10 Reasons to Skip the iPhone 13 Mini Today

Key Points

• The iPhone 13 Mini has a smaller battery, resulting in shorter usage time and more frequent charging.
• The 5.4-inch screen may disappoint those who prefer a bigger smartphone screen.
• The iPhone 13 Mini may have slightly inferior performance compared to larger iPhone models due to its smaller form factor.
• The camera quality may not match the capabilities of larger iPhone variants, especially in low-light situations.
• Typing on the iPhone 13 Mini’s virtual keyboard may be less comfortable and more error-prone due to the smaller screen size.

Thinking about getting yourself an iPhone 13 Mini? Don’t head to the checkout counter just yet. While the mini iPhone might look tempting due to its compact size and Apple branding, you need to take a closer look at the downsides of the device before making your purchase. Let’s explore the ten major downsides to the 13 Mini in depth below. These key considerations could be enough to convince you to avoid an iPhone 13 Mini at all costs.

5 Must-Know Facts About the iPhone 13 Mini

• The iPhone 13 Mini is a small-sized smartphone featuring a 5.4-inch display. A smaller display easily fits into pockets or purses and makes it more convenient for one-handed use.
• It is powered by Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, delivering improved performance and energy efficiency for smoother app usage and better battery life.
• The iPhone 13 Mini boasts a dual-camera setup, including a wide and ultra-wide lens. These dual cameras allow users to capture high-quality photos and videos from various perspectives.
• With 5G support, the iPhone 13 Mini offers faster download and streaming speeds. Faster speeds mean enhancing your overall mobile Internet experience.
• The device features a Super Retina XDR display, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. This makes it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming.

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$498.60

• Screen: 5.4-inch
• Includes HDR with Dolby Vision
• Battery: 17hrs
• Features FaceID

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12/02/2023 01:05 pm GMT

History of the Mini iPhone

While Apple has only been using the “mini” name since 2020’s iPhone 12 Mini, the history of mini iPhones truly dates back to 2013. The iPhone 5c, released in September of that year, could be called the first mini iPhone. This colorful, affordable take on the iPhone featured a 4-inch display and an array of bright color choices to pick from. It was much smaller compared to other iPhones at the time. However, it failed to gain as much popularity as its larger counterparts did. Therefore, Apple put a pause on the smaller option until 2016. 

This time around, Apple introduced the iPhone SE. Despite its new name, the model was essentially an upgraded version of the iPhone 5s with improved hardware components and no more flashy colors. However, the iPhone SE did retain the tiny 4-inch screen size. Despite its nearly identical appearance, the iPhone SE proved to be a hit. iPhones only grew larger between 2013 and 2016, creating a greater demand for a mini iPhone with a pocket-friendly design and powerful performance at a lower price point.

Oddly, the success of the SE didn’t result in any major changes from Apple for several years. In April 2020, Apple introduced the second-generation iPhone SE. Later that same year, the tech company unveiled the very first iPhone Mini. This iPhone 12 Mini featured the same 4.7-inch display as the iPhone 7 but came with upgraded internals that incorporated the powerful A13 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 11 series. This move allowed Apple to offer a smaller, more affordable option without sacrificing performance. One year later, Apple released the iPhone 13 Mini.

Why Avoid the iPhone 13 Mini?

In the market for a mini iPhone, but unsure if the iPhone 13 Mini is the right choice for you? We’ve rounded up ten major concerns about the 13 Mini. By the end of this list, you may want to steer clear of Apple’s most compact offering. Even though its small size and internal specs have their appeal, there are certain aspects you should consider before making your final decision. Let’s review all ten below.

Limited Battery

The iPhone 13 Mini’s smaller size means it has a smaller battery. Naturally, this results in shorter usage time and more frequent charging. It can only offer 2406mAh of power compared to the 3227mAh found in the iPhone 13 proper. While this is 10% more power than the iPhone 12 Mini’s battery, it still only offers around six hours of heavy usage before needing a charge. This simply won’t be enough for some smartphone users.

Smaller Display

But wait, isn’t a smaller display the driving force to buy an iPhone 13 Mini? Be that as it may, it’s still a negative aspect of the phone for those that prefer a bigger smartphone screen. The iPhone 13 Mini’s 5.4-inch screen is so small, it might even disappoint those who thought they wanted a tiny screen. With a display this puny, you might not be able to enjoy all the multimedia content or productivity tasks you’re used to.

Low Processing Power

Compared to larger iPhone models, the iPhone 13 Mini may have slightly inferior performance. This is due to its smaller form factor having less space for advanced hardware components. On paper, it looks identical to the iPhone 13 in this regard: an A15 Bionic chip, a 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine… However, when compared to the 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, it’s clear the 13 Mini falls short of the processing power a better iPhone can provide.

Reduced Camera Quality

The iPhone 13 Mini has the same rear dual-camera setup and lone front-facing camera as the iPhone 13. While this camera technology is undoubtedly impressive compared to previous Mini iPhones, the iPhone 13 Mini still may not match the photography capabilities of larger iPhone variants. This feels especially true in low-light situations. The 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are far superior in this area, and all fall short of the camera quality of the iPhone 14 product line.

Difficulty Typing

Due to the smaller screen size, typing on the iPhone 13 Mini’s virtual keyboard might be less comfortable and more error-prone. If you can remember what it was like to type on early iPhone or iPod Touch models, then you might fare well with the small keyboard. However, for those who have no experience with tiny Apple displays, typing might be a serious problem. Considering how much typing we do daily, this simply won’t do.

Risks Being Phased Out

With the ongoing trend toward larger smartphone screens, the iPhone 13 Mini faces the risk of being phased out sooner than other iPhone models. We’ve seen it happen several times with the mini iPhone models already. Who’s to say it won’t happen again? This concern looks especially glaring when looking at the iPhone 14 product line. There’s no mini model included in this latest generation. If the upcoming iPhone 15 forgoes the mini, then we’ll know it’s likely dead again.

Less Storage

Another reason to avoid an iPhone 13 Mini is its reduced storage space. If you’re the type of iPhone user who requires ample space for apps, photos, and videos, then the iPhone 13 Mini probably isn’t the phone for you. The same goes for those who constantly have to delete things to make space on their phone. The iPhone 13 Mini tops out at 512GB, which is half the storage space offered by the largest Pro and Pro Max models.

Low Resale Value

This issue isn’t specific to the 13 Mini, but rather all mini smartphones on the whole. You see, smaller smartphones generally have lower resale value. This could mean you get less money at trade-in when upgrading to your next smartphone later on down the line. Or, if you’re the type of person who sells your old phone when buying a new one, you could end up getting less money on eBay or other resale sites.

Susceptible to Damage

The compact design of the 13 Mini makes it considerably more susceptible to damage. Its glass front and back and aluminum frame are especially damage-prone. Some have seen screens shatter after accidentally dropping their 13 Minis from relatively short heights. Rough handling will also show a lot easier on the phone’s aluminum frame. It’s not the best choice for the self-identified clumsy ones among us.

High Price Point

Despite being the smallest model, the iPhone 13 Mini’s price isn’t all that significantly lower than other models in the lineup. Combine this fact with the other reasons to avoid an iPhone 13 Mini, and it looks less and less like the cost-effective smartphone Apple advertises it as. You may be better off shelling out a little bit more for a significantly better iPhone model. Especially with a new generation on the way this fall.

Alternatives to the iPhone 13 Mini

Ok, so you’ve changed your mind about the iPhone Mini, but you still need a smartphone. Here atre some of the best alternatives to the Mini.

In Review: Reasons to Avoid the iPhone 13 Mini

Before you rush to buy yourself an iPhone 13 Mini, take a moment to consider the downsides of this compact device that we’ve discussed above. From its limited battery life to the very serious risk of being phased out, these factors might make you think twice about going for the latest (and potentially last) mini iPhone. If you’re still on the fence, keep your eyes peeled for the next iPhone announcement expected to arrive in September. If Apple skips over a new mini iPhone model, you should avoid the iPhone 13 Mini at all costs. This would mean it’s been discontinued.

Consider these ten reasons to avoid an iPhone 13 Mini before making your final decision.

• The iPhone 13 Mini has an extremely limited battery life
• Its smaller display will not appeal to all smartphone users
• The 13 Mini’s processing power pales compared to newer iPhones
• Camera quality is seriously lacking
• You may have difficulty typing on the smaller keyboard
• The iPhone 13 Mini may be phased out sooner rather than later
• Storage is capped at 512MB
• Less resale value than larger iPhones
• Its fragile build is more susceptible to damage
• High price for so few benefits

Summary Table

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