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iPhone 13 mini 1 Month Later

10:58 video

I’ve used the iPhone 13 mini as my main phone for four weeks, and it’s the iPhone I’ve always wanted: the human-sized phone a lot of people wanted. I waited four weeks to solidify my opinions, and if the rumors are true, it may be the last human-sized iPhone.

Design and size

It’s beautiful and very similar to last year’s iPhones. I freaking love the product red: Apple messed it up the last couple of years with lighter or pinker shades, but this is the real one, and (no matter what some other guy on YouTube whose name rhymes with Jerry says) the best iPhone 13 color. I said in my unboxing that I wanted to marry this color.

It sits comfortably in my hand (I’m not tall and don’t have large hands) and I can spin it like a fidget device with confidence. It’s not too wide, so I can type one-handed and reach across the keyboard, which I can’t with the 13 or 13 Pro, and scrolling or sending a quick message while in line is super easy.

Going caseless

I planned to use it without a case, as small as possible, and did for several weeks, but I find it worse, for two reasons: depending on how dry my hands are, it can be slippery to lift off the table (it’s slipped out of my hand a few times, with no damage), and there’s an anxiety about using a naked multi-hundred-dollar device (cracking the screen, rocks and scratches). So for now, it’s the ESR Hybrid case (not a sponsor; I bought it on Amazon), which shows off the red with a clear back and adds grip with silicone sides, and it still slides in and out of pockets easily. There’s a link for 10% off.

Display

It’s brighter this year, matching the 12 Pro: 800 nits peak, 1,200 nits in HDR. I’ve had no issues seeing it in any lighting condition, even with sunglasses on. It’s limited to 60 Hz, unlike the 13 Pro’s 120 Hz, but on smaller screens like the iPhone or iPad mini, I don’t miss ProMotion in regular use (I scroll, read, then scroll). The notch is slightly narrower but makes no difference. Face ID seems no different: reliable. Two tips if you have Face ID issues: hold the iPhone at chest height when scanning your face (where you usually unlock it), and scan again with the alternate appearance option.

Speakers and performance

The speakers are loud enough and clear, though the 13 Pro is slightly louder and fuller (physics). I usually use AirPods, but I have no issue with work calls on speaker, Spotify, a quick YouTube video or a podcast in the shower on a little tray (it’s water resistant, why not?).

The A15 has six cores and a 4-core GPU with 15 billion transistors, a new display engine, image signal processor and video encoders and decoders. Geekbench shows 10 to 20% gains over the 12 line, and my LumaFusion export test is about 50 seconds faster than last year’s 12 Pro thanks to the hardware video encoder, but I don’t think it matters on the mini: in regular use, there are no performance issues, and it should perform for years (like the five-year-old iPhone 6s still supported today).

Cameras

There’s a new wide and ultra wide system. The wide gets sensor-shift stabilization, formerly exclusive to the 12 Pro Max, and both lenses are brighter, which makes the ultra wide more usable in poor light. I’m happy with the photos and videos. The new software features are Photographic Styles (preferences for contrast, vibrance and warmth applied to all photos, using AI so skin tones and skies aren’t adversely affected) and Cinematic mode (a focus and bokeh effect on video that changes constantly and can be adjusted later). Photographic Styles are fun for those who want them, but I like the default; Cinematic mode is pretty cool and will get much better, but for now you get a lot of blurred edges, it’s limited to 1080p, and I prefer regular 4K for quick videos of my daughter and family.

Battery

My biggest obstacle with the 12 mini was battery anxiety. It’s better this year: Apple says up to 17 hours of video playback (15 on the 12 mini), and I end the day with 20 to 30% left and 3.5 to 5 hours of screen-on time, which is comfortable. (I spend time on other devices, such as the iPad mini or my other 19 devices.)

Pricing

$699 for 128 GB, $799 for 256 GB or $999 for 512 GB. I like 256 GB: a sweet spot for downloaded content and plenty of room for photos and videos before they upload to Google Photos.

Verdict

It’s the perfect upgrade this year, and I love it: great cameras, a bright screen, and a battery that gets me through typical days. I don’t miss ProMotion, but I do miss the macro and telephoto of the 13 Pro, though not enough to say you need the Pro. For most people who want a human-sized phone, the mini is the one, and you should hurry, because it may not be around next year.

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