iPhone 13 Mini vs iPhone 17: From Mini to Phone of the Year
Apple ended the iPhone Mini line in 2022. If you held onto an iPhone 13 Mini for the form factor, the iPhone 17 is the closest current replacement — and it won Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
iPhone 13 mini
Apple · 2021 · From $699
iPhone 17
Apple · 2025 · From $799
Round wins
iPhone 13 mini: 1 · iPhone 17: 6
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | iPhone 13 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 60Hz | 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz ProMotion |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic | Apple A19 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB |
| Camera | 12MP main + 12MP ultrawide | 48MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 12MP front |
| Battery | 2,438 mAh | 3,279 mAh |
| OS | iOS 15 | iOS 19 |
| Starting price | $699 | $799 |
| Released | 2021 | 2025 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Form factor
Winner: iPhone 13 miniiPhone 13 Mini: 5.4-inch — true compact. iPhone 17: 6.1-inch — modern compact. 13 Mini wins on pocketability but Apple ended the line.
Display
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 has ProMotion 120Hz; 13 Mini is 60Hz. Material improvement.
Apple Intelligence
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 fully supports Apple Intelligence. iPhone 13 Mini does NOT (6GB RAM threshold not met). Decisive.
Performance
Winner: iPhone 17A19 vs A15 — roughly 60% faster across CPU/GPU.
Camera
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: 48MP main with refined processing. 13 Mini: 12MP main + 12MP ultra. Material upgrade.
Battery
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17 averages 6.5–7.5 hours screen-on. 13 Mini on 5-year-old battery: 2.5–3.5 hours.
Software longevity
Winner: iPhone 17iPhone 17: ~5 more years. 13 Mini: ~1 more year.
Final verdict
Yes, upgrade — but accept the Mini form factor is gone. iPhone 17 at 6.1 inches is the smallest current iPhone (the Z Flip 7 folded is closer to true Mini size, if you're willing to switch ecosystems). The 13 Mini is at the edge of its support window and battery is severely degraded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a current iPhone Mini replacement?
No true Mini — Apple ended the line in 2022. iPhone 17 (6.1-inch) is the smallest current iPhone. For true Mini-sized device, the Z Flip 7 (folded) is the only option, but requires Android.
Should I upgrade my iPhone 13 Mini?
Yes — battery is at end-of-life and the 13 Mini does not support Apple Intelligence. The iPhone 17 (Phone of the Year) is the smallest current iPhone and a major upgrade.
How long is the iPhone 13 Mini still supported?
iOS support is through approximately 2027 — security patches likely a year longer. Roughly 1 year of major updates remaining from mid-2026.