Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 17
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 17 side by side: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) vs Apple A19, 12MP vs 50MP camera, 2227mAh vs 3650mAh battery, $699 vs…
Apple
iPhone 12 mini
$699
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 17
$799
14categories won
3 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 17 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 17 proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 mini, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 17 leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 17. Choose the iPhone 17 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 mini if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 17 takes battery honors offering 3,650 mAh alongside 45W charging.
iPhone 17 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A19 and 8GB RAM.
iPhone 17 takes photography with 50MP 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 17: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.4" | 6.27" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1179 x 2556Winner |
| Pixel density | 477 ppiWinner | 449 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A19 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,050,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 4720 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 8 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 64GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 16 MPWinner |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,227 mAh | 3,650 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 45 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 12 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, color-infused matte glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14 | iOS 19 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) |
| 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 17
The standard iPhone 17 represents the biggest upgrade to the base iPhone in years: 120Hz ProMotion is finally standard, accompanied by the 3nm A19 chip and 25W MagSafe fast charging.
- Display
- 6.27"
- Chipset
- Apple A19
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 3,650mAh