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

[satchmo]

As a 12 mini owner, I usually still have about 30% battery at the end of the day. I’m not a heavy user.
But it does make me wonder if a 13 mini is something I should purchase before it no longer available.

However, there have been a few instances where watching a video on a larger phone would have come in handy. It’s not very often though, and I think I’d miss the one handed mini more than welcoming a larger display.

 

[ctjack]

As a 12 mini owner, I usually still have about 30% battery at the end of the day. I’m not a heavy user.
But it does make me wonder if a 13 mini is something I should purchase before it no longer available.

However, there have been a few instances where watching a video on a larger phone would have come in handy. It’s not very often though, and I think I’d miss the one handed mini more than welcoming a larger display.

I think you will still be able to purchase it next year or in Apple refurbished store for 429-469, once it hits the spot of current 12 mini. So it will be around for a while.

As for the screen - thanks to IOS, it really doesn't matter which phone do you use since everything looks the same font wise across iphones(agree 14PM can have extra 5-6 lines of text in safari though).
What it lacks is immersiveness. Bigger displays are truly immersive - don't get me wrong, i am the person who used SE1 in NYC commute 2hr watching movies morning and evening, but then the same movies hit very differently on bigger iphones or ipads - you realize you lost so much details.
The same goes for pictures and everything online. But 13 mini screen gets the job done - so if you are the person who only needs to get it done, then it doesn't feel small and does exactly what others can do. It is just that - less immersive.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

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

As far as I know the 13 Mini uses 7000 series Alloy for its framework and as a metal, that’s about as good as it gets for strength and weight. It’s a very premium and high grade material and not sure how you’ve got the perception you have.

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

Titanium is a soft metal though? It’s strong and very light but prone to dents and scratches like aluminium can be.

 

[DeepIn2U]

My answer is much shorter: 1. its missing stainless steel frame.

Ok so you want a small device to weigh considerably more or detectably more that’s it currently does or should? Like why? Personally preference or perceptible choice.

 

[dantay]

I have a 14 Pro Max and really missed the size and weight of my old 12 mini so bought a 13 mini to go with the Max, best of both worlds. If I’m running, going out socially/clubbing etc I take the mini and take advantage of the minimal bulk, the rest of the time I use the Max. It’s a shame the mini line wasn’t popular enough for apple to continue developing it.

 

[heretiq]

I have a 14 Pro Max and really missed the size and weight of my old 12 mini so bought a 13 mini to go with the Max, best of both worlds. If I’m running, going out socially/clubbing etc I take the mini and take advantage of the minimal bulk, the rest of the time I use the Max. It’s a shame the mini line wasn’t popular enough for apple to continue developing it.

I’m hoping the 13 mini is not the end of the line too @dantay. Similar to the way you use your 14 Pro Max, I use my iPad Pro when I need a larger screen but don’t want to be tied to a desk .. and rely on the iPhone mini when on the move. Apple has really nailed the situational computing paradigm with its product line and integrated ecosystem. The perpetual challenge for Apple is adapting the product line to demand and changing user needs over time while maximizing user contentedness with those product decisions — which is not easy.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Yes, absolutely dropping it on anything other than carpet will likely damage the frame, so using a case is absolutely smart thing to do. However the cases I’ve used all detract from the experience of using the mini naked — so I’m consciously taking that risk while continuing to look for a unicorn case that protects without appreciably compromising the mini‘s comfortable use experience. In the mean time, I do find that using the MagSafe wallet actually decreases the risk by improving “handling” while also providing useful function.

Agreed. It’s been years since I’ve been able to find a minimal and tasteful case for any iPhone I’ve owned since the Incase perforated cases of the 3G/3GS line (picture attached for comparison).

I finally settled on a Pitaka case for my former iPhone 12 mini (I made a thread bout that and their warranty & hospitality) and bought a new one for my iPhone 13 mini also from Pitaka. It’s aramid fibre very similarly looks and works like carbon fibre. (Picture attached).


No affiliation no $ whatsoever if you or anyone chooses Pitaka products (any at all) just a happy customer.

 

[dantay]

Agreed. It’s been years since I’ve been able to find a minimal and tasteful case for any iPhone I’ve owned since the Incase perforated cases of the 3G/3GS line (picture attached for comparison).

I finally settled on a Pitaka case for my former iPhone 12 mini (I made a thread bout that and their warranty & hospitality) and bought a new one for my iPhone 13 mini also from Pitaka. It’s aramid fibre very similarly looks and works like carbon fibre. (Picture attached).


No affiliation no $ whatsoever if you or anyone chooses Pitaka products (any at all) just a happy customer.

I’ve had Pitaka cases in the past and the fit and quality were outstanding, I went with some serious colour clashing this time round though.

 

[DeepIn2U]

As a 12 mini owner, I usually still have about 30% battery at the end of the day. I’m not a heavy user.
But it does make me wonder if a 13 mini is something I should purchase before it no longer available.

However, there have been a few instances where watching a video on a larger phone would have come in handy. It’s not very often though, and I think I’d miss the one handed mini more than welcoming a larger display.

I owned the 12 mini close to launch and kept for almost 1.5yrs great device yet the smaller battery and less efficient A series chip killed its longevity. Getting a new battery will be cheaper of course but most critical for consideration is your warranty: AppleCare+

If your AC+ is monthly then there is no way end date!! Apple needs to honor this going forward and if there is ever a change it’s going to be tough for Apple to circumvent the no end date. This is the primary reason I have the 13 mini with monthly AC+! And I explore all 13 mini users to do the same pronto!

Going front he 12 to the 13 mini you’ll notice the slight weight increase for the first 2 wks or less and you’ll forget about it. Beyond the improved and larger battery capacity + more efficient A15 Bionic APU along with the 12 Pro’s ultra wide camera (?) is remarkable for performance.

You’ll immediately notice app launches and performance of games improve. Faster Wi-Fi connection and speeds along with a sense of a stronger feel. The quality of pictures is significantly improved as well!

Initially the more narrow and deeper drop of the FaceID hardware into the screen I disliked and returned my initial black 13 mini. Months later I upgraded again yet was limited to only the White 13 mini (low stock from provider) and for the first time I absolutely love this colour!

The only thing at all I’d want on the 13 mini would be the ability to take macro photos.

By comparison the 13 mini is to spec and really outshines the 12 mini. Being the last of the mini will have the longest longevity for iOS support as well as AC+ monthly warranty. Apple could NOT rightfully replace with a regular 14 because that shipped with a pedir and older cpu when the 13 mini shipped with the same cpu as the Pro’s with just 1 GPU lower.

 

[heretiq]

Agreed. It’s been years since I’ve been able to find a minimal and tasteful case for any iPhone I’ve owned since the Incase perforated cases of the 3G/3GS line (picture attached for comparison).

I finally settled on a Pitaka case for my former iPhone 12 mini (I made a thread bout that and their warranty & hospitality) and bought a new one for my iPhone 13 mini also from Pitaka. It’s aramid fibre very similarly looks and works like carbon fibre. (Picture attached).


No affiliation no $ whatsoever if you or anyone chooses Pitaka products (any at all) just a happy customer.

@DeepIn2U Yes, the Incase perforated case is very elegant and I’ve definitely noticed the decline in truly innovative cases over the years — though the The Pitaka case looks like it might be an exception to the trend, so I’ll check it out!

I discovered and ordered the MME Ultra Slim MagSafe-compatible Metal Aluminum Alloy Bumper Case for iPhone 13 Mini pictured below and waited weeks for it to be delivered. I received a product delivered notice with message that the product was delivered by Amazon and left in my mailbox — however, it was not delivered and could not have been delivered to my mailbox because it is locked and Amazon does not have a key. I was deeply disappointed and Fulfillment By Amazon was the only delivery option offered by the seller so I requested a refund since I lost confidence in Amazon to deliver the product. The seller refunded my purchase and claimed that they sent a replacement unit anyways and it should arrive coming Monday. We will see.

On paper, this looks promising as it appears to retain the mini aesthetic without adding too much bulk. It’s too bad that Amazon botched the delivery 😢

 

[heretiq]

I’ve had Pitaka cases in the past and the fit and quality were outstanding, I went with some serious colour clashing this time round though.
View attachment 2170467

Sweet choices and setup @dantay!