iPhone 13 Reviews: Excellent Cameras, Speedy Performance, and Improved Battery Make for Worthy Upgrade

[bobtem]

Fools, fools, alluvyuh. Don‘t keep rewarding Apple for not solving the notch. For all their bragging about waiting till the technology is right (I.E. the air pad) they not only rushed a faux-fullscreen device to market, but they still haven’t fixed it after 5 Years. And why should they if people still buy it? Send a message they can’t ignore… don’t buy.

 

[kuwxman]

I can’t imagine why anyone would buy a new phone every year.

When you're on the carrier lease cycle, it is silly NOT to take advantage of upgrades every year.

It is the same argument versus buying or leasing a car. If you intend to keep the phone for many years, buy it outright (or lease it then buy it outright when the lease ends in 18-24 months). If you want the latest/greatest every year, lease it.

 

[bushman4]

iPhone 13 Line up is not evolutionary, innovative or unique
Best description would be improved

 

[ericg301]

Any Mini 13 purchasers having any regrets based on the reviews? I was hoping the battery life improvements would be more significant IRL. I love my 12 mini but once the battery health went down to 90%, I definitely noticed a difference. Even this morning, while at a doctor's office, the battery went from full to 60% by the time I left.

after having the 12 mini for a year, even the regular 12 seems so huge and unyieldly.

 

[azentropy]

God I hope they keep the Mini around, despite rumors. I dread the day I’m forced back into a larger phone.

My hope is that they just change it to a two year cycle instead of every year.

 

[The Game 161]

Noticeable difference in this shot

 

[STC1709]

No concern with battery improvement? And is it not worth it for you to upgrade with a carrier and get it for the cost of taxes only? I’m pretty loyal with my carrier, don’t feel the need to run from one to the other so I am able to just pay taxes and upgrade each year or every other year.

nah battery seems fine. i didn't look into it but 5g isnt fully ramped yet and the 13 is a minor upgrade so ill wait until next year. i like to hold my phones as long as possible

 

[iGüey]

My hope is that they just change it to a two year cycle instead of every year.

That is not gonna happen, primarily because all other manufacturers launch new phones every single year or even in less time, and obviously because of marketing reasons, Apple won’t be comfortable being left behind.

 

[azentropy]

That is not gonna happen, primarily because all other manufacturers launch new phones every single year or even in less time, and obviously because of marketing reasons, Apple won’t be comfortable being left behind.

I was referring to just the mini.

 

[iGüey]

I was referring to just the mini.

Well, what I stated applies also to the mini.

 

[slippery-pete]

Fools, fools, alluvyuh. Don‘t keep rewarding Apple for not solving the notch. For all their bragging about waiting till the technology is right (I.E. the air pad) they not only rushed a faux-fullscreen device to market, but they still haven’t fixed it after 5 Years. And why should they if people still buy it? Send a message they can’t ignore… don’t buy.

Your assumption is flawed. You think everyone cares about the notch?

 

[neoelectronaut]

Any Mini 13 purchasers having any regrets based on the reviews? I was hoping the battery life improvements would be more significant IRL. I love my 12 mini but once the battery health went down to 90%, I definitely noticed a difference. Even this morning, while at a doctor's office, the battery went from full to 60% by the time I left.

after having the 12 mini for a year, even the regular 12 seems so huge and unyieldly.

Huh, just noticed mine hit 89%.

Though I haven’t been great about charging in the last month due to Hurricane Ida. Oops.

 

[CarlJ]

If you already have a 12, your just buying the same phone twice.

If you already have a 12, why on earth are you looking to buy a new phone? Wait a couple years. The 13 is an excellent upgrade for someone with a phone that's several years old.

 

[coachgq]

I wouldn't call it free, depending on the context. Many carriers require you keep the plan for a minimum time frame or forfeit the credits.

Good point as well. But I really don't see myself leaving the carrier, been with them for 12 years and they are the cheapest by a long shot. But I do get where you're coming from.

 

[coachgq]

If you consider this better battery life…..still chuckling

I don't get the chuckling. Do you not think 2 extra hours of streaming video translates to better battery in normal daily usage?

 

[ericg301]

I don't get the chuckling. Do you not think 2 extra hours of streaming video translates to better battery in normal daily usage?

I probably havent streamed 2 hours of video on my phone total. I wish they had the old "web browsing" metric. That's the only that really counts

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Fools, fools, alluvyuh. Don‘t keep rewarding Apple for not solving the notch. For all their bragging about waiting till the technology is right (I.E. the air pad) they not only rushed a faux-fullscreen device to market, but they still haven’t fixed it after 5 Years. And why should they if people still buy it? Send a message they can’t ignore… don’t buy.

While I find the notch inexcusable, that is not why Apple customers are here.

It's the ecosystem that keeps Apple folks buying Apple products.

That said, iPhone upgrades are driven by a number of factors: deals with carriers, personal device preference, budget, number of devices needed, ROI, etc.

But notch or no notch, those who value Apple's ecosystem WILL stick around, even if that means the occasional grumbling about their individual disappointment areas.

 

[kid1230]

"speedy performance" yeah not noticeable anymore. try something else

 

[vseera]

Any Mini 13 purchasers having any regrets based on the reviews? I was hoping the battery life improvements would be more significant IRL. I love my 12 mini but once the battery health went down to 90%, I definitely noticed a difference. Even this morning, while at a doctor's office, the battery went from full to 60% by the time I left.

after having the 12 mini for a year, even the regular 12 seems so huge and unyieldly.

I think it’s still too early, tbh. Last year the reviews were all over the place initially before they sort of settled in around the correct battery life.

All I’ve seen and heard right now is that it’s improved but no one has come out and said that it’s like a night and day difference.

It’s also surprising that there are so few reviews out, as I was expecting everyone to rush out to get theirs to be the first one out there.
I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a battery life closer to my 12 Pro - which seems plausible given Apple’s official numbers. Let’s see!

 

[coachgq]

I probably havent streamed 2 hours of video on my phone total. I wish they had the old "web browsing" metric. That's the only that really counts

Fair enough. It would be nice if that was noted as well.

 

[nwcs]

Any Mini 13 purchasers having any regrets based on the reviews? I was hoping the battery life improvements would be more significant IRL. I love my 12 mini but once the battery health went down to 90%, I definitely noticed a difference. Even this morning, while at a doctor's office, the battery went from full to 60% by the time I left.

after having the 12 mini for a year, even the regular 12 seems so huge and unyieldly.

Not a single regret.

 

[lbmdk1]

If you already have a 12, your just buying the same phone twice.

It is nothing but a 12 S light. Not worth the money if you have a 12 already.

 

[dk001]

Going to use your post as an IMO ...

- Improved Qualcomm modem

This never hurts as it may fix wifi and 5G issues

- 10 - 15% faster A15 processer vs A14

Not seeing the benefit. My OnePlus 9 Pro is so much quicker for most things than my 12 ProMax even though the 12PM gets better Geekbench scores and is supposedly faster. Just not in day to day activities. Unless I am doing something cpu intensive.

- 47% improved light gathering for main camera

If you are an iPhone camera buff, I can this being a benefit

- Significantly improved battery life

I'll hold off on this. Significant to me would be I can go two days instead of one day. An hour or so ... no.

- Brighter display (800n vs 625n for iPhone 12)

Useful if you use your phone outdoors a lot.

- 1 year longer support for iOS

Long term device holders ... maybe

- Smaller notch

Let's see what apps take advantage of it, especially if going to pinhole on 14 model

- Cinematic Mode

If you are a big video buff this would be cool

- Base storage doubles to 128GB for same price

Only if you are a base storage buyer.

For some this may be a great upgrade, others, not so much.
A big item is the discounts or trade-ins many carriers are offering.

 

[satchmo]

- Improved Qualcomm modem
- 10 - 15% faster A15 processer vs A14
- 47% improved light gathering for main camera
- Significantly improved battery life
- Brighter display (800n vs 625n for iPhone 12)
- 1 year longer support for iOS
- Smaller notch
- Cinematic Mode
- Base storage doubles to 128GB for same price

Important for geeks and enthusiasts, but likely not for the average consumer to spend extra $ on the 13.

 

[iPrez]

Based on y’all comment is it safe to say it is not worth the update to 13 mini/13 as an iPhone 12 mini user?