Not wanting to upgrade, but still needing to

My resolve to keep my iPhone Mini 13 until it dies is crumbling. I still love the small form factor, but the battery capacity and small screen are becoming more and more of a hinder. Putting in a new battery won’t make things much better, as the iPhone Mini is known for less battery capacity. Currently, I need to charge my phone twice a day if I use social media apps (Instagram, Ivory, Voyager), and with no social media use I have less than 20% at the end of a normal day.

Whenever I’m away from home for more than half a day, I need to take a battery pack and the lightning cable. Many times I tend to forget both or one or the other. The battery pack also adds weight to my backpack, which I’m forever trying to keep as light as possible. Side note: I’m always on the lookout for a backpack that is lighter than 500 grams, waterproof, and have a side pocket for a water bottle.

Especially when travelling abroad, the iPhone 13 Mini battery tends to be an issue. I constantly need my phone for navigating, paying public transport, paying everything. Snapping photos and videos (I document a lot for myself). Hence, I’m always aware and careful about not draining the battery or to make sure I sit down somewhere to charge it with the battery pack.

Screen wise, I use the Speaksee whenever I have meetings, be it work, appointments or social. I read the live caption on my phone. This works well enough for short meets, but for a longer one it gets tedious to read live captioning from the small screen, and after a while the battery is almost drained. I’m not lugging around my MacBook everywhere, so the phone will have to do it. Charging the phone while using it with the Speaksee means I have to lay it flat on the table instead of leaning it against something to read more easily. More hassle.

It all amounts to several inconveniences.

Tiny hands, small phone

It’s a first world problem, really. But bear with me, as someone who has had several serious problems in their life, I enjoy the times when my biggest problem is if I should buy something or not. Read this book or that book. Wear a green or a brown jumper today.

Like said, I really like the small phone factor. I can use it with one hand, and it fits easily in my pants pockets. The vintage look it got from the paint on the sides fading due to the cases I always keep it in has grown on me. I was not happy when I noticed the fading in less than one year of having the phone.

With clear cover Faded colour on the sides No cover

I have been checking out several articles and YouTubers reviews about the iPhone 17 base model to get a feel for how big it actually is. For some reason, Apple and other stores have tied down all their show models, so I can’t hold one comfortably to try out. Today I came across a YouTuber’s review, she is not a large person with big hands, and she switched from the mini to the base iPhone 17.

This review seems to be the review that makes me think I will not miss the iPhone mini too much. I also like how she mentions that a phone should not cost more than a laptop. I remember when phones started getting super expensive, I told myself I would never spend the same or more on a phone than I do on my MacBook.

I usually go with a model a year older, but the price difference between the 16 and 17 is minimal, and you get a lot more with the 17. It’s a substantial upgrade.

I will have to get over myself and get a new phone and give the battery pack a rest, store the mini, and it’s lightning cable in its box for keepsakes. Once I don’t have to worry about the battery and screen any more, I know I will be happy with the decision.

Tech dependence is a real pain. If it wasn’t for being deaf and a good smartphone being a real must accessibility wise, I would have done like a co-worker of mine does. A work iPhone SE and a dumb phone for personal use. Maybe even have no social media presence at all. I could write a whole other blog post why social media keeps me, a deaf person, connected and less isolated.

Let’s see how long it will take me to actually pull the trigger and order a new phone.