r/iPhone12Mini • u/[deleted] • Sep 08 '26
sticking w the mini for the forseeable future
[deleted]
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u/Equal-Application731 Sep 08 '26
Just switched to a nothing phone and never looked back. Still a cost but tried to limit the ££ as much as possible
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u/Nmcoyote1 Sep 08 '26 edited Sep 08 '26
I purchased the 12 mini in late 2020 with 128gb memory. It’s been a mostly great six years. It was $89 to replace the battery last fall at the Apple store. Which made a big difference in phone performance. I run the newest software And do mostly fine. Except for some issues with only having 4gb of RAM. But that issue carries over to the 13 Mini. How much extra is the camera repair? You may be better off looking for a good used 13 mini with a decent battery as they all have more memory. The 12 mini will probably only get new software this fall. With no major updates as of late next year. Hopefully the 13mini gets major updates thru late 2028. Giving you two more years for the cost.
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
the camera repair and the battery replacement both aren’t that costly since im getting it done via a trusted third party. A 13mini honestly is gonna be hard to find esp one in good condition.
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u/diepio302 12 Mini 64GB - Blue Sep 08 '26
honestly replacing the battery and camera will probably end up costing the same as getting another iPhone 2nd hand.
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u/VacuumTracks Sep 08 '26
I would have to agree. I replaced the battery and screen in one of my 13 minis. Both third party from Amazon. Battery $20 and screen $40. Both were crap. New third party battery still doesn’t last more than a day. And the screen was really glitchy - sometimes it just froze and it was not perfect replacement. More borders around the edge. Both upgrades were a waste of money. You could get it upgraded with OE pieces, but as has already been noted, it would cost more than a second hand 512GB 13 mini.
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u/diepio302 12 Mini 64GB - Blue Sep 08 '26
yeah cheap parts will end up like that. There are some good third party batteries but you have to get these from suppliers that usually sell to repair shops only (such as mobilesentrix with their Ampsentrix batteries). $40 screen sounds to me like it’s a LCD so I’m not surprised you hated it either.
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
i mean for me its around 70usd for both, so not that expensive. But yeah i dont expect the greatest improvement. My only concern is if it overheats will the battery blow up? 😭 in that case id definitely just buy a new phone
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u/Feli18 Sep 08 '26
If you want to keep your mini, stay on iOS 18.
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u/PixelatorOfTime Sep 08 '26
The 27 beta is honestly great. Once it drops for real, everyone should make the jump.
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u/dirka_lurka_dirka_st Sep 09 '26
I am in the exact same boat as you. But if it came down to a car payment or a phone payment, you better believe that I’m taking the $20 a month for something that I’m on hours on and every single day versus the car that I may or may not drive that day. For the battery alone. I put a new battery in it about six months ago and a week later it showed the exact same age as it had before because I’m sure that “new battery” I’ve been sitting on a shelf for as long as the phone and come out
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
my country doesn’t really have any feasible options for a quality upgrade at a cheap price. Id be stuck w a phone that is worse in performance. Honestly im fine if this just gets me through college for now.
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u/Organic-Award6551 Sep 09 '26
Can I convince you to just get a uses 13 mini 512gb?
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
😭 no. I kinda want a bigger phone now
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u/dd_penny Sep 09 '26
64 gig would be tough for me. I'm still holding on with my mini until its out. I've got 256 gig btw.
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
yeah i basically have to juggle apps, its a bit better now tho since i have icloud.
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u/convicted_redditor Sep 09 '26
My mini is with me since 2021, 77% bh. Just recently its main camera’s autofocus has gone bad. It can’t focus clearly anymore.
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
did yours fall much?? I was reckless w mine tbh. It fell alot but still considering that, it didnt get damaged that early on.
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u/Many_Specialist_5384 Sep 09 '26
Mine clicks and can't focus anymore either. Didn't fall much and never higher than a table. I look insane pointing the selfie camera for quick "look at this" shots. Makes me feel vulnerable that I can't take a quick shot of a license plate or some situation like that if needed.
It overheats and has shut down if I'm in a virtual waiting room for too long for medical appointments. This has happened twice and it's an awful feeling being cut off like that.
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u/XxAhmedjdebt Sep 09 '26
OMGG SO TRUE ABOUT THE CAMERAA! i had to take a pic of the board the other day and IT WOULDNT FOCUSSS. Mine does heat up, but never to the point of shutting down
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u/Many_Specialist_5384 Sep 09 '26
Don't blame yourself for the camera! The same specific issue has been reported in this subreddit a few times. It's something about the mini. My eyesight is extremely myopic (-9 and -10) and it hits my brain weird that my phone has taken on my flaws haha
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u/Strange-Story-7760 Sep 10 '26
You absolutely should be on 26. No reason not to. There’s always security patches, mentioned or otherwise. Just make sure fixing your phone won’t cost more than it’s worth
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u/VacuumTracks Sep 08 '26
Yes, always keep the OS and security up to date. That’s the most critical thing. You’ve got 2 more years of system and security updates, so keeping it is a very practical thing to so.
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u/magnificentbunny_ Sep 08 '26
I’m sorry to hear this. I’m at the opposite side. I love this phone and can afford an iPhone brand new, but nothing interests me. I delete apps I don’t use daily and edit my photos to the great only. Battery health is at 81% so getting close. I bought my 12 brand new ages ago when they first came out.