After five years of using my iPhone 12 Mini, I faced a choice triggered by Donald Trump’s tariffs: replace my aging phone’s battery or buy a new device before prices increased. The decision was clear—I replaced the battery. Despite its smaller size, which Apple no longer offers, and decent usage habits, the battery capacity had dropped to 80%, causing daily shutdowns without low power mode. Apple’s design focus on sleekness has led to phones that feel disposable, with improvements becoming increasingly minor. This experience highlights the impact of tariffs on consumer electronics costs and repair decisions.
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