Apple iPhone 13 Mini (128GB, Midnight)

I was reluctantly forced to upgrade from my iPhone 6 and although I was tempted by the larger sizes I selected the Mini because it's perfect for my hands: I'm small and also have arthritis in my thumb, so stretching my palm to hold a phone isn't a good idea.Differences between this and my old phone:- the sound is much better - even without selecting 'speaker' it's clearer. I listen to podcasts through my pillow at night without bothering to Bluetooth them through a separate speaker.- reading/accessibility controls (e.g: to make the text slightly larger and clearer) are subtle but very effective- the available screen image is longer because there are no margins at top and bottom, so it's better for scrolling Twitter etc.- elements like mean you don't notice the ... MoreI was reluctantly forced to upgrade from my iPhone 6 and although I was tempted by the larger sizes I selected the Mini because it's perfect for my hands: I'm small and also have arthritis in my thumb, so stretching my palm to hold a phone isn't a good idea.Differences between this and my old phone:- the sound is much better - even without selecting 'speaker' it's clearer. I listen to podcasts through my pillow at night without bothering to Bluetooth them through a separate speaker.- reading/accessibility controls (e.g: to make the text slightly larger and clearer) are subtle but very effective- the available screen image is longer because there are no margins at top and bottom, so it's better for scrolling Twitter etc.- elements like mean you don't notice the smaller size relative to its bigger and much more expensive sisters- the camera is predictably even better, though I'm not a huge fan of wide-angle lensespros of buying at JL:- I got immediate delivery to my local Waitrose- two year guarantee- ability to return if unhappy (I wasn't!)- I could use various tokens and gift cards to reduce the price significantlycons:- I'm not mad about the thicker, harder-edged style - I love the pebble-like feel of my old Six.- the two camera lenses stick out a bit from the body (not really a problem)- the charging lead doesn't include a plug !! That's another £19 if you want to plug into the wall and not your Mac. And if your Mac is oldish (my MacBook Pro is 2015) you've got to buy as adaptor for the USB too - same price again. So add £40 to the overall cost.

I decided it was time to change my older SE for s new phone. I looked at the 11 but decided I preferred the smaller model and this may be the last mini Apple make. I think it was worth the extra money as the screen is so much brighter and easier to see in sunny weather. I do miss the SE home screen touch button but am getting used to face id to open up the phone- still need to enter a code on start up. The other missing is the headphone jack that was always useful.It's a good phone, slightly bigger than the SE but not by much, hopefully in a few years Apple might change their mind and bring out another mini version.Battery life is ok for me but as it's new I would expect it to be!Decided to buy from JL as the guarantee is 2 years. My original SE bit the dust ... MoreI decided it was time to change my older SE for s new phone. I looked at the 11 but decided I preferred the smaller model and this may be the last mini Apple make. I think it was worth the extra money as the screen is so much brighter and easier to see in sunny weather. I do miss the SE home screen touch button but am getting used to face id to open up the phone- still need to enter a code on start up. The other missing is the headphone jack that was always useful.It's a good phone, slightly bigger than the SE but not by much, hopefully in a few years Apple might change their mind and bring out another mini version.Battery life is ok for me but as it's new I would expect it to be!Decided to buy from JL as the guarantee is 2 years. My original SE bit the dust after 20 months but was replaced without a quibble by JL.Recommend if you prefer a smaller phone with fast processor with typical Apple quality and intuitive controls.

I've had the SE 2016 for about 4+years - it was a great phone, I loved the size and it had everything that I needed - but having replaced the slowing battery about 6 months ago which extended it's life, the phone now needed to be replaced.I had intended to just get the new SE - again great size and does everything that I need, but I was encouraged to have a look at the 13 mini - hence this review.I bought my last SE outright and have a very good SIM only deal which I wanted to keep - so it made sense to buy my next iphone outright. I look after my mobile - always have it in a case and touch wood, to date haven't had any problems - so I always intended to buy my replacement iphone outright too - and JL offer a good price and a two year guarantee.Once I started ... MoreI've had the SE 2016 for about 4+years - it was a great phone, I loved the size and it had everything that I needed - but having replaced the slowing battery about 6 months ago which extended it's life, the phone now needed to be replaced.I had intended to just get the new SE - again great size and does everything that I need, but I was encouraged to have a look at the 13 mini - hence this review.I bought my last SE outright and have a very good SIM only deal which I wanted to keep - so it made sense to buy my next iphone outright. I look after my mobile - always have it in a case and touch wood, to date haven't had any problems - so I always intended to buy my replacement iphone outright too - and JL offer a good price and a two year guarantee.Once I started looking at the spec of the 13 mini it started to attract me more. I was worried about not having the 'home' button - just couldn't imagine how it could be easy to operate a phone without it - I shouldn't have given this conundrum a second's thought - it's incredibly easy and within minutes I wasn't missing the button at all. In fact, it is only now I'm realising that actually the physical clicks of the button were a bit annoying!I thought I was going to miss the fingerprint lock - how on earth was the face recognition going to work in its place? Again - this was incredibly easy to set up and it is very clever how it unlocks, almost at any angle when I pick the phone up - again a worry I shouldn't have had and it has all worked seamlessly.Obviously setting up the mini from my old SE was very straightforward - again all worked seamlessly.I wanted the improved camera - this is a big selling point and I'm so glad I spent the extra money on this iphone rather than compromising on the SE and always being just a bit annoyed that the camera wasn't better.I'm delighted with the size of the phone. I thought it was going to be different to actually how it is. I'd read that it has 'sharp' corners - it doesn't - they're rounded and comfortable. It is fractionally larger than the old SE - but it is very thin and sleek - it is a beautiful phone.I wasn't very inspired by the colours that the SE comes in - not that this is a huge deal breaker, but the mini comes in 5 different colours although the red seems to be out of stock in lots of places. I went for the Starlight option which is really white, and very nice it is too. Since I always keep my phone in a case, only the edge actually shows, but I'm still very glad I chose this option.I went for the 128gb option - this was more than enough storage for my previous SE - so I'm sure it will be more than sufficient this time too.So am I glad I spent the extra and bought the 13 mini over the 2022 SE - yes I am. I feel that this is more current and future proof option - hopefully it will last me 4+ years as my last phone has.Am I glad I went for the Mini size - yes I am. I would hate to carry around a mini tablet. I want my phone to slip into my bag, whether it is a small handbag or a large one. I want it to be able to fit in a pocket. I want it to be able to fit in my hand - I only have small hands and this fits perfectly. I want to be able to use it with one hand - I can. Luckily I have an iPad - so if I need a larger screen I can always use that - but the screen on this 13 mini is notably larger than the SE and is very clear - so I'm not regretting getting a larger phone - it wouldn't fit into my life.This phone is expensive, but it is quality and very easy to use.I spent so long reading/watching reviews, trying to decide which phone to get - but I'm in no doubt I've made the right decision.