Apple iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 mini: What’s the difference?

The next-generation iPhone smartphones are here, sporting a new look, better processors, 5G capabilities, and a whole lot more. Leading the smartphone series pack are the base model, iPhone 12, and the compact variant, iPhone 12 mini.

The Apple iPhone 12 will become available beginning October 23, while the iPhone 12 mini will start shipping by November 13, 2020. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini will arrive in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB models starting at $799 and $699, respectively.

Let’s view these two Apple devices in detail and compare them with each other to see which iPhone is the right fit for your needs. Read on.

Design & Construction

The new Apple devices introduce a new design. It has an edge-to-edge display for more expansive viewing. On top of that, a new Ceramic Shield front cover protects the screen and adds durability to the device.

The mini variant in particular takes the distinction of being the smallest, thinnest, and lightest 5G smartphone in the world. Both models feature a sleek new flat-edge design with an aerospace-grade aluminum enclosure. They also have an industry-leading IP68 rating for water resistance up to 6 meters for up to 30 minutes.

Both phones will be available in five gorgeous aluminum finishes: Blue, Green, White, Black, and (PRODUCT)RED.

Display & Multimedia

A big move, Apple equips the two phones with an all-screen Super Retina XDR display for an immersive viewing experience. The iPhone 12 arrives with a 6.1-inch screen, while the mini is smaller at 5.4-inch.

The display features systemwide color management for industry-leading color accuracy. Both phones deliver a 2 million-to-1 contrast ratio and HDR.

Camera

For photography, the two iPhone 12 models feature an advanced dual-camera system, delivering the best features and high-quality video. The advanced camera system features the Ultra Wide sensor and a new Wide lens with an f/1.6 aperture. The fastest yet on iPhone, the cameras provide 27 percent more light.

Photography features include Night mode, Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 3, and more. The iPhone 12 is also the first camera to shoot HDR video with Dolby Vision.

Performance

Inside both features the new A14 Bionic chip, the fastest chip in a smartphone yet. It is the first chip built on a 5-nanometer process. Moreover, it features a 16-core Neural Engine. The A14 Bionic chip boasts the fastest CPU and GPU by up to 50 percent. It provides an 80 percent increase in performance, capable of completing 11 trillion operations per second.

Running on iOS 14, these Apple phones allow customization of Home Screen. The App Library is a new space that automatically organizes all of a user’s apps into one simple view.

The two iPhones also comes equipped with 5G technology on a global scale. 5G on iPhone promises improved speed for faster downloads and uploads. It also delivers higher quality video streaming, more responsive gaming, and real-time interactivity in apps.

These next-gen Apple smartphones also introduce MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories.

Here are the complete specs of the two phones side by side: