iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord
Shop iPhone
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at
£161.35£579.00 new
OnePlus Nord
Starting at
£89.00What's the difference between the iPhone 12 mini and OnePlus Nord?
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the OnePlus Nord starts at £89, £72.35 less than the iPhone 12 mini.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Snapdragon 765G SM7250-AB (7 nm) on the OnePlus Nord.
- The OnePlus Nord has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- The OnePlus Nord has a bigger battery: 4115 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord specs
The iPhone 12 mini and OnePlus Nord both launched in 2020 but offer different strengths that suit different users. It has a smaller battery but multiple storage options up to 256GB. The OnePlus Nord has a larger 6.44 inch Fluid AMOLED screen, a bigger battery, and 8 GB of RAM, making it suited to those who prefer a bigger display and multitasking on Android. Camera choices also differ, with the Nord offering higher megapixel counts on both front and main cameras. Overall, the iPhone 12 mini fits well for users wanting a compact iPhone with up-to-date software, while the OnePlus Nord fits those who want a larger Android phone with more RAM and higher resolution cameras.
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord price
Colour
Storage
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery capacity, software updates, and operating system, all important for long term use. The iPhone 12 mini and OnePlus Nord differ here, affecting who each suits best.
Battery Capacity
The OnePlus Nord has a 4115 mAh battery, nearly double the 2227 mAh in the iPhone 12 mini. This larger battery suits users who need longer usage between charges, especially for media or gaming. The iPhone 12 mini's battery is smaller, fitting its compact size, which may suit those prioritising a lighter phone and shorter daily use.
Operating System
The iPhone 12 mini runs iOS, offering a different user experience and app ecosystem compared to the OnePlus Nord's Android OS. Preference here depends on whether you want iOS or Android.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord performance
Performance depends on chipset, RAM, and storage options. These affect speed, multitasking, and space for apps and files.
Chipset and RAM
The iPhone 12 mini uses the Apple A14 Bionic chip built on a 5 nm process and has 4 GB of RAM. The OnePlus Nord features the Snapdragon 765G SM7250-AB chipset at 7 nm with 8 GB of RAM. More RAM in the Nord helps keep more apps active simultaneously, which benefits multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini's chip is designed for efficiency and speed, suiting users who want smooth everyday performance on iOS.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage versions, offering flexibility if you want more space for apps, photos, and media. The OnePlus Nord is stocked only with 128GB, which is a solid amount but with no smaller or larger options here.
Chipset
RAM
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord screen
Screen size, resolution, and type influence your viewing experience for video, browsing, and apps. The iPhone 12 mini and OnePlus Nord offer different screen sizes and panel technology.
Screen Size and Resolution
The OnePlus Nord has a larger 6.44 inch screen with a resolution of 1080 x 2400, which provides more room for videos and multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini has a smaller 5.4 inch screen at 1080 x 2340 resolution, making it more pocketable and easier to use one-handed.
Screen Technology
The iPhone 12 mini uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for high brightness and colour accuracy. The OnePlus Nord uses a Fluid AMOLED screen, which offers smooth motion and vibrant colours, particularly noticeable when scrolling or gaming.
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord camera
Camera quality and front camera resolution differ, impacting photos and video calls.
Front Camera
The OnePlus Nord has a 32 megapixel front camera, which captures greater detail in selfies and video calls. The iPhone 12 mini's front camera is 12 megapixels, still sharp but with fewer pixels. This makes the Nord suitable for those who want very high resolution front photos.
Main Camera
The OnePlus Nord's main camera is 48 megapixels, allowing for highly detailed photos. The iPhone 12 mini has a 12 megapixel main camera, which suits users who prefer the image processing and colour profiles typical of iPhone photography.
Front camera
Main camera
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord size and design
Other practical differences include size, weight, SIM options, and network features, relevant for everyday handling and connectivity.
Size and Weight
The iPhone 12 mini is smaller and lighter, measuring 131.5 mm tall, 64.2 mm wide, 7.4 mm deep, and weighing 135 g. The OnePlus Nord is larger and heavier at 158.3 mm tall, 73.3 mm wide, 8.2 mm deep, and 184 g. The iPhone suits those wanting a compact device, while the Nord suits those comfortable with a larger phone.
SIM Card Options
The iPhone 12 mini supports a physical SIM plus eSIM, enabling flexible dual SIM use without needing two physical cards. The OnePlus Nord has dual physical SIM slots, which may suit users who prefer managing two physical SIM cards.
Mobile Network
Both phones support 5G networks, so both are ready for fast mobile data where available.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
iPhone 12 mini or OnePlus Nord: which should you buy?
Buy the iPhone 12 mini if
- you want a lighter build (135 g vs 184 g)
Buy the OnePlus Nord if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £89, £72.35 less than the iPhone 12 mini
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4115 mAh vs 2227 mAh)
What our customers say
Customers say the iPhone 12 mini often looks like new or very well maintained, with many noting it comes with full battery health and minimal cosmetic wear. Several users praise its compact size and performance, describing it as a great fit for everyday use and appreciating extras like cases and screen protectors. Some mention that the battery life can feel short and a few report issues with overheating or faults in lower grade phones. Overall, many find the iPhone 12 mini reliable and well suited for those who want a smaller phone with up-to-date software.
The OnePlus Nord is frequently described by customers as looking almost brand new and performing well for daily tasks. Many appreciate the larger screen and good battery life, with some saying it outperforms their previous phones. Users mention the clarity and quality of photos, reflecting the higher megapixel cameras. Some find the Android experience new but are happy with the device's speed and condition. A few note battery drain issues but most report satisfaction with the phone's size and features.
In summary, the iPhone 12 mini suits those wanting a compact, lightweight iOS phone with multiple storage options and the latest updates. The OnePlus Nord fits users who prefer a larger Android phone with more RAM, bigger battery, and higher resolution cameras.
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord FAQs
iPhone 12 mini vs OnePlus Nord comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 mini, Snapdragon 765G SM7250-AB (7 nm) on the OnePlus Nord. The OnePlus Nord has more RAM: 8 GB vs 4 GB.
The OnePlus Nord is cheaper refurbished, from £89 compared with £161.35 for the iPhone 12 mini.
The OnePlus Nord has a bigger battery: 4115 mAh vs 2227 mAh.
The OnePlus Nord has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
The iPhone 12 mini is still supported and can run iOS 27. We don't have published update dates for the OnePlus Nord.
Refurbished, the iPhone 12 mini comes in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, and the OnePlus Nord in 128GB.
