Great little phone
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.... Show more
TessInTheCity
originally posted on johnlewis.com
Great phone
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.... Show more
LS
originally posted on johnlewis.com
Great upgrade
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.... Show more
MrsLoC
originally posted on johnlewis.com
Loved switching to iPhone!
I recently switched from Android to iPhone due to the security issues I had. The IOS system is much more secure, and I found this out through research. I had an iPhone years ago and hated it. But I LOVE this little phone!!! I prefer a smaller phone that fits in the palm of my hand. It fits better in my designer purse too, which if you’re a girly-girl like me, is a huge plus. Switching systems was easy! This is very simple to use, and I love the features on it, such as being able to set more than one alarm on my clock. It also was much easier to transfer my music from an old iPod. If you’re thinking of switching to Apple, I say, do it!! There’s a lot more features that are truly amazing on it, like iMovie, which was already installed. The camera is great, sound is ... MoreI recently switched from Android to iPhone due to the security issues I had. The IOS system is much more secure, and I found this out through research. I had an iPhone years ago and hated it. But I LOVE this little phone!!! I prefer a smaller phone that fits in the palm of my hand. It fits better in my designer purse too, which if you’re a girly-girl like me, is a huge plus. Switching systems was easy! This is very simple to use, and I love the features on it, such as being able to set more than one alarm on my clock. It also was much easier to transfer my music from an old iPod. If you’re thinking of switching to Apple, I say, do it!! There’s a lot more features that are truly amazing on it, like iMovie, which was already installed. The camera is great, sound is great, and the screen display is excellent. I love having FaceTime now too! My whole family are Apple people, I was the only one who wasn’t. Now our phones are all compatible with each other. It was a smart move.... Show more
H Harrington
originally posted on vzw.com
Love my new phone
I love Apple phones and this replaces my iPhone SE 2016 that was still going strong after many drops and bumps and a full submersion which it shouldn't have survived! I didn't want a big clunky phone and wasn't prepared to pay for the latest incarnation so the 13 mini was the obvious choice. I can't believe the improvement on the old phone. The camera is a huge improvement and works so well in low light. I had to get an adapter to enable AUX connectivity for my car due to no headphone socket and bought a Belkin one which allows me to charge the phone at the same time that AUX cable is connected if I need to. The battery life is amazingly good compared to my old phone which I was charging at least twice in 24 hours. Now I charge once in 48 hours on average. I did ... MoreI love Apple phones and this replaces my iPhone SE 2016 that was still going strong after many drops and bumps and a full submersion which it shouldn't have survived! I didn't want a big clunky phone and wasn't prepared to pay for the latest incarnation so the 13 mini was the obvious choice. I can't believe the improvement on the old phone. The camera is a huge improvement and works so well in low light. I had to get an adapter to enable AUX connectivity for my car due to no headphone socket and bought a Belkin one which allows me to charge the phone at the same time that AUX cable is connected if I need to. The battery life is amazingly good compared to my old phone which I was charging at least twice in 24 hours. Now I charge once in 48 hours on average. I did prefer the fingerprint recognition of old phone as occasionally I'm unrecognisable and have to use numbers to unlock, and never ever had this issue with fingerprint. Overall though I'm very happy with the upgrade and love the neat size which is actually quite a bit bigger than old SE in viewable screen size without being significantly larger in overall dimensions. I will be very disappointed if I don't get 6 years out of this phone but we'll have to wait and see!... Show more
Country lady
originally posted on johnlewis.com
Love this mini phone!
I have had this phone for a few months now and I have grown to learn that this is the perfect small phone, the perfect camera (I love taking portraits of my dog!), the perfect display, and the perfect phone to carry with you wherever you go. At first I was skeptical of the small size and thought I might just get the regular 13 but then I realized it’s 100 dollars cheaper just because of the battery difference! The battery is ok, but it is super easy to manage and not a big deal. I actually like the notch at the top of the screen. I think it makes it look modern. The rounded corners look so much nicer than the 90 degree edges on some androids. Apple has such a nice processor/iOS that is far above any android. Androids are ok phones, but if you want a nice phone that ... MoreI have had this phone for a few months now and I have grown to learn that this is the perfect small phone, the perfect camera (I love taking portraits of my dog!), the perfect display, and the perfect phone to carry with you wherever you go. At first I was skeptical of the small size and thought I might just get the regular 13 but then I realized it’s 100 dollars cheaper just because of the battery difference! The battery is ok, but it is super easy to manage and not a big deal. I actually like the notch at the top of the screen. I think it makes it look modern. The rounded corners look so much nicer than the 90 degree edges on some androids. Apple has such a nice processor/iOS that is far above any android. Androids are ok phones, but if you want a nice phone that will last, put your money towards an iPhone. This phone is so great for gaming, too! I recommend this phone for anybody. My parents didn’t want me to get it at first, (I was only 12) but I offered to pay for it and they allowed me to get it. They are very impressed with my phone! So, next chance you get, grab this amazing mini!... Show more
Anastasia
originally posted on vzw.com
nice phone but lacks simple/easy to use functions
I love the size, the quality of photos, the storage, the voicemail set up, the battery life and how fast it is, signal is also great.I dislike that you cannot have time displayed when phone is in screen saver mode/lock screen ( basic function that apple doesn't have ). There is no pause button when you're recording videos ( only stop button ), another function that is so basic and Apple is behind on it. I have to tap my phone is order to see if I have any messages or missed calls. It should display such icons when my phone is in screensaver mode ( black screen ) so I don't have to tap it throughout the day. When my phone is locked and someone is calling there is no reject button anymore. The reject button appears only when my phone is unlocked. Overall the iphone ... MoreI love the size, the quality of photos, the storage, the voicemail set up, the battery life and how fast it is, signal is also great.I dislike that you cannot have time displayed when phone is in screen saver mode/lock screen ( basic function that apple doesn't have ). There is no pause button when you're recording videos ( only stop button ), another function that is so basic and Apple is behind on it. I have to tap my phone is order to see if I have any messages or missed calls. It should display such icons when my phone is in screensaver mode ( black screen ) so I don't have to tap it throughout the day. When my phone is locked and someone is calling there is no reject button anymore. The reject button appears only when my phone is unlocked. Overall the iphone is more difficult to use than my old LG G5 that I absolutely loved. Everything on my old LG phone was so incredibly easy to use and super user friendly. When I showed my friend who only uses Apple what my LG had for functions and how easy it was to use he was stunned. Apple lacks simple use that everyone can understand easy. If you never used anything else than Apple than you don't know what you are missing.... Show more
Snowshoe
originally posted on uscellular.com
SE took better photos, and I miss home button
I was so excited to get into a compact size phone with good photo capabilities - but this 13 mini is a huge disappointment. Two things I photograph for my career - large paintings and macro scale plants/insects - demonstrate its failures. There is distortion that makes the edges of paintings look bowed, and the camera completely fails at focusing close up. The 6s and se 2020 both took very capable and beautiful macro photos and I’m confounded as to why this 13 mini is an epic failure at photography.Also - I miss the home button. This seems easily confused between toggling bottoms on the bottom of the screen and swiping, especially near the bottom of pages.Finally, I hate the ratio of length to width. Honestly, the ratio would be improved by occupying some of the ... MoreI was so excited to get into a compact size phone with good photo capabilities - but this 13 mini is a huge disappointment. Two things I photograph for my career - large paintings and macro scale plants/insects - demonstrate its failures. There is distortion that makes the edges of paintings look bowed, and the camera completely fails at focusing close up. The 6s and se 2020 both took very capable and beautiful macro photos and I’m confounded as to why this 13 mini is an epic failure at photography.Also - I miss the home button. This seems easily confused between toggling bottoms on the bottom of the screen and swiping, especially near the bottom of pages.Finally, I hate the ratio of length to width. Honestly, the ratio would be improved by occupying some of the screen area with a home button. The long, skinny screen ratio is awkward and uncomfortable for most uses.There are plenty of other quirks that make me hate this phone. Ugh - I want my SE back!!!... Show more
ShearonM
originally posted on vzw.com
So far, so good. I jsut had to try Apple again.
I am loving this phone! I wanted it in pink, but when I placed the order the digital agent/representative gave me three color options that were not on backorder, and I wanted to be able to have my phone at the same time as the rest of my family. I also had a tablet that was on backorder, but it came the same day as everything else. So, now I can't help but wonder if I should have just said I would wait and it probably would have come on the same day as well.Onto the actual review... I have not had an iPhone since I was in high school. That has been about 15 years maybe. I got tired of the restrictions that Apple has over the user/consumer. But I decided to give Apple another shot again and I am liking the phone so far. It's been about a little more than a week and ... MoreI am loving this phone! I wanted it in pink, but when I placed the order the digital agent/representative gave me three color options that were not on backorder, and I wanted to be able to have my phone at the same time as the rest of my family. I also had a tablet that was on backorder, but it came the same day as everything else. So, now I can't help but wonder if I should have just said I would wait and it probably would have come on the same day as well.Onto the actual review... I have not had an iPhone since I was in high school. That has been about 15 years maybe. I got tired of the restrictions that Apple has over the user/consumer. But I decided to give Apple another shot again and I am liking the phone so far. It's been about a little more than a week and I haven't gotten tired of it yet.I love the size! I feel like phones just keep getting bigger and bigger. I have little hands, I don't need a huge phone that is just going to give me hand cramps and trigger arthritis, haha. Its about the size of the one I had in high school and its just great. Its the perfect size, although I didn't get pink because the digital rep made it seem like I would wait a couple weeks to a month for just a color, the blue is a very nice shade of blue. I wish it were a little shade, but at least it isnt so dark and close to black as the new iPhone 14 dark purple color. There is only the standard colors and that dark purple for the new line of iPhones and it did not appeal to me at all.Performance wise, I think this phone is just about as good as any other phone at this point. It's fast and it does heat up if you're using it on the charger, so I advise not to do so, haha. The battery life could be better, my Samsung Galaxy ZFlip 4 has a much more significant battery life. Sometimes, Safari just freezes and stops loading, then I need to exit the app and go back in, even have to close the tab and reenter the URL for it to load a page, but that is most likely just the app.Battery life usually is not a problem for me, but I don't like having to charge my phone during work, as I work a graveyard shift at a senior living home, and I need some type of entertainment on down times. I have never had the need to charge my Galaxy ZFlip 3 or Galaxy ZFlip 4 while at work.Other than the battery life, the phone is good. I don't really have anything bad to say about it right now.... Show more
JayJayGee
originally posted on vzw.com