iPhone 12 Mini & iPhone 15 share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 15 rather than the iPhone 12 Mini.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 15?
- The iPhone 15 has the A16 Bionic chip with a 5-core GPU for faster multitasking, smoother gaming, and improved power efficiency, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses the older A14 Bionic with a 4-core GPU.
- iPhone 15 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with up to 2000 nits outdoor brightness for better visibility under sunlight, while the iPhone 12 mini has a smaller 5.4-inch display limited to 1200 nits HDR brightness.
- It comes with a 48MP main camera that enables detailed shots and a 2x telephoto crop for optical-quality zoom, while the iPhone 12 mini includes a 12MP main camera with digital zoom only.
- The iPhone 15 supports Cinematic Mode in 4K HDR for creating professional-style videos with depth control, whereas the iPhone 12 mini does not support Cinematic Mode.
- iPhone 15 includes a 12MP front camera with autofocus for sharper selfies and clearer video calls, while the iPhone 12 mini has a 12MP front camera fixed in focus.
- It has a larger ~3349 mAh battery for up to 20 hours of video playback, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses a smaller ~2227 mAh battery that lasts up to 15 hours.
- The iPhone 15 comes with a USB-C port for universal charging and easier accessory compatibility, while the iPhone 12 mini relies on the proprietary Lightning port.
- iPhone 15 supports Crash Detection and Emergency SOS via satellite for improved safety in remote areas and during accidents, whereas the iPhone 12 mini only supports standard cellular Emergency SOS.
Maybe the iPhone 12 Mini price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 15. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 15 | iPhone 12 Mini |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch | 5.4-inch |
| Display Brightness | 2000 nits peak outdoor | 1200 nits peak HDR |
| Design | Rounded edges, color-infused glass back | Flat edges, glossy glass back |
| Build Material | Aluminum with frosted glass | Aluminum with glossy glass |
| Dynamic Island | Yes | No |
| Chipset | A16 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| GPU | 5-core | 4-core |
| RAM | 6GB | 4GB |
| Main Camera | 48MP | 12MP |
| Zoom Capability | 2x telephoto crop | Digital zoom only |
| Photonic Engine | Yes | No |
| Cinematic Mode | 4K HDR 30fps | Not available |
| Front Camera | 12MP with autofocus | 12MP without autofocus |
| Battery Capacity | ~3349 mAh | ~2227 mAh |
| Video Playback | Up to 20 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Emergency Features | Crash Detection, SOS via satellite | Standard SOS only |
| Price | Check iPhone 15 Price | Check iPhone 12 Mini Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Display Type: Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 12 mini feature Super Retina XDR OLED panels, ensuring high contrast, deep blacks, and vivid colors for an immersive viewing experience.
- HDR Support: Both models support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, allowing users to enjoy high dynamic range video with improved brightness and contrast on streaming platforms and recorded videos.
- Refresh Rate: Each device runs at 60Hz, delivering smooth everyday performance for scrolling, apps, and video playback without high refresh rate drain on battery.
- Ceramic Shield: Both iPhones use Ceramic Shield protection on the front glass, which provides increased durability against drops and scratches compared to earlier iPhones.
- Water Resistance: Each model is rated IP68, making them resistant to dust and capable of withstanding submersion in water, giving users confidence in daily use.
- Main Ultra-Wide Camera: Both devices include a 12MP ultra-wide lens, which captures expansive shots ideal for landscapes, group photos, and creative photography.
- Night Mode: Both iPhone 15 and iPhone 12 mini support Night Mode on the main and ultra-wide cameras, enabling clear and bright photos in low-light environments.
- Deep Fusion: Each phone uses Deep Fusion image processing, enhancing texture and details in medium-light situations for sharper and more natural-looking photos.
- Smart HDR: Both phones come with Smart HDR technology, which balances highlights and shadows to improve dynamic range in photos and videos.
- Front Camera Resolution: Each device features a 12MP front camera, ensuring sharp selfies and high-quality video calls suitable for FaceTime, Zoom, and social apps.
- MagSafe Support: Both phones include MagSafe, allowing users to attach magnetic accessories like chargers, wallets, and cases for added convenience.
- Wireless Charging: Both support Qi wireless charging and faster MagSafe charging, giving users flexible charging options beyond the standard cable.
- Face ID: Each device relies on Face ID facial recognition for secure unlocking, authentication, and Apple Pay transactions.
- 5G Connectivity: Both models support 5G networks, enabling faster mobile data speeds and more reliable connections in supported regions.
- Wi-Fi Standard: Each device uses Wi-Fi 6 technology, providing faster, more efficient wireless connections in crowded networks.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 15 | iPhone 12 Mini |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| HDR Support | HDR10, Dolby Vision | HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Ceramic Shield | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Main Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Night Mode | Available on both cameras | Available on both cameras |
| Deep Fusion | Yes | Yes |
| Smart HDR | Yes | Yes |
| Front Camera Resolution | 12MP | 12MP |
| MagSafe Support | Yes | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Qi + MagSafe | Qi + MagSafe |
| Face ID | Yes | Yes |
| 5G Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Price | Check iPhone 15 Price | Check iPhone 12 Mini Price |
FAQ
Is the iPhone 15 larger than the iPhone 12 mini? Does the iPhone 15 have better cameras than the iPhone 12 mini? Do both iPhone 15 and iPhone 12 mini support 5G connectivity? Which device has longer battery life, the iPhone 15 or the iPhone 12 mini? Do both models support MagSafe accessories? What charging port does the iPhone 15 use compared to the iPhone 12 mini? Is there a difference in weight between the two models? Do both models feature Face ID for security? How do the displays differ between the iPhone 15 and iPhone 12 mini? Does the iPhone 15 have the Dynamic Island feature? Are both iPhones water resistant? Do both phones support Dolby Vision video recording? What is the base storage option for each phone? Does the iPhone 15 include new safety features compared to the iPhone 12 mini? |
