iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 16 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 mini vs 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £678.78 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the newer model, released in 2024.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 16 Pro Max differ in size, performance, screen quality and battery. The iPhone 12 mini suits you if you want a compact phone that fits comfortably in a handbag or pocket. It offers a 5.4 inch OLED screen and is ideal for everyday tasks with its 4 GB RAM and Apple A14 Bionic chipset. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is designed for those who prefer a large, immersive screen of 6.9 inches and need higher performance with 8 GB RAM and the Apple A18 Pro chipset. It also offers a bigger battery and more storage options, suiting heavy users or professionals who want detailed photos from a 48 megapixel main camera.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates and physical design dimensions. These affect how long your phone lasts on a charge and what operating system version it runs.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 4685 mAh battery, more than double the 2227 mAh battery in the iPhone 12 mini. This means the 16 Pro Max can support longer usage between charges, which is helpful if you use power-hungry apps or spend long periods away from charging points. The iPhone 12 mini's smaller battery suits lighter users or those who prioritise compactness over runtime.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on chipset, RAM and storage options. These impact how well your phone handles apps, multitasking and storage needs.
Processor Power
The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses the Apple A18 Pro chipset, while the iPhone 12 mini has the Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm). The 16 Pro Max chipset is suited for demanding apps, gaming or professional use. The 12 mini's chipset supports everyday use well.
Memory Size
With 8 GB RAM, the iPhone 16 Pro Max keeps more apps open and running smoothly compared to the iPhone 12 mini's 4 GB RAM. This benefits users who multitask frequently or use memory-intensive applications. The 12 mini's RAM suits routine use.
Storage Choices
You can get the iPhone 12 mini with 64GB, 128GB or 256GB storage, which fits everyday use and moderate media storage. The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers larger storage options of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, which is better for users who save large files, high-resolution photos or videos.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content, including size, resolution and display technology.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 16 Pro Max offers a 6.9 inch screen with 1320 x 2868 resolution, providing a spacious and detailed display for video, gaming or reading. The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch screen with 1080 x 2340 resolution, which suits users who want a compact phone that is easier to handle one-handed.
Screen Technology
Both phones have Super Retina XDR OLED displays, but the iPhone 16 Pro Max features LTPO technology. This can help manage power use and support smoother refresh rates, enhancing viewing comfort and battery life during extended use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera capabilities important for photography and video calls.
Main Camera Detail
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail and allows for higher resolution photos compared to the 12 megapixel main camera on the iPhone 12 mini. This is useful if you want detailed images or plan to crop photos without losing clarity. The 12 mini's camera suits everyday snapshots and video.
Front Camera Quality
Both phones have a 12 megapixel front camera, offering similar quality for selfies and video calls. This means either device supports clear front-facing photos and video chats.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max size and design
Miscellaneous features include network compatibility, physical dimensions and ports, which affect usage convenience and device handling.
Connectivity and SIM
Both phones support 5G and come unlocked. The iPhone 12 mini accepts a physical SIM plus eSIM, giving flexibility for dual SIM use with a physical card. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses eSIM only, which suits users comfortable managing multiple numbers digitally.
Charging Port
USB-C provides faster data transfer and compatibility with a wider range of modern accessories.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is compact and light at 131.5 mm tall, 64.2 mm wide and 7.4 mm deep, weighing 135 g. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is larger and heavier at 163 mm height, 77.6 mm width, 8.3 mm depth and 227 g weight. The 12 mini suits those who want a phone easily carried in a small bag or pocket. The 16 Pro Max is better if you prefer a larger display and are comfortable with a heavier device.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £678.78 less than the iPhone 16 Pro Max
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 227 g)
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 2227 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.4 inch)
What our customers say
Customers of the iPhone 12 mini often comment on its compact size and condition. Many say the phone looks like new or has only minor marks that are hardly visible. Battery health is frequently noted as 100 percent, supporting reliable daily use. Some customers highlight the phone fits well in small bags or pockets and runs smoothly for standard tasks. A few mention problems such as overheating or faulty units, but most appreciate the device for everyday activities and ease of use.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max draws praise for its premium condition and appearance, often described as looking brand new with no scratches. Battery health is usually close to 100 percent, with customers impressed by the long battery life and smooth touchscreen. The device is said to perform perfectly, supporting multitasking and high-end apps. Users value the large, detailed screen and fast performance. Some mention the phone's size and weight but generally find it manageable given the benefits.
The iPhone 12 mini suits those who want a smaller, lighter phone for everyday use with straightforward features. The iPhone 16 Pro Max fits users who prioritise screen size, camera detail and performance, and who prefer a device that handles demanding tasks and larger storage needs.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £840.13 for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a bigger battery: 4685 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max 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 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max adds more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 2227 mAh) and a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.4 inch). Refurbished, it costs £678.78 more (from £840.13 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
