In a huge plot twist for me, I have finally upgraded my beloved iPhone 13 Mini to the affordable iPhone 17e.
There are a few reasons why I was so reluctant to upgrade my iPhone 13 Mini, however the main reason was undoubtedly due to its small stature.
Sure, it wasn’t the most comfortable phone to watch videos on but it did the job, and I especially appreciated how it could fit seamlessly into pockets and small bags too.
However, the other key reason was that my iPhone 13 Mini still worked really well. Granted, sometimes it got a bit overwhelmed and would crash, apps occasionally refused to open and the battery only just about lasted a full day, but overall it served me well despite getting on a bit.
So with this in mind, how does the newer iPhone 17e really compare? While I’m sure I’d see more of a difference with the iPhone 17 Pro and even the iPhone 17, are there enough new features in the iPhone 17e to warrant an upgrade? Will the 6.1-inch display prove too cumbersome after years of the pint-sized 5.4-incher? I’ve done the hard work, so you don’t have to.
For a closer look at the differences between the specs, visit our iPhone 17e vs iPhone 13 Mini comparison too.
The lack of ultrawide isn’t as bad as I thought
One of the most divisive attributes of the iPhone 17e is that it’s fitted with just one rear camera – a 48MP Fusion lens, much like the pricier iPhone Air. Instead, the iPhone 13 Mini sports two 12MP lenses: one main and one ultrawide.
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Initially this fact put me off the iPhone 17e. However, a quick swipe through my photos made me realise that I very rarely used the 13 Mini’s ultrawide lens. And if I did use it, it was mostly on holiday when trying to capture a shot of the scenery, and I’d also have used the main sensor too.
With this in mind, if you’re also put off by the lack of ultrawide lens then I’d recommend that you have a flick through your Photos app, as you might be surprised to realise you haven’t actually used it that much. I also haven’t found myself wishing for an ultrawide lens either.
Otherwise, the 48MP main lens of the iPhone 17e captures wonderfully detailed images and performs well in low light too. It also may sound like a huge upgrade over the iPhone 13 Mini’s 12MP sensor, but it’s worth noting that I also found those images look great too. Apple has a reputation for offering some of the best camera phones, and even the small iPhone 13 Mini and cheaper iPhone 17e are no exception.
You’ll get used to the larger screen
Unless you opt for a clamshell foldable (which I’m always tempted by), I think we just have to accept that the best smartphones are at least six-inches nowadays. Even so, the iPhone 17e still feels comfortable in hand and, at just 170g, it certainly isn’t a heavy device either.
However, it’s worth noting that although it’s larger, the specs of the iPhone 17e’s screen are more or less the same as the iPhone 13 Mini’s own. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean you won’t experience a 120Hz refresh rate, a higher brightness or more vibrant colours.
Otherwise, although I was initially concerned about how I’d get on with the larger phone, it’s fair to say it’s pretty easy to adapt to the size. What I can’t get my head around, however, is the thought of the 6.9-inch iPhone 17 Pro Max. But maybe I’ll upgrade to that next.
Apple Intelligence should not be the reason you upgrade
Unsurprisingly, as its chip is four series newer, the iPhone 17e feels considerably faster in everyday use compared to the iPhone 13 Mini. Apps open quickly, photos are taken without hesitation and the phone hasn’t crashed once since I acquired it. Plus, I haven’t noticed any overheating issues, which was somewhat of a common occurrence with my 13 Mini.
Not only is the iPhone 17e’s A19 chip newer, but it also enables the running of Apple Intelligence, the suite of AI tools found within compatible Apple devices.
Now, I should disclose that I use a MacBook Air, so I have already played around with Apple Intelligence. However, opting for the iPhone 17e may very well be your first dip into the AI toolkit, and that might sound like an exciting upgrade and maybe even reason enough to make the splurge. Unfortunately, at least at the time of writing, I’d argue that Apple Intelligence simply should not be the sole reason you decide to upgrade from the iPhone 13 Mini.
While there are some useful tools, like Visual Intelligence which allows you to search for something through your camera, other features like Notification Summary can sometimes get jumbled while the likes of Genmoji and Image Playground are a novelty more than anything.
Clean-Up in Photos is a welcome addition, however personally I’ve found it to be really hit and miss. Perhaps the images I’ve used are a bit too tricky for the software, but it’s not quite the smooth removal you’d want.
Finally rid of the Lightning port
After years of lugging around power banks or claiming chargers in the office as my own, I feel well and truly spoiled with the iPhone 17e. Now, I know that no iPhone can compete with some of the best Android phones, however the fact I no longer need to top up my phone during the day is a blessing.
Plus, it’s so nice to finally have the USB-C port too. Yep, that’s how old the iPhone 13 series is.
Opinion
I think I’ll always quietly hope that the iPhone Mini will one day make a comeback. However, the iPhone 17e isn’t quite the cumbersome or clumsy smartphone I imagined it to be. Plus, with the inclusion of a USB-C port, AI-enabled chip and a higher res camera, the iPhone 17e feels more like a modern iPhone and one that’ll keep up with Apple’s software launches for years to come.
Essentially, if your iPhone 13 Mini is starting to slow down, but you don’t want to splurge on the iPhone 17, the iPhone 17e really is a fantastic compromise. And trust me, you’ll get used to the size.
