1st month in going back to 13 mini
I switched to the 13 mini from the Air and can't go back!
I'm a little over a month in with this green 13 mini I purchased on eBay for $180. I was specifically looking for a mini that had a purchase date less than 4 years ago so I could add Apple Care One, and I finally found one. The device had 81% battery health when I got it and after a month in it dipped below 80% which made it eligible for a free battery replacement. Got the replacement done three days ago and now the phone works like new. Before the battery replacement I was able to get through an entire day and now it's around a day and a half.
My usage: I don't use social media at all and have a 1hr Safari screen time limit. I deleted all preloaded apps I don't need and installed the 3 apps I actually use Spotify, Google Maps, and Outlook.
I got the Air last September and enjoyed it for the most part, but the size always bothered me. I used it with the same set up and it didn't seem like a good value. A big screen $1000 phone to run 3 basic apps is overkill.
If you're thinking of getting a 13 mini in 2026 and use your device similarly, I recommend it. Try to find one that's eligible for Apple Care One.