iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Starting at
£1,209.00What's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17 Pro Max?
iPhone 12 mini vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £1047.65 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max 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 on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- Battery: 2227 mAh on the iPhone 12 mini, 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh on the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17 Pro Max differ significantly in size, performance, and camera capabilities. The iPhone 12 mini is compact and lighter, fitting comfortably in smaller hands or bags, making it suitable for everyday use with simpler needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a much larger screen, more memory, and a powerful chipset, making it better for users who want more storage options, enhanced multitasking, and detailed photography.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and physical design. Battery size and weight differ, affecting how long each phone might last on a charge and how they feel in hand.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 mini has a 2227 mAh battery, suitable for typical daily use and lighter activity. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers two battery capacities, 4823 mAh and 5088 mAh, providing much longer usage before needing a recharge. If you use your phone heavily or want extended battery life, the 17 Pro Max is a stronger choice.
Weight And Size
Weighing 135 g, the iPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter and more compact than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which weighs 233 g. This makes the 12 mini easier to carry in pockets or small bags, suiting those who prefer a lighter device.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max performance
Performance depends on chipset power, RAM, and storage. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with a more advanced chipset and triple the RAM of the iPhone 12 mini, which supports multiple storage options for various needs.
Chipset And RAM
The iPhone 12 mini runs on the Apple A14 Bionic with 4 GB of RAM, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly and suits regular smartphone tasks. The iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the Apple A19 Pro chipset paired with 12 GB of RAM, supporting more demanding applications and multitasking with many apps open at once.
Storage Varieties
Storage options for the iPhone 12 mini range from 64GB to 256GB, suitable for users with moderate storage needs. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers larger capacities from 256GB up to 2TB, ideal for those who store large amounts of media, apps, or files on their device.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects viewing comfort and detail. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a larger and higher resolution display, while the iPhone 12 mini offers a smaller screen with a high-quality OLED panel.
Screen Size And Resolution
The iPhone 12 mini features a 5.4 inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2340, making it compact but sharp enough for daily use. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a much larger 6.9 inch Super Retina XDR screen with a resolution of 2868 x 1320, providing more space for watching videos, gaming, or multitasking.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera quality. The iPhone 17 Pro Max offers higher resolution cameras on both front and main lenses compared to the iPhone 12 mini.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 mini has a 12 megapixel front camera, which is well suited for selfies and video calls. The iPhone 17 Pro Max increases this to 18 megapixels, capturing more detail for clearer and sharper front-facing photos or videos.
Main Camera
The main camera on the iPhone 12 mini is 12 megapixels, good for everyday photography. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 48 megapixel main camera, allowing more detailed shots and better image quality, which benefits those who use their phone for more advanced photography.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max size and design
This section covers other practical differences like connectors, network support, and physical dimensions that affect daily use and compatibility.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 mini uses a Lightning connector, which is common on many Apple devices. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has a USB-C connector, aligning with newer charging and accessory standards that offer faster data transfer and wider compatibility.
Physical Dimensions
The iPhone 12 mini measures 131.5 mm in height, 64.2 mm in width, and 7.4 mm in depth, making it compact and easy to handle. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is larger at 163.4 mm tall, 78 mm wide, and 8.8 mm deep, providing a bigger screen area but requiring more hand space and pocket room.
Mobile Network And Carrier
Both phones support 5G networks and are unlocked, giving you flexibility in mobile carrier choice and access to faster mobile data speeds where available.
SIM Card Options
Each device supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, allowing dual SIM use for managing work and personal numbers or when travelling.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 17 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £1047.65 less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 233 g)
Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.4 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers of the iPhone 12 mini often praise its near-new condition, especially appreciating its compact size and smooth operation for everyday tasks. Many highlight the battery health as excellent and the device's fit for a handbag or small pocket. Some mention minor wear consistent with its refurbished status, but overall, users find it reliable and suited to daily use. A few report issues with battery life or overheating, but the majority are happy with its performance and size.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 Pro Max note it feels like a new device with good battery health and solid performance. Customers mention the ease of setting up the phone and appreciate the larger screen and enhanced camera capabilities. While some users experienced connectivity problems or colour preferences, most find the device works well and suits those wanting more power and storage. Some have noted dirt or minor cosmetic cleaning needs but are satisfied with the phone itself.
The iPhone 12 mini suits buyers who want a lighter, smaller device for everyday use with reliable performance. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is better for those who prefer a larger screen, more storage, and stronger multitasking for demanding apps or photography.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Pro Max FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 17 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. The iPhone 17 Pro Max has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £1209 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
The iPhone 12 mini has 2227 mAh and the iPhone 17 Pro Max has 4823 mAh, 5088 mAh.
The iPhone 17 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 17 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone 17 Pro Max adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 5.4 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £1047.65 more (from £1209 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB and 2TB.
