Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro side by side: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) vs Apple A19 Pro (2nm), 12MP vs 48MP camera, 2227mAh vs 3600mAh…
Apple
iPhone 12 mini
$699
4categories won
Apple
iPhone 17 Pro
$999
16categories won
1 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 17 Pro takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12 mini, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the iPhone 17 Pro leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 17 Pro. Choose the iPhone 17 Pro 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 Pro takes battery honors offering 3,600 mAh alongside 35W charging.
iPhone 17 Pro provides greater sustained gaming output with its Apple A19 Pro (2nm) and 12GB RAM.
iPhone 17 Pro takes photography with 48MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone 12 mini provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $999.
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 Pro: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 5.4" | 6.27" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1206 x 2622Winner |
| Pixel density | 477 ppiWinner | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 3000 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Apple A19 Pro (2nm) |
| Process node | 5 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 1,050,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 4720 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 64GB | 256GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 5x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 48 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 24 MPWinner |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,227 mAh | 3,600 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 35 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 12 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 135 gWinner | 194 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 8.25 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back | Grade 5 Titanium frame with micro-blasted finish, Ceramic Shield 2 front, textured matte glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 mini | iPhone 17 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | $999 |
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 Pro
Equipped with a uniform 48MP triple-camera array, 4K 120fps ProRes Log recording, and the first 2nm A19 Pro silicon, the iPhone 17 Pro sets a new watermark for compact professional filmmaking.
- Display
- 6.27"
- Chipset
- Apple A19 Pro (2nm)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,600mAh