Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsPleasantly surprised. Excellent condition, no scratches or dings, passed two diagnostics..
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024
I was on a waiting list for a 'Renewed Premium'. Seems to be a long waiting list. I finally gave up and went with a 'Renewed' advertised in excellent condition. Given Amazon's generous return policy, I would have been able to return it easily if there were issues. I probably wouldn't have tried this with an online retailer other than Amazon or Apple.
The Amazon affiliated supplier was TECHMINT. It arrived without scratches, dings, or apparent wear. Looks like new. That said, anyone buying a 'Renewed' phone should expect varying degrees of condition within the parameters of Amazon's advertising. I'd suggest buying a 'Renewed Premium' if you want a phone that's in like-new condition. I probably got lucky with a 'Renewed'.
It shipped in *very* well designed and protective packaging designed for phones. Not likely to be damaged in transit short of extremely heavy crush damage. If you plan on shipping your phone or storing a back-up, I'd suggest keeping it. The box has spacers to accommodate different sizes. Kudos to the packaging engineers that designed this. Well done.
It was delivered with 100% battery health which almost certainly means that the phone was opened up and the battery replaced. The likelihood of a 'renewed' 13 Mini arriving with battery health at 100% is slim to none. I assume that they did this because the phone was traded in with < 80% battery health. The advertising states that the phone will arrive with battery health of ≥ 80% battery health.
Immediately after receiving it, I ran two diagnostics to check functions. In both cases, no issues. One of the diagnostics is built into iOS. You'll need iOS 17 or later and not a beta release. Search for 'built in iPhone diagnostic' for instructions. There's another which makes doing this quite a bit easier. From the Apple app store search for 'Phone Doctor Plus'. There's a free and paid version. It simplifies the process.
Note that Phone Doctor Plus runs through the tests somewhat quickly and requires interaction with the user. This can result in a false fail for some of the tests if you don't work quickly. When the test ends, it will ID which tests failed and allows you to re-test individually.
There are other diagnostic apps but these are the only two I've tried. Alternatively, you can take it to an Apple store and ask them to do it for you. Your carrier may also have diagnostic capability.
The advertising states that an MFi certified charging/data cable ships with the phone. Mine shipped with a 3ft cloth jacketed USB C to Lightning charging cable. No branding or print on the cable, no included documentation, no packaging. It appears similar to what you sometimes see without packaging and draped over peg racks in convenience stores.
I have no reason to believe that the provided cable isn't MFi certified and from a reliable manufacturer but without more information, I'd suggest using an Apple product or something from a reliable aftermarket supplier such as Anker or Belkin. There are reasons USB C cables tend to be pricey, especially those designed for high power delivery. Better safe than sorry.
The advertising states that a U/L certified charger ships with the phone. Mine shipped without a charger. I checked the interior packaging to be sure. Not a deal breaker but worth pointing out. I'd say the same about a charger as I did about the cable - best to use one from a reputable manufacturer - Apple, Anker, Belkin, etc.
Also advertised as an included accessory is a sim removal tool. I didn't find one in the box. If yours shipped with a SIM card, I'd suggest reading through the pros and cons of SIM vs eSIM. If eSIM meets your needs, I'd recommend removing the SIM, physically destroying it and switching to eSIM. Switching to eSIM can be done in your phone's settings. No expertise or hardware required. Although unlikely if buying from an Amazon (I assume), SIM cards can be compromised. If you need a SIM card, probably best to get one from your carrier instead of a mystery SIM.
You'll need a case. Without, it's not a matter of if you'll drop it but when. This is my second mini, the first an iPhone 12 Mini. Slippery and with a smaller form factor than other iPhones, very easy lose grip especially if you have large hands. Further, without a case the camera lenses and screen make contact with whatever surface you place them on.
The Apple leather case has been my go-to for the last 3-4 phones. Very well designed, doesn't add significant bulk and the drop protection has proven to be excellent. Great case for all but extreme circumstances.
Note that iPhone 12 and 13 mini cases are not interchangeable. The camera lens housings are different. The 12 mini case will not fit the 13 mini. The 13 mini case will fit the 12 mini but there will be a gap on the right side of the lens housing.
Not to overstate it but If you're considering both the 12 mini and 13 mini, battery life may be problematic for heavy users and those who regularly use power hungry apps. GPS apps for example - Apple Maps, Google Maps, Uber, etc. True of all phones but somewhat more so for a Mini. In my experience with the 12 Mini, especially once battery health drops into the low 90% range. If you're on the move a lot without convenient charging options, a small MagSafe power bank (≤ 5000mAh) will bring some peace of mind and a lot of convenience. Great when traveling.
If you're looking at both the 12 and 13 Minis, the 13 Mini uses an A15 processor which is more energy efficient and slightly faster. It also has a slightly larger battery. There are other differences including an upgraded camera in the 13 Mini. There are quite a few side by side comparison reviews. Worth checking out before buying.
Happy customer. I'm fully committed to the Mini form factor/dimensions. I carry it all day in a front or back pocket and barely know it's there. When I need to replace it, perhaps Mini's will be back in the menu from Apple. Hope so.
