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I have two 12 minis. I’ll upgrade one to a 13 mini and use them until they no longer work well. Which is what I do with my iPad and iPad mini and usually my Apple Watches. I do keep a pro model iPhone on hand for the cameras for vacation photos and whenever I want or need a bigger display for some reason. But even the smaller pro is too heavy for me to carry around much or use for any length of time.
 
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I get the sentiment and I keep my iPhones for a long time too.

But how does having extra 13 mini's extend it's shelf life from a software perspective?

When we're at iOS 22, that iPhone 13 might start to feel sluggish. Of course one can stay on iOS 15, but you'd probably lose out on the new features of the day.
Yeah, I "hoarded" an extra SE (2016) after it went out of production, it's still shrink-wrapped. Maybe I'll put it up on Ebay for $$$.
 
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I will keep the 13 Mini for a long time. But now I still own the 12 Mini. Will buy the 13 Mini next year or when I get a good deal on it and will also take AC+ with it. So I have two year warranty and maybe keep it going after that monthly. Software is not a problem for the next years. If there will be an iPhone released which really has amazing features I will probably buy one but keep the 13 Mini as my go-to-device and my overall main device for a long time. And then maybe, maybe there will be some kind of Mini again, or a foldable at least.
 
I get the sentiment and I keep my iPhones for a long time too.

But how does having extra 13 mini's extend it's shelf life from a software perspective?

When we're at iOS 22, that iPhone 13 might start to feel sluggish. Of course one can stay on iOS 15, but you'd probably lose out on the new features of the day.

I agree with you on the software side. The hoarding comment is probably for a hardware failure reason. These iPhones are expensive to have serviced. In some cases it's just easier and more justifiable depending on the issue to just get a new one. Still though, I'd have to be rolling in extra cash to just buy an iPhone Mini and have it sitting in a drawer for that "just in case" moment.
 
Not a mini user, but many people like my mum are still using old iPhones like the 6s (now 6 years old) and they work fine. So I’m sure the 13 mini will run fine with its A15 in 6+ years. It also wouldn’t surprise me if apple use the mini shell for an SE model in a few years.
 
I get the sentiment and I keep my iPhones for a long time too.

But how does having extra 13 mini's extend it's shelf life from a software perspective?

When we're at iOS 22, that iPhone 13 might start to feel sluggish. Of course one can stay on iOS 15, but you'd probably lose out on the new features of the day.
Valid point. That is something I will have to deal with if Apple doesn't keep producing the mini.
 
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I'll continue doing what I have been doing since the iPhone 6 came out. I held on to my iPhone 5 sized phone until the iPhone SE gen 1 came out and bought one of those. I held on to that and am getting my iPhone 13 mini today. I will hold on to the 13 mini and hope that a good, small option comes out before the 13 mini stops being usable.
 
The rumours come from the same sources that said we’d get a square Apple Watch, and that last year we’d get the smaller notch etc…

Until the next release of new iPhones, no one knows outside of Apple. And there’s nothing to say they’ve decided, as the mini selling in small numbers still gives them an entry price point lower than the regular size model, as well as catering for the demand in smaller devices.
 
A lot of folks allude to the 13 mini's price dropping in the future. In light of the fact that the prices of just about everything on the market has jumped upwards this year, what is the probability that the price of the 13 minis will be lower in the future?
 
I think the iPhone 12/13 mini form factor will become the new SE at some point. They will likely use lesser camera tech in it. Possibly ditch Face ID and do Touch ID in the power button to bring costs down.
 
Those in the US can have 12 mini switch to 13 mini for 70$ at bestbuy by purchasing t-mobile version.
 
I think Apple made the mini too small and that's why it didn't sell well. It was fine for people coming from a 7 or 8 but if you had a X, Xs or 11pro and didnt want to be forced to a 6.1 screen then the mini was the only option but it was so much smaller than the 5.8 screen. I think it would have sold better at 5.6 or 5.7 and apple may been more willing to keep in the line up going forward. I loved the in hand feel of the 12 mini coming from the 11pro but the screen was slightly too small and battery life was huge step backwards. I know they fixed the battery issue with the 13 mini but I went 13 pro this year for the 120hz screen. If they do come out with another phone in the 5.6-5.8 range I would consider it but would need to have 120hz at this point.
 
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I think Apple made the mini too small and that's why it didn't sell well. It was fine for people coming from a 7 or 8 but if you had a X, Xs or 11pro and didnt want to be forced to a 6.1 screen then the mini was the only option but it was so much smaller than the 5.8 screen. I think it would have sold better at 5.6 or 5.7 and apple may been more willing to keep in the line up going forward. I loved the in hand feel of the 12 mini coming from the 11pro but the screen was slightly too small and battery life was huge step backwards. I know they fixed the battery issue with the 13 mini but I went 13 pro this year for the 120hz screen. If they do come out with another phone in the 5.6-5.8 range I would consider it but would need to have 120hz at this point.
Word was that the 12 Mini didn't sell well, but anecdotally- I was in my local Apple store last Friday night, and overheard a conversation a customer was having with one of the staff. The customer asked about the 13 Mini, commenting that it must not be all that popular- and the employee said that actually, it is a very hot seller for them- or he might have said it was one of their top sellers. Either way, it was interesting to hear that- and if this is indeed the trending this time around, maybe we'll see a mini again, if not next year then maybe beyond?
 
I'll buy an iPhone 14 mini, or maybe skip a year and get the 15 mini.

Word was that the 12 Mini didn't sell well, but anecdotally- I was in my local Apple store last Friday night, and overheard a conversation a customer was having with one of the staff. The customer asked about the 13 Mini, commenting that it must not be all that popular- and the employee said that actually, it is a very hot seller for them- or he might have said it was one of their top sellers. Either way, it was interesting to hear that- and if this is indeed the trending this time around, maybe we'll see a mini again, if not next year then maybe beyond?
That wouldn't surprise me. The 12 mini came out about 6 months after the SE2, which was the first "small" phone since 2016, and that certainly cannibalized a lot of sales. Add on to that the fact that the 12 mini wasn't a good phone, and you have low sales.

The 13 mini is a much better phone, isn't directly preceding the the SE, and is still the lowest costing of the iPhone 13 lineup. It makes sense it would sell well.
 
I’m thinking I’ll trade in my 12 for a 13 mini. Apple will give me $530 for the 12 bringing the price down to $199 for the 13 mini. I had a 12 mini and got rid of it for the se2, then an android and now have parked my se2. I’ve started using my 12 for the last couple of weeks, but it just doesn’t feel right. I may wait a week or two before deciding.
 
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very happy with my 12 mini, I don’t seem to need a longer battery life- it’s better than my old SE.

if theres no 15/16 mini when I could think of upgrading. I’ll just get the cheapest iPhone, because if I don’t really like something I don’t want to spend more on it than I have to.
 
Got my 12 mini now, and will get the 13 mini in the next couple of months when the price lowers a bit, or I can find a good friend who works at the Apple store to get me 17% off hehe! The 13 mini should last me a couple of years until the Apple flip phone comes along. If Apple re-introduce the 5.8" screen size then I don't mind that size either. But who knows, maybe Apple will keep the Mini form factor so lets see what happens. I reckon Apple will always try and cater to the small iphone crowd with at least one model in the line up.
Only one thing: Apple employees doesn’t have 17% anymore, only 12% - those 5% Apple takes right from they wage. ?
 
A lot of folks allude to the 13 mini's price dropping in the future. In light of the fact that the prices of just about everything on the market has jumped upwards this year, what is the probability that the price of the 13 minis will be lower in the future?
In our country 13 mini is cheaper than it was 12 mini. (Because of VAT etc…) Still, sometimes newer could be cheaper.
 
I'd like to see them bring back the 5.8 inch form factor with an improved battery.
Same here. I love mini, but overall I was more happy about 5,8". That form you can use with one hand (almost) and perfectly with both hands - still it’s not as big as 6,1” iPhones. Hopefully Apple will back to this size in future.
 
I love my 12 mini!
My only gripe is lens flare but it’s akin to all iPhones 12 and up.

I have small hands, yet I’m grown. I tend to use more productivity apps or apps that help me do things vs playing games. I have a total of 6 games on any iPhone I’ve owned since the 3GS and currently, and I only play 3 at a time until finished.

I still make calls, Still learning a new language love my Apple Watch for fitness and glanceable use/efficiency. A shutterbug I’m not.

I will be upgrading to the 13 mini as my main and next major Black Friday I’ll get another 13 mini as a fall back each will have AC+

I don’t believe the rumours or the hype, as the 5C was TGE only iphone killed after just 1.5yrs and anyone that got AC+ must’ve hurt Apple in terms of warranty replacements forcing to upgrade them to a 5/5S. Just can’t see Apple making that mistake again.

Nobody knows the future. Foldable I don’t think/hope Apple doesn’t fall into yet a small phone that can rollable the screen for a large canvase when and only when you need it without a crease has longevity that tends to suit apples push for reliability. If that’s in the cards in 5yrs after 2022 I may go for that Apple iPhone.

Just remember Apple released iOS 12.8/12.x security patch for iPhone 5S(!) early this year - that’s 7-8 yrs support Android is never ever getting/giving support half of that so I’m not looking there.

Heck I even got a 2017 MBP with TB used just last night cause I lithe using windows on work computer for my personal computing. I see no reason why I can’t use the 13 mini + Apple Watch + MBP + iPad mini for the next 5-6yrs. So I’m good.
 
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