iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone 7
Starting at
£66.24£179.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 7?
iPhone 12 mini vs 7 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 7 starts at £66.24, £95.11 less than the iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 mini is the newer model, released in 2020.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) on the iPhone 7.
- The iPhone 12 mini has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
- The iPhone 12 mini has a bigger battery: 2227 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 7 differ in several key areas that affect daily use. Its screen is larger and uses OLED technology, providing sharper resolution and richer colours, which benefits those who watch videos or use their phone for visual content. The iPhone 7 has a smaller screen with an LCD panel and performance suited to everyday tasks and users who prefer a compact and straightforward device. The 12 mini also supports 5G and dual SIM with an eSIM, compared to the 7's 4G and physical SIM only. Battery capacity is higher on the 12 mini, which may affect usage time.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and software updates are important for how long a device can keep going daily.
Battery Capacity
The iPhone 12 mini has a 2227 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone 7's 1960 mAh. This higher capacity can mean longer usage times between charges on the 12 mini, which is useful if you rely on your phone throughout a busy day. The iPhone 7's smaller battery suits lighter, everyday use where charging is more frequent.
Software Updates
Both run iOS.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 performance
Performance determines how smoothly a phone runs apps and handles multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 7 differ in chipset, RAM, and storage options, affecting who each device is best for.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 12 mini is equipped with the Apple A14 Bionic chipset and 4 GB of RAM. This combination supports smoother multitasking and handles demanding apps better. The iPhone 7 has the Apple A10 Fusion chipset and 2 GB of RAM, which is suitable for everyday use and simpler apps. If you use many apps at once or want faster processing, the 12 mini is better suited.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage versions, offering more space for apps, photos, and videos. The iPhone 7 offers 32GB and 128GB options, which are good for lighter users or those who use cloud storage. More storage on the 12 mini suits users who keep lots of media or large apps on their device.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 screen
Screen quality affects how clear and vibrant images and text appear. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 7 differ in resolution, size, and screen technology, each suiting different viewing preferences.
Screen Type and Resolution
The iPhone 12 mini features a Super Retina XDR OLED screen with a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels. This produces deeper blacks and richer colours, ideal for watching videos or viewing photos. The iPhone 7 has a Retina IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 750 by 1334 pixels, which works well for daily tasks and reading but offers less sharpness and contrast.
Screen Size
The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch display, providing more screen space for browsing and media. The iPhone 7's screen measures 4.7 inches, making it more compact and easier to use one-handed. Choose the 12 mini if you want a roomier display, and the 7 if you prefer a smaller phone.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 camera
Camera quality is essential for capturing photos and selfies. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 7 differ in front camera resolution, while their main cameras have the same megapixel count.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 mini has a 12 megapixel front camera, which can capture more detail in selfies and video calls. The iPhone 7 has a 7 megapixel front camera, suitable for everyday selfies and video chats. If you place high value on selfie quality, the 12 mini offers an advantage.
Main Camera
Both devices feature a 12 megapixel main camera, so they can capture photos with similar resolution. This makes both suitable for casual photography and everyday snapshots.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 size and design
Other features such as network support, SIM options, and device dimensions affect everyday use and connectivity. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 7 differ in these areas, which can influence your choice based on network needs and device handling.
Mobile Network Compatibility
The iPhone 12 mini supports 5G networks, offering faster mobile data speeds where 5G is available. The iPhone 7 supports 4G, which is sufficient for many daily uses but slower than 5G. Choose the 12 mini if you want access to newer, faster networks.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 12 mini supports a physical SIM plus an eSIM, allowing you to use two mobile numbers or plans on one device. The iPhone 7 uses a physical SIM only, which suits users who prefer simpler SIM management.
Device Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is slightly smaller in height and width, measuring 131.5 mm tall by 64.2 mm wide and weighing 135 g. The iPhone 7 is 138.3 mm tall, 67.1 mm wide, and weighs 138 g. The 12 mini is marginally thicker at 7.4 mm compared to the 7's 7.1 mm. These differences affect how each device feels in your hand or pocket.
Connector Type
Both phones use the Lightning connector, so charging and accessory compatibility is consistent between them.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 7: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (2227 mAh vs 1960 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (5.4 inch vs 4.7 inch)
Buy the iPhone 7 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £66.24, £95.11 less than the iPhone 12 mini
What our customers say
Customers who bought the iPhone 12 mini often say it looks like new and works well, with many noting the battery health is full and the condition meets expectations. The size is appreciated for fitting comfortably in a handbag or pocket. Users mention smooth performance and the phone running well for everyday use. Some customers highlight extras like cases and screen protectors, while a few report issues such as overheating or cosmetic wear in lower grades. Overall, the iPhone 12 mini suits those who want a compact phone with good speed and a sharp screen.
Reviews for the iPhone 7 often note that the phone looks excellent and runs smoothly for everyday tasks like calls and texts. Battery life is described as good, and the device is praised for being simple to set up and use. Some customers use it as a backup phone and appreciate the physical SIM slot. A few users mention minor scratches or occasional faults, but many are satisfied with the condition and ease of use. The iPhone 7 suits users looking for a straightforward phone for basic functions.
In summary, the iPhone 12 mini fits users who value a larger, sharper screen and faster performance, while the iPhone 7 suits those wanting a compact, simple device for everyday communication.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 7 FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs 7 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A10 Fusion (16 nm) on the iPhone 7. The iPhone 12 mini has more RAM: 4 GB vs 2 GB.
The iPhone 7 is cheaper refurbished, from £66.24 compared with £161.35 for the iPhone 12 mini.
The iPhone 12 mini has a bigger battery: 2227 mAh vs 1960 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27. Updates for the iPhone 7 ended in Mar 2025. Its last version is iOS 15.
The iPhone 12 mini adds more RAM (4 GB vs 2 GB), a bigger battery (2227 mAh vs 1960 mAh) and a bigger screen (5.4 inch vs 4.7 inch). Refurbished, it costs £95.11 more (from £161.35 vs £66.24).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 7 in 32GB and 128GB.
