I am almost there with you. If I buy the phones through Verizon, there is almost no difference in the price. It is for my daughter though and even though I feel in the long run the 13 mini is the better option, I think it's too much for a kid. She would probably get an extra year out of the 13 mini which would justify any additional cost. Even the size of the mini will be better for her smaller hands... IDK. The only reason I'm not buying her a used Xs is I feel ApplCare+ is a must for kid phones.
I don’t know if there’s such a thing as “too much for a kid” in this case (of your two choices). For one, the mini will have a longer lasting battery. I’m finding that is important when the kids are out on an extended outing like a school field trip (not that there are many thanks to the pandemic) or a sleepover at a friend’s house. It’s just one less thing to worry about.
The Mini is just a little bit tougher, has a bit more water resistance. Again, better for kids. It also has a perfectly flat display that takes a tempered glass screen protector better than the 2d curved edges on the SE. When I had the SE2 last year it drove me nuts trying to get the screen protector to adhere. Dust kept getting under the edges. Unless that particular design element has changed, I would really recommend the Mini over the SE for that reason alone.
The 13 Mini will have better audio for your daughter’s music. I think spatial audio is on the 13 mini (and even on my iPhone 11) but not on the SE. That may not mean anything now, but someday if you want to gift her with earbuds that can do spatial audio, you’re all set.
The 13 mini is easier for girls and women to put into our ridiculously small pockets. Both are good small phones but the Mini is a bit easier to wield.
The better camera (in dim lighting) on the 13 mini means any memories your daughter records with it will be more likely to come out well exposed and in good focus. She can also do wide angle shots to fit in all her friends into a scene.
I’m not sure what color options your carrier is offering but there are also more colors for the 13 mini. Colors are important to kids and they appreciate it if they’re offered a chance to choose.
The only reason I’d choose an SE 2022 over a 13 mini for myself is that I have a migraine sensitivity to Apple’s OLED displays. Actually, the SE2 display didn’t play well with my vision, either. But I’m a rare outlier case. I have yet to meet any kids or teens who have issues with the iPhone OLED displays.
EDIT: I wrote the above thinking of a "kid" in the 12-16 or 17 age range. I somehow missed that the child in question is 9, so based on that clarification, I'd join others who suggest a much cheaper option like a refurbished older model or used one with a good battery and a very rugged case. Not much survives even very careful 9 year olds. It's the nature of life in a kid's backpack.
