I switched to the iPhone 13 Mini. Here are 3 things I loved -- and 3 I hated

After years of phones getting larger, Apple has once again taken the opposite direction by launching another small iPhone. The $699 iPhone 13 Mini is the cheapest device in Apple's new iPhone 13 lineup, and it comes with a 5.4-inch screen just like last year's iPhone 12 Mini. Here is CNET's review of the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, and the iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max.

It's still best to think of this device as a shrunken-down version of Apple's flagship iPhone. Both the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini have the same A15 Bionic processor, 5G support, MagSafe compatibility and a dual-lens camera system with new features like Cinematic mode and Photographic Styles. The major difference between both phones -- aside from size -- is battery life. The standard-sized iPhone 13 should last for an extra 2 hours compared to the iPhone 13 Mini when playing video, according to Apple.

It's great that iPhone users who prefer smaller devices won't have to sacrifice processing power or camera capabilities when opting for Apple's petite iPhone. But after years of migrating to larger screens, the iPhone 13 Mini also hasn't done much to change my mind about the relevance of a smaller phone in 2021.

Here's a closer look at where the iPhone 13 Mini succeeds over the iPhone 13 and where it falls short.

Loved: The iPhone 13 Mini fits in small pockets and bags
The iPhone 13 Mini's shining attribute, unsurprisingly, is its pocket-friendly design. As someone who frequently crams too many items into the tiniest bag imaginable, I can certainly appreciate the iPhone 13 Mini's svelte shape.

The iPhone 13 Mini's tiny size was especially handy when going out for a run, since I try to keep my load as light as possible and only bring my keys, phone and AirPods case. Squeezing my 6.1-inch iPhone into the small waist pack I wear during my run never feels as easy as it should.

My 6.1-inch iPhone occupies most of the space in my pack, making it harder to find my keys when my run is finished. The iPhone 13 Mini, however, leaves plenty of room for other items in my waist pack, and the reduced clutter makes it easy to quickly find other belongings when I need them.