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iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17

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iPhone 13 mini

Starting at

£230.09£649.00 new
See options

iPhone 17

Starting at

£713.34£799.00 new
See options
(662 reviews)
(425 reviews)

What's the difference between the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 17?

iPhone 13 mini vs 17 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 13 mini starts at £230.09, £483.25 less than the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 is the newer model, released in 2025.

Refurbished from

£230.09£713.34

Chipset

Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A19

RAM

4 GB8 GB

Battery

2438 mAh3692 mAh

Screen size

5.4 inch6.3 inch

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR
  • Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 13 mini, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17.
  • The iPhone 17 has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
  • The iPhone 17 has a bigger battery: 3692 mAh vs 2438 mAh.

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 specs

The iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 17 differ in size, performance, screen quality, cameras, battery capacity, and connector type. The iPhone 13 mini suits those who prefer a compact, lightweight phone with a smaller screen and simpler features. The iPhone 17 offers a larger display with a higher refresh rate, more RAM, a bigger battery, and higher-resolution cameras, fitting users who want a more advanced device for multimedia and multitasking.

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 price

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery capacity, OS support, and physical design factors. This influences how long the phone can run between charges and how long it will keep receiving updates.

Battery Capacity

The iPhone 13 mini has a 2438 mAh battery suitable for everyday use with moderate screen size and performance needs. The iPhone 17 has a larger 3692 mAh battery, supporting longer usage between charges, especially helpful with its bigger, higher-refresh-rate screen.

Operating System Updates

This means either phone will remain up to date for software improvements.

Battery

2438 mAh3692 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

IP68IP68

Software updates

Supported, up to iOS 27Supported, up to iOS 27

Wireless charging

YesYes

Year of release

20212025

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 performance

Performance relates to the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These affect how smoothly the phone runs apps and handles multitasking or storage needs.

Processor and RAM

The iPhone 13 mini runs on the Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) chipset with 4 GB of RAM, which suits everyday apps and general use. The iPhone 17 features the Apple A19 chipset and 8 GB of RAM, providing more power and memory for multitasking and demanding apps.

Storage Options

The iPhone 13 mini is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage, which covers a range of needs from moderate to large storage. The iPhone 17 comes with 256GB or 512GB, catering to users who want more space for apps, media, and files.

Chipset

Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)Apple A19

RAM

4 GB8 GB

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 screen

Screen quality impacts how you view content, with differences in size, resolution, and refresh rate making a noticeable difference depending on your usage.

Screen Size and Resolution

The iPhone 13 mini has a 5.4 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with 1080 x 2340 resolution, offering a compact display that fits easily in one hand. The iPhone 17 has a larger 6.3 inch Super Retina XDR screen with 2622 x 1206 resolution, providing more room for video, gaming, and productivity.

Refresh Rate

The iPhone 13 mini refreshes at 60 Hz, which is standard for smooth scrolling and video playback. The iPhone 17 doubles this with a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and interactions feel smoother, especially useful for gaming and fast-paced content.

Refresh rate

60 Hz120 Hz

Resolution

1080 x 23402622x1206

Screen size

5.4 inch6.3 inch

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLEDSuper Retina XDR

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 camera

Audiovisual features include the cameras, which determine photo and video quality, important if you use your phone for photography or video calls.

Camera Resolution

The iPhone 13 mini has a 12 megapixel front camera and a 12 megapixel main camera, suitable for clear selfies and everyday photography. The iPhone 17 features an 18 megapixel front camera and a 48 megapixel main camera, capturing more detail and sharper images for users who prioritise camera performance.

Camera type

Double (2x)N/A

Front camera

12 megapixels18 megapixels

Main camera

12 megapixels48 megapixels

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 size and design

Other differences include physical dimensions, weight, connector type, and network compatibility, which affect handling, charging, and connectivity.

Connector Type

The iPhone 13 mini uses a Lightning connector, familiar to many Apple users for charging and accessories. The iPhone 17 uses USB-C, which is common across many devices and supports a wide range of peripherals.

Size and Weight

The iPhone 13 mini is compact at 131.5 mm tall, 64.2 mm wide, 7.5 mm deep, and weighs 140 g. The iPhone 17 is larger and heavier, measuring 149.6 mm in height, 71.5 mm in width, 8 mm in depth, and weighing 177 g. This suits users who prefer either a small, pocket-friendly phone or a larger device with a bigger screen.

Network and SIM

Both phones support 5G and offer a physical SIM plus eSIM, giving flexibility in mobile network choices and dual SIM use.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

LightningUSB-C

Depth

7.7 mm8 mm

Height

131.5 mm149.6 mm

Mobile network

5G5G

Release date

24 September 202119 September 2025

SD card slot

NoNo

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

140 g177 g

Width

64.2 mm71.5 mm

iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 17: which should you buy?

Buy the iPhone 13 mini if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £230.09, £483.25 less than the iPhone 17
  • you want an OLED screen
  • you want a lighter build (140 g vs 177 g)

Buy the iPhone 17 if

  • you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
  • you want a bigger battery (3692 mAh vs 2438 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 5.4 inch)

What our customers say

Customers who bought the iPhone 13 mini appreciate its compact size, smooth performance, and good battery health. Many mention receiving phones in excellent condition, sometimes better than expected even when ordering fair or good condition. The 13 mini suits those who want a smaller device that is easy to hold and carry. Users with some experience note the phone runs iOS26.1 and is suitable for everyday apps and features.

Reviews for the iPhone 17 highlight its like-new condition, full battery health, and excellent performance. Customers note the phone looks almost new and handles intensive use well, with bigger screens and higher resolution cameras standing out. Those who upgraded from older models enjoyed the bigger, sharper display and extra RAM. Some express satisfaction with the phone being a premium model that meets expectations for speed and camera quality.

Overall, the iPhone 13 mini fits buyers who want a smaller, lighter phone for everyday use with reliable performance. The iPhone 17 suits users looking for a larger screen, more power, and enhanced camera quality for a more immersive multimedia experience.

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 17 FAQs

iPhone 13 mini vs 17 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 13 mini, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.

The iPhone 13 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £230.09 compared with £713.34 for the iPhone 17.

The iPhone 17 has a bigger battery: 3692 mAh vs 2438 mAh.

The iPhone 17 has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.

The iPhone 13 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 17 is still supported and can run iOS 27.

The iPhone 17 adds more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (3692 mAh vs 2438 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 5.4 inch). Refurbished, it costs £483.25 more (from £713.34 vs £230.09).

Refurbished, the iPhone 13 mini comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 17 in 256GB and 512GB.

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