I Bought a Used iPhone 13 Mini To See If It's a Better Buy Than a New iPhone Air

Device Evaluation & Market Analysis - The review focuses on evaluating the user experience of a used iPhone 13 mini in 2025 as a cost-effective alternative to newer, more expensive iPhones [1] - The used iPhone 13 mini with 256GB storage was purchased for $324 from Amazon via vendor IB Blueberry [2] - The analysis considers alternatives like refurbished devices from other websites (Gazelle, Back Market) and even refurbished iPhones directly from Apple (up to iPhone 14 generation) [2][3] - The review highlights the iPhone 13 mini's key features: 54-inch screen with 1080p resolution, iOS 26 compatibility, MagSafe support, and cinematic mode [9][10] - Potential drawbacks of the iPhone 13 mini are noted, including 4GB of memory (less than the iPhone 12 Pro Max), the Lightning port, and the smaller screen size [11][12] Battery Performance & Cost Considerations - The used iPhone 13 mini's battery capacity was at 83%, leading to battery life issues requiring multiple charges per day [14][17] - A battery replacement from Apple costs $89, bringing the total cost of the used iPhone 13 mini to around $400, still cheaper than a $1,000 iPhone Air [16] Alternative Recommendations - The review suggests considering renewed premium devices with at least 90% battery capacity [22] - The analysis proposes exploring foldable Android phones (Motorola Razer, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip) as alternatives, especially with discounts bringing prices to $450-$600 [22] - A used iPhone 15 is suggested as another option, offering USB-C and a 50-megapixel camera, though with a larger 61-inch display [23][24] Cost-Saving Strategies - The review recommends exploring mid-range phone models or buying year-old phones (Samsung Galaxy S24, iPhone 16, Google Pixel A series) to save money [25]