IPhone 12 Mini vs. iPhone 12 Buyer’s Guide
As the follow-up to the well-liked iPhone 11, Apple introduced the iPhone 12 in 2020. It featured an updated industrial design, the A14 Bionic chip, an OLED display, and MagSafe. Apple also announced the iPhone 12 mini, a scaled-down version of the iPhone, for the first time.
After years of increasing phone sizes and the success of the compact iPhone SE, Apple has heeded the cries of those who prefer smaller phones by releasing the iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 small does, however, vary from its larger sibling in a few key ways. Additionally, it costs $100 less than the iPhone 12 and starts at $599 as opposed to $699. Our guide explains how to choose between these two iPhones and identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each. It also explains what you give up when you choose the smaller model.
The iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 mini are contrasted
The major features of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are almost identical. The OLED Super Retina XDR display technology, A14 Bionic processor, 5G connectivity, twin 12MP Ultra-Wide and Wide cameras, and colour options are all the identical across both phones. The areas where the two gadgets diverge are more intriguing.
Differences
IPhone 12
- 1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a 460 ppi resolution of 2532 by 1170 pixels.
- Greater display size results in a less noticeable notch
- Up to 17 hours of video playback on a single charge
- an amount of 164 grammes
IPhone 12 mini
- With a 5.4-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display, the resolution is 2340 by 1080 pixels at 476 ppi.
- Greater notch because of the smaller display
- Up to 15 hours of movie playback on a single charge
- 135 grammes in weight
Display Size
The display size of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini differs the most visibly. The iPhone 12 is 6.1 inches in dimension, while the 12 mini is 5.4 inches. With the UI elements of programmes being widely apart and components like the keyboard being much bigger, the larger phone will be able to display more material. However, the smaller phone will be far more pocketable and simple to operate with only one hand.
The displays themselves are identical in terms of technologies and characteristics, but the iPhone 12 small will be preferred primarily because it fits the hand better and is simpler to use with one hand.
The iPhone 12 lineup’s notch, which houses the front-facing TrueDepth camera array, is identical on all models, regardless of screen size, hence it is most obtrusive and obvious on the iPhone 12 small. Compared to larger iPhones, the notch is much closer to the sides of the device. The larger iPhone 12 may be preferred by those who loathe the notch as it is marginally less noticeable on a 6.1-inch screen.
Measurements and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is plainly narrower and taller than the iPhone 12 because it is a smaller phone. In comparison to the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 small is 7.3mm slimmer and 15.2mm shorter. However, the 7.4mm thickness of both phones is the identical. The iPhone 12 small weighs only 135 grammes (4.76 ounces), which is 29 grammes (1.02 ounces) less than its larger sibling.
A battery’s life
The battery life of these two iPhones is one of their key distinctions. According to Apple, the iPhone 12 can play videos for up to 17 hours. The iPhone 12 mini, on the other hand, can only fit a smaller battery because of its smaller size. This indicates that the iPhone 12 mini’s maximum video playback time is 15 hours. The actual battery life of both devices will probably be less than what Apple has predicted because mixed usage is usually a little heavier than pure video playback.
The iPhone 12 mini may not be the ideal option if battery life is important to you because it is unquestionably the phone’s weakest component. Expect to need to charge your iPhone 12 mini far more frequently than you would a larger device if you decide to purchase one. The iPhone 12’s larger battery has a higher capacity and can consequently provide a longer battery life.
Final Reflections
In the end, screen size comes down to personal preference, but Apple provides the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 lines in three distinct sizes to accommodate all customers. It comes down to personal preference because the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini have similar features and only differ when it comes to the practical implications of having a smaller device.
Compared to the full-size iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 mini appears to be made for enthusiasts of compact phones and doesn’t skimp on any features. Many buyers’ decision to purchase the iPhone 12 small will simply depend on whether they value form factor more than marginally reduced battery life.
