Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 13 mini SE (2016) -> 13 Mini - will text be easier or harder to read?

Stormz

Stormz

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 21, 2007
135
256
Hi all. I've got a 1st Gen SE and considering upgrading to a 13 Mini. I've been reading comments about how everything looks small on the Mini and text is harder to read. But is text smaller and harder to read than on the 2016 SE (with its 4" display, 326ppi, 1136 x 640)?

I only ask because my eyesight is deteriorating - but I love the Mini form factor!

I went to the Apple Store and the screen on the Mini looked amazingly clear - BUT they only let me see the App Store that was pre-loaded on the display model, so I couldn't compare it with anything else on my own phone, like a web page or 3rd party news app or something. (Also they couldn't say whether they'd changed the text size settings on the Mini display model, which was a bit frustrating.)

Anyone who's made the leap from 2016 SE -> 12/13 Mini - or can offer advice - I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thanks!
 
I went from an iPhone 7 to a 12 mini. I would say the text is sharper, but not really bigger or smaller. The screen is bigger in height but a bit narrower. I didn't see much difference, except sharper, brighter screen.

It's a pity they didn't let you navigate as you wish in the apple store. Quite silly ideed
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stormz
Geekett said:
I went from an iPhone 7 to a 12 mini. I would say the text is sharper, but not really bigger or smaller. The screen is bigger in height but a bit narrower. I didn't see much difference, except sharper, brighter screen.

It's a pity they didn't let you navigate as you wish in the apple store. Quite silly ideed
Click to expand...
Thanks. I sensed that it was a newbie at the store, so maybe another trip will be needed.

Hmm, I'm not sure what to do. So two things I need to find out:

  1. Is text on the Mini larger than text on the 2016 SE?
  2. Are some of the other improvements of the Mini, such as OLED and sharpness, likely to alleviate any of the eye strain?
I'd prefer not to go up to the regular size 13 if possible, but I may have to think about it.
 
Splitrail said:
I don't know, you would have to ask them.
I don't personally know that they do.
My comment stems from another forum members comment.
Look above.
Click to expand...

The other forum member said they “don’t let you navigate as you wish” in the Apple store, and you seemed understand what that meant by agreeing. I don’t understand what “navigate as you wish” is referring to. Or, are you AI?
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Splitrail
cvam1985 said:
The other forum member said they “don’t let you navigate as you wish” in the Apple store, and you seemed understand what that meant by agreeing. I don’t understand what “navigate as you wish” is referring to. Or, are you AI?
Click to expand...
I wasn't agreeing. I took what they said as what happened & at face value. I wasn't there, never said I was or indicated that it was correct. My comment was based upon what the other member said. Methinks you're reading a bit far into this, no?
 
Last edited:
Stormz said:
Hi all. I've got a 1st Gen SE and considering upgrading to a 13 Mini. I've been reading comments about how everything looks small on the Mini and text is harder to read. But is text smaller and harder to read than on the 2016 SE (with its 4" display, 326ppi, 1136 x 640)?

I only ask because my eyesight is deteriorating - but I love the Mini form factor!

I went to the Apple Store and the screen on the Mini looked amazingly clear - BUT they only let me see the App Store that was pre-loaded on the display model, so I couldn't compare it with anything else on my own phone, like a web page or 3rd party news app or something. (Also they couldn't say whether they'd changed the text size settings on the Mini display model, which was a bit frustrating.)

Anyone who's made the leap from 2016 SE -> 12/13 Mini - or can offer advice - I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Yes, I went from an SE 1st gen to a 13 mini, and mostly because of my somewhat deteriorating eyesight. It is much easier to read text now. The screen is sharper and bigger. But you should decide for yourself, try to find a way to compare side by side.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stormz
If you have deteriorating eyesight, you should prioritize getting the biggest screen you can handle.
Just my opinion, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stormz
gpat said:
If you have deteriorating eyesight, you should prioritize getting the biggest screen you can handle.
Just my opinion, though.
Click to expand...
Yeah it's a fair point. I've always used smaller phones. When I saw and held the regular 13 in the Apple Store, it wasn't as unwieldy as I expected it to be. My hands are relatively big. (I just need bigger pockets - and a bigger bank balance!)
 
AlixSPQR said:
Yes, I went from an SE 1st gen to a 13 mini, and mostly because of my somewhat deteriorating eyesight. It is much easier to read text now. The screen is sharper and bigger. But you should decide for yourself, try to find a way to compare side by side.
Click to expand...
That's really interesting to hear, thanks. Yeah I think I'm going to have to go back in store and try and get a better side by side comparison. Did you change the text size in your settings, or is that just the default text size?
 
Stormz said:
That's really interesting to hear, thanks. Yeah I think I'm going to have to go back in store and try and get a better side by side comparison. Did you change the text size in your settings, or is that just the default text size?
Click to expand...
You're welcome. It's a good idea to see for yourself, our mileages all vary.

Yes, I increased the text size one step. See the difference below (the text is in Swedish, my native language). Default to the left.

IMG_7027.PNG IMG_7028.PNG
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stormz
Stormz said:
Yeah it's a fair point. I've always used smaller phones. When I saw and held the regular 13 in the Apple Store, it wasn't as unwieldy as I expected it to be. My hands are relatively big. (I just need bigger pockets - and a bigger bank balance!)
Click to expand...
I bought the 13 first. Then I compared it with the 13 mini, and the latter sufficed for me. I also want a small phone, although my hands are a size 12.
My youngest daughter bought the 13, so that turned out well, anyway.
I chose the 13 initially because of the battery, but it turns out even the 13 mini is better than the SE 1st gen.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Stormz
AlixSPQR said:
I bought the 13 first. Then I compared it with the 13 mini, and the latter sufficed for me. I also want a small phone, although my hands are a size 12.
My youngest daughter bought the 13, so that turned out well, anyway.
I chose the 13 initially because of the battery, but it turns out even the 13 mini is better than the SE 1st gen.
Click to expand...
Thanks for posting those side by sides. Well if you're still happy with your 13 mini despite having seen your daughter's 13, then that's positive.
 
  • Like
Reactions: teknikal90
Stormz said:
Thanks for posting those side by sides. Well if you're still happy with your 13 mini despite having seen your daughter's 13, then that's positive.
Click to expand...
I was unclear. My daughter bought my 13. I had it for over two months. The 13 mini suits me better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back