The iPhone 13 Mini has become the ideal option for those who want an Apple phone that does not weigh so much on the pocket. Costing $699, the price is $100 lower than the iPhone 12 Mini, the predecessor released in 2020. In the following lines, learn what has changed both in prices and technical data sheets in the generation change.
Although the design has kept many aspects of the previous version, the newly launched smartphone brings new features in the field of cameras and more storage.
iPhone 12 Mini vs iPhone 13 Mini
| Specifications | iPhone 12 Mini | iPhone 13 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | October 2020 | September 2021 |
| launch price | From $599 | From $699 |
| Current price (Amazon) | From $520 | ––– |
| Screen | 5.4 inches | 5.4 inches |
| Screen resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels | 2340 x 1080 pixels |
| Processor | A14 Bionic | A15 Bionic |
| RAM | – | – |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 128 / 256 / 512 GB |
| Memory card | no support | no support |
| Main camera | 12 MP Main / 12 MP Ultra Wide | 12 MP Main / 12 MP Ultra Wide |
| Front Camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Operating System | iOS 14 | iOS 15 |
| Battery | – | – |
| Dimensions and weight | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm; 133 g | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm; 133 g |
| Colors | Purple, Blue, Green, White, Black, and Red | Pink, Blue, Midnight, Stellar, and Red |
Screen and Design
A lot of screen-related things have been retained in the newly released generation. Even in the iPhone 13 Mini, the display remains with a size of 5.4 inches and repeats the resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. In this sense, it is possible to mention that both the pixel density of 476 PPI and the OLED panel also comes with the new phone.
Other aspects common to both models are the water and dust resistance conferred by IP68 and the Ceramic Shield structure, which aims to protect against scratches and scuffs. The first feature allows them to be submerged in water at a depth of up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. Still, in terms of structure, it is possible to mention that the phones do not feature a fingerprint reader – they bring Face ID facial recognition as a mechanism to authenticate the user.
The new iPhone did not also bring many changes in terms of design. However, the promise to reduce the notch was fulfilled, but in a subtle way: the notch is 20% smaller, according to Apple.
The iPhone 13 Mini arrives in pink, blue, midnight (a very dark blue), starlight, and red. The iPhone 12 Mini is offered in purple, blue, green, white, black, and red.
Camera
The photo set follows the previous pattern, with a 12 MP main camera (f/1.6) and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera (f/2.4). The numbers may seem similar, but Apple promises performance equivalent to that seen in the 2020 Pro line since there is greater light input.
Cinema mode is one of the new features that Apple has implemented in the new generation. This mechanism consists of shifting the focus from one character to another in order to direct the audience’s attention to the desired target. Other particular features of the iPhone 13 Mini are the sapphire crystal-covered lens and HDR with recognition of up to four people in the photo.
In common, the phones bring the night mode, to record good images even in low light, and optical image stabilization. Up to five times digital zoom as well as two times optical zoom are also in the settings of both cameras.
The front camera also offers 12 MP for recording selfies on both the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini.
Performance and Storage
The datasheets of the Mini iPhones differ when it comes to performance, as they rely on different versions of Apple’s processor. The iPhone 13 Mini arrives with an updated chipset, the A15 Bionic with its 6 cores, two for high performance and four for energy efficiency.
The iPhone 12 Mini operates with the A14 Bionic, another hexa-core that holds the rank of the apple company’s first 5-nanometer chipset. It is with the help of the A14 Bionic that functions such as Deep Fusion and HDR perform their tasks in the camera, as well as optimize other functions in the operation of the phone.
The storage of the iPhone 13 Mini starts at 128 GB, an improvement over the iPhone 12 Mini with its initial 64 GB. Both generations have 128 GB and 256 GB options. The new Mini still reaches 512 GB.
There is no memory card support on either, as has become a tradition at Apple. RAM is not revealed by the manufacturer, but specialized sites estimate it to be 6 GB.
Battery
One of the promises of the new generation of iPhones is longer battery life. Apple promises up to an hour and a half more use for the iPhone 13 Mini. In company tests, the model managed to exceed 10 hours of uninterrupted streaming playback and reached the 13-hour limit.
Charging features are the same: both accept wireless charging via MagSafe and other similar devices, as well as charging half the battery in up to 30 minutes with a 20W power adapter. Apple does not include a charger in the box of the iPhones.
System Version
The iPhone 12 Mini came to market with iOS 14, the most current system at that time, which brought new features such as widgets, an app library, and Picture in Picture support. Like other Apple devices, the 12-generation model is guaranteed future updates, including for iOS 15.
The current releases already incorporate the recent iOS 15. Among the highlights are the new look of notifications, the Focus mode, more complete widgets, and greater control over the camera and microphone.
Additional Features
The features of the iPhone 12 Mini are also repeated in the latest generation. Thus, you can find Bluetooth 5.0 and NFC in both phones, which allows both to make proximity payments without the need for physical cards. The smartphones’ 5G internet operates in the sub-6 GHz range. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) is also present.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone 12 Mini was launched in October last year for initial figures starting at $699. Today it is sold on Amazon starting at $520. The recently launched iPhone 13 Mini, on the other hand, is listed on the official site for $699 (128 GB), $799 (256 GB), and $999 (512 GB).
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