iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 16
Starting at
£577.65£699.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 16?
iPhone 12 mini vs 16 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £416.30 less than the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 is the newer model, released in 2024.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Main camera
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16.
- The iPhone 16 has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone 16 has a bigger battery: 3561 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 16 differ in size, performance, battery capacity, and camera capabilities. The iPhone 12 mini is a compact device with a smaller 5.4 inch screen and lighter weight, suited for those who prefer a phone that fits easily in a pocket or handbag. The iPhone 16 offers a larger 6.1 inch screen that is better for viewing videos or browsing. It also has a more powerful chipset and double the RAM, which supports smoother multitasking. The iPhone 16's battery capacity is noticeably larger, making it better for longer use between charges. Photographers will appreciate the iPhone 16's 48 megapixel main camera for more detailed shots, while both phones share the same front camera resolution. Storage options are higher on the iPhone 16, reaching up to 512GB. Overall, the iPhone 12 mini suits everyday use in a smaller package, and the iPhone 16 suits users wanting more screen space, power, and camera detail.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design details that affect how long the phones last in daily use. Their battery sizes differ.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 mini has a 2227 mAh battery, which suits users who need a compact phone with decent daily battery life. The iPhone 16's 3561 mAh battery provides more capacity, ideal for those who want longer usage without frequent charging.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 performance
Performance includes processing power, memory, and storage options, which determine how smoothly the phone handles everyday tasks and how much content you can keep on it.
Processor and Memory
The iPhone 12 mini runs on an Apple A14 Bionic chipset with 4 GB RAM, suitable for everyday use and standard apps. The iPhone 16 uses the newer Apple A18 chipset with 8 GB RAM, which keeps more apps open and supports smoother multitasking.
Storage Options
You can get the iPhone 12 mini in 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB. The iPhone 16 starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB, making it a better choice if you need larger storage for apps, photos, and media.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 screen
Screen quality focuses on size, resolution, and display type, affecting how you interact with your phone and enjoy media.
Screen Size
The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch screen, which suits users who want a smaller, more pocket-friendly device. The iPhone 16 offers a 6.1 inch screen, providing more room for watching videos and browsing.
Resolution
The iPhone 12 mini's screen resolution is 1080 by 2340, while the iPhone 16 has a slightly higher resolution at 1179 by 2556. This makes the iPhone 16's display a bit sharper, which is noticeable when viewing detailed content.
Screen Type
Both phones use Super Retina XDR OLED displays. This means both offer vibrant colours and deep blacks, making for a quality viewing experience regardless of which you choose.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 camera
Audiovisual features include cameras and other elements that affect your photos and video calls.
Main Camera
The iPhone 12 mini has a 12 megapixel main camera, good for everyday photography. The iPhone 16 features a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail and is better suited for users who want higher resolution shots.
Front Camera
Both phones have a 12 megapixel front camera. This means selfies and video calls will have similar quality on either device.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 size and design
Other differences include physical dimensions, connectors, network compatibility, and weight that might influence your choice based on how you use your phone daily.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 mini uses a Lightning connector, which is common on many Apple devices.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is smaller and lighter, measuring 131.5 mm tall, 64.2 mm wide, 7.4 mm deep, and weighing 135 g. The iPhone 16 is larger and heavier at 147.6 mm tall, 71.6 mm wide, 7.8 mm deep, and 170 g. This suits those who prefer a compact phone or those who want a bigger device with a larger screen.
Mobile Network and SIM
Both devices support 5G and use a combination of a physical SIM and eSIM, ensuring fast mobile connectivity and flexible SIM options.
Carrier Compatibility and Storage
Both phones are unlocked, meaning you can use them with any compatible network. The iPhone 16 offers higher storage options up to 512GB, which is useful if you keep lots of media or apps.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 16: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £416.30 less than the iPhone 16
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 170 g)
Buy the iPhone 16 if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (3561 mAh vs 2227 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.1 inch vs 5.4 inch)
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 mini often praise its size and condition. Many say it looks like new or has only minor marks that are barely visible with a case. The battery health is frequently reported as 100%, and the phone runs well for everyday use. Users appreciate the compact design that fits easily in a handbag or pocket. Some customers mention that the phone feels reliable and performs all the basic functions well. However, there are some reports of issues like overheating and poor battery life that affected a few users.
Reviews for the iPhone 16 highlight its excellent condition and strong battery life. Many say the phone looks like new, with no marks or scratches, and the battery often shows 100%. Customers enjoy the smooth performance and larger screen size. The 512GB model is popular for those needing more space. Users appreciate the phone's condition and camera quality, noting it as a big upgrade. A few mention minor issues like scratches or lower battery health but these are rare. Overall, the iPhone 16 is described as a reliable and well-performing device.
The iPhone 12 mini suits those who want a smaller, lighter phone with solid everyday performance. The iPhone 16 is better for users who want a larger screen, more memory, higher storage, and more detailed photos. Both devices have satisfied customers who find them good value for their needs.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 16 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A18 (3 nm) on the iPhone 16. The iPhone 16 has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £577.65 for the iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16 has a bigger battery: 3561 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
The iPhone 16 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 16 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 16 adds more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (3561 mAh vs 2227 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.1 inch vs 5.4 inch). Refurbished, it costs £416.30 more (from £577.65 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 16 in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
