iPhone 13 Vs iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13
iPhone 13
Starting at

Refurbished price:£188.00

Versus £599.00 new

See options
iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 mini
Starting at

Refurbished price:£190.00

Versus £649.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, both released in September 2021, represent Apple's standard and compact flagship smartphone offerings from that year. While they share identical internal components and camera systems, their primary differentiators lie in their physical dimensions and battery capacities. Both devices operate on Apple's iOS platform, providing a consistent software experience across the range.

Scores

Durability

Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini feature robust designs and are expected to receive software updates for several years, though their discontinuation dates vary slightly.

  • Release Timeline and Software Support: Both models were released on September 24, 2021. The iPhone 13 Mini was discontinued on September 12, 2023, while the standard iPhone 13 was discontinued on September 9, 2024. This means the iPhone 13 will likely receive one additional year of major iOS updates compared to the Mini, extending its practical software longevity.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices incorporate a Ceramic Shield front cover and an aerospace-grade aluminum frame, contributing to their overall resilience. They also carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. User reports suggest the compact size of the iPhone 13 Mini can make it inherently more resistant to damage from drops due to its smaller surface area and lighter weight.
  • Repairability: Initially, the iPhone 13 series received a repairability score of 5 out of 10 from iFixit, which was later improved to 6 out of 10 with an iOS 15.2 update that addressed issues with Face ID functionality after screen replacements. This indicates a moderate level of repairability, with some components being modular but requiring specific tools and processes.

Year of Release

2021

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are equipped with the same core processing unit, ensuring a consistent performance experience across most tasks, with battery life being the main distinction.

  • Processing Power: Both models are powered by the same advanced chip, featuring a 6-core CPU and a 4-core GPU. This hardware configuration allows both devices to handle demanding applications, graphic-intensive games, and extensive multitasking smoothly and responsively.
  • Storage and RAM: Users can choose from identical storage options of 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB for both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini. Both devices also come with 4GB of RAM, which contributes to efficient app management and overall system fluidity.
  • Battery Behavior: The primary performance difference lies in battery endurance. The iPhone 13, with its larger physical size, accommodates a larger battery, offering up to 19 hours of video playback and 75 hours of audio playback. The iPhone 13 Mini, due to its smaller form factor, has a smaller battery, providing up to 17 hours of video playback and 55 hours of audio playback. This translates to the iPhone 13 generally offering longer usage times between charges, particularly for heavy users.

Memory

4 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini feature high-quality displays, offering excellent visual experiences, though their physical dimensions differ significantly.

  • Display Technology: Both devices utilize Super Retina XDR OLED panels, which provide deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast, enhancing content viewing. They also support HDR content and feature True Tone technology for adaptive white balance.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The iPhone 13 features a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 460 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone 13 Mini, with its 5.4-inch display, has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, yielding a slightly higher pixel density of about 476 ppi. While the Mini has a marginally sharper display on paper due to its smaller size, both offer crisp text and clear images that are generally indistinguishable in everyday use.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both models offer a typical maximum brightness of 800 nits, with a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Both displays operate at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Resolution

1170 x 2532

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini are identical, offering the same photographic and video capabilities across both models.

  • Dual Camera System: Both devices feature a dual 12-megapixel rear camera setup, comprising a wide-angle lens with an f/1.6 aperture and an ultra-wide-angle lens with an f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. The main wide camera benefits from sensor-shift optical image stabilization, which was previously exclusive to the Pro Max models, enhancing stability for both photos and videos.
  • Photography Features: Both phones deliver improved low-light performance compared to their predecessors, capturing more light and reducing noise in challenging conditions. They also include features like Photographic Styles for personalized image looks and Deep Fusion for enhanced detail. The front-facing camera on both is a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera with an f/2.2 aperture, supporting Portrait mode and Night mode selfies.
  • Video Recording: For video, both models support Cinematic mode, which provides a shallow depth of field and automatic focus transitions, allowing for more professional-looking footage. They can record HDR video with Dolby Vision up to 4K at 60 frames per second, and also offer slo-mo video and time-lapse with stabilization.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond their core functionalities, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini share many practical features and design elements, with size and weight being the most notable physical differences.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both models support 5G cellular connectivity, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), and Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless communication. They both retain the Lightning port for charging and data transfer.
  • Sensors and Security: Both devices incorporate Face ID for secure facial recognition. They also include a range of sensors such as a gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, proximity sensor, and ambient light sensor, enabling various functionalities and user experiences.
  • Dimensions and Handling: The iPhone 13 measures 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm and weighs 173-174 grams, offering a comfortable grip for most users. The iPhone 13 Mini is significantly more compact at 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm and weighs 140-141 grams, making it ideal for one-handed use and easier pocketability. Both feature an aluminum frame and a Ceramic Shield front cover.

Weight

173 g

140 g

Width

7,15 cm

6,42 cm

Height

13,676 cm

13,15 cm

Depth

0,75 cm

0,75 cm

Screen size (in)

6.1

5.4

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

Lightning

The iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, while sharing a common technological foundation, cater to different user preferences primarily based on size and battery life. Users frequently praise the iPhone 13 for striking a good balance between screen real estate and portability, coupled with reliable battery performance for a full day of typical use. Its camera system is consistently highlighted for producing high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

The iPhone 13 Mini, on the other hand, is often lauded by users for its exceptionally compact form factor, making it comfortable for one-handed operation and easy to carry. Despite its smaller size, it delivers the same powerful performance and excellent camera capabilities as its larger sibling. However, a common criticism of the Mini is its shorter battery life, which may require more frequent charging for heavy users.

For individuals who prioritize a larger display for media consumption, gaming, or productivity, and value extended battery life, the iPhone 13 is likely the more suitable choice. Conversely, users who place a premium on a highly portable device that fits easily into smaller pockets and is comfortable to use with one hand, and who are less concerned about maximizing battery life, will find the iPhone 13 Mini well-suited to their needs. Both models offer a robust and capable smartphone experience. For those considering these devices, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons