iPhone 13 mini – boot loop after “non-original battery” warning, conflicting AASP/Apple diagnoses

[MB707]

Background:

• Bought an iPhone 13 mini via Amazon in late August. Supposedly “new” (not refurbished).
• Setup/installation worked perfectly.
• Device worked fine for about 3 weeks: charging, Wi-Fi, internet, phone calls – no issues. The phone was not much in use and was just lying on my desk next to my PC.

Problem:

• A few days ago battery dropped to 1% and refused to charge.
• iOS displayed a “battery not genuine” warning.
• After a restart, the phone went straight into a boot loop.
• I did manage to get into iOS once or twice after that: in Settings / About the only component listed as “not original” was the battery.

Diagnoses so far:

1. AASP #1
   • Could be the battery, but also “logic board”.
   • Quote: 120–470 EUR depending on what they find.
2. Apple Store
   • Could not run their diagnostic tool because device stuck in boot loop.
   • Told me it’s a US import.
   • Claimed:
     • They could attempt repair, but if they damage it, I pay more.
     • They don’t have access to original US spare parts, so a repair might not “stick”.
     • A reinstall of iOS could “irreversibly damage the hardware” (which sounds absurd to me).
3. Independent repair shop
   • Said the battery was the issue.
   • Wanted to install a soldered aftermarket cell with “original cable”.
   • When I asked about iOS recognizing it, they said: “We’ll make it so the system accepts it.”
   • I aborted at that point — so no patching was done.
4. AASP #2
   • Wouldn’t commit to anything, first asked 49 EUR just for a quote.
   • Made clear they won’t guarantee any outcome.
5. AASP #3
   • Said reinstall would work (since device shows recovery screen).
   • Afterwards they claimed the “entire rear system” was dead – everything except the display unit.
   • But: display still shows the recovery logo, which suggests at least part of the system is alive.
   • Quote: 500–600 EUR.

My doubts:

• To me, these statements are contradictory.
• The phone still boots to recovery → so logic board, GPU, display connector can’t all be dead.
• How could an iOS reinstall damage hardware? That sounds like nonsense.
• The most logical explanation would be a failed battery/BMS.
• Especially since the only “non-original” warning I ever saw was for the battery.

My actual questions:

1. What’s the realistic diagnosis here – battery or logic board?
2. How can I get hold of an original, paired battery for a US iPhone 13 mini in the EU?
3. Is there any scenario where “everything except the display” could fail at once, but still show recovery mode graphics?

Any serious technical insights would be much appreciated.

PS: Ofc, I could just get a refund from Amazon, but I want that specific iphone model
PPS: sorry for this wall of text!

 

[ayephoner]

I feel for you. You obviously want a mini. That said, return that thing and get something that isn't 4 gens old and won't come with those headaches.

 

[MB707]

Yes, ofc you're right ... but it feels bad to trash it, if it would just need an original battery
It seems, that the Apple/the AASPs are simply to lazy to check, what's really wrong.