iPhone 13 mini I switched back to the 13mini and wow

[BugeyeSTI]

I love my mini. I got the 13 mini on release date and have added the AppleCare monthly plan since the two years ran out. Gonna keep these size phone as long as I can. My wife loves hers too. Battery life is ok and tiny phone is awesome. Added bonus: I live in Ohio and now carry my drivers license on my phone. When I leave I only have my phone and keys now. No wallet.

Ohio state law requires you to carry your physical Drivers License at all time. This is directly on the BMV website:

Does Ohio Mobile ID on iPhone and Apple Watch replace my physical, plastic driver's license?​

No, Ohio Mobile ID does not replace your physical Ohio driver's license or identification card and you must continue to carry your physical card. The Ohio Mobile ID on iPhone and Apple Watch, however, is voluntary and serves as a convenient, secure companion to your physical, plastic driver's license/identification card.

This is the main reason I see no need to use a digital Drivers License yet. Until all police vehicles, airports and businesses have the equipment to verify the digital ID isn't much use. As far as the 13mini, I was thinking of picking one up in the refurb store as a backup device, unfortunately they aren't offered very often.

 

[thadoggfather]

You're correct but I was referring the mini series... And I guess you could still technically be correct... BUT even though all mini models are discontinued doesn't mean that the mini form factor has been discontinued, it have just not been refreshed.

Maybe I'm just misusing words here but I hope the point gets across: Even though all previous mini iPhones has been discontinued doesn't mean that there won't be future ones.

So high hopes everyone

Semantics but when a product is no longer being sold and there is no suitable replacement or successor for its product line it’s logical to conclude it’s been discontinued. Until further notice

 

[Return Zero]

I had a 12 mini and the battery life was fine for using as a phone. If your phone is a multimedia entertainment center, you'll want something with a larger screen and battery. I switched to the pro for the better camera and I don't regret it, but I do so much miss the mini form factor. I would buy a new mini in a heartbeat if they put in the latest camera and 120Hz screen. In fact I would pay more for the mini than for the Pro Max or whatever, that's how much I loved the form factor.

 

[Eric_WVGG]

Forget best selling, mini was worst selling iPhone. If you take the emotions out, there is very little market for the mini.

Now something else is the worst-selling iPhone, should that one get discontinued?

 

[heretiq]

I have the 15pro but had the 13mini sitting in a drawer. Decided last night to swap back and try it out. My lord this this is so much better. The only reasons I went with the 15pro were the camera and I swear there’s a defect in the mini where it overheats and drains the battery. I do think the newer iOS has maybe addressed that. I love the lighter weight and smaller form factor. If this thing had the camera of the 15pro I’d have paid whatever for it to be in the mini. I guess I’ll keep the 15Pro around for when I want the camera. Such a shame we can’t get a pro level mini. It was never a price point issue for me. I don’t know anyone that uses that weird fisheye wide lens anyway.

Spot-on!

I think Apple’s post-Ive “Pro = Beefy” design language is a mistake that ignored buyers who desired compactness AND pro features, but would sacrifice features for compactness if forced to choose — resulting in them trading down to a lower-priced product which is a lose-lose for those buyers and Apple. A huge strategic mistake.

This bulky design language change caused me to stop buying new iPhone pro models each year and trade down to a mini and hold it for years. The result is I am loving my iPhone again thanks to the 13 mini which I consider peak-iPhone based on its balance of performance, build quality and usability.

The flip side is that I’m also spending less because there’s no yearly update to the mini — good for me, less so for Apple. However, I would happily update my mini every year and pay Apple for improving this masterful device given the choice. This is money left on the table by Apple.

The mini is a great example, but the same dynamic exists with the bulky M-Series MacBook Pros (I love my 16” M1 Max MBPro when I’m sitting at a desk but not so much when traveling — so I am waiting to trade down to a MacBook Air that comes close to matching the M1 Max CPU/GPU performance .. maybe next year’s M5 Air will do the trick). Likely will be more money left on the table by Apple.

Luckily Apple seem to be correcting this mistake based on the recent thinner-lighter-more powerful M4 iPad Pro which I happily traded in my bulky M1 iPad Pro for and am loving it. The rumored iPhone Air and M4 mini are hopeful signs that Apple is awakening from this post-Ive design strategy coma.

 

[Populus]

I have the 15pro but had the 13mini sitting in a drawer. Decided last night to swap back and try it out. My lord this this is so much better. The only reasons I went with the 15pro were the camera and I swear there’s a defect in the mini where it overheats and drains the battery. I do think the newer iOS has maybe addressed that. I love the lighter weight and smaller form factor. If this thing had the camera of the 15pro I’d have paid whatever for it to be in the mini. I guess I’ll keep the 15Pro around for when I want the camera. Such a shame we can’t get a pro level mini. It was never a price point issue for me. I don’t know anyone that uses that weird fisheye wide lens anyway.

Although I think I could adapt to the 15 Pro size (sadly all the newer iPhones will be bigger), a smaller size would be more comfortable to me. That’s why I find my SE 3 to be ideal, and I’m considering getting a second one.

By the way, my advice: if you were having draining issues, now it’s the time to perform a clean install (restore through Finder on your Mac) of iOS 17.6.1, as its a pretty solid release for A15-powered devices. I’m doing it soon.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Now something else is the worst-selling iPhone, should that one get discontinued?

If it makes no money, cull it.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Spot-on!

I think Apple’s post-Ive “Pro = Beefy” design language is a mistake that ignored buyers who desired compactness AND pro features, but would sacrifice features for compactness if forced to choose — resulting in them trading down to a lower-priced product which is a lose-lose for those buyers and Apple. A huge strategic mistake.

This bulky design language change caused me to stop buying new iPhone pro models each year and trade down to a mini and hold it for years. The result is I am loving my iPhone again thanks to the 13 mini which I consider peak-iPhone based on its balance of performance, build quality and usability.

The flip side is that I’m also spending less because there’s no yearly update to the mini — good for me, less so for Apple. However, I would happily update my mini every year and pay Apple for improving this masterful device given the choice. This is money left on the table by Apple.

The mini is a great example, but the same dynamic exists with the bulky M-Series MacBook Pros (I love my 16” M1 Max MBPro when I’m sitting at a desk but not so much when traveling — so I am waiting to trade down to a MacBook Air that comes close to matching the M1 Max features .. maybe next year’s M5 Air will do the trick). Likely will be more money left on the table by Apple.

Luckily Apple seem to be correcting this mistake based on the recent thinner-lighter-more powerful M4 iPad Pro which I happily traded in my bulky M1 iPad Pro for and am loving it. The rumored iPhone Air and M4 mini rumors are hopeful signs that Apple is awakening from this post-Ive design strategy coma.

Recent iPad Pro thickness has more to do with efficiency and thermal foot print of M4. Put M2 or M3 in thin design it will fry iPad Pro. Ive was disconnected from reality, 2019 MBP was worst mac i ever owned, too loud and too hot in thin body. Intel was never gonna give what apple wanted to fit in thin design.

 

[Eric_WVGG]

If it makes no money, cull it.

… so we're back to axing the HomePod, Mac Pro, and probably the Mac Studio? Oh and don't forget about the Vision Pro.

regardless, I don't believe for a second the iPhone Mini was unprofitable. Even at its low-by-iPhone numbers, it surely sold more than the best-selling Pixel phone, and many thousands of times as many units as the HomePod. The real point here is that it's valuable to the ecosystem to have a range of products.

Current rumors have it that the Plus is also underperforming and will get axed. What sends sense does the lineup make with a single iPhone, two Pros, and a new Pro-priced "slim"? It's silly.

 

[TechnoMonk]

… so we're back to axing the HomePod, Mac Pro, and probably the Mac Studio? Oh and don't forget about the Vision Pro.

regardless, I don't believe for a second the iPhone Mini was unprofitable. Even at its low-by-iPhone numbers, it surely sold more than the best-selling Pixel phone, and many thousands of times as many units as the HomePod. The real point here is that it's valuable to the ecosystem to have a range of products.

Current rumors have it that the Plus is also underperforming and will get axed. What sends does the lineup make with a single iPhone, two Pros, and a new Pro-priced "slim"? It's silly.

They are not iPhones. And AVP is a new product. If you consider mini as part of established main cash cow iPhone line, and still couldn’t sell, when older models and iPhone SE outsold it. iPhone mini cult is very vocal but no numbers behind. iPhone mini was a disaster.

 

[CharlesShaw]

They are not iPhones. And AVP is a new product. If you consider mini as part of established main cash cow iPhone line, and still couldn’t sell, when older models and iPhone SE outsold it. iPhone mini cult is very vocal but no numbers behind. iPhone mini was a disaster.

This makes me feel even luckier to have one. I love it even more now.

 

[ApplesAreSweet&Sour]

Now something else is the worst-selling iPhone, should that one get discontinued?

It's not that iPhone mini is a "failure" or a "terrible" product. It was just a scaled down 12/13.

The reason Apple stopped making minis is that all displays in all consumer electronics and all the built-in batteries in all devices get bigger and bigger, and better and brighter all the time.

Considering that everyone's screen time is going up, how could it be any other way?

Only "little" thing about that is the ever-increasing power these perpetually bigger displays require. And, with the limitations of current battery tech, we can't fit a larger battery into a smaller device.

So, naturally, Apple has to provide more >6.1" iPhones and less <6.1" iPhones.

Consumers increasingly demand certain smartphone specs and Apple has to move in that direction and try to supply it. It's that simple.

 

[ignatius345]

Are you sure it's been discontinued??
Not Refreshed ≠ Discontinued.
Releasing one every third (or so) generation could definitely be justifiable.

Is there a precedent for Apple skipping an annual refresh of a model and then later resurrecting it, though?
I guess the SE could fall into that category, but it seems like a special case.

 

[phillyman]

Outside of tiny bubble, folks don’t like tiny phones. Mini is/was a failed iPhone model. Apple has 7/8 iPhone models in top 10 sold every year. Mini couldn’t even compete with older models and SE. I doubt Apple wants any further part of that disaster.

I fully agree. We mini owners flock to the forums and post how we love it and if they gave us a new mini we’d buy it. 💯 true. But most people want the big screen. That is the dealbreaker. An ex of mine, bought a 14 pro max, I said but you need two hands, why? Her answer I’ll get a pop socket case. Problem solved.

We didn’t have the numbers. I assume the physics Challenges also played a role. The slow sales didn’t justify the effort. I like the idea of maybe every five years or so releasing a mini and maybe for that scenario there would be a large enough market.

But let us not forget, end of day… Push come to shove, we mini users will try to hang on but at some point we bite the bullet and buy the bigger phone. Some in this thread already did. Others, like me, will hold off. We will replace the battery get maybe another 2-3 years and then upgrade. What other option do we have? Apple knows this… They need/want to compete in the big phone market. Higher prices, more prestige and competition. There are no small phone alternatives…

soo no real incentive for Apple,
Philly

 

[TechnoMonk]

I fully agree. We mini owners flock to the forums and post how we love it and if they gave us a new mini we’d buy it. 💯 true. But most people want the big screen. That is the dealbreaker. An ex of mine, bought a 14 pro max, I said but you need two hands, why? Her answer I’ll get a pop socket case. Problem solved.

We didn’t have the numbers. I assume the physics Challenges also played a role. The slow sales didn’t justify the effort. I like the idea of maybe every five years or so releasing a mini and maybe for that scenario there would be a large enough market.

But let us not forget, end of day… Push come to shove, we mini users will try to hang on but at some point we bite the bullet and buy the bigger phone. Some in this thread already did. Others, like me, will hold off. We will replace the battery get maybe another 2-3 years and then upgrade. What other option do we have? Apple knows this… They need/want to compete in the big phone market. Higher prices, more prestige and competition. There are no small phone alternatives…

soo no real incentive for Apple,
Philly

My teen loves her iPhone 13 mini. I would have problem finding her an upgrade after few years. Oh well, I wouldn’t complain if Apple releases iPhone mini every 5 years.

 

[The Apple Bitch]

Is there a precedent for Apple skipping an annual refresh of a model and then later resurrecting it, though?
I guess the SE could fall into that category, but it seems like a special case.

I would say that almost everything almost falls into this category. The demand for iPhones is so high that they can produce 4 variants per year. But that can not be said of iPads, or Macs. SE is a perfect example in the iPhone lineup, the demand simply isn't there. Supply and Demand!

 

[Circa1984]

6.3” display in the case size of the current 6.1 will be perfect for me. They just need to figure out that ridiculous multi-lenses camera bump - one periscopic lenses that can do it all is the holy grail.

 

[mansplains]

I think one factor may be that people unconsciously equate physical size with value, so they are willing to pay more for the larger phones.

Much like the vehicle design trend of maxing the grille. There's this subconscious effect of a more powerful and luxurious look. Bigger grilles are often seen as a status symbol in China. There's also a bold, aggressive style that many people love. I am not one of these people. In fact, I have a visceral reaction when I see the newer BMWs or this abomination:

 

[heretiq]

I fully agree. We mini owners flock to the forums and post how we love it and if they gave us a new mini we’d buy it. 💯 true. But most people want the big screen. That is the dealbreaker. An ex of mine, bought a 14 pro max, I said but you need two hands, why? Her answer I’ll get a pop socket case. Problem solved.

We didn’t have the numbers. I assume the physics Challenges also played a role. The slow sales didn’t justify the effort. I like the idea of maybe every five years or so releasing a mini and maybe for that scenario there would be a large enough market.

But let us not forget, end of day… Push come to shove, we mini users will try to hang on but at some point we bite the bullet and buy the bigger phone. Some in this thread already did. Others, like me, will hold off. We will replace the battery get maybe another 2-3 years and then upgrade. What other option do we have? Apple knows this… They need/want to compete in the big phone market. Higher prices, more prestige and competition. There are no small phone alternatives…

soo no real incentive for Apple,
Philly

I’m not caving in and going bigger — I’m going smaller. I went from 12 Pro to mini and will go from mini to Watch when watch becomes untethered — if mini is discontinued. Will also go from bulky M1 Max MBP to MB Air as soon as Air GPU specs are comparable to M1 Max GPU (hoping M5 will be tipping point). Luckily Apple saw the light and released M4 iPad Pro which stopped me from trading down to the iPad Air from my bulky M1 iPad Pro. I think Apple got the memo that their devices are too damn bulky.

 

[julesme]

Are you sure it's been discontinued??
Not Refreshed ≠ Discontinued.
Releasing one every third (or so) generation could definitely be justifiable.

When something is no longer produced or provided (i.e., no longer for sale), it’s been discontinued. Source: Merriam-Webster.

 

[macbookj0e]

I agree.

I went from a 13 mini to 15 pro and while the pro is superb I do miss the small form factor of the mini.

Shame Apple won’t make a smaller pro device.

 

[heretiq]

Recent iPad Pro thickness has more to do with efficiency and thermal foot print of M4. Put M2 or M3 in thin design it will fry iPad Pro. Ive was disconnected from reality, 2019 MBP was worst mac i ever owned, too loud and too hot in thin body. Intel was never gonna give what apple wanted to fit in thin design.

I agree that M4 ipad Pro *thinness* is enabled by improved thermal efficiency of the M4.

However, Apple did not have to make the device thinner — they could have leveraged thermal improvement to achieve (a) higher performance, (b) longer battery life, or (c) thinner, lighter design.

Apple chose (c) — thinner and lighter which implies higher perceived value in that path vs the alternatives. I’m happy to see that value statement from Apple and hope it marks a return to Ive era design-led engineering and ambition to build products that are not only functional, but elegant.

We have Microsoft and Samsung for functional we need Apple for functional and elegant.

 

[ossifer]

I came across one of these wired phones connected to my wall. OMG it’s so much better. No battery to charge, pass codes, tedious updates, etc…

 

[TechnoMonk]

I agree that M4 ipad Pro *thinness* is enabled by improved thermal efficiency of the M4.

However, Apple did not have to make the device thinner — they could have leveraged thermal improvement to achieve (a) higher performance, (b) longer battery life, or (c) thinner, lighter design.

Apple chose (c) — thinner and lighter which implies higher perceived value in that path vs the alternatives. I’m happy to see that value statement from Apple and hope it marks a return to Ive era design-led engineering and ambition to build products that are not only functional, but elegant.

We have Microsoft and Samsung for functional we need Apple for functional and elegant.

Apple always trends to thinner devices. Problem was I’ve shoving thinness over functionality when the processors or internals didn’t support. I don’t want Apple to go back to Ives obsession with thinness. If you have internals to make it work, great, or make what’s possible.

 

[AlanMarron]

Outside of tiny bubble, folks don’t like tiny phones. Mini is/was a failed iPhone model. Apple has 7/8 iPhone models in top 10 sold every year. Mini couldn’t even compete with older models and SE. I doubt Apple wants any further part of that disaster.

You keep saying “disaster”. You keep using that word, I do not think it means what you think it means.

Did it ruin AAPL’s reputation? Sink its share value?

I think that you mean to insult those who do not share your values.

— Reporting from tiny bubble