iPhone 16 & iPhone 12 mini 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 16 rather than the iPhone 12 mini.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16?
- The iPhone 16 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for a larger and more immersive viewing experience, whereas the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
- iPhone 16 has a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate for smoother scrolling, gaming, and animations, while the iPhone 12 mini uses a 60Hz standard refresh rate.
- It comes with the A18 Bionic chip for faster processing, improved energy efficiency, and advanced AI tasks, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses the older A14 Bionic chip.
- The iPhone 16 includes a 48MP main camera for higher detail, sharper images, and better low-light performance, while the iPhone 12 mini has a 12MP main camera.
- iPhone 16 has a larger ~3600 mAh battery for up to 22 hours of video playback, while the iPhone 12 mini uses a ~2227 mAh battery that supports up to 15 hours of video playback.
- It supports USB-C charging and faster transfer speeds for greater compatibility with modern accessories, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses the older Lightning connector.
- The iPhone 16 comes with 8GB of RAM for smoother multitasking and better handling of heavy apps, while the iPhone 12 mini includes only 4GB of RAM.
- iPhone 16 supports Wi-Fi 6E for faster and more stable wireless connections in crowded environments, whereas the iPhone 12 mini supports Wi-Fi 6.
Maybe the iPhone 12 mini price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16. 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 16 | iPhone 12 mini |
| Display Size | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
| Display Brightness | Up to 2000 nits peak | Up to 1200 nits peak |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz ProMotion | 60Hz standard |
| Processor | A18 Bionic | A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 8GB | 4GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 48MP Main + 12MP Ultra-Wide | 12MP Wide + 12MP Ultra-Wide |
| Front Camera | 12MP with autofocus | 12MP fixed focus |
| Video Recording | 4K Cinematic mode, Smart HDR 5 | 4K Dolby Vision HDR, Smart HDR 3 |
| Battery Capacity | ~3600 mAh | ~2227 mAh |
| Video Playback | Up to 22 hours | Up to 15 hours |
| Charging Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless Standard | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Modem | Qualcomm X75 | Qualcomm X55 |
| iOS Version at Launch | iOS 18 | iOS 14 |
| Longevity of Updates | 6+ years from 2024 | Nearing end of updates |
| Build Weight | ~173g | 135g |
| Face ID | Latest faster Face ID | First-gen Face ID |
| Design | Dynamic Island, slimmer bezels | Notch design, smaller size |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Price | Check iPhone 12 mini Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Display Technology: Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 12 mini use Super Retina XDR OLED panels, meaning users get deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high efficiency regardless of which model they choose.
- HDR and Contrast: Each device supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision with the same 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, ensuring high dynamic range playback for movies and streaming content.
- True Tone and Wide Color: Both phones feature True Tone for adapting white balance to ambient light and P3 wide color gamut support, making photos and videos appear natural and accurate across environments.
- Durability: Ceramic Shield is used on the front glass of both devices, offering stronger resistance against scratches and drops compared to standard glass. The aerospace-grade aluminum frames ensure lightweight but durable construction.
- Water Resistance: Each iPhone is IP68 rated, protecting them from dust and allowing submersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes.
- MagSafe and Wireless Charging: Both support MagSafe magnetic alignment for chargers and accessories, as well as Qi wireless charging, making them convenient for modern accessory ecosystems.
- Authentication: Both models rely on Face ID facial recognition, powered by Apple’s secure neural networks, ensuring biometric security across apps and payments.
- Audio and Haptics: Dual stereo speakers are present in both, providing spatial audio playback. The Taptic Engine delivers precise haptic feedback for interactions and notifications.
- Connectivity: Both are 5G capable and support NFC for Apple Pay, including Express Transit, making them equally equipped for modern wireless and contactless payments.
- iOS Ecosystem: Both run iOS, giving access to the App Store, iCloud storage, FaceTime, iMessage, and other Apple services. Privacy features such as App Tracking Transparency and the Secure Enclave are shared, ensuring consistent security.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16 | iPhone 12 mini |
| Display Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super Retina XDR OLED |
| HDR Support | HDR10 and Dolby Vision | HDR10 and Dolby Vision |
| Contrast Ratio | 2,000,000:1 | 2,000,000:1 |
| True Tone | Yes | Yes |
| Wide Color Gamut | P3 color support | P3 color support |
| Ceramic Shield | Ceramic Shield front glass | Ceramic Shield front glass |
| Frame Material | Aerospace-grade aluminum | Aerospace-grade aluminum |
| Water Resistance | IP68 rated | IP68 rated |
| MagSafe | Magnetic accessory support | Magnetic accessory support |
| Wireless Charging | Qi wireless charging supported | Qi wireless charging supported |
| Face ID | Secure facial recognition | Secure facial recognition |
| Stereo Speakers | Dual stereo speaker setup | Dual stereo speaker setup |
| Haptic Feedback | Taptic Engine | Taptic Engine |
| 5G Connectivity | Supports 5G networks | Supports 5G networks |
| NFC | Apple Pay with Express Transit | Apple Pay with Express Transit |
| Lightning/Mute Switch Alternative | Physical alert/mute toggle | Physical mute switch |
| Software Ecosystem | iOS with App Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime | iOS with App Store, iCloud, iMessage, FaceTime |
| Privacy Features | App Tracking Transparency, Secure Enclave | App Tracking Transparency, Secure Enclave |
| Price | Check iPhone 16 Price | Check iPhone 12 mini Price |
FAQ
Which phone has the brighter screen? How does the display refresh rate compare? Which device is more powerful in terms of performance? How much RAM does each phone have? What is the difference in storage options? How do the rear cameras differ? What is the front camera difference between the two models? Which phone has better video recording capabilities? How do the batteries compare in size and usage? What charging port does each iPhone use? Do both phones support MagSafe accessories? How do the weights of the two phones compare? What is the difference in network connectivity? Which phone will receive software updates for longer? |
