iPhone 13 mini Vs iPhone SE (2022)

iPhone 13 mini
iPhone 13 mini
Starting at

Refurbished price:232.75

Versus €829.00 new

See options
iPhone SE (2022)
iPhone SE (2022)
Starting at

Refurbished price:129.00

Versus €549.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 13 Mini, released in September 2021, and the iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, are two compact smartphones from Apple. While both devices offer a powerful user experience within a smaller form factor, they differ significantly in their display technology, physical design, and camera capabilities. Both run on Apple's iOS operating system, ensuring a consistent software experience and access to the same ecosystem of applications and services.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 13 Mini was released in September 2021, making it approximately six months older than the iPhone SE 2022, which launched in March 2022. This difference in release date can influence the duration of future software support.
  • Software Longevity: Both devices are powered by the same generation of processor, suggesting they will receive major iOS updates for a similar number of years. However, the iPhone SE 2022, being newer, may receive support for an additional year compared to the iPhone 13 Mini. The iPhone SE 2022 launched with iOS 15.4, while the iPhone 13 Mini launched with iOS 15.
  • Repairability and Durability: The iPhone 13 Mini features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an IP68 water resistance rating, allowing it to withstand submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2022 has a dual-ion exchange-strengthened glass front and an IP67 rating, protecting it from submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The iPhone 13 Mini received an updated repairability score of 6/10 from iFixit, while the iPhone SE 2022, based on the iPhone 8 design, would likely have a similar or slightly lower score.

Year of Release

2021

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone SE 2022 are equipped with the same advanced processor, leading to comparable performance in many tasks, though differences exist in available storage and battery behavior.

  • Processing Power: Both smartphones feature a current-generation processor, enabling smooth operation for demanding applications, multitasking, and graphics-intensive games. This ensures a responsive user experience across the iOS ecosystem.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The iPhone 13 Mini offers storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, paired with 4GB of RAM. The iPhone SE 2022 is available with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB of storage and also includes 4GB of RAM. The larger base storage on the 13 Mini provides more room for apps and media without relying on cloud services.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13 Mini generally offers longer battery life, with up to 17 hours of video playback. The iPhone SE 2022 provides up to 15 hours of video playback. Both support fast charging and wireless charging.

Memory

4 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on these two compact iPhones differs significantly due to their display technologies and physical designs.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 13 Mini features a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, which delivers deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a high contrast ratio. It has a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels at 476 pixels per inch (ppi). In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display with IPS technology, offering a resolution of 1334x750 pixels at 326 ppi.
  • Brightness and Viewing Experience: The iPhone 13 Mini's OLED screen can reach a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits, providing excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone SE 2022's LCD display offers a maximum typical brightness of 625 nits. Both displays support True Tone and Wide Color (P3) for accurate color reproduction.
  • Screen Size and Design: The iPhone 13 Mini offers a larger screen-to-body ratio due to its edge-to-edge display with a notch for Face ID. The iPhone SE 2022 retains the traditional iPhone design with a home button and larger bezels, resulting in a smaller screen within a similar overall footprint.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

750 x 1334

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

Retina IPS LCD

Audiovisual

Both iPhones offer capable camera systems, but the iPhone 13 Mini provides a more versatile setup and enhanced features for photography and videography.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 13 Mini features a dual 12MP camera system, including a main wide-angle lens with a f/1.6 aperture and sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and an ultra-wide lens with a f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. The iPhone SE 2022 has a single 12MP wide-angle camera with a f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization.
  • Photography Features: The iPhone 13 Mini benefits from Night mode on both its main and ultra-wide cameras, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, and Photographic Styles. The iPhone SE 2022 also includes Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Photographic Styles, but lacks Night mode. Both support Portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control.
  • Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices can record 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. The iPhone 13 Mini introduces Cinematic mode for video, which provides a shallow depth of field effect. The iPhone 13 Mini has a 12MP front camera, while the iPhone SE 2022 has a 7MP front camera. Both front cameras support Portrait mode and 1080p HD video recording.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

7 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and camera capabilities, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these smartphones.

  • Physical Design and Handling: The iPhone 13 Mini is more compact and lighter, with dimensions of 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.65 mm and a weight of 141 grams. The iPhone SE 2022 measures 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm and weighs 144 grams, featuring a design similar to older iPhone models with a physical home button.
  • Security and Connectivity: The iPhone 13 Mini utilizes Face ID for secure authentication, while the iPhone SE 2022 features Touch ID integrated into its home button. Both support 5G connectivity (sub-6 GHz), Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0. The iPhone 13 Mini also supports faster mmWave 5G in some regions. Both devices use a Lightning port for charging and data transfer.
  • Audio and Other Features: Both phones feature stereo speakers for media consumption. Neither includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. The iPhone 13 Mini supports MagSafe for magnetic accessories and wireless charging, a feature not present on the iPhone SE 2022.

Weight

140 g

144 g

Width

6,42 cm

6 cm

Height

13,15 cm

13 cm

Depth

0,75 cm

0,73 cm

Screen size (in)

5.4

4.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

Lightning

User feedback for the iPhone 13 Mini often praises its compact size combined with flagship-level performance and camera capabilities, making it a preferred choice for those who desire a smaller device without significant compromises. Some users appreciate its OLED display and advanced camera features like Cinematic mode. Criticisms sometimes point to its battery life, which, while improved over its predecessor, is still less than larger iPhone models.

The iPhone SE 2022 is frequently lauded for its powerful processor, bringing modern performance to a classic design with Touch ID. Users who prefer the physical home button and a more traditional iPhone aesthetic often find it appealing. Common criticisms include its older LCD display technology, the absence of Night mode for photography, and its relatively smaller battery capacity compared to contemporary smartphones.

Users prioritizing a more advanced display, a versatile dual-camera system with Night mode and Cinematic mode, and a more modern, compact design with Face ID may find the iPhone 13 Mini better suited to their needs. Conversely, users who prefer a physical home button with Touch ID, a slightly more traditional design, and still desire strong performance for everyday tasks may lean toward the iPhone SE 2022. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers looking to make an informed and sustainable choice.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons