iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus
Shop iPhone
iPhone 13 mini
Starting at
£230.09£649.00 new
iPhone 8 Plus
Starting at
£100.56£399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 8 Plus?
iPhone 13 mini vs 8 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 8 Plus starts at £100.56, £129.53 less than the iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 13 mini is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 13 mini, Apple A11 Bionic on the iPhone 8 Plus.
- The iPhone 13 mini has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.
- The iPhone 8 Plus has a bigger battery: 2691 mAh vs 2438 mAh.
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus specs
The iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 8 Plus differ in size, performance, screen technology, and connectivity. The iPhone 13 mini is smaller and lighter, with a 5.4-inch OLED screen that offers higher resolution and sharper display quality, suited for those who want a compact phone with vivid visuals. It supports 5G and has more RAM and a newer chipset, fitting users who want faster responsiveness and future software updates. The iPhone 8 Plus has a larger 5.5-inch LCD screen and a bigger battery capacity, appealing to those who prefer a larger device and longer battery life per charge cycle.
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus price
Colour
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design. These affect how long the phone lasts daily and how long it can receive new features and security improvements.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 8 Plus has a battery capacity of 2691 mAh, which is larger than the iPhone 13 mini's 2438 mAh. This may mean longer use between charges for the iPhone 8 Plus, suiting users who prioritise longer battery life per charge cycle.
Software Updates
This suits buyers who want to keep their phone updated over time.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus performance
Performance relates to the chipset, RAM, and storage options. These influence how smoothly the phone runs apps and manages multitasking.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 13 mini has the Apple A15 Bionic chipset with 4 GB RAM, while the iPhone 8 Plus uses the Apple A11 Bionic with 3 GB RAM. The extra RAM and newer chipset in the iPhone 13 mini help keep more apps open and handle demanding tasks better, suiting users who want faster everyday performance.
Storage Options
The iPhone 13 mini is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options, offering more capacity for apps, photos, and media. The iPhone 8 Plus comes in 64GB and 256GB variants, which could suit buyers with simpler storage needs or who prefer a lower priced option.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus screen
Screen quality affects viewing enjoyment and usability. Differences in screen size, resolution, and type influence how clear and bright images and text appear.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 8 Plus has a larger 5.5-inch screen compared to the iPhone 13 mini's 5.4 inches, offering more room for reading and watching videos. The iPhone 13 mini has a higher resolution of 1080 x 2340, which means it can show sharper images and text on its slightly smaller screen.
Screen Type
The iPhone 13 mini uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which delivers richer colours and deeper blacks, enhancing the viewing experience. The iPhone 8 Plus has a Retina IPS LCD screen, providing accurate colours and good brightness suited for everyday use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus camera
Audiovisual features cover cameras and front-facing imaging, important for photography and video calls.
Front Camera
The iPhone 13 mini has a 12-megapixel front camera, which captures more detail in selfies and video calls. The iPhone 8 Plus has a 7-megapixel front camera, suitable for everyday video chats and selfies but with fewer pixels.
Main Camera
Both phones have double main cameras with 12 megapixels each, so both offer similar detail for photos taken with the rear cameras.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus size and design
Miscellaneous differences include physical size, weight, mobile network, and SIM options, which affect convenience and connectivity.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 13 mini is smaller and lighter, measuring 131.5 mm in height, 64.2 mm in width, and weighing 140 g. The iPhone 8 Plus is larger and heavier at 158.4 mm height, 78.1 mm width, and 202 g. The iPhone 13 mini suits users who prefer a compact, pocketable phone, while the iPhone 8 Plus fits those who want a bigger device.
Mobile Network
The iPhone 13 mini supports 5G networks, which provide faster mobile data speeds where available. The iPhone 8 Plus supports 4G, suitable for reliable everyday mobile internet use.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 13 mini uses a physical SIM plus an eSIM, offering flexibility for managing multiple numbers or plans. The iPhone 8 Plus uses a physical SIM only.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 13 mini or iPhone 8 Plus: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 13 mini if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 3 GB)
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 7 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone 8 Plus if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £100.56, £129.53 less than the iPhone 13 mini
- you want a bigger battery (2691 mAh vs 2438 mAh)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 13 mini appreciate its condition, often finding it better than expected. Many mention the battery health and smooth performance, with some noting the compact size and vibrant screen as highlights. Users also find the storage options appealing and enjoy the phone's speed and up-to-date iOS version. Some describe it as suitable for gifting or personal use, appreciating the balance of features and size.
Buyers of the iPhone 8 Plus often comment on its excellent condition and larger screen size, making it suitable for gaming or general use. Some mention challenges with software updates and app compatibility due to the older iOS version, which affects certain apps. The battery life is noted as variable, with a few customers pointing out it may not hold charge as strongly as expected. It is praised for its build quality and appearance, making it suitable for users who prefer a bigger device for straightforward tasks.
Overall, the iPhone 13 mini suits those who want a compact phone with current software and good performance, while the iPhone 8 Plus fits buyers who prefer a larger screen and simpler use with fewer software updates.
iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 8 Plus FAQs
iPhone 13 mini vs 8 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 13 mini, Apple A11 Bionic on the iPhone 8 Plus. The iPhone 13 mini has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.
The iPhone 8 Plus is cheaper refurbished, from £100.56 compared with £230.09 for the iPhone 13 mini.
The iPhone 8 Plus has a bigger battery: 2691 mAh vs 2438 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 13 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone 8 Plus ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 16.
The iPhone 13 mini adds more RAM (4 GB vs 3 GB), an OLED screen and a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 7 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £129.53 more (from £230.09 vs £100.56).
Refurbished, the iPhone 13 mini comes in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, and the iPhone 8 Plus in 64GB and 256GB.
