iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
iPhone Air
Starting at
£687.30£999.00 newWhat's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone Air?
iPhone 12 mini vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini starts at £161.35, £525.95 less than the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air is the newer model, released in 2025.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Screen type
Main camera
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air.
- The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The iPhone Air has a bigger screen: 6.5 inch vs 5.4 inch.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air specs
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone Air differ in size, memory, camera quality, screen resolution, and connectors. The iPhone 12 mini is compact and lightweight, suited to those who want a smaller phone that fits easily in a pocket or handbag. The iPhone Air has a larger, higher-resolution screen and more RAM, making it better for users who want a roomier display and smooth multitasking. It also features a more advanced camera system for detailed photos and uses a USB-C connector for charging and accessories. Storage options for the iPhone Air are also larger, ideal for those needing more space.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air price
Colour
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air battery life and software updates
Both come unlocked for use with any carrier.
Operating System and Updates
This means you can expect a similar software experience and access to current features on either device.
Unlocked and Ready
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone Air are unlocked, so you can use them with any network provider that suits you without restrictions.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air performance
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air screen
Screen size and resolution are key differences between these two devices. The choice depends on whether you prefer a more compact phone or a larger display for media and apps.
Screen Size
The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch screen, making it very pocket-friendly and easy to use with one hand. The iPhone Air offers a 6.5 inch screen, providing more space for watching videos, browsing, and multitasking.
Resolution and Display
The iPhone Air has a higher resolution of 2736 by 1260, which delivers sharper images and more detail compared to the iPhone 12 mini's 1080 by 2340 resolution. Both screens use Super Retina XDR technology, with the iPhone 12 mini specifying OLED, offering vibrant colours and deep blacks.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air camera
Camera quality is a clear difference, with the iPhone Air offering higher megapixel counts. Consider your priorities for photography and video calls when choosing between these two.
Main Camera
The iPhone Air has a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail than the iPhone 12 mini's 12 megapixel camera. This makes the iPhone Air suitable for those who want more detailed photos and sharper image quality.
Front Camera
With an 18 megapixel front camera, the iPhone Air offers higher resolution for selfies and video calls compared to the 12 megapixel front camera on the iPhone 12 mini.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air size and design
Several practical differences affect daily use, including memory, storage options, connectors, physical size, and SIM card types.
Memory and Storage
The iPhone 12 mini has 4 GB of RAM and is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage options. The iPhone Air has 12 GB of RAM and comes with larger storage options: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. More RAM helps keep apps open and running smoothly, while larger storage suits users who save many files or apps.
Connector Type
The iPhone 12 mini uses a Lightning connector, familiar to many iPhone users. The iPhone Air uses a USB-C connector, which is common for many modern devices and accessories.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is smaller and lighter, with a height of 131.5 mm, width of 64.2 mm, depth of 7.4 mm, and weight of 135 g. The iPhone Air is larger and heavier, measuring 15.62 cm in height, 7.47 cm in width, 0.56 cm in depth, and weighing 165 g. Choose the smaller iPhone 12 mini for easy one-handed use or the iPhone Air for a larger screen experience.
SIM Card Compatibility
The iPhone 12 mini supports both a physical SIM and eSIM, offering flexibility if you want to switch SIM cards. The iPhone Air uses only an eSIM, which may suit users comfortable with digital SIM management.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or iPhone Air: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £161.35, £525.95 less than the iPhone Air
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 165 g)
Buy the iPhone Air if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5.4 inch)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
What our customers say
Customers who chose the iPhone 12 mini often praise its size and condition for the price. Many highlight it fitting nicely in a handbag or pocket and note that it runs well for everyday use. Some customers report a few marks or minor wear, but many find the battery health and performance good for their needs. A few have experienced issues such as overheating or faults, but most reviews appreciate the compact size and ease of use.
Users of the iPhone Air mention its almost brand new appearance and excellent battery health. Many are pleased with the phone's performance and storage capacity. The larger screen and camera quality receive positive comments, and customers report smooth operation and long battery life. Several mention the phone looking premium and being their best iPhone experience so far.
The iPhone 12 mini suits those wanting a smaller, lightweight phone for everyday tasks and portability. The iPhone Air is better for people who want a larger screen, more memory, and advanced camera features, making it suitable for media use and multitasking.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Air FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs Air comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Apple A19 Pro on the iPhone Air. The iPhone Air has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The iPhone 12 mini is cheaper refurbished, from £161.35 compared with £687.30 for the iPhone Air.
The iPhone Air 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 Air is still supported and can run iOS 27.
The iPhone Air adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 5.4 inch) and a higher-resolution main camera (48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels). Refurbished, it costs £525.95 more (from £687.30 vs £161.35).
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone Air in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
