by Hartley Charlton
In 2020, Apple unveiled the iPhone 12 as the successor to the popular iPhone 11, with a new squared-off industrial design, the A14 Bionic chip, an OLED display, and MagSafe. For the first time, Apple also unveiled a smaller version of the iPhone in the form of the iPhone 12 mini.
After years in which phone sizes have grown and after the popularity of the small-form iPhone SE, Apple finally answered the pleas of small-phone fans and offered the iPhone 12 mini. However, the iPhone 12 mini does have a few notable differences from its larger sibling. It also is $100 cheaper, starting at $599 instead of the iPhone 12's $699. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these two iPhones is best for you and highlights what you are missing out on when you opt for the smaller model.
Comparing the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 mini
The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini share virtually all of the same key features. Both phones have the same OLED Super Retina XDR display technology, A14 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, dual and 12MP Ultra Wide and Wide cameras, and are available in the same colors. More interesting is where the two devices differ.
Differences
iPhone 12
- 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2532-by-1170-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
- Less prominent notch due to larger display size
- Battery life with up to 17 hours of video playback
- Weight of 164 grams
iPhone 12 mini
- 5.4-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with 2340-by-1080-pixel resolution at 476 ppi
- More prominent notch due to smaller display size
- Battery life with up to 15 hours of video playback
- Weight of 135 grams
Read on for a closer look at each of these aspects, and see where exactly the iPhone 12 mini contrasts.
Display Size
The most noticeable difference between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini is the display size. The iPhone 12 has a size of 6.1 inches, and the 12 mini has a size of 5.4 inches. This means that the larger phone will be able to display more content, with the UI elements of apps spaced further apart, and items such as the keyboard will be much bigger. The smaller phone, however, will be much more pocketable and easy to use with one hand.
The displays themselves use the exact same technologies and have the same features, but the main reason to prefer the iPhone 12 mini will be because of its better fit in the hand and easier one-handed use.
As the notch at the top of the screen that contains the front-facing TrueDepth camera array is the same across the iPhone 12 lineup regardless of screen size, the notch is at its most intrusive and noticeable on the iPhone 12 mini. The notch is much closer to the sides of the device than on larger iPhones. Those who dislike the notch may therefore prefer the larger iPhone 12 as it is slightly less prominent on a 6.1-inch screen.
Dimensions and Weight
As a smaller phone, the iPhone 12 mini obviously has a lesser height and width than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 mini is 15.2mm shorter and 7.3mm narrower than the iPhone 12. However, both phones are of the same 7.4mm thickness. The iPhone 12 mini is also 29 grams (1.02 ounces) lighter than its larger counterpart, at just 135 grams (4.76 ounces) in total.
Battery Life
One of the most important differences between these two iPhones is battery life. The iPhone 12 can deliver up to 17 hours of video playback, according to Apple. However, since the iPhone 12 mini is much smaller, it can likewise only accommodate a smaller battery. This means that the iPhone 12 mini only delivers up to 15 hours of video playback. Real-world battery life for both devices is likely to be lower than Apple's estimates, as mixed usage tends to be a bit heavier than pure video playback.
If battery life is a priority for you, the iPhone 12 mini may not be the best choice as it is undoubtedly the weakest point of the phone. If you choose to get the iPhone 12 mini, expect to be having to charge it far more often than on a larger device. The larger battery in the iPhone 12 has a higher capacity and therefore can offer a longer battery life.
Final Thoughts
Screen size is ultimately a matter of personal preference, and Apple offers the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lineups in three different sizes to meet all users' needs. Since the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini share features, and only differ when it comes to the practical side effects of having a smaller device, it comes down to individual taste.
The iPhone 12 mini seems to be designed for fans of small phones, and doesn't sacrifice any features when compared to the full-size iPhone 12. For many customers, buying the iPhone 12 mini will simply be whether form factor is more important than the slightly shorter battery life.
Related Forum: iPhone
Popular Stories
When to Expect a New Apple TV to Launch
Tuesday April 9, 2024 8:30 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
It has been nearly a year and a half since the current Apple TV was released, so the device is becoming due for a hardware upgrade. Below, we recap rumors about the next Apple TV, including potential features and launch timing. The current model is the third-generation Apple TV 4K, announced in October 2022. Key new features compared to the previous model from 2021 include a faster A15...
Read Full Article • 133 comments
Alleged iPhone 16 Battery Details Show Smaller Capacity for One Model
Tuesday April 9, 2024 3:46 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's upcoming iPhone 16 lineup will feature bigger battery capacities compared to previous-generation models with the exception of the iPhone 16 Plus, which will have a smaller battery than its predecessor. That's according to the Chinese Weibo-based leaker OvO Baby Sauce OvO, a relatively new source of supply chain leaks with an as-yet unproven track record for accuracy. The iPhone 16 ...
Read Full Article • 40 comments
When to Expect the Next iPad Mini and Low-End iPad Models to Launch
Sunday April 7, 2024 6:45 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
While rumors have been focused on new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, some Apple customers are wondering when the next iPad mini will be released. In his Power On newsletter today, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said new iPad mini and entry-level iPad models will be released in late 2024 at the earliest. "The company is also working on new versions of the low-end iPad and iPad mini, but those...
Read Full Article • 79 comments
Best Buy Introduces Record Low Prices Across Every 10th Gen iPad
Sunday April 7, 2024 8:01 am PDT by Mitchel Broussard
Following a few notable discounts on MacBooks yesterday, Best Buy today introduced a sale on the 10th generation iPad, including numerous all-time low prices on the tablet. Prices start at $349.00 for the 64GB Wi-Fi model, and include $100 markdowns on both Wi-Fi and cellular devices. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Best Buy. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may...
Read Full Article • 35 comments
Microsoft Says Windows Laptops With Snapdragon X Elite Will Be Faster Than M3 MacBook Air
Monday April 8, 2024 10:00 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Microsoft will advertise that its upcoming Windows laptops with Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite processor are faster than the MacBook Air with Apple's latest M3 chip, according to internal documents obtained by The Verge. "Microsoft is so confident in these new Qualcomm chips that it's planning a number of demos that will show how these processors will be faster than an M3 MacBook Air for CPU...
Read Full Article • 450 comments
Apple Event for New iPads Still Considered 'Unlikely' Following Delays
Tuesday April 9, 2024 6:37 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
Apple is "unlikely" to hold an event to announce new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, according to sources cited by Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman already said Apple was not planning to hold an event for the new iPads, but he made this claim back in early March, before it was reported that the devices were postponed due to manufacturing delays. With the...
Read Full Article • 38 comments
iPhone 16 Plus Rumored to Come in These 7 Colors
Wednesday April 10, 2024 3:52 am PDT by Tim Hardwick
Apple's iPhone 16 Plus may come in seven colors that either build upon the existing five colors in the standard iPhone 15 lineup or recast them in a new finish, based on a new rumor out of China. According to the Weibo-based leaker Fixed focus digital, Apple's upcoming larger 6.7-inch iPhone 16 Plus model will come in the following colors, compared to the colors currently available for the...
Read Full Article • 69 comments