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iPhone 13 battery life improvements come at the cost of increased weight

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iPhone 13 battery improvements come at the cost of increased weight
The iPhone 13 is heavier than its predecessor. But that’s because of a larger battery.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The good news for buyers of the iPhone 13 series is that all four handsets promise significantly longer battery lives. The downside is that the change required putting in bulkier batteries that add to the weight and thickness.

Still, the increases are fairly marginal for an improvement that’s near the top of so many iPhone users’ wish lists.

Bag a ‘grade A’ iPhone 12 mini refurb from just $579.99 today only

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iPhone 12 mini held up
By far the best small smartphone money can buy.
Photo: Apple

Treat yourself to one of Apple’s newest iPhone models at its lowest price yet. Woot is now offering “grade A” iPhone 12 mini refurbs from just $579.99 today only. They’re all unlocked and ready to use on any network.

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Apple plans for 5G iPhone SE to help phase out iPhone mini

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iPhone 12 mini
Apple's ditching the "mini" iPhone lineup.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

Apple is looking to phase out the iPhone mini line in favor of its next-gen iPhone SE, a Wednesday report by Nikkei Asia suggests.

Apple debuted its first iPhone mini with last year’s iPhone 12 generation. However, sales have never materialized to match its bigger siblings like the regular iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. While Apple will release an iPhone 13 mini this year, expect that to be its last.

In its place? More emphasis on Apple’s other low-cost handset: The iPhone SE.

Apple launches MagSafe Battery Pack for iPhone 12 series [Updated]

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Apple MagSafe Battery Pack
Here's how the new MagSafe Battery Pack looks when attached to iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Photo: Apple

On its website Tuesday, Apple offered a new MagSafe Battery Pack, designed to work with the iPhone 12 series from mini to Pro Max. That is, it’s designed to work as of the release of iOS 14.7, due imminently.

Unlike all the other unofficially “MagSafe compatible” wireless battery packs that came out after the iPhone 12’s release, this one’s MagSafe-approved, straight from Apple. It took a while, but it’s here.

Save up to 60% on official Apple cases for iPhone 12

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iPhone 12 MagSafe Sleeve case
Save $77.01 on the new Leather Sleeve with MagSafe.
Photo: Apple

Bag yourself an official Apple case for iPhone 12 and save up to 60% for a limited time only. Prices start at just $19.99 — down from $49.99 — for the Silicone Case with MagSafe for iPhone 12 mini.

Our top pick, however, is the Leather Sleeve with MagSafe for iPhone 12 Pro Max. It’s now down to just $51.99 — its lowest price yet after a $77.01 discount.

Want a purple iPhone 12? Sell your old model today for fast upgrade cash

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purple iphone 12
Find out how much your old iPhone is really worth.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

iPhone 12 and 12 mini is now available to preorder in purple for the first time. If the new color option has encouraged you to upgrade, it’s time to turn your old model into fast upgrade cash.

Sell your old iPhone (and other Apple devices) to Cult of Mac today and we’ll send you a fat stack of cash to make your upgrade more affordable.

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini now comes in purple

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purple iphone 12
The iPhone 12 and 12 mini now come in purple.
Photo: Apple

In a surprise move, Apple just introduced a brand-new color for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini — purple.

The new color spiced up Apple’s “Spring Loaded” special event Tuesday. It’s an unusual move for Apple, which rarely introduces new colors or finishes mid-cycle.

2021 could mark end of the road for iPhone mini

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iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini was a great phone. Trouble is that it didn't sell.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The iPhone mini looks unlikely to last longer than one more generation, based on a Wednesday report from a reliable Apple tipster.

Looking forward to the 2022 iPhone, TFI International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo suggests Apple will continue its recent pattern of releasing four models. However, these will include higher-end 6.7-inch and 6.1-inch iPhones like the current Pro lineup, and lower-end models in the same sizes.

The 5.4-inch iPhone mini sounds like it’ll be nowhere to be found.

Save $15 on Zagg’s antimicrobial screen protector for iPhone 12 mini

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Zagg VisionGuard iPhone 12 mini
Kills up to 99.9% of bacteria!
Photo: Zagg

Want to ensure your iPhone 12 mini isn’t harboring nasty germs? Pick up the InvisibleShield VisionGuard+ antimicrobial screen protector from Zagg at $15 off its usual price for a limited time only.

The VisionGuard+ promises to be four times stronger than traditional glass protectors, and it features revolutionary ClearPrint technology that makes fingerprints near-invisible. It also kills up to 99.9% of bacteria.

Bag yours before the price returns to normal.

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Apple ‘slashes’ orders for iPhone 12 mini

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iPhone 12 mini held up
Tiny in size. Tiny in demand. (At least by iPhone standards.)
Photo: Apple

The iPhone 12 mini is looking more and more like the runt of the iPhone 12 litter — and not just because of its diminutive size.

While the iPhone 12 series reportedly has been a massive hit for Apple overall, the iPhone 12 mini hasn’t been along for the ride. On Wednesday, Nikkei Asia reported that Apple is “slashing its planned production of the iPhone 12 mini for the first half of this year.”