenient? (i.e., do you need constant, unfettered access?) If you do, I’d update. If you can circumvent this either with another iOS device, with a computer, or the app isn’t so important, I wouldn’t.

@FeliApple, @Alpha Centauri
Thank you very much. Now I got it clear that I'd rather stay with 15.5. There's nothing wrong with the apps for right now so I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Oh well, will be saving up for 16e to get it before iOS 19 strikes.
Thanks again for your comprehended response that omitted all that "security-fixes-vulnerabilities" BS.

 

[splifingate]

hasn’t willingly updated an iOS device for about 12 years

This could be read on many levels; and, interpreted on many more.

Assuming you keep your spurs in your saddle-bag: you don't do any banking on your iPhone(s)?

 

[Artemiz]

@FeliApple
Thank you very much. Now I got it clear that I'd rather stay with 15.5. There's nothing wrong with the apps for right now so I guess if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Oh well, will be saving up for 16e to get it before iOS 19 strikes.
Thanks again for your comprehended response that omitted all that "security-fixes-vulnerabilities" BS.

Don’t call something BS just because you don’t get it. There’s a reason Apple devices are considered more secure, and it’s due to the frequent security fixes.
It’s one of the things you don’t appreciate until you get hit, like an improperly sandboxed malicious website stealing banking info from another tab, which would otherwise have been prevented during one of the so-called “security fixes and vulnerabilities” updates.

 

[FeliApple]

This could be read on many levels; and, interpreted on many more.

Assuming you keep your spurs in your saddle-bag: you don't do any banking on your iPhone(s)?

No, and the app hadn’t worked for ages on my Xʀ on iOS 12 anyway.

 

[splifingate]

No, and the app hadn’t worked for ages on my Xʀ on iOS 12 anyway.

Surely, that would put the onus on the .app maker, rather than the Platform?

I'm not here to change your mind, but I'm really not (in any way) compelled to use, for ex., iOS 3.7 these days....

 

[FeliApple]

Surely, that would put the onus on the .app maker, rather than the Platform?

I'm not here to change your mind, but I'm really not (in any way) compelled to use, for ex., iOS 3.7 these days....

Yeah, I blame developers too. They’re a large part of the issue.

WhatsApp, for example, is abhorrent. They support Android 5.0 (Lollipop), released in 2014. Its iOS equivalent in 2014 is iOS 8.0. WhatsApp requires… iOS 15.1!!!!! (Starting May 5, anyway).

They’ve gone absolutely insane lately. In 2020, they supported iOS 8. Five years later, they’ve stopped support for SEVEN major iOS versions for no reason. Telegram? Telegram works on iOS 5 (I’ve tried).

WhatsApp dropped iOS 8 in 2020; iOS 9 in 2021; iOS 10 and 11 in 2022; and iOS 12, 13, and 14 in 2025. They’ve gone completely insane. 2,000m people use the app and they do this.

That said, I will (partly) blame users too. Users tolerate garbage. Why do they do this? Because Android is fragmented, so they have to.

iOS? Nah, iPhone Xʀ users run iOS 18. The phone is obliterated, but they run it anyway.

According to stats, iOS 12 is installed on 0.007% of the userbase. iOS 15, launched with… the iPhone 13!!! is installed on 0.9% of the userbase.

People update anything and everything. So devs don’t care and drop support as if it were poisonous.

And you get 12 Mini and 13 Mini users with an already mediocre battery life on the original iOS version with completely garbage battery life 3-4 years later because they can’t help themselves.

An interesting experiment would be to give people compatibility. The entire Development community pledges to support ten major iOS versions at a time, including Apple with Ssfari and their apps. State this clearly and unequivocally. See how the updated userbase drops.

iOS 12, 13, and 14 (combined) are installed in 0.071% of the userbase. That’s why they don’t care.

So they will say they support the iPhone 6s onwards. If you count garbage devices as support, yes. For me, they support the iPhone 13 (or 14) onwards. They required iOS 15.1. The absolute original iOS version for the iPhone 13 was iOS 15.0, it’s arguably unsupported. The iPhone 14, which debuted with iOS 16.0, is supported. 14, 15, and 16. Garbage.

 

[splifingate]

iOS 12, 13, and 14 (combined) are installed in 0.071% of the userbase. That’s why they don’t care.

That's a lot to unpack, @FeliApple 👀

I don't use anything from Meta (apart from the occasional FB login to communicate with F&F who do not care to use other methods), so I can't speak for WhatsApp

Seems quite popular, given the installed user base.

For a 'free' Service, I can only imagine that the Suits have to keep the Developer resources funded, and books balanced.

Even if an individual could move to Business PremiumSuperUltra+, and fund developer resources for an older version, the (i)OS support just isn't there.

There are diminished returns (financially, and logistically) in supporting even 1% of the userbase.

The only App that I've installed that excessively/incessantly drained my battery was Gaia GPS; even cable-attached, it absolutely killed my user experience.

Similar has been the MailBird App on my Studio, I sense that some code is extremely un-optimised. Not bad, just . . . "Really? 50% CPU Utilisation?!?"

I remember the FB App last I used it (5-8 years ago?) would tax my battery, and I found that just accessing FB on Safari was the better option.

I just learned to cull the things that killed the experience.

I'm not 3-4 years-in on my 13 Mini, but the battery has been great. I can make it well-over a day without questioning a re-charge 🤷‍♂️

 

[FeliApple]

That's a lot to unpack, @FeliApple 👀

I don't use anything from Meta (apart from the occasional FB login to communicate with F&F who do not care to use other methods), so I can't speak for WhatsApp

Seems quite popular, given the installed user base.

For a 'free' Service, I can only imagine that the Suits have to keep the Developer resources funded, and books balanced.

Even if an individual could move to Business PremiumSuperUltra+, and fund developer resources for an older version, the (i)OS support just isn't there.

There are diminished returns (financially, and logistically) in supporting even 1% of the userbase.

The only App that I've installed that excessively/incessantly drained my battery was Gaia GPS; even cable-attached, it absolutely killed my user experience.

Similar has been the MailBird App on my Studio, I sense that some code is extremely un-optimised. Not bad, just . . . "Really? 50% CPU Utilisation?!?"

I remember the FB App last I used it (5-8 years ago?) would tax my battery, and I found that just accessing FB on Safari was the better option.

I just learned to cull the things that killed the experience.

I'm not 3-4 years-in on my 13 Mini, but the battery has been great. I can make it well-over a day without questioning a re-charge 🤷‍♂️

Yeah, that’s why I said that it’s partly the user base’s fault. Everyone updates and tolerates garbage, so developers have no incentive to support older iOS versions.

Just curious, can you share a “last 24 hours” screenshots in Settings-Battery? I think that screen-on time is the most important aspect (and the one that collapses after updating).

 

[AstonSmith]

Just curious, can you share a “last 24 hours” screenshots in Settings-Battery? I think that screen-on time is the most importance aspect (and the one that collapses after updating).

I'm not splifingate but I have a 12 mini on 18.3 and I find the battery life to be sufficient for daily use. Health is 89%.

 

[FeliApple]

I'm not splifingate but I have a 12 mini on 18.3 and I find the battery life to be sufficient for daily use. Health is 89%.

View attachment 2501407
View attachment 2501408

The last 24 hours screen is all standby, so while that’s poor, I can’t say much about a full standby drop.

The last 10 days is far more misleading (if you used it while charging it is false and I can’t see that), but it looks to be about 4 hours of SOT with pretty light use. Not great, but I don’t know how it would fare on iOS 15. Maybe a bit more a couple of times, but it’s tough to tell with the last 10 days.

You don’t use it much though, so that helps. The Mini is perfect for someone like you with your usage pattern I think. A light user in terms of both apps and time used per day, so you’re fine. Even with a not-so-great battery life (vs larger iPhones).

 

[splifingate]

Yeah, that’s why I said that it’s partly the user base’s fault. Everyone updates and tolerates garbage, so developers have no incentive to support older iOS versions.

Just curious, can you share a “last 24 hours” screenshots in Settings-Battery? I think that screen-on time is the most important aspect (and the one that collapses after updating).

I average ~2h of screen-on time each day. It flexes with my usage patterns, and I usually find myself far-more busy doing things other than using my phone.

Extremely happy with how everything works

 

[FeliApple]

I average ~2h of screen-on time each day. It flexes with my usage patterns, and I usually find myself far-more busy doing things other than using my phone.

Extremely happy with how everything works

Yeah, with 2h of SOT you won’t struggle even if battery life collapses.

My 6s on iOS 9 was forcibly updated to iOS 13 and obliterated, with battery life dropping by more than half to 3-4 hours of SOT. That would be enough for you.

The Mini sounds like the perfect device for you!

 

[splifingate]

Yeah, with 2h of SOT you won’t struggle even if battery life collapses.

My 6s on iOS 9 was forcibly updated to iOS 13 and obliterated, with battery life dropping by more than half to 3-4 hours of SOT. That would be enough for you.

I was one of the poor sods to have paid full-retail for a bog-standard 6 (which--even with a battery replacement--became increasingly un-usable).

Should have stayed with the 5S ;(

The Mini sounds like the perfect device for you!

Oh, it is!

 

[FeliApple]

I was one of the poor sods to have paid full-retail for a bog-standard 6 (which--even with a battery replacement--became increasingly un-usable).

Should have stayed with the 5S ;(



Oh, it is!

The iPhone 6 (and especially the 6+), was RAM-starved on its original iOS version, iOS 8.
By iOS 12, the device’s performance was destroyed. Battery life was pretty abhorrent, too. The larger screen required more power and the 6 Plus simply didn’t have it. Sad, because people really valued the massive increase in battery life. It was the first iPhone with really good battery life.

The 6s had a much larger headroom, with its ridiculously overpowered A9 Processor with 2GB of RAM (Apple did not make the same mistake again, and users immediately notinced a massive difference), but Apple pushed it so much that by iOS 13 it had no more battery life to offer (I’ve used it on iOS 13). The same thing happened to the iPhone 7, which had the same support the 6s had.

 

[splifingate]

It was the first iPhone with really good battery life.

mheh

Pull my other leg! Wait . . . no, please don't

This (interestingly) leads us back to the Thesis:

My direct experience with a 13 Mini running 18.4 is very, very satisfying.

Larger Battery != Better Experience

 

[FeliApple]

mheh

Pull my other leg! Wait . . . no, please don't

This (interestingly) leads us back to the Thesis:

My direct experience with a 13 Mini running 18.4 is very, very satisfying.

Larger Battery != Better Experience

Yes, absolutely. People tolerate iOS updates’ destruction of battery life FAR better than performance issues.

Which is logical: you can charge it more, but you can’t improve performance in a destroyed device.

The impact on iOS 18 vs iOS 15 for the 13 Mini seems low to moderate, what is it? 10-20%? Still manageable. By iOS 20 we may have a better idea as to how the last Mini does.

Some screenshots I’ve seen give the Mini about 5-6 hours of SOT with moderate use. I think it still looks good.

I’m a 16 Plus user and I think that for most days I’d be fine with a 13 Mini, even on iOS 18. I’d get about 7-8 hours of light use, or about what I get with my 6s on iOS 10. When I used it, it was enough for me.

A bit annoying on heavier days but I’d manage. Hah, now I’m curious, I’d like to see how I fare with a 13 Mini.

That said, the 16 Plus’ size isn’t that uncomfortable (for me). It fits in my pockets and one-handed camera use is the only impossible aspect for me.

 

[FeliApple]

Are you going to keep laughing or are you going to say something? @UpsideDownEclair

Kind of getting tired of the notifications.

 

[Artemiz]

I’m a 16 Plus user and I think that for most days I’d be fine with a 13 Mini, even on iOS 18. I’d get about 7-8 hours of light use, or about what I get with my 6s on iOS 10. When I used it, it was enough for me.

If you can manage 8 hours of screen-on time on an iPhone 13 mini running iOS 18, then you’re not someone who should be worried about battery life on any device—regardless of the iOS version.

Either you have to turn off practically every feature of a smartphone or your usage is extremely bare as it’s impossible to manage that after 4 iOS iterations and original battery.

 

[FeliApple]

If you can manage 8 hours of screen-on time on an iPhone 13 mini running iOS 18, then you’re not someone who should be worried about battery life on any device—regardless of the iOS version.

Either you have to turn off practically every feature of a smartphone or your usage is extremely bare as it’s impossible to manage that after 4 iOS iterations and original battery.

It was an estimate based on people’s numbers. I have no idea how much I’d get.

My usage is light. Web browsing, texting, etc. But my settings are efficient, so even with heavier usage my battery life is generally good. I’m getting about 27 hours of SOT on my 16 Plus (extrapolated obviously, I charge it a lot sooner than that).

The only updated devices I’ve tried have been trash, but admittedly I haven’t tried any recent ones (yet).

And you’re right. I assume I’d be mostly fine even with an updated device.

My Xʀ gave me 16-18 hours of SOT with light use and about 11-12 with heavier cellular use. There’s a lot of headroom to take away there. The 16 Plus seems to be at about 27 and 17-18 hours respectively, so there’s even more headroom. You could theoretically cut it in half and I’d be fine.

I just like it when my devices work properly. With the 6s it was a need, because when updated battery life is garbage, about 3-4 hours at best with moderate use, but with more recent devices it isn’t. I mostly like to have the battery life for heavy camera days. They happen sometimes, and older, updated devices can’t cope.

 

[UpsideDownEclair]

Are you going to keep laughing or are you going to say something? @UpsideDownEclair

Kind of getting tired of the notifications.

Well every other thread you’ve suggested gimping one’s phone as the One True Solution in the name of Efficiency™, and I believe fully admitted to not even being able to use banking apps on your phone. So yeah it’s pretty funny that you’ve forced it onto other people, gotten called out on it, and simply doubled down. Sorry!

 

[otetzone]

What they said is absolutely logical and true. Battery life deteriorates with every point release these days, left alone the iOS iterations. I'd rather get a new phone and be on iOS 18. 16e got positive reviews and remarkable for its battery life. I don't see any reason to kill 13mini's battery with iOS 18. With 87% battery health it barely stays through the day.

Talking about banking apps mine are working even on iOS 14 but even if they don't I'm not concerned. There's a laptop for it. I still have number of old phones on iOS 12, 10 and even 6 (4s and 3gs). They're more like collection items though and I don't really use them. But I remember my experience with iOS 9 on iPhone 4s very well. I believe anyone who had it does. Since then, I only updated to the last of the installed iOS. Now these days while I continue this strategy with laptops I won't dare to update my iPhone even to a point release until absolutely sure it won't break something.

I sincerely don't care about customizing homescreen or new emojis. The apps compatibility could be the only issue. Otherwise I'm fine.

It's just my opinion, I'm not insisting everyone does likewise. Some are concerned with security flaws and do not care about the rest. Some may enjoy new emojis. It's all their business and I'm okay with this. I'm stating here how I personally see it without shoving it down someones throat.

 

[Alpha Centauri]

I do like screen mirroring from iP>MBP and actually use it with iOS18. It's a shame it doesn't work the other way around.

When my 13 Mini was new and at 100% health, it lasted 1 1/2 days on one charge. That's with optimisation working (only for 6 months) and using a 5W charger overnight. I average 4 hrs screen time and mostly get through the day on a single charge, though the figure is skewed using CarPlay (tethered and charging) to and from work. If Face Timing for 15 minutes or so I can halve whatever the state of charge is.

 

[geta]

Are you going to keep laughing or are you going to say something? @UpsideDownEclair

Kind of getting tired of the notifications.

And I get tired of reading your repeated nonsense comments on every thread… 🤷‍♂️

 

[FeliApple]

Well every other thread you’ve suggested gimping one’s phone as the One True Solution in the name of Efficiency™, and I believe fully admitted to not even being able to use banking apps on your phone. So yeah it’s pretty funny that you’ve forced it onto other people, gotten called out on it, and simply doubled down. Sorry!

Forced it? Very funny.

And I get tired of reading your repeated nonsense comments on every thread… 🤷‍♂️

Don’t read then.

 

[FeliApple]

I do like screen mirroring from iP>MBP and actually use it with iOS18. It's a shame it doesn't work the other way around.

When my 13 Mini was new and at 100% health, it lasted 1 1/2 days on one charge. That's with optimisation working (only for 6 months) and using a 5W charger overnight. I average 4 hrs screen time and mostly get through the day on a single charge, though the figure is skewed using CarPlay (tethered and charging) to and from work. If Face Timing for 15 minutes or so I can halve whatever the state of charge is.

FaceTime surprised me initially with how insane the battery life drop is. It’s among the heaviest possible tasks, and it’s always been like this, regardless of the iOS version installed. It just plummets.