Just some thoughts after road testing the Apple Blue Jay (Eisblau) silicon case for almost a week, and then the clear MagSafe case today. I bought the blue 13 Mini as mentioned in my OP. Here the side by side view of both things I'll briefly waffle on about.

As mentioned, the Mini is my first phone after the 6 yr old SE. I have therefore been quite careful handling, just getting used to mainly the extra dimensions. The old SE had a leather case and didn't add much to the width, it did however with time, become smoother, offering less grip, a lesser issue due to the device's already narrow width.
Apple Silicone Case
I liked the fully encased protection
but this also added to the extra width of the device. I'm sure this perhaps required some adjustment on the placement for one handed use. I wouldn't say I've got long or short fingers, yet I found myself constantly adjusting the angle for whatever icons I was trying to reach. Indeed I'm aware of the swipe-down to bring the UI to the lower portion of the screen. It was positive to have the additional grip for my maneuvers that the silicone case provided.
I usually put the phone in the inside pocket of a soft fleeced jacket, usually in combination and unison of a leather wallet. It's not a particular tight squeeze but the higher drag of the case/ wallet combination was, well..different to the SE. Inversely, taking the device out, I found was best by gripping the front and back. Not particularly relaxed the whole thing but I did mention still babying it and getting used to the size difference.
I did notice some skin oil marks on the case already but it's a lighter color blue so that's to be expected. Actually I was quite impressed how close the case matched to the phone, as close as such different materials can ever be I suppose. I should also mention that all side buttons worked effortlessly.
Apple Clear Case with MagSafe
I fitted this case today. My initial thought was that horrid white ring/ line combination. I've never had a clear case and the hard/ soft plastic reminded me of packaging from a quality device that one discards after opening. Don't ask me why, it's just the way it initially come across.
So it all snapped on quite nicely (less give obviously than silicone) and seeing the actual device colour I originally was smitten with, was striking. Left buttons click positively but the lock-screen button takes more force to push. I read that the leather case buttons are much better on that front but alas, no cases in that blue colour. One worrysome thing I noticed was just how slippery the clear case was, but more on that later. The unprotected opening at the bottom reveals not just speakers and port but also the edge of the screen. So an obvious vulnerability to have this exposed.
To the white MagSafe outlines. I had some links to the Otterbox Lumen Series clear cases that have a blue-green version of the magnet outlines and also run around the perimeter of the case itself. There's also another purple (?) variant. Haven't seem them in person so cannot judge how wildly different they're on screen vs in the reality of life. Just to veer off but on this topic. The blue Mini was never under consideration until I actually saw it in the flesh. The online pics don't really do it justice, much the same as the Midnight in this regard.
So back to the wet fish in the hands-slippery case. It didn't take long before I noticed the finger prints on the clear case. But...I also noticed that with this, the case also became much less slippery. I do wonder how these wear with time. Not so much yellowing but moreso if the material becomes harder or softer with time? One concern is being able to lift the phone slightly from the lower corners already as there's not much joining them both. I'm also left wondering if over time the clear case leaves some rub marks on the back of the phone? Only something that sprang to mind as the silicone case has the soft inner lining.
Back to the jacket and I found lifting the phone out by the sides become much easier, conversely it also slid safely back into the pocket. No checking if it was stuck half way down.
Impressions so far
I have to admit after only one day use, that I'm heavily veering toward using the clear case exclusively. I'm loving seeing the Mini's striking blue colour. The silicone case comes close but it's really not the same. Handling wise (after some fingerprints lol) the thinner flat edges just make it so much more positive to hold. Also the minor, but noticeably smaller width, makes the reach to all areas of the screen more effortless with virtually no repositioning of the device in hand. I'm finding being more relaxed using the phone now. These hand contortions are where I would have seen the danger of the phone gliding out of my hands. So in a way this case would serve moreso to prevent scratches than to buffer a fall. Off course one doesn't plan these kind of things to begin with.
And that "horrid" white MagSafe outline? Well, it adds some contrast to the blue and I'm starting to somewhat like it. This coming from someone who has exclusively black HiFi components, kitchen appliances, a grey car.
So this isn't really a review but just a real life comparison of the few days with both cases. So anyone else here having been in a similar position trying to pick the best case? Quite possibly I've been overthinking things also. But for now, glad I tested the clear case today.
