Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 13 mini
The Verdict
iPhone 12 offers a larger 6.1-inch display with more screen real estate and a bigger 2815 mAh battery, making it better for media consumption and all-day usage. iPhone 13 mini counters with a more powerful A15 Bionic chip, newer iOS 15, advanced sensor-shift OIS, and Cinematic video mode, plus it's $100 cheaper and significantly lighter at 140g. Both feature identical 12MP cameras, 60Hz OLED displays at 1200 nits, and IP68 water resistance. For users prioritizing screen size and battery endurance, the iPhone 12 justifies its premium. Those wanting better performance, latest software features, portability, and value should choose the iPhone 13 mini. Battery life remains the iPhone 12's key advantage, but the 13 mini's superior processor and flagship features at a lower price make it the smarter purchase for most users.
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 13 mini if…
- →Ultra-compact one-hand-friendly design at 140 g
- →Same A15 Bionic chip as the Pro models
- →Cinematic mode video recording
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 13 mini
Pros
- Ultra-compact one-hand-friendly design at 140 g
- Same A15 Bionic chip as the Pro models
- Cinematic mode video recording
- Excellent build quality with Ceramic Shield
- Attractive $699 starting price
Cons
- Small 2406 mAh battery limits screen-on time
- No ProMotion 120Hz display
- No telephoto camera
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Last mini model Apple ever made
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Apple iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | iOS 15 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 140 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 7.65 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS with sensor-shift |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode |
| 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 | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 2406 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 (2x3.22 GHz + 4x1.82 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Apple GPU (4-core) |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A15 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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