iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone SE – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

iPhone 13 mini & iPhone SE share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 13 mini rather than the iPhone SE.

Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 13 mini

  • The iPhone 13 mini features a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for sharper resolution, deeper blacks, and HDR brightness in movies and games, whereas the iPhone SE uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD with lower resolution and brightness.
  • iPhone 13 mini has a dual-camera system with 12 MP wide and ultra-wide lenses for versatile photography and wider scene capture, while the iPhone SE includes only a single 12 MP wide camera.
  • It supports Night Mode on both the rear and front cameras for clearer low-light photos, whereas the iPhone SE does not support Night Mode at all.
  • The iPhone 13 mini comes with Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 4K60 for cinema-grade video quality, while the iPhone SE records standard HDR video without Dolby Vision support.
  • iPhone 13 mini has the A15 Bionic with a 5-core GPU for stronger graphics performance in gaming and demanding apps, whereas the iPhone SE uses the same A15 Bionic with a 4-core GPU.
  • It includes MagSafe support for faster magnetic charging and accessory compatibility, whereas the iPhone SE only supports standard Qi wireless charging.
  • The iPhone 13 mini comes with up to 512 GB storage to store more space for photos, apps, and videos, whereas the iPhone SE is capped at 256 GB.
  • iPhone 13 mini features an IP68 water-resistance design that withstands up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, whereas the iPhone SE has an IP67 rating limited to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Maybe the iPhone SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 13 mini. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

Side By Side Comparison

FeatureiPhone 13 miniiPhone SE
Display Size5.4-inch4.7-inch
Display TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDRetina HD LCD
Resolution2340 × 1080 pixels, 476 ppi1334 × 750 pixels, 326 ppi
Brightness800 nits typical, 1200 nits HDR625 nits typical
Contrast Ratio2,000,000:11,400:1
DesignAll-screen with notchThick bezels with Home button
BiometricsFace IDTouch ID
Rear CamerasDual 12 MP wide + ultra-wideSingle 12 MP wide
Night ModeSupportedNot supported
Photographic StylesSupportedNot supported
Cinematic ModeAvailableNot available
HDR VideoDolby Vision HDR up to 4K60Standard HDR up to 4K60
Front Camera12 MP TrueDepth7 MP FaceTime HD
Front Camera FeaturesNight Mode, Deep Fusion, Portrait modeBasic Portrait mode, no Night Mode
GPUA15 Bionic with 5-core GPUA15 Bionic with 4-core GPU
Battery Capacity~2406 mAh~2018 mAh
Video PlaybackUp to 17 hoursUp to 15 hours
ChargingMagSafe and Qi wirelessQi wireless only
Water ResistanceIP68IP67
Weight140 g144 g
BuildCeramic Shield front, glass back, aluminum frameStandard glass front/back, aluminum frame
Storage Options128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB
5G BandsBroader support for more regionsFewer 5G bands
PriceCheck iPhone 13 mini PriceCheck iPhone SE Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • A15 Bionic Chip: Both phones feature the A15 Bionic processor, ensuring fast performance for gaming, apps, and multitasking.
  • 6-Core CPU: Each model comes with a 6-core CPU, delivering efficient power use and smooth everyday operation.
  • Neural Engine: Both devices include a 16-core Neural Engine, enabling advanced AI tasks like photo enhancements and Siri requests.
  • 12 MP Main Camera: Each phone has a 12 MP wide camera, capturing detailed and sharp photos in various lighting conditions.
  • Smart HDR 4: Both models support Smart HDR 4, balancing highlights and shadows for natural-looking images.
  • Deep Fusion: Each device uses Deep Fusion, improving textures and details in mid- to low-light photos.
  • Portrait Mode: Both phones feature Portrait mode, allowing users to blur backgrounds and highlight subjects.
  • 4K Video Recording: Each model supports 4K video at up to 60 fps, delivering crisp and smooth video quality.
  • Slow-Motion Video: Both support 1080p slow-motion recording at 120/240 fps, making it easy to capture dramatic action shots.
  • Stereo Recording: Each device records stereo sound, improving audio quality in videos.
  • Spatial Audio: Both support Spatial Audio, creating immersive 3D sound for movies and music.
  • Dolby Atmos: Each model includes Dolby Atmos support, enhancing depth and clarity in audio playback.
  • 5G Connectivity: Both devices support 5G, providing faster download speeds and better streaming performance.
  • Wi-Fi 6: Each phone supports Wi-Fi 6, enabling faster and more stable wireless connections.
  • Bluetooth 5.0: Both models include Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring strong connections with headphones and accessories.
  • Wireless Charging: Each supports Qi wireless charging, allowing cable-free power convenience.
  • Fast Charging: Both phones feature 20W wired fast charging, reaching up to 50% charge in around 30 minutes.
  • iOS Updates: Each device shipped with iOS 15 and supports iOS 17+, ensuring long-term software compatibility.
  • Apple Services: Both integrate iCloud, Apple Pay, Apple Arcade, and FaceTime, offering consistent Apple ecosystem features.

Common Features

FeatureiPhone 13 miniiPhone SE
Chipset FamilyA15 BionicA15 Bionic
CPU Performance6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores
Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine16-core Neural Engine
Rear Camera Resolution12 MP main wide camera12 MP main wide camera
Camera FeaturesDeep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Portrait modeDeep Fusion, Smart HDR 4, Portrait mode
Optical Zoom RangeDigital zoom up to 5×Digital zoom up to 5×
Video Recording4K at 24/25/30/60 fps4K at 24/25/30/60 fps
Video Modes1080p at 30/60 fps, 720p at 30 fps1080p at 30/60 fps, 720p at 30 fps
Slow Motion1080p at 120/240 fps1080p at 120/240 fps
Stereo RecordingSupportedSupported
Audio PlaybackSpatial Audio and Dolby Atmos supportSpatial Audio and Dolby Atmos support
5G ConnectivitySupportedSupported
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.0
Wireless ChargingQi wireless charging supportedQi wireless charging supported
Fast Charging20W wired fast charging supported20W wired fast charging supported
iOS VersionShipped with iOS 15 and supports iOS 17+Shipped with iOS 15 and supports iOS 17+
Apple ServicesiCloud, Apple Pay, Apple Arcade, FaceTime HDiCloud, Apple Pay, Apple Arcade, FaceTime HD
Price Check iPhone 13 mini Price Check iPhone SE Price

FAQ

Is the iPhone 13 mini more powerful than the iPhone SE?
Both use the A15 Bionic chip, but the iPhone 13 mini has a 5-core GPU version, making it slightly stronger in graphics performance compared to the iPhone SE’s 4-core GPU.

Does the iPhone 13 mini have a better display than the iPhone SE?
Yes, the iPhone 13 mini features a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with higher resolution and HDR brightness, while the iPhone SE uses a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display.

Which phone has better cameras, iPhone 13 mini or iPhone SE?
The iPhone 13 mini has dual 12 MP cameras including an ultra-wide lens, while the iPhone SE only has a single 12 MP wide camera, limiting its versatility.

Can both iPhone 13 mini and iPhone SE take portrait photos?
Yes, both support Portrait mode, but the iPhone 13 mini provides more advanced features like Night Mode Portraits and Photographic Styles.

Do the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone SE support 5G?
Yes, both support 5G connectivity, but the iPhone 13 mini supports more 5G bands for broader global coverage.

Which phone has better battery life?
The iPhone 13 mini lasts longer with up to 17 hours of video playback, while the iPhone SE lasts up to 15 hours.

Do both phones support wireless charging?
Yes, both support Qi wireless charging, but only the iPhone 13 mini supports MagSafe accessories and magnetic charging.

Are both phones water resistant?
Yes, the iPhone 13 mini has an IP68 rating for up to 6 meters for 30 minutes, while the iPhone SE has an IP67 rating for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Which iPhone is lighter to carry?
The iPhone 13 mini weighs 140 grams, making it slightly lighter than the iPhone SE which weighs 144 grams.

Do both phones get the latest iOS updates?
Yes, both shipped with iOS 15 and are fully compatible with iOS 17 and future updates for several years.

Is the iPhone 13 mini more expensive than the iPhone SE?
Yes, the iPhone 13 mini launched at a higher price point around $699, while the iPhone SE launched at around $429.

Which iPhone has better video recording features?
The iPhone 13 mini supports Dolby Vision HDR video recording, while the iPhone SE records HDR video but without Dolby Vision.

Do both iPhones support Face ID?
No, the iPhone 13 mini uses Face ID, while the iPhone SE relies on Touch ID with the Home button.

Which phone has more storage options?
The iPhone 13 mini offers up to 512 GB of storage, while the iPhone SE is limited to a maximum of 256 GB.

Are both iPhones part of the Apple ecosystem?
Yes, both fully integrate with Apple services like iCloud, Apple Pay, FaceTime, and Apple Arcade, ensuring a consistent ecosystem experience.

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