The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini, both launched in 2020, offer a premium iPhone experience powered by the A14 Bionic chip. While they share many similarities, key differences in size, display, and battery life cater to distinct user preferences. Let's delve into a detailed comparison to help you decide which of these compact powerhouses better suits your needs.
Significant variations in size, performance, and features helps evaluating iPhone 12 vs 12 Mini. The subsequent detailed comparison will help you determine the best fit for your needs.
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Display |
6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED |
5.4" Super Retina XDR OLED |
Processor |
A14 Bionic |
A14 Bionic |
Rear Cameras |
Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) |
Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) |
Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth |
12MP TrueDepth |
RAM |
4GB |
4GB |
Storage Options |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Battery Life |
Up to 17 hours video playback |
Up to 15 hours video playback |
Water Resistance |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
Biometric Security |
Face ID |
Face ID |
5G Connectivity |
Yes |
Yes |
MagSafe |
Yes |
Yes |
The detailed information below highlights iPhone 12 Mini vs iPhone 12 and their significant differences in design and build quality.The iPhone 12 Mini is significantly more compact and lighter, while the iPhone 12 is still relatively sleek, offering a larger display for a more immersive viewing experience.
Aspect |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Dimensions |
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm |
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm |
Weight |
162 grams |
135 grams |
Material |
Aluminum frame, Glass front/back |
Aluminum frame, Glass front/back |
Water Resistance |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
IP68 (up to 6m for 30 mins) |
Biometric Security |
Face ID |
Face ID |
Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini sport an identical dual-camera system on the rear, comprising a 12MP Wide lens and a 12MP Ultra Wide lens. Given the identical camera hardware and software, both iPhones deliver the same excellent photo and video quality.
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Rear Cameras |
12MP Wide (f/1.6), 12MP Ultra Wide (f/2.4) |
12MP Wide (f/1.6), 12MP Ultra Wide (f/2.4) |
Night Mode |
Available on all cameras |
Available on all cameras |
Portrait Mode |
Advanced bokeh and Depth Control |
Advanced bokeh and Depth Control |
Optical Zoom |
2x optical zoom out, up to 5x digital zoom |
2x optical zoom out, up to 5x digital zoom |
Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth (f/2.2) |
12MP TrueDepth (f/2.2) |
Video Recording |
Up to 4K Dolby Vision HDR at 30 fps |
Up to 4K Dolby Vision HDR at 30 fps |
The iPhone 12, with its larger battery capacity, offers longer battery life compared to the iPhone 12 Mini. Users who prioritise an all-day battery without needing to recharge may find the iPhone 12 more suitable. The iPhone 12 Mini, while still offering respectable battery life for its size, might require more frequent charging for heavy users.
Aspect |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Chipset |
A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU, 4-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine |
RAM |
4GB |
4GB |
Battery Life |
Up to 17 hours video playback, 2815 mAh |
Up to 15 hours video playback, 2227 mAh |
Charging |
MagSafe and Qi wireless charging (up to 15W/7.5W), Fast charging |
MagSafe and Qi wireless charging (up to 15W/7.5W), Fast charging |
Both the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini launched with iOS 14 and are capable of running the latest iOS updates, ensuring a smooth and secure user experience with access to the vast App Store ecosystem. Given below is the detailed information-
Feature |
iPhone 12 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
Operating System |
Initially iOS 14, Upgradable to latest iOS |
Initially iOS 14, Upgradable to latest iOS |
5G Connectivity |
Yes |
Yes |
MagSafe |
Yes |
Yes |
Face ID |
Yes |
Yes |
Generally, the iPhone 12 Mini was positioned as a slightly more affordable option at launch for the base storage configuration. However, current pricing may vary based on retailer and availability.
Model |
Storage |
Approximate Price |
iPhone 12 |
64GB |
₹48,900 |
iPhone 12 |
128GB |
₹49,900 - ₹54,900 |
iPhone 12 |
256GB |
₹64,900 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
64GB |
₹59,900 |
iPhone 12 Mini |
128GB |
Price unavailable |
iPhone 12 Mini |
256GB |
Price unavailable |
Note: Prices are approximate and may vary based on region and retailer. Please check official Apple websites or authorised resellers for the most up-to-date pricing.
The choice in iPhone 12 vs 12 Mini ultimately boils down to your preference for size and battery life.
Choose the iPhone 12 if:
You prefer a larger display for a more immersive experience with media, gaming, and multitasking.
Longer battery life is a priority for you to get through the day without frequent charging.
You don't mind a slightly larger phone that might be less convenient for one-handed use for some.
Choose the iPhone 12 Mini if:
You value a compact and lightweight design that is extremely pocketable and easy to handle with one hand.
You don't mind a slightly smaller display and potentially shorter battery life compared to the iPhone 12.
You want the same powerful A14 Bionic performance and camera capabilities in a smaller form factor.
Both iPhones offer a fantastic blend of performance, features, and design. Consider which aspect – size or battery – is more crucial to your daily usage to make the best decision.
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The primary differences between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini are their size and battery life. The iPhone 12 has a larger 6.1-inch display and a bigger battery, offering longer usage times. The iPhone 12 Mini features a more compact 5.4-inch display and a smaller battery, prioritising portability.
Generally, the iPhone 12 is priced slightly higher than the iPhone 12 Mini. This price difference reflects the larger display and battery. However, current market prices for both models can vary depending on the retailer, storage configuration, and condition (new or used).
Yes, the iPhone 12's battery life is noticeably better than the iPhone 12 Mini's. While both offer respectable battery performance, the larger battery in the iPhone 12 allows it to last for longer periods, especially with heavier usage involving video playback, gaming, and general browsing.
The display quality is essentially the same between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini. Both feature a Super Retina XDR OLED display with HDR support, True Tone, and wide color (P3). They offer vibrant colors, excellent contrast, and good brightness.
The main difference is the size of the display. The iPhone 12 Mini has a slightly higher pixel density due to its smaller screen, which might result in marginally sharper visuals, though this difference is often imperceptible to the naked eye.
No, there are no core features available in the iPhone 12 that are not also present in the iPhone 12 Mini. Both phones share the same A14 Bionic chip, dual-camera system, 5G connectivity, MagSafe compatibility, Face ID, and other software features. The distinctions lie in the physical size and battery capacity.
Whether the iPhone 12 is worth the upgrade from the iPhone 12 Mini depends entirely on your individual priorities. The reason for the upgrade is subjective and depends on how much you value a larger screen and longer battery life versus a more compact form factor.