The iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone 12 present compelling options for those seeking a powerful smartphone that doesn't compromise on portability. Both devices boast capable cameras and smooth performance, yet cater to slightly different preferences regarding size and newer features.
Deciding between them involves weighing the benefits of a more compact form factor and updated camera technology against a slightly larger display and potentially more accessible price point. Let's compare them across various aspects to help you decide which one suits you best.
Here's a table highlighting the main specifications of both the iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone 12:
Feature |
iPhone 13 Mini |
iPhone 12 |
Display |
5.4-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
6.1-inch Super Retina XDR (OLED) |
Processor |
A15 Bionic |
A14 Bionic |
Rear Cameras |
Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) |
Dual 12MP (Wide, Ultra Wide) |
Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth |
12MP TrueDepth |
Storage Options |
128GB, 256GB, 512GB |
64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
Battery Life |
Up to 17 hours video playback |
Up to 17 hours video playback |
Water Resistance |
IP68 |
IP68 |
5G Support |
Yes |
Yes |
Operating System |
iOS 15 (at launch) |
iOS 14 (at launch) |
Both the iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone 12 feature a similar flat-edged design with an aluminum frame and a Ceramic Shield front. The primary difference in design is the size and weight, with the iPhone 13 Mini being significantly more compact and lighter due to its smaller display.
Feature |
iPhone 13 Mini |
iPhone 12 |
Materials |
Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
Front Design |
Super Retina XDR display, smaller notch |
Super Retina XDR display, notch |
Size |
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm |
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm |
Weight |
141 grams |
164 grams |
Color Options |
Pink, Blue, Midnight, Starlight, (PRODUCT)RED, Green |
Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, Purple |
While both phones have a dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide camera system, the iPhone 13 Mini benefits from some computational photography improvements and features that enhance image and video quality.
Feature |
iPhone 13 Mini |
iPhone 12 |
Main Camera |
12MP Wide (ƒ/1.6) |
12MP Wide (ƒ/1.6) |
Ultra Wide |
12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4) |
12MP Ultra Wide (ƒ/2.4) |
Front Camera |
12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/2.2) |
12MP TrueDepth (ƒ/2.2) |
Photographic Styles |
Yes |
No |
Cinematic Mode |
Yes (up to 1080p at 30 fps) |
No |
Sensor-shift optical image stabilization |
Yes (Wide) |
No |
Night Mode |
Yes (All Cameras) |
Yes (Wide and Ultra Wide) |
Deep Fusion |
Yes (All Cameras) |
Yes (All Cameras) |
The iPhone 13 Mini features the newer A15 Bionic chip, offering a slight performance edge over the iPhone 12's A14 Bionic. Despite its smaller size, the iPhone 13 Mini manages to offer comparable, and in some real-world usage, slightly better battery life than the iPhone 12.
Feature |
iPhone 13 Mini |
iPhone 12 |
Chip |
A15 Bionic |
A14 Bionic |
CPU |
6-core |
6-core |
GPU |
4-core |
4-core |
RAM |
4GB |
4GB |
Battery Life |
Good |
Good |
Both iPhones run on the same iOS software and receive the latest updates. The iPhone 13 Mini gains access to some newer software features enabled by its updated hardware, such as Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode.
Feature |
iPhone 13 Mini |
iPhone 12 |
Operating System |
Latest iOS Updates |
Latest iOS Updates |
Photographic Styles |
Yes |
No |
Cinematic Mode |
Yes |
No |
Night Mode on all Cameras |
Yes |
Yes (Wide and Ultra Wide) |
Spatial Audio |
Yes |
Yes |
The iPhone 13 Mini was typically priced slightly higher than the iPhone 12 at their respective launches, primarily due to the newer chipset and camera improvements. However, prices can fluctuate, and the iPhone 12 might be available at a more attractive price point now.
Choose the iPhone 13 Mini if: You prioritize a truly compact and lightweight phone without compromising on performance and want the benefits of slightly improved camera features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode, along with potentially better battery life in a smaller form factor.
Purchasing either the iPhone 13 Mini or the iPhone 12 can be made more convenient with the Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card, offering benefits like:
Easy EMI: Pay for your chosen iPhone in easy installments.
Flexible Repayment Tenor: Select a repayment period of up to 60 months that aligns with your financial needs.
Extensive Network: Use your card at numerous online and offline retailers.
The major differences lie in the size (iPhone 13 Mini is more compact), the newer A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 13 Mini, and the addition of camera features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode on the iPhone 13 Mini. The iPhone 12 has a slightly larger 6.1-inch display compared to the iPhone 13 Mini's 5.4-inch display.
The iPhone 13 Mini was generally priced slightly higher at launch due to its newer chip and camera features. If you value a smaller size and the newer camera features, the 13 Mini might be worth the extra cost. However, the iPhone 12 offers a larger screen at potentially a lower price.
While both offer similar overall battery life, some tests suggest the iPhone 13 Mini can offer slightly better or comparable battery performance despite its smaller size, thanks to the efficiency of the A15 Bionic chip.
Both the iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone 12 feature excellent Super Retina XDR OLED displays with similar pixel density, resulting in sharp and vibrant visuals. The main difference is the size, with the iPhone 12 having a larger 6.1-inch display compared to the iPhone 13 Mini's 5.4-inch display.
Yes, the iPhone 13 Mini introduces features like Photographic Styles for personalized image looks and Cinematic mode for video recording with rack focus, which are not available on the iPhone 12. It also has sensor-shift optical image stabilization on the Wide camera.
Upgrading from the iPhone 12 to the iPhone 13 Mini might be worthwhile if you prioritize a more compact size and want the newer camera features like Photographic Styles and Cinematic mode. If the slightly larger screen of the iPhone 12 is preferable and you don't heavily rely on the new camera features, the upgrade might not be essential.