Is it worth it to change the iPhone X for the 13 mini? Which of the two is worth buying? All these questions can only be solved in one way, and that is by putting both devices on the table and comparing what they are capable of offering, which is just what we are going to do in this post.
Main features
Before entering fully into each of the points that differentiate the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini, we want you to know all the data of both devices, that is, the technical specifications that each of them have. In this way you will be able to understand much better what their differences are and, above all, what they are capable of offering the user.
| Specifications | iPhone X | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 2,658 mAh * | 2,406 mAh * |
| Front camera | 7 Mpx lens with f / 2.2 aperture | 12 Mpx lens with f / 2.2 aperture |
| Rear camera | -Wide angle 12 Mpx with f / 1.8 -12 Mpx telephoto lens with f / 2.4. -Double optical image stabilization. -Optical zoom x2 and digital zoom x10. -Portrait mode. -HDR for photos. -Video recording in 4K at 24, 30 or 60 fps. |
-Wide angle: 12 Mpx with aperture of f / 1.6 -Ultra wide angle: 12 Mpx with aperture of f / 2.4 |
| Capabilities | -64 GB -256 GB |
-128 GB -256 GB -512 GB |
| Colors | -Silver -Space gray |
-White star -Midnight black -Blue -Pink -Red – (PRODUCT) RED |
| Dimensions | -Height: 14.36 cm -Width: 7.09 cm -Thickness: 0.77 cm |
-Height: 13.15 centimeters -Width: 6.42 centimeters -Thickness: 0.76 centimeters |
| Screen | 5.8-inch Super Retina HD OLED | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
| Weight | 174 grams | 140 grams |
| Processor | A11 Bionic | A15 Bionic with 16-core Neural Engine |
| RAM | 3 GB * | 4GB* |
| Resolution | 2,436 x 1,125 pixels | 2,340 x 1,080 at 476 pixels per inch |
| Biometric sensors | Face ID | Face ID |
| Price | Discontinued at Apple | From 809 euros at Apple |
Once you have and know the technical specifications, briefly we want to make an introduction of what are the points in which the most differentials between the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini. We will expand on all of them in this post, but it is important that, from the outset, you know what the main differences are.
- Size is one of the aspects that most differentiates both devices without any doubt.
- The screen also hides certain differences, especially considering the reduction of the notch in the iPhone 13 mini.
- The cameras are, without a doubt, another point that marks the user experience with one device and another. In this case they have the same number, but not the same type of lenses and above all, they are not capable of doing the same.
- The battery is a fundamental aspect of an iPhone, and the reality is that even though there are differences, neither of them is left over from it.
- The presence of 5G is also differential, since it will allow you to enjoy a much higher connection speed, despite the fact that currently you can not yet take full advantage of it since the infrastructures are not equipped for it as we will tell you later in this post.
Design
The appearance of the device is something that greatly affects the perception and experience that all users have with it, and in this case the differences are really notable between the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini. On the one hand, the iPhone X represented a drastic change both in terms of design and the way the device is used, while the 13 mini has inherited the twist that the iPhone 12 generation already introduced.
Resize and form factor
As we mentioned before, a design change not only affects the aesthetic section of the device, but also the way of using it , feeling it in the hand and irremediably the experience that all users have with it. In the case of the iPhone X, the design is much more rounded , as it happened since the iPhone 6. However, with the iPhone 13 mini , the experience is completely different, and not only because of the size, but also because of the shape of the phone itself. device that has completely square sides .
The user experience with one device and another in terms of design cannot be classified as better or worse , since that will depend on the preferences of each user. Both due to their size are very ergonomic devices that can be handled very well with one hand, although in that regard it is clear that the iPhone 13 mini takes the cake.
Shock and drop resistance
Apparently, if you look only at the aesthetic part of the device you may tend to think that in terms of resistance they are exactly the same devices both in front and behind. However, the materials with which both iPhones are made differ on both sides . In front, the iPhone X is made of glass while the iPhone 13 mini has the Ceramic Shield material that makes it more resistant to possible shocks that it may suffer.
On the back, the iPhone X has glass in mind again, while the 13 mini is made of aerospace-quality aluminum that gives it extra protection. Despite all this, the reality for users is that with both devices, care must be taken that they do not suffer any blow or fall, since any accident can damage both the rear and the front. For this reason, we always recommend using both a screen protector and a cover to keep the device well protected.
Screen
One of the parts of the iPhone that most marks the user experience is the screen. In this case, both the type and the size are different between the two devices, and it will be something that you will have to value a lot and very well. Next we will talk about the most significant differences and all that this implies.
Different size
On the part of the iPhone X you have a 5.8-inch screen , while in the 13 mini the size is reduced to 5.4 inches . The experience with one and the other is not the same, and the iPhone 13 mini is really made for all users who are still in love with small phones, but who do not want to give up enjoying the latest technology on the market. On the other hand, the 5.8 inches has that balance between a fully manageable screen with one hand, but also ideal to enjoy all the multimedia content.
But as we said, size is not the only thing that matters in this case, but the type of screen also varies from one model to another. On the part of the iPhone X you have an OLED Super Retina HD screen, while in the iPhone 13 mini you keep OLED technology but on a Super Retina XDR screen. This type of screen makes the colors much more faithful to reality and you really have a professional screen at your disposal. In the case of the iPhone X, the experience is also fantastic, since Apple has always stood out, among other things, for the quality of its screens, but you will certainly notice the change from one to the other.
Notch change, is it noticeable?
A change that debuts the entire generation of iPhone 13 is the reduction of the notch , which curiously was also one of the novelties of the iPhone X at its launch, the presence of it. However, far from being a really drastic and functional change, this reduction is only summarized in something purely aesthetic.
Specifically, Apple has made it 20% smaller , something that at a functional level has not brought any improvement or advantage, since users continue to have the same information at the top of the screen. In addition, aesthetically it is something that you will only notice when you put one device in front of another, so it really is not a change that you have to take into account when evaluating the jump from one device to another or the purchase of one of both.
Differences in cameras
Surely the cameras section is one of the most important when comparing one iPhone with another, and here, how could it be otherwise, we find enough points to talk about. This is a section that the vast majority of users take into account when buying or changing their device.
Different double camera
First of all, what you have to know is that both have a dual camera module, although both in form and content are relatively different. We start with what they share, which is the Wide angle lens, with an aperture f / 1.8 in the case of the iPhone X and an f / 1.6 in the case of the iPhone 13 mini. As for the second lens, the iPhone X has a Telephoto lens , while the 13 mini has an Ultra wide angle lens . With the telephoto lens, what you can do is take pictures closer to any subject or surface, while the ultra-wide angle is just the opposite.
The reality is that given the choice, the vast majority of users prefer to have an ultra-wide angle lens than a telephoto lens, therefore, it seems that Apple’s decision to change one lens for the other has been well accepted by users. For practical purposes, an ultra-wide angle lens is capable of offering much more play than a telephoto lens, which although it is not the same, you can imitate the results by getting closer to the subject or surface you want to photograph.
But beware, these are not the only differences in terms of the dual camera module, since the iPhone 13 mini also has optical image stabilization by sensor shift , as well as the possibility of taking pictures with advanced portrait mode and control of depth, on the other hand, with the iPhone X you can also do portrait mode but not with the options provided by the 13 mini.
Another point to take into account and that marks the photographic results of both devices is the HDR. On the iPhone X you find the first version, while the iPhone 13 mini has HDR 4 . For practical purposes, this is because the photography of the iPhone 13 mini has a much higher level of detail than that of the iPhone X, especially in shadowy and highly-lit areas.
Night mode
We continue with the cameras section and something that completely marks the difference between both devices is the presence, in the case of the iPhone 13 mini, of the night mode, also in all its lenses. Low-light photographic results have always been one of the weaknesses of the iPhone, however, with the advent of night mode that has changed considerably.
The iPhone is still not the best device for photography in low light conditions, but the leap it has made is enormous , and it can be seen exemplified in the results you can get with the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini. For all users who enjoy taking pictures with their iPhone, this is undoubtedly one of the points that they have to value the most in this comparison.
Cinema mode
The portrait mode of the iPhone is one of the most popular shooting modes and that is most used by all users, well, that portrait mode has now also reached video , and Apple has called it cinema mode. Obviously, it is a recording mode that is present in the iPhone 13 mini and not in the iPhone X.
It is a first version, so do not expect that the results it offers are completely perfect, but without a doubt that they are really good and very usable. In addition, the most impressive thing of all is not that, but the possibility that you have later of being able to modify the focus point . Not only can you vary the part in focus while recording, but both on your iPhone and in iMovie or Final Cut Pro, after recording you can choose the part that you want to be in focus and the part that is not. As we said, the results are not perfect, but they will still leave you with your mouth open.
Battery and autonomy
A section in which Apple has always been highly questioned has been the autonomy of its devices. This has changed radically in the Max models, however, both the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini continue to have that handicap. However, we are going to check below which of the two is capable of performing better.
Which one lasts the longest?
As we said, neither of the two devices has plenty of autonomy , and depending on the use you make of it, you may have to go through the charger before the end of the day. However, surely the iPhone 13 mini is not aimed at a type of user that is too demanding . However, the reality is that due to size issues it is very difficult for two devices like the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini to give many hours of autonomy.
However, if we look at the data provided by Apple we see quite interesting differences. In the case of video playback, the iPhone X is capable of reaching 13 hours for the 17 hours of the iPhone 13 mini. However, in audio playback the iPhone X gives you up to 60 hours while the 13 mini stays at 55 hours. This is a faithful reflection that the autonomy of both is quite similar.
How are they loaded?
If in the hours of autonomy there are hardly any differences in the benefits, where if there are, it is in the way of charging them. Both devices can be charged both through the Lightning port and through wireless charging . In addition, they have fast charging, in such a way that you can get to charge the iPhone to 50% with 30 minutes of charging using an adapter of 20 W or higher.
However, in this aspect the iPhone 13 mini offers an extra, and that is that it has the famous MagSafe technology , making it possible not only to charge the device through it, but also to have a wide variety of accessories available. that can become really useful in many moments.
Other hardware items
We have already told you about the highlights of this comparison, however, they are not the only ones that have experienced an evolution from the iPhone X to the iPhone 13 mini. There are points where you can also find differences but which, however, will be less noticeable than those mentioned so far. Still, you have to know them to be able to assess which of the two devices can best suit your needs.
Overall performance
Power is always something that all users when buying or exchanging their device tend to check. The reality is that although Apple year after year is able to improve its chips making them more and more efficient, all its iPhones, thanks also to the large volume of iOS updates, perform really well in the vast majority of aspects.
However, it is evident that the iPhone 13 mini has the A15 Bionic chip that gives it more power, which will lead to a better user experience in certain tasks such as photo or video editing. However, the iPhone X with its A11 Bionic also continues to offer a great experience despite the fact that in some tasks it may not work as fast or fluid as in this case the 13 mini.
5G available
The last point in this comparison that we want to talk to you about is 5G. In this case the difference is quite clear, the iPhone X is not compatible with this technology while the 13 mini is. However, 5G is not really usable in its entirety in certain parts of the world, such as Spain, where we really have a small evolution of 4G, so today it is not something with which you are going to experience a change. drastic.
However, this will foreseeably change over the years, reaching the point where having 5G will make you enjoy a much more positive experience, so if you are really considering keeping your iPhone for a long time , you have to assess positively the fact that the iPhone 13 mini is compatible with 5G.
Conclusions.
We finish the comparison with what are our conclusions. However, once you have all the main differences between the iPhone X and the iPhone 13 mini well developed in this post, we encourage you to take your own conclusions, here are ours.
For all those users, those users who today have an iPhone X and are thinking of making the leap to the iPhone 13 mini have to bear in mind the reduction in screen size that such a change would entail. For everything else, except autonomy, the change is really worth it, especially considering the increased possibilities when taking pictures and recording video with the iPhone.