Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 12 mini
The Verdict
Both models share Apple's excellent A14 Bionic chipset, identical dual camera systems with 12MP main sensors and OIS, and vibrant Super Retina XDR OLED displays with 1200 nits brightness. Key differences center on size and battery capacity. iPhone 12's 6.1-inch display offers more screen real estate and better one-handed reach for larger hands, while the 12 mini's 5.4-inch form factor excels for portability at just 133g. Battery performance shows the most meaningful distinction: iPhone 12's 2815 mAh capacity delivers noticeably longer endurance than the 12 mini's 2227 mAh, which struggles to reach a full day under moderate use. Both charge at 20W wired and support 15W MagSafe. Pricing favors the mini at $699, making it ideal for users prioritizing compact design and value. However, iPhone 12 at $799 provides superior battery longevity for the modest $100 premium. Choose the mini for portability; select the standard 12 for practical daily usability.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 mini if…
- →Lightest 5G iPhone at just 133 g
- →Compact form factor perfect for one-handed use
- →Same A14 Bionic as larger iPhone 12 models
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Pros
- Lightest 5G iPhone at just 133 g
- Compact form factor perfect for one-handed use
- Same A14 Bionic as larger iPhone 12 models
- Beautiful OLED display despite small size
- MagSafe accessory support
Cons
- Very small 2227 mAh battery with poor endurance
- No telephoto camera
- 60Hz display refresh rate
- 5G usage drains battery quickly
- Discontinued after poor sales
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 12 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | iOS 14 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 133 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 2227 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W MagSafe |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 5.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A14 Bionic |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | Lightning |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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