Smartphones are getting bigger, but there is still a market for compact actual pocket-size phones. And that is precisely why we have the Apple iPhone 13 Mini. Just don’t think of it as a Lite version of the flagship just yet. After all, the Mini comes with the same A15 bionic processor, a dual-lens camera, and 5G support.
Why We Love Apple iPhone 13 Mini:
- Compact size (duh!)
- Good battery life
- Awesome cameras
- Price
iPhone 13 Mini: Size
The little Apple iPhone 13 Mini might just be the most convenient smartphone size-wise, which is important if you use it a lot on the go. But, exactly how small is it? The phone weighs only 4.97 ounces and is 5.18 in high, 2.53 in wide, and 0.30 in thick. In comparison, the iPhone 13 Pro model measures 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.30 inches respectively and weighs 7.19 ounces.
All in all, the iPhone 13 Mini just looks adorable. It features the same beautiful design but in a much smaller frame and can be an eye-catcher. Because we all are so used to large computer-like smartphones, the new iPhone 13 Mini most definitely looks refreshing. Plus, you can easily operate it with one hand.
Battery Life
Last year’s Apple iPhone 12 Mini is notoriously known for its poor battery performance. Thankfully this year, Apple took care of the problem.
Apple says that the new Mini 13 can give users up to 17 hours of video playback. While we find this statistic questionable, the Mini does have some pretty great stand-by life. So, for example, if you grab your fully charged phone in the morning and go about your day taking photos, calls, and meetings, you will still return home with some battery life left. All on a single charge. Not bad at all for a smartphone of this size. But not as impressive as the rest of the iPhone 13 lineup.
iPhone 13 Mini Cameras
As we noted above, the Mini got camera upgrades this year. In fact, it has the same cameras as the iPhone 13 flagship model. The main one (12MP) now has a bigger sensor for improved images in low-light settings. It also features sensor-shift optical image stabilization. As a result, the iPhone 13 Mini takes quality sharp photos that come out great both in daylight and at night.
The sensor stabilization feature is great for shooting motion videos with true-to-life colors. It also supports the newly added Cinematic Mode.
Price
The Apple iPhone 13 Mini is the cheapest phone in this year’s lineup. The base model, with 128GB of storage, will cost you $699. And the most expensive 512GB version currently goes for $999. This is still not bad, considering you get all the main features of the flagship, the same fantastic cameras, and MagSafe support.
Additionally, Apple offers a two-year financing agreement with monthly payments. You can also reduce the upgrade cost by trading in your older iPhone model if you checkout on the Apple Store site directly.
Ethically Made
The Mini is made with 99% recycled tungsten, 98% recycled rare metals, and 35% recycled plastic in its components. And like with previous iPhone models, Apple uses 100% recycled tin in the solder of its main board and battery management unit. The iPhone 13 Mini is also the first of Apple electronics to use 100% certified recycled gold in its logic board.
The phone also comes in sustainable packaging. The use of plastic is limited. 96% of the outer box is made of fiber, all of which is recycled and/or sustainably sourced.
To Switch or Not to Switch?
On the off chance that you are getting bored with iPhones, maybe it is time to change things up a bit? Perhaps you could get a Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and see for yourself why it is the best phone of 2021? Or maybe get a gaming smartphone, like the Asus ROG Phone 5, for example.
So if you are not going to upgrade to a newer model, the second-best option is to sell your iPhone for cash. And while iPhones hold better resale value than all other brands, prices are still rather volatile, especially after each new model release. Thus, we recommend going through with reselling your older iPhone sooner rather than later because, in a month or so, it may not be worth as much as it is today. To give you an idea, here are a few pricing examples:
- Last year’s Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB goes for up to $511 used*.
- A little older Apple iPhone 11 128GB AT&T can be resold for up to $269 online*.
- And a really old one, by today’s standards, iPhone 8 64GB, yields up to an $81 offer.*
Bottom Line
Apple iPhone 13 Mini is a surprisingly handy little smartphone with some outstanding cameras. Its battery life is way better compared to the last year’s model. And you cannot beat the price. And if you are looking to buy one, consider selling your older smartphone with us, Gadget Salvation. We offer instant estimates, fair prices and guarantee a speedy turnaround.
*Priced on 11/08/2021. Subject to change.
