We have updated this review in 2023 to include accurate pricing information and stockist links. While we initially wrote this review when the iPhone 13 mini launched in 2021, Apple hasn’t released a phone of this size since, skipping it for the iPhone 14 models. A mini model is not expected to return in 2023 either. You may want to consider the smaller iPhone SE, one of the top budget smartphones, but we still rate the iPhone 13 mini in 2023 for fans of smaller handsets.
Is the iPhone 13 mini worth it?
While most of today’s flagship phones are often too big to put in your front pocket or use one-handed, Apple’s iPhone 13 mini and its predecessor stand out as the best diminutive options. For comparison, this little variant is marginally taller and heavier than the first-generation iPhone SE – launched back in early-2016. So, if you’ve had enough of your current massive handset, you might be considering downsizing. We’ve had some hands-on time with the new model to see if it’s worth the upgrade.
When it comes to the specs, there’s not much that separates the standard iPhone 13 and its mini counterpart, and both have seen comparatively minor upgrades compared to last year’s 12 and 12 mini.
If you’re looking at making the jump to a new phone, though, you’re probably coming from an older model like the iPhone 8, X or XR. If that’s the case, you’ll notice big differences like the throwback squared-edge design, improved OLED screens and quick 5G data speeds that were all introduced with the 12.
Here are the main specifications, at a glance:
- Screen size: 5.4 inch
- Resolution: 2340 x 1080
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- Cameras: 2 x rear cameras (12MP wide-angle and 12MP ultra-wide angle) 12MP (wide) front camera
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage space: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
- MicroSD card slot: No
- Weight: 140g
Below, we’ll go through the specific upgrades between this model and older releases:
iPhone 13 mini: Battery
As your phone ages, you’ll have noticed it starts to run out of battery before the end of the day. With this new 13 mini, Apple promises it’ll have at least an hour-and-a-half more than the previous version, although that one does have notably poor longevity. On its site, Apple says you’ll get up to 15 hours on that older version, now increased to 17 hours with this release.
iPhone 13 mini: Display
Making the jump from an XR or 11? One of the biggest changes you should notice is that this one has an OLED display. Just about everything looks richer and more colourful on OLED, and this time Apple says there’s a 28% improvement in brightness compared to the last version.
iPhone 13 mini: Camera
The mini has the exact same set of cameras as the iPhone 13, so you get a dual-lens system that now lets 40% more light in compared to the 12 – there’s also “sensor-shift image stabilisation” which is a fancy way of saying your images are less likely to be blurry and you’ll be able to take more steady video footage.
iPhone 13 mini: Storage
With all the apps, photos and video downloads that we keep on our phones, more storage space is always good news. Now that there’s an increase from a 64GB base model to 128GB, you get twice as much on this one compared to the standard 12 model, so there’s no need to worry if you have space for all those family pictures. If you’re coming from a 32GB iPhone 7, this will feel like a massive upgrade.
iPhone 13 mini: Price
Starting from £649 if you buy it upfront, although now available for £599 from Amazon, the new mini costs a little less than the last one did when it launched last year and is more affordable than the bigger iPhone 13. Want a little more storage, though? That’ll be extra.
iPhone 13 mini: Verdict
If you’ve been considering switching to a smaller model and are making the leap over from one of Apple’s older phones like the iPhone 8 or XR, the new 13 mini doesn’t disappoint. It packs in all the same flagship features of the 13 in a more compact form factor, and we’re impressed by the richness of the display and the reliable quality of the camera.
It’s ideal if you want something that won’t feel too weighty while you’re making a Facetime call and is tiny enough to fit in your front jeans pocket. The only real downside? While its battery life is decent, we found it’ll probably be drained to around 10% by bedtime – and if you watch videos on your phone, it’ll run out sooner than that.
Should you buy the iPhone 13 mini in 2023?
Small phone fans should still opt for the iPhone mini in 2023. With its extra camera, advanced chip, brighter and better display, MagSafe compatibility and increased storage, this remains a better buy than the newer iPhone SE for most people other than budget shoppers. We tested it for a full year without any battery issues, but if you’re worried about a smaller battery, you can always keep a power bank in your bag.
What is the future of the iPhone mini?
One reason we still strongly recommend the iPhone 13 mini is that Apple is unlikely to include a smaller phone in its lineup in the foreseeable future. It swapped the mini model for a larger iPhone 14 Plus in 2022, and it isn't expected to launch an iPhone 15 mini. Realistically, if you like a pocket-friendly handset, you’re choosing between this and the iPhone SE.
Pros
- Excellent cameras
- Great compact size
- Bright display
Cons
- Lower battery life
- More expensive than iPhone SE
The GH hands-on trial
What we liked
The main selling point for the 13 mini is its size, and that’s probably what impressed us the most compared to our old iPhone XR. There’s a little bit of a learning curve when it comes to moving from a bigger phone to this one, but you’ll soon appreciate how comfortable it is to type on and to use with one hand.
We found that the capable rear cameras take quality images that have balanced and accurate colours, and a lot of detail. The sensor stabilisation makes for less shaky videos, and while not a feature that everyone will use, Apple’s new “cinematic” video mode can help make your family movies look more professional, with blurred backgrounds and focus that auto-shifts between subjects to add drama.
The selfie camera on the front is good too, taking bright and detailed portraits in good light. It hasn’t been upgraded much since last year, though, so don’t expect major changes there. We’d recommend the most serious phone photographers look at the 13 Pro and Pro Max models, as these pack in a useful telephoto lens for better portraits and shots of subjects further in the distance.
Take note
As we mentioned in our iPhone 13 review, it’s worth noting that Apple doesn’t include USB chargers in the box anymore, so hold onto the one you’ve already got. All you get is the phone itself and a Lightning cable.
We’d advise against going for the iPhone 13 mini if you want to use it for streaming longer videos like an episode of Strictly or for playing games, as its battery life isn’t going to manage. We found it lasted well for a day of light to medium use like scrolling through news articles and Instagram, watching a bit of YouTube and texting. But, if put under pressure, we think it would run out before a full day’s use.
It’s also a bit of a downside that you can’t expand the storage yourself with an SD card, if you want more room you’re going to have to pick a more expensive model in the first place.
How the GH Tech Team tests smartphones
We test the boot-up time and processing speed of phones, finding out if opening apps, playing games and web browsing can be done with less lag. We also watch videos to test the display, evaluate call quality, camera performance, speaker sound quality, how responsive the screen is, and how long the battery lasts when playing videos.
Simon Cocks is Good Housekeeping UK’s Technology Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy for the title. He previously also worked across other titles including Esquire UK, Digital Spy, Men’s Health UK and Women’s Health UK.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, portable chargers, radios, e-book readers and smartphones. He's reviewed top tech products from brands including Google, Apple, Amazon, JBL and Bose.
A magazine journalism graduate from Kingston University in 2014, Simon also worked on the Discovery and Silkroad inflight magazines. He then gained experience writing about entertainment at SFX and Total Film. He also contributed reviews and interviews to TwitchFilm (later ScreenAnarchy), CultBox and Frame Rated.
He joined Good Housekeeping UK as the Editorial Assistant for Special Projects and was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team between 2014 and 2019. In this role, he conducted price comparison research, wrote detailed household and money-saving advice guides and edited thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
He has focused on technology and gadgets since 2020, where he started by testing out power banks and instant cameras. He writes reviews, roundups, news articles and deals updates, and also covers top tech deals during sales like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram, on Bluesky, on LinkedIn and on Threads.
