iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini
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iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 13 mini
Starting at
£230.09£649.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini?
iPhone 12 mini vs 13 mini comes down to the chipset, battery and weight. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £68.74 less than the iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 13 mini is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Weight
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 13 mini.
- The iPhone 13 mini has a bigger battery: 2438 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
- The iPhone 12 mini has a lighter build: 135 g vs 140 g.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini share many features like screen size, resolution, and camera megapixels, making both suitable for those who want a compact and capable smartphone. The iPhone 13 mini has a larger battery capacity and a newer chipset, which can benefit users who prioritise longer battery life and improved performance. Storage options differ, with the iPhone 13 mini offering higher maximum capacity, ideal if you need more space for apps and media. The iPhone 12 mini is lighter and may appeal to those valuing a lighter device. Both run iOS and support 5G, so they are current in software and connectivity. Your choice depends on whether battery, performance, or storage capacity matters most to you.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software compatibility, and physical dimensions.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 13 mini has a battery capacity of 2438 mAh, which is larger than the iPhone 12 mini's 2227 mAh. This means the iPhone 13 mini can provide longer usage time before needing a recharge, which suits users who rely on their phone throughout a busy day. The iPhone 12 mini's smaller battery might be sufficient for lighter use or those who frequently charge their device.
Physical Size And Weight
Both phones share the same height and width, measuring 131.5 mm tall and 64.2 mm wide, keeping their compact form factor. The iPhone 12 mini weighs 135 g, slightly lighter than the iPhone 13 mini at 140 g. If you prefer a lighter phone for carrying ease, the iPhone 12 mini suits you better.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini performance
Performance centres on processing power and storage. Both phones have the same RAM, but their chipsets and storage options differ, impacting speed and how much data you can keep on your device.
Processor Chipset
The iPhone 13 mini uses the Apple A15 Bionic chipset built on the 5 nm process, while the iPhone 12 mini has the Apple A14 Bionic chipset also at 5 nm. The newer chipset in the iPhone 13 mini can offer improved efficiency and performance for tasks like gaming or multitasking, appealing to users who want a faster experience.
Storage Capacity
The iPhone 12 mini is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options, suitable if you need moderate storage for apps and media. The iPhone 13 mini starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB, providing more space for those who store larger files or many apps. This makes the iPhone 13 mini a better fit for users who want extra storage without relying on cloud services.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini screen
Screen quality influences how you view media and interact with your phone. Both devices have the same screen size, resolution, and technology, so the viewing experience is very similar.
Display Features
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini have a 5.4 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels. This ensures vibrant colours and sharp detail on both devices, making either well suited for watching videos, browsing, or reading.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini camera
Audiovisual features include camera specifications. Both phones offer the same megapixel counts for front and main cameras, meaning photo and video quality will be similar.
Camera Resolution
The front camera on both devices is 12 megapixels, ideal for selfies and video calls with good detail. The main camera on both is also 12 megapixels, suitable for everyday photography. If you want a compact phone with capable cameras, either device fits well.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini size and design
Miscellaneous specs cover physical connectors, network compatibility, and SIM options. Both phones share many similarities here, but there are small differences in weight and storage availability that may influence your choice.
Connector And Network
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini use the Lightning connector and support 5G mobile networks. They come unlocked and accept both physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexible carrier options.
Dimensions And Weight
The phones are equally tall and wide. The iPhone 12 mini is slightly thinner at 7.4 mm compared to the iPhone 13 mini's 7.5 mm. The 12 mini also weighs 135 g, which is 5 g lighter than the 13 mini. This subtle difference may appeal to users prioritising a lighter or slimmer device.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 13 mini: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £68.74 less than the iPhone 13 mini
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 140 g)
Buy the iPhone 13 mini if
- you want a bigger battery (2438 mAh vs 2227 mAh)
- you want the newer model (2021)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 mini often comment on its compact size and good condition, with many noting it looks like new or has only minor marks. Several mention the battery health being excellent or new, which supports reliable daily use. Some users appreciate the phone's light weight and fit for handbag or pocket. However, a few customers report faults or heating issues, suggesting careful choice of condition grade is important.
Buyers of the iPhone 13 mini highlight its excellent condition even in fair grade, with many pleased by the battery health and overall appearance. The compact size and colour options are frequently praised, along with smooth performance and ease of use despite some initial adjustment. The larger storage options and fast chipset are appreciated by customers who want a bit more from their device.
Overall, the iPhone 12 mini suits those looking for a very light, compact phone with good battery health and moderate storage. The iPhone 13 mini fits buyers who value longer battery life, more storage, and a newer chipset for smoother performance, while still enjoying a small form factor.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 13 mini comes down to the chipset, battery and weight. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 13 mini. The iPhone 13 mini has a bigger battery: 2438 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £230.09 for the iPhone 13 mini.
The iPhone 13 mini has a bigger battery: 2438 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 13 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 13 mini adds a bigger battery (2438 mAh vs 2227 mAh). Refurbished, it costs £68.74 more (from £230.09 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 13 mini in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
