iPhone 13 vs iPhone 13 mini: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Apple's iPhone 13 series offered a compelling choice: the standard iPhone 13 and the compact iPhone 13 mini. Both boast the powerful A15 Bionic chip, but differ significantly in size, battery life, and overall experience. This guide breaks down the key differences to help you pick the perfect iPhone for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 13 offers a superior experience thanks to its larger display, significantly better battery life, and more comfortable size for media consumption. However, the iPhone 13 mini remains a fantastic option for those prioritizing portability and one-handed use, especially if budget is a major concern.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 mini
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2633, A2634, A26351, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2628, A2629, A2630
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 Sub6/mmWave - A26331, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 Sub6/mmWave - A2628
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2634, A26351, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A2629, A2630
Launch
Announced2021, September 142021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 24Available. Released 2021, September 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7 mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 in)131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm (5.18 x 2.53 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight174 g (6.14 oz)141 g (4.97 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCeramic Shield glass
Resolution1170 x 2532 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~476 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)5.4 inches, 71.9 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
ChipsetApple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSiOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 NVMeNVMe
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1/1.9", 1.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.4", 1.0µm
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6" SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0Lightning, USB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 updateWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.2 update
TypeLi-Ion 3240 mAh (12.41 Wh)Li-Ion 2438 mAh (9.34 Wh)
Misc
ColorsStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, GreenStarlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, Red, Green
ModelsA2633, A2482, A2631, A2634, A2635, iphone14,5A2628, A2481, A2626, A2629, A2630, iphone14,4
Price€ 304.00 / $ 249.97 / £ 248.00€ 299.00 / $ 240.00 / £ 244.89
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.97 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 89h Endurance rating 75h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.5 LUFS (Very good) -25.9 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 775519 (v9) GeekBench: 4645 (v5.1) GFXBench: 59fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 772512 (v9) GeekBench: 4681 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 13

  • Larger, more immersive display
  • Significantly better battery life
  • More comfortable for media consumption
  • Slightly better ergonomics

  • Larger size may not be ideal for everyone
  • Slightly more expensive

Apple iPhone 13 mini

  • Compact and lightweight design
  • Excellent for one-handed use
  • More affordable
  • Good performance thanks to A15 Bionic

  • Shorter battery life
  • Smaller display
  • Less comfortable for extended use

Display Comparison

The iPhone 13 boasts a larger 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, while the iPhone 13 mini features a smaller 5.4-inch display. Both offer excellent color accuracy and brightness, with the iPhone 13 mini measuring slightly higher at 831 nits max brightness compared to the iPhone 13's 802 nits. The larger screen of the iPhone 13 makes it better for watching videos, browsing the web, and gaming.

Camera Comparison

The camera systems are virtually identical, offering excellent photo and video quality. Both feature a dual-camera setup with wide and ultrawide lenses, Cinematic mode for video recording, and Sensor-shift optical image stabilization. Image processing is consistent across both devices.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the same A15 Bionic chip, ensuring blazing-fast performance and smooth multitasking. You won't notice a significant difference in speed or responsiveness between the two devices in everyday use. Both handle demanding games and applications with ease.

Battery Life

This is where the biggest difference lies. The iPhone 13 offers a significantly larger battery, resulting in an endurance rating of 89 hours, compared to the iPhone 13 mini's 75 hours. The iPhone 13 will easily last a full day of heavy use, while the iPhone 13 mini may require a top-up for some users.

Buying Guide

The iPhone 13 is ideal for users who want a premium smartphone experience with a large, immersive display, all-day battery life, and comfortable ergonomics. The iPhone 13 mini is best suited for those who prioritize a compact form factor, one-handed operation, and a more affordable price point, and don't mind sacrificing some battery life and screen real estate.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iPhone 13 mini worth it in 2024?
The iPhone 13 mini remains a compelling option for those prioritizing portability and affordability. However, consider the shorter battery life and smaller screen compared to newer models.
❓ Which iPhone 13 has the better camera?
The camera performance is virtually identical between the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini. Both deliver excellent photo and video quality.
❓ How much faster is the iPhone 13 than the iPhone 13 mini?
Performance is nearly identical due to the shared A15 Bionic chip. You won't notice a significant difference in everyday tasks or gaming.