For users who want a small smartphone but not at the expense of performance, Apple's iPhone series has two significant options: the iPhone SE 4 and the iPhone 13 Mini. Both are for users who like the minimalism of using a small body, but each has something distinctive about it with compromises to accommodate. Let's compare these smartphones to each other.
The iPhone SE 4 brings a design change from its predecessors, embracing a new, more contemporary appearance with an all-screen face, just like the iPhone 14. This change results in the SE 4 eliminating the home button, progressing towards a gesture-based system with Face ID. Conversely, the iPhone 13 Mini retains the design philosophy of its bigger brothers with a flat-edged metal body and a Ceramic Shield front panel but retains the notch for its Face ID.
Size-wise, both phones are comparable, but the iPhone SE 4 has a slightly bigger 6.1-inch screen compared to the 13 Mini's 5.4-inch. That translates into more screen space for the SE 4, which could be a clincher for some buyers, even with the generally small size of both phones.
The iPhone SE 4 gets an OLED panel, with richer colors, true blacks, and improved contrast ratios than the already great OLED screen on the iPhone 13 Mini. The 13 Mini display is no weakling, however, with HDR-enabled vibrant visuals. The difference here is the SE 4's bigger screen, which might provide an enhanced viewing experience.
Under the hood, the iPhone SE 4 is expected to come with Apple’s latest A-series chip, which would make it one step ahead of the iPhone 13 Mini, powered by the A15 Bionic. While both chips are incredibly capable, the newer processor in the SE 4 might offer better performance in intensive tasks, future-proofing the device for longer.
The camera setups differ widely. The iPhone 13 Mini features a dual-camera setup with wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle cameras, allowing for variety in framing, such as improved portrait mode with depth control. The iPhone SE 4, on the other hand, may retain a single 12MP sensor, though history has shown Apple to develop software features to play catchup. It is anticipated that the SE 4 will leverage computational photography to catch up with or even surpass its older brother in some way or another.
Battery life has been an area of criticism for the mini iPhones. Apple has addressed this in the iPhone 13 Mini, providing a day's usage for the majority of users. The iPhone SE 4 may equal or surpass this, considering improvements in energy efficiency with newer chips. Both phones have fast charging capabilities, but only the SE 4 may feature the newer USB-C port, as Apple moves away from Lightning connectors across its products.
Both phones will be based on iOS, with the SE 4 probably getting new features first because it was released more recently. Nevertheless, the iPhone 13 Mini will also get updates for many years to come, which will provide software longevity. Both have features such as 5G connectivity, but the details may differ based on model types.
The iPhone SE 4 will be Apple's affordable choice, possibly beating the price of the iPhone 13 Mini, which has had price cuts but remains at a higher starting price. For those wanting the newest technology at a cheaper price, the SE 4 might be the better choice.
Whether to get the iPhone SE 4 or the iPhone 13 Mini is what you prioritize:
If you desire the most recent design, screen technology, and maybe the latest processor for a less expensive price point, the iPhone SE 4 may be your choice. However, if you are attracted to a smaller footprint, and dual lenses, and can settle for yesterday's technology, the iPhone 13 Mini makes a strong argument.
Both ultimately are great little choices in Apple's lineup, each with its strengths. Your lifestyle, budget, and desire for new features or established reliability will dictate the better option.