iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro
Starting at
£1,074.24£1,099.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17 Pro?
iPhone 12 mini vs 17 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £912.89 less than the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro.
- The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- Battery: 2227 mAh on the iPhone 12 mini, 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17 Pro differ in size, performance, battery capacity, and camera features. The iPhone 12 mini is smaller and lighter with a 5.4 inch screen, making it easy to hold and carry. It suits those wanting a compact phone for everyday use. The iPhone 17 Pro offers a larger 6.3 inch screen with higher resolution and more RAM, which suits users who want more screen space and power for multitasking or content creation. Its battery capacity is almost double, supporting longer use between charges. The iPhone 17 Pro's front and main cameras have higher megapixels, capturing more detail in photos and videos. Both phones run iOS and support 5G, but the 17 Pro uses USB-C and only eSIM, while the 12 mini has Lightning and a physical SIM plus eSIM.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 mini has a 2227 mAh battery, suitable for typical daily use and lighter tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro has a much larger battery, with 3998 mAh or 4252 mAh options, supporting longer use between charges. This suits users who need extended battery life for heavy or prolonged use.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 12 mini supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility for users who want to use a traditional SIM card alongside a digital one. The iPhone 17 Pro supports eSIM only, which suits users comfortable with digital SIM management and may prefer fewer physical components.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro performance
Performance differences are shaped by chipset power, RAM, and storage options. These affect how smoothly the phones run apps and handle multitasking or large files.
Processor and RAM
The iPhone 12 mini uses the Apple A14 Bionic with 4 GB RAM, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly and supports common tasks well. The iPhone 17 Pro's Apple A19 Pro chipset paired with 12 GB RAM is designed for more demanding multitasking and content creation, making it suitable for users who run multiple apps or heavy software simultaneously.
Storage Choices
The iPhone 12 mini is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, covering a range of everyday storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro offers larger options from 256GB up to 1TB, which suits users storing large files like videos, photos, and apps.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro screen
Screen quality affects how you view content. Differences in size, resolution, and screen type influence comfort, detail, and colour experience.
Screen Size and Resolution
The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch screen with 1080 x 2340 resolution. This smaller size fits well in one hand and in pockets, good for compact use. The iPhone 17 Pro features a larger 6.3 inch screen with a resolution of 2622 x 1206, offering more room for videos, reading, and multitasking with sharper details.
Screen Type
Both devices use Super Retina XDR technology, but the iPhone 12 mini specifies Super Retina XDR OLED, which is known for deep blacks and vibrant colours. The iPhone 17 Pro lists Super Retina XDR, indicating high-quality display performance suited for bright and clear viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro camera
Audiovisual features include camera megapixels, which affect photo and video detail, and front camera quality for selfies or video calls.
Main Camera Detail
The iPhone 12 mini has a 12 megapixel main camera, which captures good detail for daily photography. The iPhone 17 Pro's 48 megapixel main camera is designed for capturing much finer detail, suited to users who value high-resolution photos and videos.
Front Camera Quality
The iPhone 12 mini's front camera is 12 megapixels, ideal for clear selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro's front camera is 18 megapixels, which provides even sharper detail for selfies and video communications.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro size and design
Miscellaneous specs cover physical dimensions, connectors, network compatibility, and weight, which affect everyday handling and accessories.
Physical Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is compact and light, measuring 131.5 mm tall, 64.2 mm wide, 7.4 mm deep, and weighing 135 g, making it easy to carry and operate with one hand. The iPhone 17 Pro is taller and wider at 150 mm by 71.9 mm, deeper at 8.8 mm, and heavier at 206 g, which suits users who prefer a larger device for media and multitasking.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 mini uses a Lightning connector, compatible with many existing Apple accessories. The iPhone 17 Pro uses USB-C, which is common for many modern devices and supports a wide range of accessories and chargers.
Mobile Network and Carrier
Both phones support 5G for fast mobile connectivity and come unlocked, so you can use them with any compatible network. The iPhone 12 mini supports both physical SIM and eSIM, while the iPhone 17 Pro supports eSIM only, which may affect how you set up mobile service.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 17 Pro: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £912.89 less than the iPhone 17 Pro
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 206 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 5.4 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 12 mini often looks like new or in great condition, with only occasional minor marks or chips. Many appreciate the compact size, saying it fits nicely in a handbag or pocket. Battery health is reported as good when replaced or new, though a few mention issues like overheating or poor battery life. The phone runs well for everyday tasks and its size is a highlight for those wanting a smaller device. Some users received phones with cosmetic wear or faults, but overall many find it a good choice for a simpler phone.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro are mostly positive about its condition, with reports of spotless bodies and perfect screens. Customers highlight its excellent battery life and performance, noting the phone feels brand new even in refurbished form. The screen brightness and clarity are praised, especially outdoors, making it suitable for content viewing and creation. The phone is heavier and larger but fits comfortably in pockets according to users. Some buyers find the switch to eSIM only manageable and appreciate the larger storage options.
The iPhone 12 mini suits those who prefer a smaller, lighter device for everyday use and value physical SIM flexibility. The iPhone 17 Pro fits users looking for more screen space, higher performance, and longer battery life, especially for multitasking and detailed photography.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 17 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) on the iPhone 17 Pro. The iPhone 17 Pro has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £1074.24 for the iPhone 17 Pro.
The iPhone 12 mini has 2227 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro has 3998 mAh, 4252 mAh.
The iPhone 17 Pro 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 17 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 Pro adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger screen (6.3 inch vs 5.4 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £912.89 more (from £1074.24 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
