Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 13 mini
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs Apple iPhone 13 mini side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Apple A15 Bionic, 12MP vs 12MP camera, 2815mAh vs 2438mAh battery, $699 vs…

Apple
iPhone 12
$699
4categories won

Apple
iPhone 13 mini
$599
5categories won
12 categories tied · 21 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Apple iPhone 12 takes the overall win
The Apple iPhone 12 claims the overall win over the Apple iPhone 13 mini, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. In camera testing, the two devices offer similar flexibility, while battery endurance leans towards the iPhone 12. Choose the iPhone 12 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 13 mini if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iPhone 12 wins on endurance with 2,815 mAh and 20W fast charging.
iPhone 12 leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Apple A14 Bionic and 4GB RAM.
Both camera setups are closely matched for daily street photography and low-light shooting.
iPhone 13 mini wins on budget and value at $599 compared to $699.
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 vs iPhone 13 mini: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 5.4" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532Winner | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 477 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Apple A15 Bionic |
| Process node | 5 nm | 5 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 3,200,000Winner | 1,240,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10800Winner | 5580 |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 2 |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision HDR |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAhWinner | 2,438 mAh |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 20 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 164 g | 141 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.4 mm | 7.65 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Ceramic Shield front, glass back and aluminum design | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, glass back |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | iOS 15 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 6 years |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 | iPhone 13 mini |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699 | $599Winner |
Apple iPhone 12
The Apple iPhone 12 upgraded the best-selling base model formula with a stunning Super Retina XDR OLED panel, Ceramic Shield glass, 5G capabilities, and featherlight 164g ergonomics.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,815mAh
Apple iPhone 13 mini
The iPhone 13 mini packs Apple's powerhouse A15 Bionic processor, sensor-shift optical image stabilization, and a vibrant 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display into a pocket-sized 141g chassis.
- Display
- 5.4"
- Chipset
- Apple A15 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,438mAh