Apple launched its new iteration of affordable iPhones: the iPhone SE 2022. Despite carrying a midrange-class price tag, the new compact and affordable device hitten the shelves with exactly the same processor as the iPhone 13 series. That is the reason why, given that it is also a compact phone, a lot of people are wondering which one is the best deal between the iPhone SE 2022 and the iPhone 13 mini. Is it worth spending more to get the compact variant of the iPhone 13 lineup or does the iPhone SE 2022 give people all they need with its affordable price? The answer to this question is not always the same and it depends on the kind of user evaluating the purchase. This is a comparison between the specifications of the two most recent Apple compact phones.
Apple iPhone SE 2022 vs Apple iPhone 13 mini
| Apple iPhone SE 2022 | Apple iPhone 13 Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm, 144 g |
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm, 141 g |
| DISPLAY | 4.7 inches, 750 x 1334p (HD+), Retina IPS LCD | 5.4 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), Super Retina XDR OLED |
| PROCESSOR | Apple A15 Bionic hexa-core | Apple A15 Bionic hexa-core 3.22 GHz |
| MEMORY | 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 4 GB RAM, 256 GB | 4 GB RAM, 512 GB – 4 GB RAM, 128 GB – 4 GB RAM, 256 GB |
| SOFTWARE | iOS 15 | iOS 15 |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5, GPS |
| CAMERA | Single 12 MP, f/1.8 7 MP f/2.2 front camera |
Dual 12 + 12 MP, f/1.6 + f/2.4 Dual 12 MP + SL 3D f/2.2 |
| BATTERY | 2018 mAh, fast charging 18W and Qi wireless charging | 2438 mAh, Fast Charging 20W, Qi wireless charging 7.5W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | SIM, optional eSIM, Touch ID, IP67 water resistant | 5G, optional dual SIM, optional eSIM, MagSafe 15W, IP68 waterproof |
Design
In terms of design, the iPhone 13 mini wins immediately. Its design is exactly the same as the other last-generation iPhones, with a borderless display, a notch, and a form factor with flat borders. The iPhone SE 2022 comes to the market with the same design as the very old iPhone 8, so it is definitely nothing special if compared to the other high-end phones released in 2022. Further, despite having a bigger display, the iPhone 13 mini is more compact than the iPhone SE 2022. Both are built with a glass back and an aluminum frame, but the 13 mini has better water resistance thanks to the IP68 certification (up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes instead of just 1 meter for 30 minutes).
Display
The display of the iPhone 13 mini beats the one found on the iPhone SE 2022. It is a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, the HDR10 certification, Dolby Vision support, and more brilliant colors. The iPhone SE 2022 is equipped with a good panel, but it is an old LCD display with an HD+ resolution and no advanced technologies to improve the image quality. For the authentication, the iPhone SE 2022 relies on the old Touch ID placed below the display, while the iPhone 13 mini supports 3D facial recognition thanks to Face ID.
Specs & Software
The iPhone SE 2022 and the iPhone 13 mini are powered by the same processor: the hexa-core Apple A15 Bionic with 4-core graphics built with a 5 nm production process. Until now, it is the most powerful Apple processor ever seen on an iPhone. Both the handsets are equipped with 4 GB of RAM and NVMe storage, so the performance level is the same. But the 13 mini comes with up to 512 GB of internal storage, while the SE 2022 stops at 256 GB. The only difference is the native storage in the most expensive memory configuration of each phone. Both run the 15th version of iOS and they will get long software support.
Camera
The iPhone 13 mini has a more advanced camera setup than its internal rival. It is equipped with a 12 MP main camera sporting an f/1.6 focal aperture and OIS, paired with another 12 MP camera, but this is an ultrawide sensor. The iPhone SE 2022 has just one single 12 MP sensor with an f/1.8 focal aperture: it lacks the ultrawide camera and the main sensor has lower performance. The 13 mini also comes with a better 12 MP front camera.
Battery
Last but not least, the iPhone 13 mini is equipped with a bigger battery: the capacity is 2438 mAh and, thanks to its OLED display, the energy consumption is usually lower. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 2018 mAh battery and an LCD display consuming more energy. Both come with 18W fast charging and Qi wireless charging, but the 13 mini is the only one to support MagSafe.
Price
You need €509 or $429 to purchase the iPhone SE 2022, while the iPhone 13 mini starts from €699 or $699. The 13 mini wins the comparison thanks to a better display, superior cameras, and a bigger battery, but if you do not mind these features, the SE 2022 can let you save a lot of money.
Apple iPhone SE 2022 vs Apple iPhone 13 mini: PRO and CONS
Apple iPhone SE 2022
PRO
- More affordable
- Thinner
- Touch ID
- Same chipset as the 13 series
CONS
- Old design
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
PRO
- Better design
- Superior water resistance
- Bigger battery
- Superior cameras
CONS
- Higher price
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