iPhone 12 mini Vs iPhone 15

iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at

Refurbished price:£126.00

Versus £579.00 new

See options
iPhone 15
iPhone 15
Starting at

Refurbished price:£325.00

Versus £699.00 new

See options

Ratings

The iPhone 12 Mini, released in November 2020, and the iPhone 15, launched in September 2023, represent different generations within Apple's smartphone lineup. While both operate on Apple's iOS ecosystem, the iPhone 15 introduces a larger display, enhanced camera capabilities, and a more current internal architecture compared to the compact design of the iPhone 12 Mini.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is often influenced by its release date and the duration of software support it receives.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 12 Mini, released in November 2020, is an older model compared to the iPhone 15, which launched in September 2023. This age difference directly impacts the remaining period of official software updates.
  • OS Support Duration: The iPhone 12 Mini is expected to receive iOS updates until approximately 2027, offering several more years of software longevity. The newer iPhone 15, having been released significantly later, will benefit from a considerably longer period of software support, extending its functional lifespan further into the future.
  • Build Materials: Both devices feature a Ceramic Shield front cover, contributing to their durability against drops. They also share an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating similar protection against environmental elements.

Year of Release

2020

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

iOS

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance differences between these two models are notable, primarily due to the generational advancements in their internal components.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 15 features a more advanced processor, which translates to smoother operation for demanding applications, faster app loading times, and more efficient multitasking. Users will experience a noticeable difference in responsiveness, especially with graphically intensive games or complex productivity tasks. The iPhone 12 Mini, while still capable for everyday use, may show limitations when handling the latest high-performance applications.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12 Mini is known for its compact size, which necessitates a smaller battery capacity. Users often report that its battery may require more frequent charging, especially with heavy usage throughout the day. In contrast, the iPhone 15 offers improved battery endurance, generally providing all-day power for most users under typical conditions.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer various storage configurations, allowing users to choose based on their needs for apps, photos, and videos. The iPhone 15 starts with 128GB of storage, while the iPhone 12 Mini was available with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB options.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display experience varies between the two devices, primarily in size, brightness, and additional features.

  • Display Technology and Size: Both phones utilize Super Retina XDR OLED displays, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. However, the iPhone 12 Mini features a 5.4-inch display, making it significantly more compact. The iPhone 15 has a larger 6.1-inch display, providing a more expansive viewing area.
  • Brightness and Clarity: The iPhone 15 offers higher typical and peak outdoor brightness levels, making content more visible in bright sunlight compared to the iPhone 12 Mini. Both provide sharp visuals with high pixel densities, ensuring clear text and images.
  • Additional Features: The iPhone 15 introduces the Dynamic Island, a dynamic area at the top of the screen that adapts to show alerts, activities, and notifications. The iPhone 12 Mini features a traditional notch design. Both displays maintain a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1179 x 2556

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities have seen significant advancements between these two generations, particularly in sensor technology and computational photography.

  • Main Camera System: The iPhone 12 Mini features a dual 12-megapixel camera system with a wide and an ultra-wide lens, capable of capturing detailed photos in various conditions, including good low-light performance with Night Mode. The iPhone 15 upgrades to an advanced dual-camera system with a 48-megapixel main sensor, which can capture super-high-resolution photos and offers a 2x telephoto option through sensor cropping.
  • Photography Features: The iPhone 15 benefits from newer computational photography features like the Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5, leading to improved detail, color accuracy, and dynamic range, especially in challenging lighting. Both models support features like Deep Fusion and Portrait mode.
  • Video Recording: Both devices are capable of 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second, with support for Dolby Vision HDR video. The iPhone 15 includes Cinematic mode for video, offering a shallow depth of field effect.

Main camera

12 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two iPhones.

  • Connectivity: Both devices support 5G cellular connectivity, enabling faster download and upload speeds where available. The iPhone 15 includes support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, offering more advanced wireless connectivity compared to the iPhone 12 Mini's Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Charging Port: A significant difference is the charging port. The iPhone 12 Mini uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port. The iPhone 15 transitions to a USB-C port, aligning with a more universal standard for charging and data transfer.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The iPhone 12 Mini is notably smaller and lighter, with dimensions of 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm and a weight of 135 grams, making it ideal for one-handed use and pocketability. The iPhone 15 is larger and heavier at 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and 171 grams, offering a more expansive screen but a less compact feel. Both feature Face ID for secure authentication.

Weight

135 g

171 g

Screen size (in)

5.4

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

Lightning

USB-C (USB 2)

The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 15 cater to different user preferences, primarily driven by their size, age, and technological advancements. Users frequently praise the iPhone 12 Mini for its exceptionally compact form factor, making it comfortable for one-handed use and easy to carry. However, a common criticism revolves around its battery life, which many find insufficient for heavy daily use without needing a midday charge. Its performance, while still adequate for many tasks, is a few generations behind the latest devices.

The iPhone 15, on the other hand, is generally lauded for its significant camera improvements, including the higher-resolution main sensor and advanced computational photography features. Its larger display with the Dynamic Island offers a more modern and immersive viewing experience, and its improved battery life addresses a key concern for many smartphone users. Some users might find its larger size less convenient for single-handed operation compared to the Mini.

Users prioritizing a highly compact device that is easy to handle and pocket-friendly may find the iPhone 12 Mini well-suited to their needs, especially if their usage is moderate or they are accustomed to more frequent charging. Conversely, users who value a larger, more vibrant display, superior camera capabilities, and extended battery life for demanding daily use will likely lean towards the iPhone 15. For those considering either model, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can be an eco-friendly alternative to extend the life cycle of these devices.

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