iPhone 13 mini long-term review: Battery life The camera shutters are quick as well, and not once did I lose a shot due to any lag. In actual use, I was not able to tell the difference.įor playing games or multitasking between resource-intensive apps, including 4K video editing, the iPhone 13 mini just flies, and I found it impossible to slow it down or force a stutter. On benchmarks like Antutu, the A15 scored nearly 30% more points than the A14. However, it is noticeably easier to read text on the 13 mini in direct sunlight.Īpple says the updated 6-core CPU is “up to 50% faster than the competition,” and the 4-core GPU is “30% quicker at handling visuals and lighting effects in graphic-intensive games.” This was one of the rare times when Apple didn’t compare to last year’s chip, and for a good reason.ĭespite its pocket-friendly size, the iPhone 12 mini was no slouch in performance, and the iPhone 13 mini only has a marginal leg up on it, at least in real-world usage. In day-to-day use, this bump-up isn’t apparent. The only change this year is that the display is about 30% brighter. It’s sharp, vivid, and supports all the bells and whistles, such as HDR and True Tone. Speaking of the screen, it’s pretty much the same 5.4-inch OLED panel. The flat edges, for instance, offer your fingers an ideal place to rest, and the fact that the screen doesn’t stretch to the corners ensures there are no accidental touches. I’m glad, though, that Apple hasn’t gone for any radical design updates because the boxy exterior works well for a smaller phone. The iPhone 12 mini’s mass, is more evenly distributed and, therefore, feels lighter in real-world use. In addition, although the phone is only seven grams (0.25 ounces) heavier, the camera bump’s extra depth has made its weight a hair off-center. The glass back, for instance, remains a fingerprint magnet, and the glossy finish doesn’t inspire grip confidence forcing me to put it in a case. The iPhone 13 mini looks as premium as ever, but I do wonder if Apple could have made a few ergonomic tweaks. Plus, the notch is 20% slimmer so you get a bit more screen without having to deal with a bigger phone. The good news is that it barely wobbles when you’re using the bottom half of the display, which means you can comfortably type it when it’s lying on, say, your desk. The camera bump protrudes ever so slightly more, and the iPhone mini no longer sits perfectly flat on a surface. Look closer, however, and you’ll discover where Apple made room for upgrades. It inherits the familiar all-aluminum sleek design with flat edges. iPhone 13 mini long-term review: Design and buildįrom the outside, it’s hard to tell the iPhone 13 mini apart from its predecessor. Is the iPhone 13 mini the ultimate small phone? After living with it for more than a month, here’s what we think of it. Apple reportedly squeezed so many upgrades in by shrinking down the Taptic Engine (the motor that delivers haptic vibrations) and rearranging the Face ID sensors, resulting in a slimmer notch.
It’s the same phone - only more dependable. As an iPhone 12 mini owner, I feel right at home. What’s more important is that, despite these improvements, the iPhone 13 mini doesn’t compromise the mini experience.
At the same $700 ($730 if purchased unlocked) starting price, the 13 mini doubles the storage to 128GB. It’s also a better value than the iPhone 12 mini. In that same handy form factor, the iPhone 13 mini lasts longer and offers bigger cameras, a brighter screen, and a much faster chip. The new iPhone 13 mini - equipped with a larger battery - perfects that formula and fixes pretty much all of what ailed its predecessor. Apple nailed the formula for a small, no-compromise smartphone with the iPhone 12 mini except for battery life. The iPhone 13 mini could be the last of its kind from Apple, but it might remain the best mini phone out there for years.