I like using my watch and the mini. For me, it is the perfect fit. If you got the Apple Watch, I don't see why you think you would need a bigger phone. If anything, the watch helps you use the phone less.
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iPhone 12 mini How many Mini owners here?
- Thread starter DexBell
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I have a very similar experience as @pdxrevolution - coming from XS and getting mini. Portability is amazing I haven’t felt since SE first gen. But I know that getting 12 would be better for battery and if I would be more anxious about photography, I would go for Pro. You have to decide what exactly are your daily things (main device with bigger screen, all day long battery because you don’t have a choice to charge throughout the day, photgraphy…) and based on that you would choose.
I owned the 11 6.1 and an AW5 LTE.
With the 11 it was way more convenient, because the 11 is quite big and heavy, bigger than the normal 12 even. But to be honest as a Garmin user I was very dissatisfied with the fitness and sports functions. Way too little for such an expensive watch, I realized it is indeed just a smartwatch.
And charging it everyday was so annoying. I don't know why so many users/reviewers complain about the 12 Mini having so little battery life in their mind but most of them own an Apple Watch which you have to charge each day, sometimes twice if you really used it much with really really bad battery life for even a smartwatch. I don't understand what goes through these peoples minds when doing those statements. DOUBLE STANDARDS.
And I only really used it for LTE and music/podcasts when doing a walk outside and a little more convenient Apple Pay usage. I sold it. And an AW with a bigger iPhone 12 is no comparison to a 12 Mini, I know from experience. If you want a bigger phone ok, but an AW doesn't make a bigger phone seem smaller and you won't use it way less, maybe just a little less in some situations. From what I have read from you everywhere here in this forum, don't do it. But it is your decision. You know I am always on the fence of buying a bigger second phone, I travel a lot and have, atm, much freetime in between, using a bigger phone would make much sense. I just can't. Mini is the best size ever. Not too little, not too big, perfect weight.
PS: To me using those apps like podcasts and music on the watch is very annoying. You can do it but it is not something I Enjoy, very tiny screens, you have to touch on the right point etc. I would first look at an AW from somebody else and check all the apps, I didn't enjoy it, no comparison to an iPhone. But everyone is different.
Thank you for this honest inside informations. I started thinking about AW when I started working out by YouTube videos, not by an app. Then I started turning on apps at the same time just because I wanted those data in my Health app (I know it’s silly). Also rumours (and they were true) about no need of typing passcode while wearing mask is really handy these days.
I don’t think that AW make me use iPhone even less then I do these days. Or maybe that much less. I really love smaller compact iPhone 12 mini, just yesterday ran into battery short in the late evening and it’s not that bad everyday. Still for two hands use is sometimes better to go bigger, it’s just 12 wasn’t the right fit for me and I don’t want to go backwards to 11 Pro just because of sometimes using 2 hands or having a bigger battery.
I had the 11 Pro of a friend in my hands again these days. Size wise it is indeed VERY nice, still like my 12 Mini better because it still is way smaller. But 5.8 Pro is the best compromise for many, not too big, not too small. The 11 I had was a bit too big for me in general. But the 11 Pro was way too heavy for such a small phone, very high quality feeling but imo just too heavy.
Unlocking with mask is a new, very nice benefit, that is indeed right. But you have to consider another thing. BTW I have BT only turned on when syncing something or listening to music otherwise it is turned off. When my watch was connected to my iPhone all the time I lost more battery on both. Normally I have BT off. If you already have BT on all the time it won't make a big difference, if not, you will probably get the BL of the Mini with the normal 12 / AW combo and always connected. Depends on how you want to use it.
You have tried the 12 before and it wasn't your taste. But if you regret it, do try it again. You never know.
What bugs me the most with the bigger phones is that the UI is exactly the same. Fonts are bigger, you have a bit more text to read without scrolling but besides that you get zero benefits with a bigger iPhone on iOS, not even with the Max. Maybe some apps in horizontal position but nothing really amazing. Even the same amount of icons on the home screen in the massive Pro Max with so much space in-between. What a waste of space.
As I said before, to me iOS was never really adapted to bigger screens, most of all on the bezel less iPhone starting with the X. All look the same.
Unlocking with mask is a new, very nice benefit, that is indeed right. But you have to consider another thing. BTW I have BT only turned on when syncing something or listening to music otherwise it is turned off. When my watch was connected to my iPhone all the time I lost more battery on both. Normally I have BT off. If you already have BT on all the time it won't make a big difference, if not, you will probably get the BL of the Mini with the normal 12 / AW combo and always connected. Depends on how you want to use it.
You have tried the 12 before and it wasn't your taste. But if you regret it, do try it again. You never know.
What bugs me the most with the bigger phones is that the UI is exactly the same. Fonts are bigger, you have a bit more text to read without scrolling but besides that you get zero benefits with a bigger iPhone on iOS, not even with the Max. Maybe some apps in horizontal position but nothing really amazing. Even the same amount of icons on the home screen in the massive Pro Max with so much space in-between. What a waste of space.
As I said before, to me iOS was never really adapted to bigger screens, most of all on the bezel less iPhone starting with the X. All look the same.
Where can I sign this? One of the reason I immediately switch from XS to 12 mini was such a ridiculous weight of 11 Pro. That’s why I tried 12 because I thought that lighter phone, even bigger one, would be better for me. And it is so true. Maybe that’s why it matters to me to try 12 mini.
I have everything turned on all the time - wifi, BT, cellular. So maybe it hasn’t much of that impact to my battery life, true.
I was referencing to 12 just because of the idea of combination with AW. Because if I will sometimes run into short day with shorter battery, I wouldn’t need to charge in late evening with 12 and AW. But still doesn’t like that size in my pocket. 😅
And about iOS - absolutely right. So many years users are calling for a better optimalization for bigger iPhone or even iPads! On the mini looks iOS perfectly, maybe that 5,8” was even OK too. But bigger than that I always thought it is such a waste of space - on the home screen mostly. Content is always better on bigger ones, but UI on bigger phones is really waste of space - like when you can work with 2 apps side by side on iPad mini, but you don’t have the same possibility on iPhone Pro Max.
- iPhone 11 Pro: 188 grams (6.63 ounces)
- iPhone 12: 162 grams (5.73 ounces)
- iPhone 12 Mini: 133 grams (4.70 ounces)
So the weight difference between the 11 Pro and the 12 (26 grams) is quite close to the weight difference between the 12 and the 12 mini (29 grams).
Right. But difference between 12 mini and 11 Pro is really big one. That’s why I was (maybe am? 😀) a little bit tempted to go for 12 regular.
I wouldn't mind if the Mini were slightly heavier and thicker for carrying a bigger battery size. It would have solved the main and very 'famous' issue: battery life and make it almost the current best/perfect small factor phone that you can buy.
True story. Lately (I've been trying new feature from 1Blocker which uses VPN) my mini is draining really fast. Like in the midday I have 77% which is quite bad for me. I already messaged 1Blocker for looking into that but still I'm thinking (again - lol me) about gettting normal 12. 😀 Even despite thicker device - few mm wouldn't kill us.
But the normal 12 hasn‘t great battery life either imo. Better than Mini, yes. In my usage about 10-20% when I shortly owned one. Depending on the day. But it isnt like 12 has amazing battery life. Imo disappointing for such a big phone. So 12 Pro Max would be more of a, I am going to get a new phone because of battery choice.
Yeah. But depending on my lifestyle or trying new possibilities with 1Blocker for example, those 10-20% is fine for me. I was OK with XS and mini probably too. It's just I rather not charge in the middle of the day when I don't need to.
It depends on usages for sure, but the iPhone 12 has a very decent battery life, with mine I can use it easily over 2 days, and with my usage (no gaming) but using it a lot over the day. Honestly, I don't feel a huge difference with my previous 11 Pro Max.
I wasn’t planning to upgrade this year, but given the rumors that Apple will remove the mini size and have two 6.1 models and two 6.7 models instead, I very well might upgrade to the 13 Mini in the fall. I’ve been wanting to downsize my XS Max for the past year now, and the 6.1” models really don’t feel that much smaller from my XS Max. It’s a shame Apple likely won’t even be offering the 5.8” models again after 2021, even if they are going to get rid of the Mini.
Such a true story. I have upgraded from XS to 12 mini and I kinda feel that 5,8" in flat design would be amazing. Still rather keeping mini than going up. And for you in Max version will be very big difference, but understand your feeling.
I was going to upgrade this spring, but since reading rumors of a 13 Mini, I decided to wait. Especially if we have to wait another 4+ years for a decent size again.......
Reading all your comments and thinking that small phone owners often wait years to upgrade and wait for a better version to come out, I believe that the 13 Mini will sell much better than the 12 Mini. First, iPhone SE 2 is than almost two years old and those owners might be thinking about upgrading. Second, stores will be open again much more in several countries. Third, people owning 12 Mini and reading news about 13 Mini being the last may upgrade even though it is not necessary because it will be the last Mini device in many years, not knowing what to come next with SE3.
I would not upgrade from a 12 Mini if there would be a 14 Mini, would even buy a bigger "second" 13 and keep my 12 Mini. But I will now, as it is quite sure there will not be a 14 Mini, buy a 13 Mini for sure.
I would not upgrade from a 12 Mini if there would be a 14 Mini, would even buy a bigger "second" 13 and keep my 12 Mini. But I will now, as it is quite sure there will not be a 14 Mini, buy a 13 Mini for sure.
If the 13 mini is a hit then Apple might launch a 14 mini. I think that Companies are just pragmatic and if sales are good then they will continue selling it further.
I don't think it will become a hit and I believe the rumors they are cancelling Mini line from 2022 on, there is too much planning involved years before. They can't just say in 2022 "oh 13 Mini sold good, let's keep it", but I still believe it will sell way better than the 12 Mini for many reasons. And maybe some years from now we will get a Mini in some other way. So 13 Mini sales might affect planning in a few years.
I love this phone so much, that I named it "The Little Giant". Apple, have a look here for naming conventions.
Mini - The Little Giant
Pro - The Boring Heavy
Pro Max - The Super Heavy
Mini - The Little Giant
Pro - The Boring Heavy
Pro Max - The Super Heavy
This is now my 3rd month with the iPhone 12 mini.
after 2yrs with the iPhone 8 at launch (ahem iPhone X for 14 days returned), I downgrade to an iPhone SE 2016 back in October 2020 to get used to a smaller iPhone after the mini was announced cause I knew I’d be saving for the one I wanted.
I’m a black guy, not just in skin but in devices I chose to purchase and clothes lol, but the Blue 12 mini 256 GB caught my eye and I purchased it full retail and have loved it every. Single. Day. Period.
seeing this review
I can say if all the others that was poetic, this actually properly explains it’s performance due to the architecture. I’m not a shutter bug but getting better with pics - even though my city is in lockdown still.
will I upgrade to a more refined 13 mini as the last hurrah? Yes.
all 12 mini iPhone users, please email Tim Cook and show your praise and appreciation of the 12 mini convince him that marketing is needed to help sell this segment and that it was a good move.
although many of us would be and could be ok with waiting 4yrs to upgrade but it’s been a brutal 4yrs since the 2016 SE landed.
Sure id like a 25% increase on battery life, Apple official 12-15mAh MagSafe portable charger to save us from being ripped off from bs companies that never deliver (see one of my previous posts on this experience), and frosted back glass while keeping the non high gloss edges.
but the quality, performance, perfect fit in the hand and front jeans pocket size and weight is nothing short of perfection as iOS brings the sweets.
after 2yrs with the iPhone 8 at launch (ahem iPhone X for 14 days returned), I downgrade to an iPhone SE 2016 back in October 2020 to get used to a smaller iPhone after the mini was announced cause I knew I’d be saving for the one I wanted.
I’m a black guy, not just in skin but in devices I chose to purchase and clothes lol, but the Blue 12 mini 256 GB caught my eye and I purchased it full retail and have loved it every. Single. Day. Period.
seeing this review
I can say if all the others that was poetic, this actually properly explains it’s performance due to the architecture. I’m not a shutter bug but getting better with pics - even though my city is in lockdown still.
will I upgrade to a more refined 13 mini as the last hurrah? Yes.
all 12 mini iPhone users, please email Tim Cook and show your praise and appreciation of the 12 mini convince him that marketing is needed to help sell this segment and that it was a good move.
although many of us would be and could be ok with waiting 4yrs to upgrade but it’s been a brutal 4yrs since the 2016 SE landed.
Sure id like a 25% increase on battery life, Apple official 12-15mAh MagSafe portable charger to save us from being ripped off from bs companies that never deliver (see one of my previous posts on this experience), and frosted back glass while keeping the non high gloss edges.
but the quality, performance, perfect fit in the hand and front jeans pocket size and weight is nothing short of perfection as iOS brings the sweets.