Upgrading from an iPhone 12 Mini to an iPhone 13 Mini feels easy. They look almost identical, sit nicely in the hand, and share that compact Mini appeal.
Trying to use the same case is where things get tricky, though. With years in the industry designing and selling phone cases, we've learned that even the smallest design tweak can change how a case fits and performs.
You might be wondering: Will my iPhone 12 Mini case fit an iPhone 13 Mini? And you'd be asking the right question. In this article, we'll be exploring case compatibility between the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini so that you can find the right case for you.
What this article covers:
Will iPhone 12 Mini Cases Fit the iPhone 13 Mini?
The direct answer is no, not properly. After putting it to the test, we've found that an iPhone 12 Mini case doesn't offer a reliable or comfortable fit on an iPhone 13 Mini, similarly to will an iPhone 12 case fit an iPhone 13, and will an iPhone 12 Pro case fit an iPhone 13 Pro.
While the phones share the same height and width, Apple made subtle but important changes that affect how a case sits on the device.
The iPhone 13 Mini is slightly thicker and has a redesigned camera layout. Those changes mean cut-outs don't line up the way they should, and buttons may feel stiff or awkward to press.
A case that doesn't fit cleanly can also leave parts of your phone exposed, which defeats the whole point of using a case in the first place. It's the same issue as when asking the question, will iPhone 12 case fit iPhone 13 Pro Max.
iPhone 12 Mini vs iPhone 13 Mini Case Dimensions
Here's how the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 13 Mini differ when it comes to case-relevant dimensions and design details:
- Height: Both the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini measure 131.5 mm tall, so height alone isn't an issue for case compatibility.
- Width: Each model is 64.2 mm wide, which explains why some older cases can slide onto the newer phone.
- Thickness: The iPhone 13 Mini is slightly thicker than the iPhone 12 Mini. That extra thickness makes a noticeable difference in how snugly a case fits.
- Camera placement: The camera lenses on the iPhone 13 Mini are larger and arranged differently. This often causes misalignment with camera cut-outs on iPhone 12 Mini cases.
- Button positioning: Button placement has shifted slightly on the iPhone 13 Mini, which can lead to poor button response or blocked buttons when using a 12 Mini case.
On their own, these differences seem minor. In practice, they add up to a case that feels off, looks misaligned, and doesn't protect your phone as well as it should.
Because of this, we always strongly suggest getting an iPhone case that's made specifically for your iPhone model. It's important, even when they might look similar, such as with will an iPhone 13 Pro case fit an iPhone 13 or will an iPhone 12 case fit an iPhone 11.
Conclusion
So, will an iPhone 12 Mini case fit an iPhone 13 Mini? In everyday use, the answer is no. While the phones are close in size, the changes to thickness, camera layout, and button placement mean a proper fit just isn't there.
From our experience, using the correct iPhone 13 Mini case makes a big difference in comfort, protection, and overall feel.
If you're upgrading your phone, it's the perfect time to upgrade your case too. At The Dairy, we design iPhone cases specifically for each model so everything lines up exactly as it should. Your phone stays protected, looks great, and feels right in your hand from day one.
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