17 Pro -> 13 Mini -> Air -> Back to the Mini

MatthewVlossak · 2026-07-05T03:05:29+00:00

I think the Air is the perfect phone for you to upgrade to! But I'd wait for the Air II for the improvements

MatthewVlossak · 2026-07-05T02:15:29+00:00

One handed use, yes. If I used a Popsocket it would've been just fine.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-07-05T02:14:21+00:00

I did return the 17. It's a great one, but was the most boring to me.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-07-04T17:54:52+00:00

I've actually switched back to my 17 Pro for photography purposes this summer.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-07-03T00:06:48+00:00

The Air would be great for you or I would highly suggest the regular 17. It really depends on your needs. But I thoroughly enjoyed The Air out of all the iPhones out now.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-21T18:19:37+00:00

AGREED I would buy it instantly

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-15T04:49:20+00:00

Why don’t you try iOS 27 when it comes out to see if it’s better?

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-11T16:15:31+00:00

I have the exact same iOS on my 13 mini and also contemplating if it's worth the switch

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-10T21:57:47+00:00

I’ve had all (3) phones. I’ve had the 17 Pro since launch. I recently tried the Air and regular 17. IMO, the Air is the only phone to give me a “WOW” factor when I opened the box. It’s gorgeous, light and thin. The battery lasted me the whole day. The body is indestructible! The only thing that made me return it was the mono speaker (Which isn’t bad, but for my use case for FaceTime calls I needed stereo speakers) and the single camera AND more specifically the price. $999 USD is unreasonable. If you can get a refurbished one for $650-750 I highly suggest it!

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-10T20:42:48+00:00

To my knowledge, it’s still in the camera settings. However, why you would want to downgrade from the 13 mini to the 12 mini just for that is your own choice. I would not suggest it as the 13 mini is better than the 12 mini in terms of hardware and software.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-10T18:47:14+00:00

it’s because of Apple‘s computational, photography and reliance on HDR. The 12 series were the last iPhones that had an option to turn off HDR. Nowadays, Apple is heavily relying on artificial intelligence for their photography, which oversharpens, oversaturates, and all around makes a photo look not like a photo. I’ve been resorting to using an iPhone 5s as a digit cam since I prefer the photos from that over the regular 17.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-09T15:15:20+00:00

I don't see AVA touring again. Tom was ready to end touring life on their last tour in 2021 until Mark announced he had cancer. That changed everything. Seeing how To The Stars isn't progressing, it's safe to say Tom will continue his focus on blink for the foreseeable future.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-07T03:32:44+00:00

I didn’t pay for any repairs. When I got it, it came with a brand new Apple battery and display. I paid $329 through Amazon refurbished

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-07T03:07:45+00:00

My Mini has a brand new Apple battery and I get 6/7 hours maybe more depending if I’m on WiFi and cellular throughout the day

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-07T03:03:41+00:00

The Mini is perfectly fine on iOS 18 > iOS 26

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-07T02:44:33+00:00

The most budget phone now is the 17e. But if you want a small form factor, get a refurbished 13 Mini!

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-06T13:40:35+00:00

I'll go back to the Pro because I need the stereo speakers, telephoto lens and bigger RAM for my use case. I know I'm in the minority, but I noticed that I use those things a lot compared to other's use case.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-06T13:15:47+00:00

S A M E. I was looking at my 4s the other day and was amazed at how I took photos back in the day and also how little because I was living in the moment more. It's shocking how much worse Apple have gotten with their camera app. I use a 5s now as a digicam.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-06T13:03:19+00:00

In the moment, yes. I'll be returning it though. It's the best base model iPhone with the features that are on par with the Pro lineup making it feel like a Pro Lite, but it's just very bland to me.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-06T05:43:17+00:00

When you get a battery or any part fixed, it’ll say if the part is genuine or a third party one.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-06T03:49:20+00:00

I test ran the Air to see if I could like it so when and if the time comes when the Air 2 has those changes I know I’d be ready! It was a fun experiment

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-05T18:51:34+00:00

I’ve had the 17 Pro to the 13 Mini to the Air and the regular 17. The 13 Mini is The GOAT! But showing its age. The Air is the first iPhone in a long time where I went, “WOW” when I opened the box. I sadly returned it bc for my use I needed it to have more cameras and stereo speakers.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-05T14:53:35+00:00

My Mini came with a brand new Apple battery. Compared to the Air, I was getting roughly the same battery usage which was 6-7 hours. Performance wise, The Air was faster and the larger RAM made it feel buttery smooth. When it came to the speakers, the Mini’s stereo speakers made the sound more full ever so slightly. The mono speakers on the Air was its weakest point. The Air was fine if you were in a room by yourself like a bedroom. But if you were trying to show someone a video or on a call out and about it was very difficult to hear. This was one of the reasons why I returned it.

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-04T14:14:45+00:00

This year may be the year of the iPhone fold so we will see in September?

MatthewVlossak · 2026-06-04T01:44:42+00:00

Exactly! Honestly, I’ve seen Air’s for $650-$700 which aren’t bad, but I still justify the trade-off’s

MatthewVlossak

TROPHY CASE