iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 15 Plus
Starting at
£439.65£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 15 Plus?
iPhone 12 mini vs 15 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £278.30 less than the iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus is the newer model, released in 2023.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Main camera
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 Plus.
- The iPhone 15 Plus has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone 15 Plus has a bigger battery: 4383 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus specs
The iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 15 Plus differ mainly in size, performance, and camera capabilities. The 12 mini is compact and lighter, fitting easily in small bags or pockets, making it suitable for everyday use and one-handed operation. The 15 Plus offers a much larger screen and higher resolution, ideal if you want more space for videos and games. It also has a stronger chipset and more memory, which helps with multitasking and demanding apps. The 15 Plus has a higher capacity battery for longer use and a main camera with a higher megapixel count for sharper photos. Both support 5G and run iOS, but the 15 Plus uses USB-C charging while the 12 mini uses Lightning.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software support, and physical design. Battery size and physical dimensions differ, affecting usage and handling.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 4383 mAh battery, nearly double the 2227 mAh capacity of the iPhone 12 mini. This larger battery suits users who need longer use between charges, such as those using their phone heavily throughout the day. The 12 mini's smaller battery fits its compact size and works well for lighter daily use or if you prefer a smaller device.
Physical Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is smaller and lighter, measuring 131.5 mm in height, 64.2 mm in width, and weighing 135 g, making it easy to carry in a small bag or pocket. The iPhone 15 Plus is bigger and heavier at 160.9 mm height, 77.8 mm width, and 201 g weight, which suits users who want a larger screen and don't mind more bulk.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus performance
Performance depends on the chipset, memory, and storage options. These affect speed, multitasking, and how much data or apps you can keep on the device.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 15 Plus features the Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) chipset and 6 GB of RAM, while the iPhone 12 mini has the Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) chipset and 4 GB of RAM. More RAM and the newer chipset in the 15 Plus provide smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding apps, which benefits users who run multiple apps or play intensive games. The 12 mini offers solid performance for everyday apps and general use.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 mini is available with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options, suitable for users with moderate storage needs. The iPhone 15 Plus offers larger capacities, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, fitting users who store more photos, videos, and apps on their phone.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus screen
Screen size and resolution affect how much content you see and how sharp images appear. Both devices use Super Retina XDR OLED technology for vibrant colours and deep contrast.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 15 Plus has a larger 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1290 x 2796. This gives a roomier display suitable for watching videos, gaming, and browsing. The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch screen at 1080 x 2340 resolution, which fits well in one hand and suits users who prefer a more compact device.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus camera
Camera resolution affects photo detail, while the front camera matches on both devices, supporting selfies and video calls equally well.
Main Camera Detail
The iPhone 15 Plus has a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail and sharper images. This suits photography enthusiasts or anyone wanting higher-resolution photos. The iPhone 12 mini's 12 megapixel main camera is well suited for everyday snapshots and casual photo use.
Front Camera
Both the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 15 Plus feature a 12 megapixel front camera, offering the same resolution for selfies and video calls. This means similar quality for face-to-face communication and front-facing photos.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus size and design
Other differences relate to connections, network compatibility, and design measurements, which affect how you charge, use SIM cards, and carry the phone.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 mini uses a Lightning connector for charging and accessories, while the iPhone 15 Plus uses USB-C. Users who prefer USB-C can benefit from the 15 Plus's common connector type, which is widely used for many devices and chargers.
SIM and Network
Both devices support 5G mobile networks and use a physical SIM card alongside eSIM. This means both can connect to fast mobile data and offer flexibility in SIM setup.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 15 Plus: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £278.30 less than the iPhone 15 Plus
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 201 g)
Buy the iPhone 15 Plus if
- you want more RAM (6 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4383 mAh vs 2227 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 5.4 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who buy the iPhone 12 mini often highlight its compact size and good condition. Many say it looks like new with few marks, a full battery charge, and good performance for everyday use. Some users appreciate how well it fits in small bags or handbags. A few mention issues like overheating or battery life, but most find the phone reliable for general tasks and enjoy its ease of use.
The iPhone 15 Plus receives praise for its larger screen, smooth performance, and good battery life. Customers note the phone looks nearly new, handles data transfer quickly, and benefits from USB-C charging. The camera quality and screen size stand out for users who want more room to watch videos or take detailed photos. Several buyers say it runs smoothly and is well suited for more intensive use or as a main device.
In summary, the iPhone 12 mini appeals to those wanting a smaller, lighter phone for everyday tasks and easy portability. The iPhone 15 Plus suits users who prefer a larger display, stronger performance, and higher-resolution photos.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15 Plus FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 15 Plus comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A16 Bionic on the iPhone 15 Plus. The iPhone 15 Plus has more RAM: 6 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £439.65 for the iPhone 15 Plus.
The iPhone 15 Plus has a bigger battery: 4383 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
The iPhone 15 Plus has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27. The iPhone 15 Plus is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 15 Plus adds more RAM (6 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (4383 mAh vs 2227 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 5.4 inch). Refurbished, it costs £278.30 more (from £439.65 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 15 Plus in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
