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iPhone 14 Pro Mini to 14 pro? Experience?
- Thread starter FlyingTexan
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I had a 12 mini. I would have bought a 14 mini as I just like the small form factor.
Battery life is way better especially under heavy use. Overall the battery life isn’t as great as I hoped or expected.
The physical size really isn’t that big of a deal. The pro is a great size and the screen real estate is very noticeable. It doesn’t feel huge. Screen brightness is way better and way more dynamic in color and brightness. It’s more crisp abs much less harsh in total darkness. It is however significantly heavier, so that throw it in your pocket and forget it feeling is no longer there. That’s rally the only downside.
It’s faster, more responsive, better cellular signals, easier to get wireless charging to work through a case.
Battery life is way better especially under heavy use. Overall the battery life isn’t as great as I hoped or expected.
The physical size really isn’t that big of a deal. The pro is a great size and the screen real estate is very noticeable. It doesn’t feel huge. Screen brightness is way better and way more dynamic in color and brightness. It’s more crisp abs much less harsh in total darkness. It is however significantly heavier, so that throw it in your pocket and forget it feeling is no longer there. That’s rally the only downside.
It’s faster, more responsive, better cellular signals, easier to get wireless charging to work through a case.
I went for the 14 Pro Max after the 13 Mini. I knew what I was getting into weightwise, having owned the 12 Pro before and having checked out the Pro Max in the store many times.
What I realised is, for me, I really like either the Mini size or the Pro Max size. I know it sounds stupid, but my thought was, if I am going to use 2 hands for a phone, it may as well have the biggest screen and battery. While the PM weighs more, I feel that it feels slightly less dense than a normal Pro version. The normal 14 and 14 Pro also have a weird size for me, not big enough to have a tangible benefit and not small enough for one handed use.
The Mini size is the perfect one handed phone. So far, I am finding the PM to be the perfect two handed phone. The screen is smooth and dynamic, the battery is definitely better but it is slightly disappointing given how people hype the battery of the PM.
I still have the Mini for now, as I kept it in case I wanted to switch back to the smaller size. But for now, I think I will stick with the Pro Max, also for the cameras etc. I can also see/feel the promotion display so that's another plus.
What I realised is, for me, I really like either the Mini size or the Pro Max size. I know it sounds stupid, but my thought was, if I am going to use 2 hands for a phone, it may as well have the biggest screen and battery. While the PM weighs more, I feel that it feels slightly less dense than a normal Pro version. The normal 14 and 14 Pro also have a weird size for me, not big enough to have a tangible benefit and not small enough for one handed use.
The Mini size is the perfect one handed phone. So far, I am finding the PM to be the perfect two handed phone. The screen is smooth and dynamic, the battery is definitely better but it is slightly disappointing given how people hype the battery of the PM.
I still have the Mini for now, as I kept it in case I wanted to switch back to the smaller size. But for now, I think I will stick with the Pro Max, also for the cameras etc. I can also see/feel the promotion display so that's another plus.
The 13 mini will go down as a top 3 iPhone to me. 5SE being the first.
The transition from 13 Mini to 14 pro has been fine. Do I regret it? Slightly.. the usability of the mini can’t be beaten. You easily notice the extra weight in daily use. Was the added functionality worth the extra 70-80 grams ( case included )? Not really…. This is my first Pro iPhone so maybe it’ll grow on me but for now, it’s still highly debatable.
The transition from 13 Mini to 14 pro has been fine. Do I regret it? Slightly.. the usability of the mini can’t be beaten. You easily notice the extra weight in daily use. Was the added functionality worth the extra 70-80 grams ( case included )? Not really…. This is my first Pro iPhone so maybe it’ll grow on me but for now, it’s still highly debatable.
It took me about ten days to get used to the Pro. The first week it felt huge and unwieldy. Quite heavy and uncomfortable. But after that, it now just feels like a phone. A phone with a bigger screen and much better battery than my Mini.
It’s been off the charger for 12 hours now and battery is at 48%. Whereas my mini would have down to 48% by midday.
It’s been off the charger for 12 hours now and battery is at 48%. Whereas my mini would have down to 48% by midday.
Before, you could just change the sim card between the two phones, but now the iPhone 14 doesn't have a physical sim slot, so it's not so easy to switch phones.
For me ... 12 Mini to the 14 Pro ... 5 days, it went back.
Dynamic Island was the major pull (hardware and software combo) - yet notifications I have on the 12 mini restored didn't work as much.
wiped the 14 Pro clean new setup ... again not enough notifications to really take advantage.
14 Pro looks beautiful - love the screen, hate the fingerprint magnet-stainless steel sides.
really heavy forcing a 2-handed use, something I've never been used to since the iPhone 7/8 both slipper phones.
returned it.
Now I want the 13 Mini 512GB in Black or light Blue and both are SUPER rare for me
Dynamic Island was the major pull (hardware and software combo) - yet notifications I have on the 12 mini restored didn't work as much.
wiped the 14 Pro clean new setup ... again not enough notifications to really take advantage.
14 Pro looks beautiful - love the screen, hate the fingerprint magnet-stainless steel sides.
really heavy forcing a 2-handed use, something I've never been used to since the iPhone 7/8 both slipper phones.
returned it.
Now I want the 13 Mini 512GB in Black or light Blue and both are SUPER rare for me
If you're happy with the 13 mini then don't force an upgrade, it'll get another 5+ years of support and will be lightning fast for years to come. Seems to be a lot of people upgrading from the 13 mini to the 14 pro and then going back and it seems pointless.
The 14 Pro is an amazing phone but I returned it after a week and went back to my 13 mini. In the end, I didn't care enough about the camera upgrades or the dynamic island to justify the upgrade. I was getting used to the weight and the size and I'm sure you would too, but I really just love the size of the 13 mini. It's the perfect size phone for me.
I went from a 13 pro to a 13 mini, always planning to get the 14 pro because of the lack of notch. Got my 14 pro, and about 5 days later I returned it because every time I picked up my mini I missed it.
Well, within a couple days, I regretted that, so I ordered another 14 pro, got it the next day, sold my mini, and haven’t looked back.
Well, within a couple days, I regretted that, so I ordered another 14 pro, got it the next day, sold my mini, and haven’t looked back.
Indeed. Both phones have specific strengths. I’ve gone back and forth quite a few times over the years and it’s fun to jump to the bigger, better screen, battery, etc.
It’s not so much fun to have a smaller phone, but it is easier to forget you’re even carrying it. The 13 Mini is a pleasure to handle and pocket. I missed that, having passed my 13 Pro max on to my wife. If I want big screen, I’ll tether to my iPad.
Ask me next year, and I’ll tout the virtues of having a both in one big iPad-sized phone. 😂. Come to think of it-I’d buy an iPad mini with FULL cell phone functionality, but I’m guessing there are quite a few bureaucratic logjams that keep that from happening. Maybe it’s something else, just greed. Hard to say.
It's heartening to hear some folks going back. Just upgraded my 12 mini to a 13 mini as Verizon is doing a $600 trade-in so the phone is mostly free, aside from the $35 upgrade charge + tax (about $90 total). Been wondering if I made a mistake instead of getting the latest and greatest, but at this point I would be remiss to going with the larger phone. Just don't use it much for consuming content or social media, but really could use the extra battery as I use it for directions and tethering rather often. The battery life boost in particular should be pretty solid considering my 12 is at 83% health.
12 mini to 13 mini jump is justified and incredible any day of the week.
I feel the same way. I’m also a 13 mini user and I have the 14 Pro Max in order.
I’ve always felt that the regular 6.1” models are already too big to be used with one hand comfortably. The Pro model especially feels very dense for the size. It’s definitely doable for one handed use, but it’s just not as comfortable as the 13 mini.
So I came to a conclusion that if I were to go bigger than the 13 mini, it would just have to be Plus/Max size with the added benefit of a bigger battery. My four eyes would appreciate the bigger display too.
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Wondering the same thing OP.
I bought a used iPhone 11pro, and really love it, but the camera of the 13 mini is noticeably better 😩
The size of the 11pro is fine and the weight is fine, but I would very much like to get the better camera processor and telephoto lens.
Trade in at Verizon may be in the cards…
OP. I bought a used iPhone 11pro, and really love it, but the camera of the 13 mini is noticeably better 😩
The size of the 11pro is fine and the weight is fine, but I would very much like to get the better camera processor and telephoto lens.
Trade in at Verizon may be in the cards…
Only gave up mini due to constant Kindle scrolling.
14 Pro solves that, with nice Camera upgrade.
14 Pro solves that, with nice Camera upgrade.
I can’t fathom reading on anything smaller than an actual Kindle screen. But a Mini? 😱
That’s funny - I had to double check I didn’t post this since I had a similar observation. The 6.1” size has been awkward for me on all the iPhones I’ve tested with it. I was perfectly satisfied with iPhone 13 Mini, but every time I’ve had a 6.1” iPhone I’ve wished for a larger display.
I don’t have any issues with the size of iPhone 14 Pro Max besides it feeling distracting at times, pulling me in perhaps too much. Otherwise I don’t feel it’s too large or unwieldy to use one-handed. Some of my pockets disagree, including a recent pair of Guess jeans I purchased surprisingly.
Not exactly Mini -> 14 Pro, but I did iPhone 6 -> iPhone X, which is somewhat of a similar jump.
Got used to the larger display very quickly. iPhone X's 5.85" is roughly close to the new 14 Pro 6.1" in physical bulk. Definitely would do this again. Going from 5.85" to 6.7" was much harder to get used to. Still working on that. I may go back to 6.1" on the next cycle.
Got used to the larger display very quickly. iPhone X's 5.85" is roughly close to the new 14 Pro 6.1" in physical bulk. Definitely would do this again. Going from 5.85" to 6.7" was much harder to get used to. Still working on that. I may go back to 6.1" on the next cycle.
Definitely. They were trying to bridge that gap between the 6S Plus and having larger display in smaller form factor. And they did it successfully. Having used X for 5yrs, The 6.1" 14 Pro felt very natural, and hardly any larger in my hands. I was able to use it just like the X. I know it's physically larger, but it had the same usability.
Mini is definitely the winner in compact mobility though, but imo the benefits of longer battery life and larger display is worth the bump.
Battery replacements are cheap enough. It’ll easily get 5 years of iOS support.
I had the 11 Pro and bought my wife the 2022 SE. My wife did not like the phone as it was to much like the 8 that she had that had issues with the screen and she wanted something different.
Fast forward to introduction day of the 14 Pro. I snagged a 14 Pro in slate black at the T-mobile store and my wife was playing with the display phones. The first time she picked up the 13 mini she was hooked. I asked that she wait as I can get a veterans discount on the 13 Mini and so she waited and we get home and I hit Apples veterans website got 10% off the $599.00 and bought her a 13 mini with free home delivery.
Since my wife is 77 years old has never had a iPhone without the home button she is still learning but she has already learned to stop moving for brief moment and swipe up to get in the phone.
Comparing the 2 phones is interesting and I actually do like the 13 mini but I still keep the 14 Pro for myself. My wife on the other hand is really small at 4'9" and just prefers something that can be one handed.
The mini's smaller form and much lighter weight is really appreciated, since I am larger but still have smaller hands the 14 Pro is the largest I would go The mini is great for someone that appreciates the smaller form factor. So many folks say get a larger phone for someone elderly but that is not really a good idea as most prefer something that is easy to use, understand and with hands that can have arthritis most times a lighter and easier phone is better. My wife loves the sharp fairly large screen for the small size and the camera does great for what she uses the phone to snap a picture quickly.
I actually really like the 14 Pro cons are the weight but after having a 11 Pro this thing is awesome in it capabilities. I can still single hand operate this phone and I also am in my mid 60's I also appreciate the bubble at the top that Apple calls the dynamic island, but every time I hear that phrase all I think is when is Gilligan and Skipper going to jump off the island. The cameras well it does take a little time as it really takes even better pictures then my old 11 Pro and that is saying something. The speed that this phone has is noticeable after having the 11 Pro. The biggest issue I had with the 11 Pro is a mistake made all the way back when I first bought and not getting at least 128 GB's of storage, this time I went to 256 GBs of storage as pictures do take up a bunch of space. For a lot of folks that I have read they recommend at least 512 GB's of storage but I think that the real sweet spot is 256 GBs oof storage in price compared to storage.
Fast forward to introduction day of the 14 Pro. I snagged a 14 Pro in slate black at the T-mobile store and my wife was playing with the display phones. The first time she picked up the 13 mini she was hooked. I asked that she wait as I can get a veterans discount on the 13 Mini and so she waited and we get home and I hit Apples veterans website got 10% off the $599.00 and bought her a 13 mini with free home delivery.
Since my wife is 77 years old has never had a iPhone without the home button she is still learning but she has already learned to stop moving for brief moment and swipe up to get in the phone.
Comparing the 2 phones is interesting and I actually do like the 13 mini but I still keep the 14 Pro for myself. My wife on the other hand is really small at 4'9" and just prefers something that can be one handed.
The mini's smaller form and much lighter weight is really appreciated, since I am larger but still have smaller hands the 14 Pro is the largest I would go The mini is great for someone that appreciates the smaller form factor. So many folks say get a larger phone for someone elderly but that is not really a good idea as most prefer something that is easy to use, understand and with hands that can have arthritis most times a lighter and easier phone is better. My wife loves the sharp fairly large screen for the small size and the camera does great for what she uses the phone to snap a picture quickly.
I actually really like the 14 Pro cons are the weight but after having a 11 Pro this thing is awesome in it capabilities. I can still single hand operate this phone and I also am in my mid 60's I also appreciate the bubble at the top that Apple calls the dynamic island, but every time I hear that phrase all I think is when is Gilligan and Skipper going to jump off the island. The cameras well it does take a little time as it really takes even better pictures then my old 11 Pro and that is saying something. The speed that this phone has is noticeable after having the 11 Pro. The biggest issue I had with the 11 Pro is a mistake made all the way back when I first bought and not getting at least 128 GB's of storage, this time I went to 256 GBs of storage as pictures do take up a bunch of space. For a lot of folks that I have read they recommend at least 512 GB's of storage but I think that the real sweet spot is 256 GBs oof storage in price compared to storage.