Small Apple Phone Buying Guide: Features, Price, and More

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Rose Gold Iphone 7 Plus Beside Pencils on Book
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The Apple iPhone SE is a great option for those who want a compact phone without compromising on features. It has a 4.7-inch screen and is powered by the A13 Bionic chip.

In terms of cameras, the iPhone SE has a 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera, which is perfect for taking selfies and photos on the go. The phone also has a single 12MP camera on the back.

The iPhone SE is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options, making it easy to choose the right one for your needs. It also supports up to 18W fast charging, which can charge your phone up to 50% in just 30 minutes.

If you're looking for a small Apple phone that won't break the bank, the iPhone SE is a great choice, with a starting price of around $399.

Discover more: Apple Phone Se

Design and Features

The iPhone 13 mini has a smaller body than most top-end smartphones, but it's designed to be premium. It's built for those who want a smaller device, and it's comfortable to hold in your hand.

Credit: youtube.com, iPhone Air Hands-On: Apple’s Thinnest iPhone Ever!

The phone features a 5.4-inch screen, which is one of the smallest screens on flagship smartphones right now. This makes it easy to use single-handedly, and you can easily type on the keyboard with your thumb.

The power button is on the right edge of the phone, while the left edge is home to the silence switch, volume buttons, and SIM tray. There's a Lightning port between the phone's speaker grilles on the bottom of the handset.

Here are the five color options for the iPhone 13 mini:

  • Blue
  • Pink
  • Red
  • Starlight (white)
  • Midnight (black)

The rear of the handset is made of glass, and it comes with Apple's Ceramic Shield technology, which makes the phone four times stronger than iPhone models without it.

Design

The iPhone 13 mini has a premium design that's built to last. It's made with a glass rear and features Apple's Ceramic Shield technology, which makes it four times stronger than previous iPhone models.

A Person Holding an iPhone with Blank Screen
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The phone's body is slightly thicker than its predecessor, but it's still a great size for those who want a smaller device. The 5.4-inch screen is one of the smallest on flagship smartphones, but it's still big enough to enjoy watching videos and browsing the web.

The power button is located on the right edge of the phone, while the left edge has the silence switch, volume buttons, and SIM tray. There's a Lightning port at the bottom of the phone, between the speaker grilles.

You can choose from five different color options: blue, pink, red, Starlight, and Midnight. The Starlight and Midnight colors are Apple's fancy names for white and black, respectively.

Here are the key specs for the iPhone 13 mini's display:

The display has rounded corners and is splash, water, and dust resistant, with an IP68 rating. It's also a Super Retina XDR display, which means it's got strong brightness levels and a high-resolution screen.

Camera & Video

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The camera and video features on the iPhone 13 mini are impressive. The phone has a dual 12MP camera system, consisting of a Wide and Ultra Wide camera.

The Wide camera has a ƒ/1.6 aperture, while the Ultra Wide camera has a ƒ/2.4 aperture and a 120° field of view. This allows for a wider range of shots and more flexibility when taking photos.

You can zoom in up to 2x optically, and digital zoom goes up to 5x. The camera also features Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, as well as Portrait Lighting with six effects.

The phone can record video in up to 4K at 60fps, with HDR video recording and Dolby Vision support. It also has a Cinematic mode for recording videos with shallow depth of field, and can record slow-motion video at up to 240fps.

Here are some key camera and video features at a glance:

  • Wide camera: 12MP, ƒ/1.6 aperture
  • Ultra Wide camera: 12MP, ƒ/2.4 aperture, 120° field of view
  • Zoom: up to 2x optical, up to 5x digital
  • Video recording: up to 4K at 60fps, HDR, Dolby Vision
  • Cinematic mode: shallow depth of field
  • Slow-motion video: up to 240fps

The front camera is also capable, with a 12MP sensor and f/2.2 aperture. It's great for taking selfies and recording video, and is even used for Face ID to unlock your phone.

Wireless Technology

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The wireless technology in this device is quite impressive. It supports 5G+ on the AT&T network with bands n77 C-band and n260.

You can make calls and send messages over cellular or Wi-Fi with features like FaceTime video calling, FaceTime HD, and Voice over LTE (VoLTE). It's also got Wi-Fi Calling capable.

The device has Wi-Fi connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and 2x2 MIMO, which is a big plus for streaming and online gaming.

Here are the specific bands supported by the device:

It also has Near Field Communication (NFC) with reader mode and Bluetooth technology v5.0, which is great for pairing with other devices.

Pros and Cons

The small Apple phone has a lot going for it. One of its standout features is its compact, light, and comfortable design, making it easy to carry around.

The screen is also a highlight, being both bright and accurate. This makes it a joy to use for tasks like browsing and gaming. I've found it to be a great feature for watching videos on the go.

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In addition to its excellent display, the phone's camera system is also top-notch. It's great for capturing high-quality photos and videos. The fast performance of the phone is another major advantage, allowing you to quickly switch between apps and tasks.

Here are some of the key pros of the small Apple phone at a glance:

  • Compact, light, comfortable to carry
  • Bright and accurate screen
  • Great camera system
  • Fast performance
  • 128GB base storage

Pros

The new device has some amazing features that make it a great choice. It's compact and light, making it comfortable to carry around.

One of the standout features is the bright and accurate screen, which is perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. The camera system is also top-notch, capturing high-quality photos and videos.

You'll appreciate the fast performance, which makes it easy to switch between apps and multitask. And with 128GB of base storage, you'll have plenty of room for your files and apps.

Here are some of the device's key pros:

  • Gorgeous compact design
  • Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini
  • Starts at 128GB of storage
  • Compact, light, comfortable to carry
  • Bright and accurate screen
  • Great camera system
  • Fast performance

Hated: Cramped Experience

The iPhone 13 Mini's compact size comes with a trade-off: a cramped experience for reading, photos, and FaceTime.

Close-up Phography of a Grey Iphone Xi
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Reading on the iPhone 13 Mini is more enjoyable on the iPhone 13's bigger display since characters appear larger.

A bigger screen means a larger viewfinder in the camera app, making it easier to set up shots and crop them afterward.

The iPhone 13's speakers sound louder than the iPhone 13 Mini's, which is especially handy for video calls.

Being able to see someone on a bigger screen makes the call feel more engaging, and I can attest to that from my own experience with FaceTime calls.

For another approach, see: Apple Phone Touchscreen Not Working

Performance and Battery Life

The iPhone 13 mini is a powerful device, thanks to its Apple A15 Bionic chipset. This processor is seriously powerful and can easily handle multiple apps at once.

The iPhone 13 mini comes with 4GB of RAM, which is less than the Pro siblings but still capable of running top-end apps without any issues.

Benchmarking scores for the iPhone 13 mini are impressive, with a Geekbench 5 multi-core score of 4,643. This is almost indistinguishable from the score of the iPhone 13, which was 4,688.

Credit: youtube.com, iPhone Air Battery Life Results ARE IN… I’m Shocked!

Here's a comparison of the iPhone 13 mini's battery life with its predecessor and a larger model:

The iPhone 13 mini has a smaller battery than the rest of the series, with a 2,438mAh cell. This means it may not provide as strong battery life, but it's still enough for most users to get through a day of normal usage.

A fresh viewpoint: Apple Phone Battery

Power and Battery

The iPhone 13 mini has a built-in rechargeable lithium-polymer battery that's a big improvement over its predecessor, but it still doesn't last as long as the iPhone 13.

You can expect up to 55 hours of audio playback, up to 17 hours of video playback, and up to 13 hours of video playback when streamed.

Battery life will vary depending on how you use your device, but the iPhone 13 mini will likely last a whole day of normal usage, with around 30% left in the tank.

See what others are reading: Apple Phone Battery Pack

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The phone has fast-charging technology, which can recharge your phone to 50% in 30 minutes with an 18W charger or higher.

Here's a breakdown of the iPhone 13 mini's battery life:

The iPhone 13 mini also supports wireless charging, including MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W and Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W.

Take a look at this: Apple Phone Will Not Charge

Specs and Performance

The iPhone 13 mini is a powerhouse of a phone, thanks to its Apple A15 Bionic chipset. This is the same processor that's used in other 2021 iPhones, and it's seriously powerful.

We found that the iPhone 13 mini can easily handle multiple apps at once, and it didn't stutter or struggle with any apps or games during our testing. Benchmarking scores were impressive, with a Geekbench 5 multi-core score of 4,643.

The phone comes with 4GB of RAM, which is less than the Pro siblings but still capable of running top-end apps. If you want more storage, you're limited to 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB options, with no microSD support.

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Here are the specs that matter for performance:

  • AnTuTu
  • GFXBench Car Chase on-screen
  • GFXBench Manhattan 3.1 on-screen
  • Geekbench 5 Single
  • Geekbench 5 Multi (4,643)
  • Jetstream 2

The iPhone 13 mini also supports 5G connectivity, which means you'll be able to connect to next-gen networks if your carrier and plan support them and you're in an area with 5G coverage.

Fits in Pockets and Bags

The iPhone 13 Mini's pocket-friendly design is a major plus. Its svelte shape makes it easy to fit into small pockets and bags.

I can appreciate this feature, as I often cram too many items into tiny bags. The iPhone 13 Mini's tiny size is especially handy when going out for a run, where you want to keep your load as light as possible.

The iPhone 13 Mini's small size leaves plenty of room for other items in your waist pack, making it easy to quickly find other belongings when you need them. My 6.1-inch iPhone, on the other hand, occupies most of the space in my pack, making it harder to find my keys.

The iPhone 13 Mini is easier to fit in small spaces, but the keyboard feels cramped when typing with two hands.

Comparison and Alternatives

Credit: youtube.com, why the iPhone Mini is still the best iPhone ever made (5 years later)

If you're considering the Apple iPhone 13 mini but want to explore alternatives, there are several options to consider. The Apple iPhone 12 mini, for example, is a slightly smaller and more affordable option.

The Google Pixel 5 is another alternative that's significantly smaller and lighter than the iPhone 13 mini. It weighs in at 49.261 grams.

If you're looking for a phone with a similar size and features to the iPhone 13 mini but from a different manufacturer, the Sony Xperia 5 III is worth considering. It has a weight of 79.245 grams.

Here are some of the iPhone 13 mini alternatives compared in a table:

vs

The iPhone 13 mini is a great option for those who want a compact smartphone, but it's not the only choice in the iPhone 13 lineup. The main difference between the iPhone 13 mini and the standard iPhone 13 is the display size.

The iPhone 13 mini has a 5.4-inch OLED display, while the iPhone 13 has a 6.1-inch OLED display. This means the iPhone 13 mini is significantly smaller and lighter, weighing in at 4.97 ounces compared to the iPhone 13's 6.14 ounces.

For another approach, see: Phone Stuck on Apple Logo Iphone 6

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Here's a comparison of the two devices:

Despite the differences in size and price, both devices have the same camera setup, with a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. They also both support HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 fps.

One thing to note is that the iPhone 13 mini has improved battery life, with Apple listing 17 hours of video playback, compared to the iPhone 13's 19 hours. However, both devices have the same processor, the Apple A15 Bionic.

Alternatives

If you're looking for a smaller iPhone option, the Apple iPhone 13 mini is a great choice, but it's not the only option. The Apple iPhone 12 mini is another compact iPhone that's worth considering.

One thing to note is that the Apple iPhone 12 mini is slightly smaller than the iPhone 13 mini, with a weight of 161.931 grams. The Google Pixel 5 is a more affordable option, weighing in at 49.261 grams.

If you're looking for an iPhone alternative with a bit more power, the Sony Xperia 5 III is a good option, weighing 79.245 grams.

Here are some iPhone 13 mini alternatives to consider:

Tech Radar Verdict

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The iPhone 13 mini is a top contender for those seeking a smaller device on Apple's iOS platform.

It's arguably the best small phone on the market, thanks to its powerful performance.

The camera is top-tier, making it perfect for capturing life's precious moments.

Battery life has improved significantly over its predecessor, the iPhone 12 mini.

If you're looking for a smaller device, the iPhone 13 mini is the way to go.

Buying Advice

When considering a small apple phone, it's essential to think about storage. The Apple iPhone 12 Mini, for example, comes with a 64GB or 128GB storage option.

If you're a casual user, the 64GB option might be sufficient, but if you plan on storing a lot of photos, videos, or apps, the 128GB option is a better choice.

The Apple iPhone 12 Mini also has a battery life that can last up to 10 hours of internet use, making it a great option for those who are always on the go.

Curious to learn more? Check out: Apple Phone Storage

Price

Apple iPhone 14 pro max mobile phone
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The price of the iPhone 13 mini varies depending on the storage capacity you choose. The 128 GB model costs $599 ($629 unlocked), while the 256 GB model is priced at $699 ($729 unlocked).

If you need more storage, the 512 GB model is available for $899 ($929 unlocked). Keep in mind that these prices are for the unlocked version of the phone.

Here's a breakdown of the prices for the iPhone 13 mini:

It's worth noting that the iPhone 13 mini is more expensive than the iPhone 12 mini, with the 128 GB model costing $599 compared to the iPhone 12 mini's $599 launch price.

Buy It If..

If you're looking for a smartphone that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, consider the iPhone 13 mini. You'll be able to go a full day without needing to recharge, a major improvement over the 12 mini.

The iPhone 13 mini is a top performer, with a chipset that competes with the best of the best. Expect similar performance to the standard iPhone 13.

Patricia Dach

Junior Copy Editor

Patricia Dach is a meticulous and detail-oriented Copy Editor with a passion for refining written content. With a keen eye for grammar and syntax, she ensures that articles are polished and error-free. Her expertise spans a range of topics, from technology to lifestyle, and she is well-versed in various style guides.

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