When it comes to smartphones, the top end of the market has become a bit of a weird place. Anyone who’s been in the game for a while will remember that sub-£200 phones used to be where most of the action was. Now, though, you have flagship devices that cost well over £1,000 (like the Galaxy S10 and its V20 successor), as well as entry-level models that cost around £150 or less (like the V30 and its successors). It’s not just how expensive or cheap they are that makes these two ends of the phone market so different — there are also huge differences in what they offer. What this means is that if you’re in the market for an affordable mid-range smartphone right now then there aren’t many options out there that tick all your boxes. And this is why the iPhone 13 mini is such a useful device. It’s an affordable mid-priced option with enough going on under the hood to feel like a real upgrade over last year’s iPhones.

Who is the iPhone 13 mini for?

The iPhone 13 mini is aimed at people who want a phone that ticks all the boxes in terms of functionality and design, but doesn’t want to pay over the odds for it. It’s the most affordable Apple phone that’s got all the same core features as the more expensive models. The design is super-premium, with Apple’s famous build quality and attention to detail meaning it should last you a good few years. And the core software is the same as you get on the more expensive models, which means you get almost all of the same features. As an entry-level Apple phone, the iPhone 13 mini is also a great choice for anyone who’s wanted to try an iPhone but didn’t want to pay the high price that some of the more expensive models command.

How much does the iPhone 13 mini cost?

The iPhone 13 mini starts at £399 for the 64GB model. This is the one that Apple is selling themselves, and also the one most networks will be offering as part of their deals. The 128GB model costs £449, and the top-end 256GB version will set you back £499. So really it’s pretty cheap for a phone of this quality.

Design and build quality

There’s no getting away from the fact that the iPhone 13 mini is one very handsome piece of kit, and it feels even more premium than last year’s model. The front and back are made from 100% glass, which looks gorgeous (provided you remember to use a case), but can be a bit of a nightmare to keep clean. The top and bottom edges are made from a more durable stainless steel, and the buttons are made of super-soft, tactile silicone. As with the iPhone 13, the volume buttons are now on the side instead of the top. This is great for anyone who regularly uses their phone in landscape mode. The only thing that’s changed here is that the power button has been moved from the side to the top of the phone. The phone is IP68 rated, which means it can survive being submerged underwater for up to 30 minutes. It’s also compatible with Qi wireless charging, which is a lot more convenient than plugging your phone in each night.

Screen and video quality

screen and video quality

The 13 mini has a 5.8-inch, 1536 x 2248 pixel, 401 PPI True Tone HDR screen. This is a little smaller and lower resolution than the screen on last year’s iPhone, but it’s still a great screen for watching videos, reading articles, and generally interacting with your phone. Depending on your point of view you might notice a difference in quality when reading text on the smaller screen, but for everything else, it’s unlikely to be a problem.

Room quality

With the same A.I. assistant that’s found on the other iPhones, and all the same App Store apps, Siri on the iPhone 13 mini works in exactly the same way as she does on more expensive iPhones. This means she can read your messages out loud and reply to them for you, she can set timers and reminders, help you navigate, and find directions to places you want to go. She can also control your HomeKit-enabled devices, and you can use her to send messages, check your calendar, set reminders, and more.

Battery life

The iPhone 13 mini has a 2620 mAh battery. Apple claims this will last around the same amount of time as the battery on last year’s model. As with all battery claims, real-life usage will always vary, but 2620 mAh is a decent amount of juice for such a sleek, powerful smartphone. If you’re a very heavy user, you might want to plug your phone in at the end of the day. If, however, you aren’t constantly looking at your phone, streaming music or watching videos, or you can keep WiFi off when you don’t need it, then you should get a solid day out of it.

Bottom line

The iPhone 13 mini is a great choice for anyone who wants an affordable, stylish phone that ticks all the boxes. It might lack the power of more expensive phones like the S10 or the V50, but it’s got everything you need and much of the same core functionality. The one thing to bear in mind is that while it’s got a lot of the same features as the more expensive iPhones, it doesn’t have everything. There are a few key features that are only on the more expensive models, like 5G, and a triple camera lens. Because of this, if you’re someone who plans to use your phone for a lot of photography (particularly in low light), or you want to future-proof it so you can be among the first to try 5G, you might want to stump up the extra cash and go for the Apple iPhone 13 or the iPhone 13 Pro.