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It sucks that there's very few reviewers actually doing 1:1 comparing of battery life. I don't know how you use your phone, so benchmarking the phones against similar tasks (Wi-Fi browsing, games, etc.) is the only useful way for me to see what's actually going on.

I do think it was a mistake not to make the mini slightly thicker than its cousins (something like 0.31 or 0.32 inches in depth instead of the same 0.29, since as we've seen with other recent Apple products a fairly negligible increase in depth can yield some disproportionate battery gains) but we'll see how the market reacts. I'm hopeful this phone size sticks around when I'm ready to upgrade.

I recommend watching Dave Lee's video about iPhone 12 mini - he tries to make battery life benchmarking with some interesting results (for example showing how light/dark textures are important for battery life in phones with OLED screens):
 
This wasn't directed at me, but I'm doing the same, returning my 12 Pro for the mini. I never wanted the big phone, if anything I wanted smaller. Lighter and more pocketable, but without compromises. The mini feels like that. I had the 11 Pro before the 12 Pro - the 12 Pro is obviously even bigger, even harder to use 1-handed, and despite the spec weight, just feels heavier. I'm excited for the size and weight of the mini

I also returned the 12 Pro. It's a beautiful device, but damn it was too heavy and too large for me. I can't see a lot of people being happy with the weight (and a case). Months from now I expect a lot of people wanting something smaller or lighter.

Thanks for your thoughts, guys!

Comments like these make me gravitate towards getting the Mini. I'm coming from a XS, and there are many times I wish it could be smaller and just a tiny bit lighter. [This is despite the fact that I have big hands!]
 
how does the battery compare to my XS? if it's equal of better, im sold.
 
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why cherry pick the smallest model today, and another from 3 year ago?

why not the 11s, other 12s, or competitors?
Because it's not really comparable to any of the 11 or 12s. It's most comparable to an SE from 2016 due to its size, or the X because of its poor battery life. Comparing it to an iPhone 11 with a larger screen and amazing battery, doesn't tell anyone anything about how well the battery will perform.
 
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My old iPhone 8 still easily lasts the entire day for me, so I don't think I'll have an issue with battery life on the 12 mini. I wonder how much of the battery drain is attributable to the 5G radio. Since there's no 5G in my area yet, I'll probably just keep it on 4G anyway. Plus, I'm always in the habit of closing out apps after I use them, so I rarely have any background tasks going.
 
Dieter Bohn 's comments ...
What you actually miss out on is that sense of immersion you can get from a bigger screen when you’re playing a game or watching a movie. Those were the only times this screen felt cramped.

and Matthew Panzarino's comments ...

If you look at this and an ‌iPhone 11‌, because of the way that the screen is rendered, you’re going to see pretty much the same amount of content.

Seem VERY contradictory.

Moreover, Chris Velazco of Engadget (They're Android through and through) I'm not trusting his account on 12 Mini battery life. I'm sure non of the testers charged, discharged, charged and discharged before fully charning a 3rd time and then going through testing of battery life. You know to have a good average of battery performance to start with.
 
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I'm so excited to try this phone in person. I just hope it sells well enough to signal to Apple to keep this size around for years and years to come.
 
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I'll bet I'm not alone in wanting to use my phone less, not more. Smaller screen and battery mean more incentive to put the phone away except for things I really need it for. I was actually intrigued by that tiny Palm phone last year, but that thing is just too extremely limited. The 5S is still my favorite iPhone (at the time of purchase), so the 12 Mini was an instant go for me. With OLED and killer cameras, I'm fully expecting this one to take the cake as my favorite. Can't wait for Friday!!
 
I recommend watching Dave Lee's video about iPhone 12 mini - he tries to make battery life benchmarking with some interesting results (for example showing how light/dark textures are important for battery life in phones with OLED screens):
Dave Lee (and Austin Evans, once he gets his) is the opinion I'm going to trust most heavily with the Mini. I say that because they have been very vocal that they are going to use the Mini as their day-to-day device. Dieter from the Verge has said that as well, and actually said it's his favorite of the new iPhones.

MKBHD (love him and his review is still good), Rene Ritchie, etc are all going to focus on the higher-end phones of the lineup.
 
Do we really think that its primary audience will be wielded to it like their younger 12 or 12 Pro owners ? (I do generalise of course) I think for most it will be fine.
 
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2 hours longer battery life than iPhone X and iPhone SE 2. Please. Get some perspective.

Riight?! Another thing to consider is any portable battery banks to use with the is when on extended travels or high use cases when not around wall electrical outlets. You’ll get more electrical value with recharge times on the mini va the Pro or the Max.
Battery Life is the ONLY thing I think it has going against it.

But, it can be a Show Shopper to many.

It's the ONLY thing that gives me pause.

part of the issue in decision process for consumers with the 12 Mini is from Apple. Their marketing this as a budget device ... It. Is. Not!

it’s a power house in a smaller size. I hope in 2021 Apple learns this mistake along with the battery size and bumps it up to 2500mAh minimum.
 
According to who? Apple only lists “video playback” which is overall vague.

I’ve been reading reviews all morning and battery life is my largest concern that seems to be so user dependent. This is the size I want, but the 6.1 has the battery I need. A MagSafe battery pack could save this for daily driving
One thing to keep in mind is that the 12 is smaller than the 11 and similar predecessors. I know that on paper, it is only ever so slightly smaller. When I unboxed it and installed my typical TPU slim case, I was amazed at how much smaller it felt in hand. I don't know what phone you have now but if it is an XR or 11 you will find the 12 to feel smaller in hand. The actual smaller overall size, the lower weight, and the flat sides all combine to make a phone that is, to me, the perfect size.
 
I'm keeping iPhone 12 Pro as my main phone, which I use most of the day (bigger display is better for productivity) and getting the iPhone 12 Mini as my "night phone" / weekend phone. The size is perfect for leisure and going out and about – the mini is so neatly pocketable!
 
I'm keeping iPhone 12 Pro as my main phone, which I use most of the day (bigger display is better for productivity) and getting the iPhone 12 Mini as my "night phone" / weekend phone. The size is perfect for leisure and going out and about – the mini is so neatly pocketable!

would you use call forwarding then? I can't see giving out two different numbers to people.
 
Interesting tidbit from CNN's review: "We also ran the iPhone 12 Mini through the CNN Underscored battery test. In it, we play a 4K video on loop with the brightness set to 50% and volume at 30% with the device in airplane mode and play the video on a loop until the device dies. We monitor the test with two cameras for redundancy. The iPhone 12 Mini lasted for 12 hours and 45 minutes. That’s 15 minutes longer than the iPhone 12 and 20 minutes over the iPhone 12 Pro."
 
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