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Btw my 13 mini arrived yesterday, initial takaways is the cameras really are noticeably better and the increase in brightness does make a big difference outside, the other improvements over the 12 seem less noticeable , the notch does not take up as much of the screen but that’s something you kinda unsee anyway. Verdict, I think it’s worth the upgrade from the 12 if your planning on keeping it a while, simply better
 
There's no rush to buy anything here
Apple isn't going to stop making the 13 Mini's

I'm extremely confident they will keep making and selling these alongside newer/larger iPhone 14 models.

Not making an iPhone 14 Mini ≠ no iPhone 13 Mini's being made or availble to buy
Famous last words, we will see
 
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Famous last words, we will see

Apple sells older models alongside new ones every year.

They put a ton of R&D into the Minis and they're not going to just stop making/selling them because there isn't a 14 variant of the Mini

Tim's conduct on stuff like this is very clear over the last decade.

The expensive part of the Mini's is already a sunk cost (R&D & Tooling) ... keeping them being made in some numbers and availble to buy for those that want them is the easy and profitable part.
 
Apple sells older models alongside new ones every year.

They put a ton of R&D into the Minis and they're not going to just stop making/selling them because there isn't a 14 variant of the Mini

Tim's conduct on stuff like this is very clear over the last decade.

The expensive part of the Mini's is already a sunk cost (R&D & Tooling) ... keeping them being made in some numbers and availble to buy for those that want them is the easy and profitable part.
I think your ignoring current events but that’s fine, I actually hope your right, but suspect they have already stopped and once they sell out of current inventory that will be it
 
I think your ignoring current events but that’s fine, I actually hope your right, but suspect they have already stopped and once they sell out of current inventory that will be it

Fair point -- you could be right
Maybe this time will different!?

Anything is possible.

I will say though, based upon how often I see folks locally trying to get rid of them, if one wants one, there are really great preowned deals that might be an even better way to go (if cost is a driver at all)

(I of course understand wanting only brand new also though)
 
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They put a ton of R&D into the Minis and they're not going to just stop making/selling them because there isn't a 14 variant of the Mini
The "fact" (well... assumption) that they won't be releasing actually makes it more probably IMO that they'll keep around the smaller form factor (and lower entry) for those that like it.
I think your ignoring current events
Moving closer to the autumn release of a new generation, making more mini certainly won't be Apple's priority.
The question is just if that means there could be temporary shortages (your in-store experience). Or if it means they'll get rid of it altogether, to focus on the new models.

I still think there's a good chance that the mini form factor will move down a tier to become the new SE in late 2023 or early 2024.

If there's anything Apple has not been inclined to sell us for "cheap", it's big screens.
And I very much doubt that are going to develop a new SE model from scratch - or keep around the iPhone 6 form factor forever (there will eventually be a point at which Touch ID in iPhones stops being worth to support, when you can instead streamline into having the same biometric unlock method on all devices of the lineup).
 
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One more thing, I’m actually loving the camera presets, I know it’s not camera purest stuff but honestly have missed the days when certain cameras had a biased toward cool…it’s alway been my preference even on displays…. So nice that you can choose easily
 
The "fact" (well... assumption) that they won't be releasing actually makes it more probably IMO that they'll keep around the smaller form factor (and lower entry) for those that like it.

Completely agree

This is going to be a very predictable "Tim move" of keeping around the Mini 13 as the option for those buyers...for a while I think.

I think it's fine honestly.

The Mini phone options should get into a similar 2-ish year cadence that the iPad Mini's are on.

They don't need annual refreshes, but they really should exist as they both do sell, just not in the same volumes as the mainstream size choices.
 
I had a lot of issues with my 12 mini at the start, but I eventually caved and did a full reset and set it up from scratch

Curious - does yours still get "warm"?

I tried out a 12 Mini before the 13 Mini and the one major thing I noticed was that the 12 Mini was getting warm all the time.

I'm sure the 13 Mini is "better", but I did actually prefer how the 12 Mini was a little bit lighter.
Of course neither of them come close to how light my beloved SE1's are.

Screen Shot 2022-06-04 at 12.26.46.png
 
The "fact" (well... assumption) that they won't be releasing actually makes it more probably IMO that they'll keep around the smaller form factor (and lower entry) for those that like it.

Moving closer to the autumn release of a new generation, making more mini certainly won't be Apple's priority.
The question is just if that means there could be temporary shortages (your in-store experience). Or if it means they'll get rid of it altogether, to focus on the new models.

True. There may be backlogs due to supply constraints but I don’t think they’ll stop selling immediately.

Apple’s still selling iPhone 11 and 12/12 mini. After the iPhone 14’s release, I expect they’ll drop the 11 but retain the 12/12 mini and 13/13 mini as lower cost options. Maybe they’ll be on backorder but they’ll likely still be available for sale.


I still think there's a good chance that the mini form factor will move down a tier to become the new SE in late 2023 or early 2024.

I’d certainly like for that to happen. Apple’s one of the few manufacturers that still make up-to-date smallish phones (mini and SE). I’d definitely buy an iPhone mini-style SE with non-PWM LCD screen.
 
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What is the appeal over the max if you have average sized hands?
Reach.

It’s more about one handed manipulation. If you try to use the Max for almost any type of interaction, requires two hands, because just of the sheer size of it.

Think about it. Even scrolling one-handed holding the Max, is fatiguing after like two minutes. For some people, they want a larger battery and display, but that comes with the trade off a device that’s unwieldy.

It’s all relative to what you’re comfortable with or what you ‘need’ to have with certain features that the Max has that the Mini doesn’t.
 
Curious - does yours still get "warm"?

I tried out a 12 Mini before the 13 Mini and the one major thing I noticed was that the 12 Mini was getting warm all the time.

I'm sure the 13 Mini is "better", but I did actually prefer how the 12 Mini was a little bit lighter.
Of course neither of them come close to how light my beloved SE1's are.

View attachment 2013440
Yeah, Apple could have literally just made the original se full screen and that would have been enough to keep the fans happy, perfect size and weight imho , however the mini13 is fine, I actually bit the bullet and ordered my first vaja case for it, been looking at those for years but were just so pricy I passed
 

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Cases definitely don't help in my comparison with the SE1, unfortunately

It just keeps making it wider, taller and heavier

If I could change the Mini in only one way, it would be to make it shorter
 
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Cases definitely don't help in my comparison with the SE1, unfortuantely

It just keeps making it wider, taller and heavier

If I could change the Mini in only one way, it would be to make it shorter
Yes, agree with that.

I checked how it would fit in my old iPhone 4 wallet.
A little stretchy at the hight, but it will be ok. So it is a little on the tall side comparing to the 4.

Will try to remember to grab one of the Mini's in case they disappear.
They will probable still be around for awhile I think though.....
 
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I still have the SE as my backup phone. I kind of like the idea of hanging on to a Touch ID phone but perhaps I should just trade it in for the mini. 🤔

Consider selling vs trade in, especially if it's in great shape

There are folks out there who very much value these in excellent condition and with original screens, etc
 
I agree cases don’t help the smallness factor, but I do like a nice leather case, it’s fairly minimal so hopefully I’ll like it, arrives monday
 
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Consider selling vs trade in, especially if it's in great shape

There are folks out there who very much value these in excellent condition and with original screens, etc

That's a good point. It's a backup/test phone so it actually hasn't left the house much and in like-new condition. I even have the box still.
 
I originally thought that Apple would move their older iPhones down the price ladder like they normally do but that might not happen this year. The reason being that the iPhone 14’s (non pro) are likely going to be using the A15 chip variant. So it’s possible that Apple just discontinues the entire iPhone 13 lineup but keeps the 12’s. They do this type of behavior already by discontinuing ”pro” models but keeping around the regular versions.

The goal, for Apple, is to make sure that older iPhones don’t cannibalize their newer ones while still hitting every price point. If the iPhone 14’s (non pro) do in fact have the A15 chip variants in them, it would be silly to think that the iPhone 13’s will stick around. Although Apple might make an exception for the 13 mini since it wouldn’t be a direct competitor with the newer 14’s. For Apple, it’s about getting people into their ecosystem while still pushing customers into more expensive products.
 
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Although Apple might make an exception for the 13 mini since it wouldn’t be a direct competitor with the newer 14’s.

That's my bet, espeically since the 13 Mini is a better phone than 12 Mini

(seems to have battery/performance that fits in that chassis better than 12 Mini)

Not that they want to rebrand I'm sure, but it wouldn't be a bad time to rebrand the 13 Mini as just the "iPhone Mini"
 
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