Should you buy an iPhone 13 mini now or wait for the 2022 iPhone SE?

AppleInsider

With an updated iPhone SE possibly arriving at Apple's 'Peek performance' March 8 event, should you wait for Apple's new entry-level smartphone or buy the iPhone 13 mini today?

The iPhone SE and iPhone 13 mini

The new iPhone SE is expected to be announced by Apple on March 8 during their 'Peek performance' online event, if indications are correct. But as with all Apple product releases, only Apple knows when it'll hit the shelves, what it'll be capable of, and how much it'll cost.

If you're in the market for a budget iPhone and have your sights set on the new iPhone SE, there might be another option.

Launched in September 2021, the iPhone 13 mini is reportedly a last hurrah for Apple's smallest take on a smartphone. At $699, the iPhone 13 mini is $300 more expensive than the current iPhone SE model, but it offers some compelling benefits.

Here's why the iPhone 13 mini might be a better purchase for you -- and, alternatively, why you may indeed want to wait for the next version of the iPhone SE.

The end of the road for the iPhone mini?

Although never confirmed by Apple, reports suggest that the iPhone 12 mini was never the hit people thought it might be.

Rumors suggest iPhone 13 mini is the last

Leading up to its release in October 2020, reports of battery performance commensurate with a small battery, and a seeming lack of desire for buyers to opt for the diminutive new form factor may have sealed its fate. Whether Apple had already sated the demand for a smaller, lower-cost iPhone with the launch of the second-generation iPhone SE six months earlier is open to debate.

Despite this, the iPhone 13 mini has been largely praised for significant battery life improvements. And it has specs and performance that are remarkably close to that of its larger and more expensive siblings. Buying one now could therefore ensure you get to experience the iPhone mini before the form factor is retired, again.

Smaller package, bigger screen

The iPhone 13 mini packs a huge amount of tech into its tiny frame. At just 64.2mm wide and 131.5mm tall, Apple's smallest iPhone still manages to house a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.

The iPhone 13 mini is smaller than the iPhone SE

The current iPhone SE is 3.1mm wider and 6.9mm taller, yet only offers a 4.7-inch screen due to the larger bezels and presence of Touch ID -- which aren't expected to change when the next generation arrives. It isn't OLED, either, and delivers a lower pixel density of 326ppi versus the mini's 476ppi. This is also unlikely to change.

The iPhone 13 mini has a much brighter display, too, with its 1,200 nits of peak brightness crushing the 2020 iPhone SE's 625 nits. And with rumors pointing to the next version retaining the same form factor, it's unlikely we'll see a huge upgrade in screen technology for the iPhone SE this year.

Unless you're particularly opposed to the notch, the iPhone 13 mini delivers far better screen tech and screen estate for the additional outlay. The rumored absence of any external changes to this year's iPhone SE will therefore be enough to convince certain buyers to opt for the mini.

Don't forget MagSafe

When the iPhone 12 line launched in October 2020, it included a new way of attaching accessories to Apple's latest smartphones. Borrowing the MagSafe moniker from the previous - and now current - MacBook Pro charging method, the surprise new feature relied on a ring of magnets buried within the rear of the device for fast connection of accessories.

MagSafe is likely to remain a flagship iPhone feature

Those accessories include chargers, wallets, and even portable headphone DACs. It's a real differentiator for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineup, but it's a feature that's absent from the current iPhone SE.

While there's a chance the next iPhone SE will include MagSafe, Apple needs to retain as much differentiation between its low-end iPhone and the iPhone 13 line. It should therefore come as no surprise if MagSafe is missing from the spec sheet of the 2022 iPhone SE.

While some might view MagSafe as a gimmick, those who have come to rely on it will confirm just how convenient it is for the most useful of iPhone accessories. Therefore, if MagSafe matters to you, the iPhone 13 mini might be a far better option, rather than waiting for the prospect of it being added to this year's iPhone SE.

Better cameras

The current iPhone SE now is no slouch when it comes to photography, and we're not expecting big changes for a 2022 model if it's announced at the March 8 event. It can't quite match the iPhone 13 mini in terms of lens choice and low light performance.

The iPhone 13 mini cameras will likely remain superior to the new iPhone SE

The 2020 iPhone SE and iPhone 13 mini both feature a 12MP camera system, but that's where the similarities end. While the current iPhone SE features a single lens with an f1.8 aperture, the iPhone 13 mini increases the aperture of its main lens to f1.6 and throws in a 120-degree field of view ultra-wide for good measure.

The iPhone 13 mini can consequently pull more light into its sensor and rely on advanced sensor-shift optical image stabilization to beat the current iPhone SE in low-light situations. Throw in night mode, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 4, and the iPhone 13 mini provides some serious upgrades over today's budget iPhone when it comes to photography.

Reasons to wait for the iPhone SE

As soon as the next iPhone SE is announced -- whether that's during the March 8 event or later -- we'll take a deep dive into how it compares to the current iPhone SE. We'll also be pitching it directly against the iPhone 13 mini to see which device comes out on top.

For now, the iPhone 13 mini isn't for everyone. Indeed, if you're after an ultra-affordable first step into the world of iOS, or simply don't care about Face ID or a reduction in bezel size, the iPhone SE is a smart choice - be it the current model or the rumored 2022 edition.

New internals at a low entry price may be enough to convince customers

It's also important to note that the next iPhone SE is likely to see the biggest upgrade internally. Just like the 2020 model, Apple looks set to considerably beef up the horsepower available in the 2022 iPhone SE by placing their latest chip inside. That would certainly be keeping with the word 'performance' featured on the March 8 event invite.

The current iPhone SE features the A13 Bionic, which is a couple of generations behind the iPhone 13 mini's A15 Bionic chip. In all likelihood, this year's iPhone SE will receive an upgrade to the A15 Bionic and gain 5G support, bringing it in line with the iPhone 13 mini in terms of performance.

If you're after the latest iPhone performance in a super affordable package, the next iPhone SE will be unbeatable. For a great many people, that'll be enough.

Read on AppleInsider

cladymon

I know it won't happen but I sure wish they'd give the SE an updated design along with the A15. Touch ID on the power button like the iPad Air/Mini.

Kuyangkoh

Why should I if it looks as old as me….Apple should update the outside appearance 

harry wild

Apple 13 Mini has all the updated features!  It only a 3 hundred more!

entropys

Having a 12 mini and and an SE2 in the house, the extra money for the mini is worth every cent. The screen alone in fact.
In truth don’t care about 5G. 

wood1208

We don't know 2022 iPhone SE style,features,price so useless to even compare.

GeeAye

Surely this article only needed one sentence to answer the question posed in the headline?

Q:

Should you buy an iPhone 13 mini now or wait for the 2022 iPhone SE?

A. Wait a week and then you can compare them before deciding.

shamino

There are quite a lot of people who want a small phone.  I read posts by them whenever the subject comes up.  They liked the 3.5" screen from the iPhone 4 and often complain that everything sold today is too big.  The SE2, being the smallest screen currently sold (at 4.7") is what they settle on.  When asked, they think the 5.4" screen of the 12 mini is too large.

I suspect these people will definitely be interested in an SE3.  Especially if it retains the 4.7" screen and gets a modern processor inside.  The other people who will be interested are those who don't want to spend $700 on a 13 mini - a $400 SE3 is far easier on the budget.  There are also some who really prefer Touch ID, but I have no idea if these people like it enough to be the deciding factor on a new phone.

Are there enough people in these categories (small screen, Touch ID and/or low budget) to make an SE3 profitable?  I don't know, but I would like to think that Apple's marketing people have done the research to come to an intelligent decision.

fred1

I’m very happy with my 12 Mini so I hope they don’t drop this category. The size and price are just what I want and I’ve never had a problem with the battery capacity. 

jasonfj

I suspect these people will definitely be interested in an SE3.  Especially if it retains the 4.7" screen and gets a modern processor inside.  The other people who will be interested are those who don't want to spend $700 on a 13 mini - a $400 SE3 is far easier on the budget.  There are also some who really prefer Touch ID, but I have no idea if these people like it enough to be the deciding factor on a new phone.

I’m one of those people.  I’ve tried Face ID but find it clunky, having to stare blankly at the phone for it to unlock. 

With Touch ID my thumb is on the home button as I take it from my pocket, and unlocked before I even look at it.  

And no awkward ‘double click side button then blank stare’ before holding over a payment terminal.  Touch ID is just a way smoother experience. 

entropys

shamino said:

There are quite a lot of people who want a small phone.  I read posts by them whenever the subject comes up.  They liked the 3.5" screen from the iPhone 4 and often complain that everything sold today is too big.  The SE2, being the smallest screen currently sold (at 4.7") is what they settle on.  When asked, they think the 5.4" screen of the 12 mini is too large.

I suspect these people will definitely be interested in an SE3.  Especially if it retains the 4.7" screen and gets a modern processor inside.  The other people who will be interested are those who don't want to spend $700 on a 13 mini - a $400 SE3 is far easier on the budget.  There are also some who really prefer Touch ID, but I have no idea if these people like it enough to be the deciding factor on a new phone.

Are there enough people in these categories (small screen, Touch ID and/or low budget) to make an SE3 profitable?  I don't know, but I would like to think that Apple's marketing people have done the research to come to an intelligent decision.

Is it the screen size or the size of the phone some people want. I reckon it is phone size. Again the mini is better there, and manages to have  a larger screen as well! Anyway, we are yet to see the specs, but form factor matters too.

baconstang

The SE doesn't fit in my pockets, so it's a non-starter.

kiowawa

I downsized screen a bit, phone a lot, moving from 8 plus to 13 mini.  Was worried.  Love it!  I have aging eyes, but no issues with it. Screen makes it great, size is great.  I have no battery life issues.  My only issue is my AirPods not connecting for a call, then not connecting when I opt for them. That is software, was true on my 8 plus, and makes me wonder, Apple, if you folks use your own devices. Maybe that’s why wires are cool again? Anyway, the mini is awesome, Keep it!

wood1208

entropys said:

shamino said:

There are quite a lot of people who want a small phone.  I read posts by them whenever the subject comes up.  They liked the 3.5" screen from the iPhone 4 and often complain that everything sold today is too big.  The SE2, being the smallest screen currently sold (at 4.7") is what they settle on.  When asked, they think the 5.4" screen of the 12 mini is too large.

I suspect these people will definitely be interested in an SE3.  Especially if it retains the 4.7" screen and gets a modern processor inside.  The other people who will be interested are those who don't want to spend $700 on a 13 mini - a $400 SE3 is far easier on the budget.  There are also some who really prefer Touch ID, but I have no idea if these people like it enough to be the deciding factor on a new phone.

Are there enough people in these categories (small screen, Touch ID and/or low budget) to make an SE3 profitable?  I don't know, but I would like to think that Apple's marketing people have done the research to come to an intelligent decision.

Is it the screen size or the size of the phone some people want. I reckon it is phone size. Again the mini is better there, and manages to have  a larger screen as well! Anyway, we are yet to see the specs, but form factor matters too.

Somehow 4.7" iPhone SE's frame size is very good handy phone size. Wish there was a under screen TouchID which would allow iPhone SE screen size larger, edge to edge..

mattinoz

GeeAye said:

Surely this article only needed one sentence to answer the question posed in the headline?

Q:

Should you buy an iPhone 13 mini now or wait for the 2022 iPhone SE?

A. Wait a week and then you can compare them before deciding.

In short - Headline that is a question is answered No. 

M68000

The difference is $300.  If that does not matter I encourage anybody to get the 13 mini.  I love mine.  Was skeptical of the OLED screen making a big difference, but have to say OLED is better than lcd for phones.  The screen is just beautiful even though it does not have the faster refresh rate of the pro phones.   The one handed ease of use is fantastic.  Jobs would be proud.   “Design is not just how something looks, but how it works”…

fred1

Since it was mentioned, I much prefer FaceID to TouchID. The reason is that with the former I can grab my phone with either hand, anywhere on the phone and open it just by looking at it. No need to use the right finger in the right position. Just saying. 

daniPhone

fred1 said:

Since it was mentioned, I much prefer FaceID to TouchID. The reason is that with the former I can grab my phone with either hand, anywhere on the phone and open it just by looking at it. No need to use the right finger in the right position. Just saying. 

Really?? Here’s something new for you: you can use 5 different fingers to unlock your iPhone. It doesn’t matter on what hand that finger is… right, left, right foot, your wives.. and the position doesn’t matter as long as you slightly hit the button. 

webweasel

Of course there is always the possibility (likelihood even) that Apple will continue selling the 13 mini after September and for $100 less than now, so if you’re not in a hurry…

opinion

Well, buying the iPhone 13 mini surely was a mistake. The pictures of people look awful with this HDR (both overprocessed and too sharp combined with a smudge) that you can not switch off and all this computational photography is just no good. Also it makes people with bright skin tones look orange/red. I think Apple was not so informative about this change in settings compared to the iPhone 12 mini. Also, all of the ads for the portraits taken with iPhone 13 is just showing dark skinned people. On those pictures the orange/red flaw is not that visible and the models on those pictures are people you never met or seen in real life but the photos of my friends for sure no longer looks like them. Big disappointment Apple.

opinion

M68000 said:

Jobs would be proud. 

I think he would be disappointed in how Apple lost some of it´s super perfection. And it hurts me as a long time Apple fan and I still am but there are cracks in the facade now. Sadly.