iPhone 13 Pro Upgrade satisfaction from mini to Pro

[lkalliance]

OK, so, there is no shortage of threads to analyze this. Here's my favorite one. But I wanted to add a poll, and see what people think just directly, no commentary needed if you don't feel like it.

Have you upgraded from the 12 mini specifically (not the regular 12), to the 13 Pro specifically (not the Pro Max)? A poll is a blunt instrument sometimes, interpretations of the text of an option vary from person to person, and everyone's priorities are different (camera, screen tech, battery, weight, size, cost and more), but I thought I'd give it a whirl. If you don't tend to post commentary, please do consider voting anyway!

 

[FlyingTexan]

I’m in this exact situation. I want the telephoto but not sure I want to go larger. Thanks for asking.

 

[lkalliance]

I’m in this exact situation. I want the telephoto but not sure I want to go larger. Thanks for asking.

And you're in my exact exact situation. Exactly the tradeoff I'm wrestling with. Telephoto vs. weight and size.

 

[RRC]

Have a 12 mini, it’s been great.

Wanted battery battery life and a slightly better camera so ordered a 13 pro. That got lost in transit (somehow) and I ended up with no release day phone.

I took the time to try the pro size in store and for me, it’s too heavy and large to comfortably use.

The improved battery in the 13 mini along with the sensor shift stability and the larger sensor from last years 12 Pro Max were enough to make me cancel the order I had, and I ordered a 13 mini instead. I really can’t wait to get it!

Still the perfect size, perfect weight even better I feel being a touch thicker and heavier as well as support for years to come just in case this is the last mini they release (time will tell).

 

[rjedoaks]

Yes I upgraded from the 12 mini to the 13 pro. You can’t beat the mini for mostly phone use and the battery never bothered me because I always charge during the day anyway. The 13 pro is on another level though with the larger screen and the cameras. It’s hard to get past the weight and size but I’m getting used to that now. The volume is much louder on the Pro. I think the Pro is a keeper, but I’m going to miss the Mini.

 

[FlyingTexan]

Yes I upgraded from the 12 mini to the 13 pro. You can’t beat the mini for mostly phone use and the battery never bothered me because I always charge during the day anyway. The 13 pro is on another level though with the larger screen and the cameras. It’s hard to get past the weight and size but I’m getting used to that now. The volume is much louder on the Pro. I think the Pro is a keeper, but I’m going to miss the Mini.

Thank you. Last minute worries since I’m standing in line at the store now!

 

[lkalliance]

Have a 12 mini, it’s been great.

Wanted battery battery life and a slightly better camera so ordered a 13 pro. That got lost in transit (somehow) and I ended up with no release day phone.

I took the time to try the pro size in store and for me, it’s too heavy and large to comfortably use.

The improved battery in the 13 mini along with the sensor shift stability and the larger sensor from last years 12 Pro Max were enough to make me cancel the order I had, and I ordered a 13 mini instead. I really can’t wait to get it!

Still the perfect size, perfect weight even better I feel being a touch thicker and heavier as well as support for years to come just in case this is the last mini they release (time will tell).

You're right on all counts. I would be having absolutely no struggles deciding which phone to get...except for the darned telephoto. When I am shooting with my DSLR I am virtually all the time shooting through my zoom lens. I just know that telephoto will be a very welcome addition to my phone. But it doesn't make the size and weight go away.

But with that one exception, the 13 mini is, as far as I'm concerned, the best iPhone Apple has offered! Good luck with yours!

EDIT: Best iPhone except the 5c, that is.

 

[Elektrofone]

I loved the 12 mini and switched to the 13 pro because of ProMotion, Cameras and Battery life, but the size is really hard to get used to again and its so damn heavy. Considering returning it for the 13 mini, but not sure yet.

 

[lkalliance]

There is another active thread on this subject here, for anyone interested!

 

[thetimekeeper]

So... I've been using the 12 mini since it was released last year. Got a 13 pro on Friday when they came out, but I've switched my SIM card back to the mini and will be packing up the 13 pro to return.

I can't get over the size. Or rather - it's a superb phone, but the larger size doesn't make up for all the extra features. I enjoy the telephoto/macro lenses, 120hz display and bigger screen at various times of the day, but I enjoy the size and form factor of my mini 100% of the time.

That being said, if I only had my phone for content consumption, work, and traveling, I would suck it up and use the 13 pro, but I have an ipad pro from 2018 that I can do most of the things I need to do on.

Now to maybe consider the 13 mini for the photo styles (rich contrast pixel gang) and better battery life...but I don't think it's really worth the cost of upgrading.

 

[RRC]

So... I've been using the 12 mini since it was released last year. Got a 13 pro on Friday when they came out, but I've switched my SIM card back to the mini and will be packing up the 13 pro to return.

I can't get over the size. Or rather - it's a superb phone, but the larger size doesn't make up for all the extra features. I enjoy the telephoto/macro lenses, 120hz display and bigger screen at various times of the day, but I enjoy the size and form factor of my mini 100% of the time.

That being said, if I only had my phone for content consumption, work, and traveling, I would suck it up and use the 13 pro, but I have an ipad pro from 2018 that I can do most of the things I need to do on.

Now to maybe consider the 13 mini for the photo styles (rich contrast pixel gang) and better battery life...but I don't think it's really worth the cost of upgrading.

Sell or trade the 12 mini and get the 13 mini, it will offset most of the cost.

I have gone the same route, 12mini to 13mini and it is superb! I already loved the 12m but battery life was a bit of a let down and I wanted the better main camera. Now we have both of those things, and more on top! For the price, with the increased base storage it’s a great device and one I think many are still overlooking!

As I’ve said on another thread the 13 mini is basically an iPhone 12.5 mini pro. When the 12’s came out, if Apple had released a model with the pro max camera and longer battery life and called it a mini pro, people would have been all over it (those who wanted a small device I mean).

 

[thetimekeeper]

Sell or trade the 12 mini and get the 13 mini, it will offset most of the cost.

I have gone the same route, 12mini to 13mini and it is superb! I already loved the 12m but battery life was a bit of a let down and I wanted the better main camera. Now we have both of those things, and more on top! For the price, with the increased base storage it’s a great device and one I think many are still overlooking!

As I’ve said on another thread the 13 mini is basically an iPhone 12.5 mini pro. When the 12’s came out, if Apple had released a model with the pro max camera and longer battery life and called it a mini pro, people would have been all over it (those who wanted a small device I mean).

I have been putting the 13 mini in my bag on the apple store app on and off to look at pricing and was just doing that again when you replied to my post.

I am really digging the better battery life on the 13 mini which is my only complaint on the 12 mini - and I really liked the photo style feature…

I figure I can hopefully sell my 12 256gb mini (in canada) for $950 and get the 13 mini 256gb for ~$1500 after taxes. Still kind of a significant bump, but considering I’m going to keep this phone for the foreseeable future if they cancel the mini line, it might be good to do it now.

 

[lkalliance]

Still not a huge amount of votes to go on, but getting the occasional addition. Opinion seems pretty split so far. My experiment in taping a heavy coin to the back of my current phone to simulate the weight of the Pro is going well. I'm growing more confident that I can get used to the weight. The size and camera bump are still up in the air.

 

[thetimekeeper]

Still not a huge amount of votes to go on, but getting the occasional addition. Opinion seems pretty split so far. My experiment in taping a heavy coin to the back of my current phone to simulate the weight of the Pro is going well. I'm growing more confident that I can get used to the weight. The size and camera bump are still up in the air.

I would genuinely recommend going into a store and trying it if you can. For me, it wasn't so much the weight, as the size and chonkiness of the actual phone itself. But if you accept the tradeoff for a bigger/better screen and battery life, then it's worth it.

 

[lkalliance]

I would genuinely recommend going into a store and trying it if you can. For me, it wasn't so much the weight, as the size and chonkiness of the actual phone itself. But if you accept the tradeoff for a bigger/better screen and battery life, then it's worth it.

Well, I will be going to the Apple Store on Saturday to pick up a couple of things for my new iMac (just arrived yesterday; I love the smell of new tech in the morning!). I will be taking an opportunity to do just that!

 

[lkalliance]

I would genuinely recommend going into a store and trying it if you can. For me, it wasn't so much the weight, as the size and chonkiness of the actual phone itself. But if you accept the tradeoff for a bigger/better screen and battery life, then it's worth it.

Done. Went to the Apple Store to check it out. After taping the heavy coin to my SE 2020, and living with it for a week, the actual 13 Pro feels lighter. I’m sure that’s because the weight is distributed.

it didn’t seem too big to hold or to pocket. I don’t really care about one-handed use: I’ve always held my phone in one hand and tapped with the other.

I feel confident now that I can take a shot at buying one, and then over a week or so see how I’m feeling about everyday use, and I can exchange for a mini at that point.

 

[lkalliance]

I am really digging the better battery life on the 13 mini which is my only complaint on the 12 mini - and I really liked the photo style feature…

I think this really kind of summarizes by example why the choice is difficult. Photo Styles are on the mini. Cinematic Mode is on the mini. The big sensor and sensor shift stabilization is on the mini. The amount of things you can do on the Pro that you can’t on the mini has shrunk dramatically.

 

[yukari]

I have been putting the 13 mini in my bag on the apple store app on and off to look at pricing and was just doing that again when you replied to my post.

I am really digging the better battery life on the 13 mini which is my only complaint on the 12 mini - and I really liked the photo style feature…

I figure I can hopefully sell my 12 256gb mini (in canada) for $950 and get the 13 mini 256gb for ~$1500 after taxes. Still kind of a significant bump, but considering I’m going to keep this phone for the foreseeable future if they cancel the mini line, it might be good to do it now.

So you are looking at out-of-pocket cost of about $600.
It would be better just to trade-in your phone with a carrier or Apple and get it for less out-of-pocket cost.

 

[lkalliance]

First 20 votes in, and there are definitely a couple of ways to look at it. There are more folks that are considering (or already have) trading in their 13 Pro than there are keeping it. But there are a number of folks that are keeping it and its a slam-dunk decision; no one has yet voted on the opposite extreme.

This is a very specifically small section of users. I also invite anyone that has gotten the 13 mini, and then gone to the 13 Pro, to chime in!