Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 15
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 15 side by side: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) vs Apple A16 Bionic, 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2227mAh vs 3349mAh battery…
Apple
iPhone 12 mini
$699
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 15
$799
10categories won
7 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 15 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 15 proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 mini, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 15 leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 15. Choose the iPhone 15 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 mini if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 15 takes battery honors offering 3,349 mAh alongside 20W charging.
iPhone 15 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A16 Bionic and 6GB RAM.
iPhone 15 takes photography with 48MP optics.
iPhone 12 mini provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $799.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 15: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.4" | 6.1" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1179 x 2556Winner |
| Pixel density | 477 ppiWinner | 461 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A16 Bionic |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,050,000 | 1,380,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 4720 | 6650Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 6 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 64GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,227 mAh | 3,349 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 20 W |
| Wireless charging | 12 W | 15 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 135 gWinner | 171 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused matte glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14 | iOS 17 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 15 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $799 |
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Weighing an astonishing 135 grams, the iPhone 12 mini pioneered modern flat-edge industrial design, OLED contrast, and 5G connectivity in Apple's smallest smartphone profile in years.
- Display
- 5.4"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,227mAh
Apple iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 gains the interactive Dynamic Island, a 48MP dual camera capturing 24MP default snaps with 2x lossless digital cropping, 2000-nit outdoor brightness, USB-C convenience, and pastel matte glass styling.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A16 Bionic
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,349mAh