Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 16 Plus side by side: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) vs Apple A18, 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2227mAh vs 4674mAh battery, $699…
Apple
iPhone 12 mini
$699
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 16 Plus
$899
11categories won
6 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 16 Plus takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 mini, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 16 Plus leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 16 Plus. Choose the iPhone 16 Plus if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 mini if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 16 Plus takes battery honors offering 4,674 mAh alongside 27W charging.
iPhone 16 Plus provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A18 and 8GB RAM.
iPhone 16 Plus takes photography with 48MP optics.
iPhone 12 mini provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $899.
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 16 Plus: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.4" | 6.7" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1290 x 2796Winner |
| Pixel density | 477 ppiWinner | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A18 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,050,000 | 1,720,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 4720 | 8200Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 64GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,227 mAh | 4,674 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 27 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 12 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 135 gWinner | 199 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, color-infused glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14 | iOS 18 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $899 |
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 16 Plus
With Apple 3nm A18 silicon, an upgraded 4674mAh battery cell, and an efficient 60Hz display, the iPhone 16 Plus consistently outlasts nearly every other phone on the market in real-world screen-on time.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Apple A18
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 4,674mAh