The iPhone 13 mini is Apple's most affordable and pocket-friendly flagship, but you'll probably want to spend an extra $100 on the larger iPhone 13 for better battery life.

Most powerful small smartphone, Beautiful build, Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini

Shortest battery life of iPhone 13 family

The smallest and least expensive of Apple's 2021 smartphone lineup, the iPhone 13 mini (starting at $699) is basically an iPhone 13 in a smaller size, with a smaller battery. That latter part is what will likely prevent the mini from being a best-seller, although it's absolutely worth a look if you're shopping for a small phone. We recommend the standard iPhone 13 to most people, as it offers the most potent blend of performance and battery for the price, but if you're willing to trade a bit of battery life for size, the iPhone 13 mini is the most powerful small phone you can buy today.What Happened to the iPhone 12 mini? For years now, there's been a collective moan in certain corners of the internet about the steadily expanding size of phones. Smaller phones are less addictive, the narrative goes. They're easier to use in one hand, and they fit better in tight pockets. It's easier to take photos with one hand, especially selfies, and it's easier to hold small phones to your head...

The iPhone 13 mini is Apple's most affordable and pocket-friendly flagship, but you'll probably want to spend an extra $100 on the larger iPhone 13 for better battery life.

Most powerful small smartphone; Beautiful build; Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini

Shortest battery life of iPhone 13 family

The Mini is the cheapest entry in the iPhone 13 line, but you won’t get one because of pricing. Or rather, you shouldn’t, because if you need to save cash, the iPhone 12 now costs the same and has a bigger display – albeit an inferior camera and half the storage. Instead, the Mini is all about the form factor, offering you a (nearly) compromise-free option when you want the full-fat iPhone experience without, well, the fat. Is it perfect? No. Battery life, while improved, remains a trade-off, and this iPhone can be fiddly to use. But this is by some margin the best phone available in a tiny package. Let’s hope more people buy one this time – and that Apple doesn’t tire of making small phones by next year.

Improved cameras; Better battery life; Uncompromised power; Nothing else like it;

No telephoto/macro; Can be fiddly to use; The notch is annoying; No Touch ID;

It is one of the great conundrums of modern-day technology: why have small phones disappeared? Blame it on the constant need to consume content — especially video — on the smartphones or just that people have become used to big screen phones but the casualty has been compact phones.

Compact size, Excellent performance, Impressive cameras

The Apple iPhone 13 mini is a pocket powerhouse that comes with better battery life, a better camera and twice the storage

Twice the storage, Slightly better cameras, Improved battery life

Lens flare is still a problem, No 120Hz display

Improved cameras; Better battery life; Uncompromised power; Nothing else like it;

No telephoto/macro; Can be fiddly to use; The notch is annoying; No Touch ID;

The iPhone 13 mini is the best iPhone for those who want a smaller device on Apple’s iOS platform. In fact, it’s arguably the best small phone on the market right now. It’s powerful, the camera is top-tier, and the battery life is better than that of the iPhone 12 mini. It isn’t the best iPhone outright, but if you’re looking for a smaller device then you’re in luck.

Gorgeous compact design; Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini; Starts at 128GB of storage;

Only 60Hz screen; Higher price than 2020 model; Limited charging compatibility

Overall, we can’t really recommend upgrading from an iPhone 12 model to this, but for anyone with an older iPhone or an Android phone, the iPhone 13 Mini could make a great change, especially if you’re after a compact phone.

Improved battery life, Great cameras, Exceptional power

No telephoto camera, No 120Hz screen, High price for small upgrades

Improved cameras; Better battery life; Uncompromised power; Nothing else like it;

No telephoto/macro; Can be fiddly to use; The notch is annoying; No Touch ID;

The Apple iPhone 14 is no match for the just-released iPhone 14 Pro, but if you ignore that, it’s one of the most effective phones around.

Great cameras, front and back, Fast performance, Good battery life, Innovative safety features

Design too familiar, Some average features