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The iPhone 14 series replaced the iPhone 13 as the newest generation of iPhones, and actually, we're waiting for the iPhone 15 to be unveiled later this year. However, the iPhone 13 series still has one feature that the newer devices do not: the mini. The iPhone 13 mini has received positive reviews for its improved battery life and speed compared to the previous iPhone 12 mini.
On the other hand, it should be noted that the mini and regular iPhone 13 do not have the high refresh rate displays that can be found on the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max. In this article, we will compare the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 to highlight their differences and help you determine which one may be the better option for you, should you decide to buy a generation back to get a better deal.
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(Image credit PhoneArena) iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 notch comparison
With the iPhone 13 series, it’s all about refinement. There are no major changes in the design, apart from a smaller notch and the fact that the two cameras on the back will no longer be in a vertical line, but on a diagonal.
It's now a fairly standard iPhone design that doesn't really shine with anything––but doesn't have any major issue, too.
The iPhone 13 mini is naturally much more comfortable to handle and use. The iPhone 13 looks large next to it. Of course, that larger design has its perks, like a larger screen and a bigger battery, so we can't really recommend the more compact device as a daily driver. The standard iPhone strikes the perfect balance between size and features.
(Image credit PhoneArena) iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 display comparison
The display size difference between the iPhone 13 mini and the regular iPhone 13 remains the same. 5.4 inches for the mini versus 6.1 inches on the regular iPhone 13. The biggest omission here is the ProMotion tech from the bigger siblings. While the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max can do 10Hz to 120Hz display refresh rates, the iPhone 13 mini and the regular iPhone 13 are stuck with the old school 60Hz display refresh rate.
What are the display properties like, and how do the two compare against one another?
Well, our in-house tests reveal that the difference between the two is mostly size-related. Pretty much all other display properties are similar.
The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set(area)of colors that a display can reproduce,with the sRGB colorspace(the highlighted triangle)serving as reference.The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x:CIE31' and 'y:CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.
The Color accuracy chart gives an idea of how close a display's measured colors are to their referential values. The first line holds the measured (actual) colors, while the second line holds the reference (target) colors. The closer the actual colors are to the target ones, the better.
The Grayscale accuracy chart shows whether a display has a correct white balance(balance between red,green and blue)across different levels of grey(from dark to bright).The closer the Actual colors are to the Target ones,the better.
The brightness of both displays has been bumped up from 625 nits (iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12) to 800 nits, while the HDR brightness remains the same - 1200 nits on both the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13. Both phones have the same display tech inside, the only difference being the size. So, if you opt to go for the iPhone 13 mini, you won't sacrifice anything besides screen estate.
Performance and features
Apple A15 bionic chipset on both
The A15 Bionic is again the fastest CPU in any smartphone, up to 50% faster than the leading competition for graphics intensive tasks. The four-core GPU delivers up to 30% faster graphics and there's also a new 16 core neural engine. The chipset is made using а 5nm manufacturing process, and Apple boasts it has nearly 15 billion transistors inside.
It's not a surprise that the performance difference with the A14 is not that big either - the A15 is just about 7% faster than the A14. This is another easy decision right here - both the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 feature the same internals - the same record-setting A15 Bionic.
AnTuTu is a multi-layered,comprehensive mobile benchmark app that assesses various aspects of a device,including CPU,GPU,RAM,I/O,and UX performance.A higher score means an overall faster device.
If the T-Rex HD component of GFXBench is demanding,then the Manhattan test is downright gruelling.It's a GPU-centric test that simulates an extremely graphically intensive gaming environment that is meant to push the GPU to the max. that simulates a graphically-intensive gaming environment on the screen. The results achieved are measured in frames per second, with more frames being better.
The memory configuration is also the same - the base storage has been upgraded from 64GB to 128GB, and you can now go up to 512GB. There's no official info about the RAM inside but it's safe to assume that we're looking at pretty much the same amount in both phones.
Camera
(Image credit PhoneArena) iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 camera comparison
The camera systems on both the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13 are identical. We're looking at dual camera systems on both phones with 12MP wide and 12MP ultra-wide snappers. The system has been upgraded with the main camera module practically borrowed from the iPhone 12 Pro Max, featuring sensor-shift optical image stabilization.
The ultra-wide cameras in both phones have been upgraded as well - Apple says that it's a brand new custom-made sensor but in reality the aperture is the same as the one in the previous generation - f/2.4.
All this simplifies the matter when it comes down to choosing which one you want. They are practically identical on the camera front.
Battery and charging
The battery life of the iPhone 12 series, and the iPhone 12 mini in particular, was a subject to criticism. Apple has listened and managed to upgrade the battery capacity in both the iPhone 13 mini and its bigger sibling. Granted, this comes at the expense of 0,26mm thicker bodies on both phones.
Apple didn't disclose the exact numbers regarding the battery capacity during the official announcement, but the company did say that the overall battery life has been improved both in the iPhone 13 mini and the regular iPhone 13 compared to the previous generation (1.5 hours and 2.5 hours longer respectively).
You can see the numbers cited by Apple above - the iPhone 13 may have a bigger battery, but it also has a larger screen. All in all, the battery life is similar on both phones, with a slight advantage for the iPhone 13 over the mini. The benchmark results can be found down below - no surprises there.
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On the other hand, fast charging is still not that fast, capping at 20W on both the iPhone 13 mini and the regular 12. The MagSafe technology is present on both phones with stronger magnets and wireless charging, so no big difference on that front.
If you're deciding between the iPhone 13 mini and the iPhone 13, here are three things to keep in mind. First off, the iPhone 13 mini is smaller in size. The iPhone 13, on the other hand, has a bit more juice in the battery. And of course, the iPhone 13 is pricier than the mini version.
It all boils down to your personal preferences: do you want a more compact device or a bigger screen? Is the slightly longer battery life and extra cost of the iPhone 13 worth it to you? That's what you need to ask yourself before making your choice.
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Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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