iPhone 13 mini Is the iPhone 13 mini an example of great product design?

[heretiq]

I really hope the iPhone 13 mini is not the end of the line for the “mini” iPhone form factor. I’ve been using my 128GB mini naked for almost 1.5 years and marvel at the feel of this device in my hand almost every time I hold it. I find the dimensions, weight, texture, screen size and screen quality, battery life, features, and performance to be perfect for my use cases — and have *never* had a thought along the line of “I wish it did or didn’t do X“. I know the device lacks the LiDAR, ProMotion, better cameras, better screen and larger battery found in the top of the line iPhone Pros, but for me it feels like Apple really nailed the basics with the mini in a way that makes these additional capabilities luxuries vs compromises. I think this accomplishment reflects product design and management at its finest and hope that Apple can keep this balance going across the iPhone product line .. and replicate it across its other multi-product product lines. What do you think?

 

[bodonnell202]

The 13 Mini also (mostly) fixed the biggest drawback of the 12 Mini, which was battery life. Through better efficiency and a slightly larger battery the 13 Mini brought battery life up in to the range where it is good enough for the average user. Even if it's only a motherboard update (i.e. A series chip, modem and RAM), hopefully this isn't the last we'll see of the iPhone Mini.

 

[NT1440]

12 mini here. This is the biggest I can accept for a phone, love it. I hold on to phones forever so I’ve been tempted to upgrade to the 13 mini for battery life, then sit here for 5-6 years (I do my own battery replacements).

 

[heretiq]

The 13 Mini also (mostly) fixed the biggest drawback of the 12 Mini, which was battery life. Through better efficiency and a slightly larger battery the 13 Mini brought battery life up in to the range where it is good enough for the average user. Even if it's only a motherboard update (i.e. A series chip, modem and RAM), hopefully this isn't the last we'll see of the iPhone Mini.

Agreed @bodonnell202. I upgraded to the 13 mini from the 12 mini out of fear that the 13 mini might be the last of the minis and wanted to have the latest just in case. I was pleasantly surprised by the improvement in battery life which moved the mini from the “not enough battery for a day” zone to the “full day battery for most days” zone for my use case.

 

[heretiq]

12 mini here. This is the biggest I can accept for a phone, love it. I hold on to phones forever so I’ve been tempted to upgrade to the 13 mini for battery life, then sit here for 5-6 years (I do my own battery replacements).

Ditto @NT1440 . I switched from the iPhone 12 pro to 12 mini because the move from 5.8” screen to 6.1” killed one-hand operation for me. The extra “pro” features are “nice to have”, but one-hand operation is “essential” for me. If the mini is discontinued then the 13 mini will likely be my last iPhone as I suspect the Watch will include standalone phone capability in the next 3-5 years. And by the way, the 13 mini has noticeably improved battery life over the 12 in my experience.

 

[marklcfc]

If it had an LCD screen it would be perfect.

 

[du57in]

If it had an LCD screen it would be perfect.

I wish I could like this 10 times.

 

[1rottenapple]

I upgraded from the 14 pro. looking and remembering the mini, I do miss it. I hope to get one for travel next year hopefully a used model.

 

[Vref]

The 4S IMO was about the ideal size, I almost got the mini but it was so cheaped down from the pro, especially with the poor materials, I just couldn’t do it

 

[Andeddu]

The 4S IMO was about the ideal size, I almost got the mini but it was so cheaped down from the pro, especially with the poor materials, I just couldn’t do it

I had a 12 Mini and found it to be a premium product. The aluminium was preferable to me over steel due to it being lightweight and relatively durable. The whole iPhone line is made of glass anyway which gives them a 1/10 durability rating unless you use a case like me.

 

[257Loner]

I agree OP. I'm happy with my 13 mini for all the reasons you listed. Although, the battery life has never been good enough. The battery is better than, say, a flip phone from the early oughties. It can last a full day with moderate use some of the time.

Anyway, here's hoping Apple comes out with a new mini every 5-6 years or so. And next time (if there is a next time), there needs to be better battery life.

 

[1rottenapple]

Honestly we are traveling end of year. I just got a 14 pro but I hope I can ummmmm convince my wife to buy an extra mini for traveling sim purposes haha

 

[ian87w]

The 13 mini is an absolute marvel. It is amazing when one holds it in person, to think the kng of technology available in such a tiny device. Unfortunately, battery tech just have not evolved fast enough to match today's "typical phone usage" scenarios. All those tech, as efficient as they are, still draws power from a tiny battery.

With the ever increasing iPhone size and weight, I do wish Apple keep the mini alive. But unfortunately, the current Apple pays attention on volume in addition to margins. And unfortunately there are simply not enough demand to satisfy Apple's expectation from iPhone sales.

 

[sorgo †]

The 13 mini is one of the very best (i)phones I've ever had the pleasure of owning. It is the first model in quite a few I've actually thanked myself for buying. So, along with iPhone 5 and first-gen SE, absolute top-tier iPhone for me. Less-great, previous models include iPhone 6, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12.

And the green color is fittingly enchanting 🥰

I'm still sad about the discontinuation of the mini line but honestly at this point I'm just kinda hoping the Plus keeps flopping and Apple brings the mini back...or perhaps they could do both alongside the "standard" model and just be done with it 🤔 And keep it midrange/accessible enough. Goldilocks mentality: No SE-style cheapening; No excessive "Pro"-level pricing. An iPhone for the People™ and for people-sized hands.

Let's all take this moment to manifest an iPhone 16 mini 🙏🍏📲

 

[Vref]

I had a 12 Mini and found it to be a premium product. The aluminium was preferable to me over steel due to it being lightweight and relatively durable. The whole iPhone line is made of glass anyway which gives them a 1/10 durability rating unless you use a case like me.

Aluminum is just cheap in this application, if I’m going to have something softer than SS give me Ti, the aluminum just feel in the hand it doesn’t feel like the price tag IMO, the reason my 6S was the only iPhone I had with a case was because it just felt like a android with the aluminum all over

 

[sorgo †]

Here's my wallpaper/home screen layout. I always use a plain black wallpaper as anything else is little more than visual distraction to me (also black saves battery on OLED and reminds me of the original iPhone 😏), although the new (old) expanded cover artwork view with its blurred, dappled background colors when I'm listening to music has grown on me. As a single-home screen user I continue to take advantage of and appreciate the (yes, old-news) addition of App Library.



🖤

 

[Dog Bone Malone]

I bought the wife an IP13 mini as a replacement for her XR which she trashed.

She loves it. I had a play and think it's a really underrated phone.

 

[Dog Bone Malone]

Oh, to the OP. Please answer some of your emails!😄

 

[Pecka]

I will keep mine as long as possible hoping Apple will come to their senses and release another mini.

 

[Peter K.]

I’m wondering if anybody has any input or insight into whether or not the 13 mini will continue to be sold after the introduction of the 15 series later this year. I always have two phones; right now that is a 12 Pro Max and an original SE.

I think I will go to 15 Pro Max and 13 mini this year. It just occurred to me that there’s no reason to wait until then to get the 13 mini, unless I think there’s going to be a price decrease.

So I’m tempted to get the 13 mini right now, since Apple is still selling them brand new.

 

[DeepIn2U]

12 mini here. This is the biggest I can accept for a phone, love it. I hold on to phones forever so I’ve been tempted to upgrade to the 13 mini for battery life, then sit here for 5-6 years (I do my own battery replacements).

Battery life ... better portrait, selfie and ultrawide cameras.
Faster CPU, Stronger vibration motor and stronger MagSafe (I use a Mophie wallet and on the 12 mini it was a LOT weaker vs the 3 mini).

13 mini is the pinnacle of Apple hardware engineering and design:
like the 4S before it ... VERY tight tolerances for fit and finish as well as structural rigidity.
Slimmer bezels than any of the iPhone 12/13 and 14 models (Pro's inclusive)
the parts in the iPhone 13 mini are smaller including the FaceID hardware, vibration motors, logic board etc. it's actually really awesome.

I now have both the 14 Pro (hey subsidized on work plan) and wanted to give dynamic island a long term try: I like it but the 14 Pro is TOO big for my hands to do anything comfortably in 1 hand and in 2 hands I'm only efficient in the bottom half as BOTH my thumbs cannot reach the top of the screen - more like 2.5" space before I reach the island.

Work gets the 14 Pro as it's FAR more efficient due to non-mobilized web-apps (SNOW & ) and the consumption of battery life + consistent WiFi enterprise connection.

I'll be holding onto the 13 mini and may get another as a backup before sales stop. Because I'm gonna ride that endless monthly AC+ payment to consistently keep warranty Until Apple gets either a foldable like the N2 or another exact size (under 6") top parts & chip for the 13 mini rightful replacement.

 

[DeepIn2U]

I agree OP. I'm happy with my 13 mini for all the reasons you listed. Although, the battery life has never been good enough. The battery is better than, say, a flip phone from the early oughties. It can last a full day with moderate use some of the time.

Anyway, here's hoping Apple comes out with a new mini every 5-6 years or so. And next time (if there is a next time), there needs to be better battery life.

I find the battery life of my 13 mini more than adequate. I get close to 7.5hrs use a day - not constant of course.

SO this is relative to the end user and their use case and habits and expectations:
if you're surfing and interacting with social media for 2-3hrs itself on 4G/5G/WiFi ... don't expect to get 4hrs constant music over BT along with 2hrs Safari browsing and getting 100 emails a day with iMessage with heavy media as well.

I limit my social media IG+Twitter to less than 30mins a day and usually on WiFi completely. I'm MUCH more efficient on the 13 mini than I am on the 14 Pro. But the former goes with me always.

 

[heretiq]

The 13 mini is one of the very best (i)phones I've ever had the pleasure of owning. It is the first model in quite a few I've actually thanked myself for buying. So, along with iPhone 5 and first-gen SE, absolute top-tier iPhone for me. Less-great, previous models include iPhone 6, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12.

And the green color is fittingly enchanting 🥰

I'm still sad about the discontinuation of the mini line but honestly at this point I'm just kinda hoping the Plus keeps flopping and Apple brings the mini back...or perhaps they could do both alongside the "standard" model and just be done with it 🤔 And keep it midrange/accessible enough. Goldilocks mentality: No SE-style cheapening; No excessive "Pro"-level pricing. An iPhone for the People™ and for people-sized hands.

Let's all take this moment to manifest an iPhone 16 mini 🙏🍏📲

Well said. For me the iPhone X marked peak iPhone as it had “pro” feature set and a pocketable 5.8” screen size. Please bring it back Mr. Cook!

 

[heretiq]

Here's my wallpaper/home screen layout. I always use a plain black wallpaper as anything else is little more than visual distraction to me (also black saves battery on OLED and reminds me of the original iPhone 😏), although the new (old) expanded cover artwork view with its blurred, dappled background colors when I'm listening to music has grown on me. As a single-home screen user I continue to take advantage of and appreciate the (yes, old-news) addition of App Library.

View attachment 2165156View attachment 2165159View attachment 2165158

🖤

Sweet!

 

[heretiq]

I’m wondering if anybody has any input or insight into whether or not the 13 mini will continue to be sold after the introduction of the 15 series later this year. I always have two phones; right now that is a 12 Pro Max and an original SE.

I think I will go to 15 Pro Max and 13 mini this year. It just occurred to me that there’s no reason to wait until then to get the 13 mini, unless I think there’s going to be a price decrease.

So I’m tempted to get the 13 mini right now, since Apple is still selling them brand new.

@Peter K. : What Apple will do is anyone’s guess. However, the fact that Apple sent me a very specialized survey inquiring why I broke my “iPhone Pro” purchase trend and switched to a mini and what I would do if the mini was no longer available tells me that Apple is watching everything and that particular change from the iPhone Pro to the mini was important to Apple. As Apple is a serious company I suspect that the survey sample size was adequate to provide definitive decision support.

My speculation: If survey respondents reflect the pro-mini disposition of this thread I’m optimistic that Apple *will* continue the mini line — perhaps with refresh every 2-3 years vs every year.

My very optimistic 2c. 🙏🏽