iPhone 16e & 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 16e rather than the iPhone 12 Mini.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 16e?
- The iPhone 16e has the A18 chip with improved efficiency and higher processing power for smoother multitasking and future-proof performance, while the iPhone 12 mini uses the older A14 Bionic chip.
- iPhone 16e features 8 GB RAM for handling multiple applications and heavier workloads without slowing down, whereas the iPhone 12 mini comes with 4 GB of RAM.
- It includes a larger 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display for more immersive viewing and easier content consumption, while the iPhone 12 mini has a smaller 5.4-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display.
- The iPhone 16e has a 48 MP wide camera with 2× sensor-level zoom for capturing sharper images and higher-quality details, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses a dual 12 MP system.
- iPhone 16e comes with a bigger 4000+ mAh battery for up to 26 hours of video playback and longer daily usage, while the iPhone 12 mini has a smaller 2227 mAh battery.
- It supports USB-C connectivity for faster and more universal charging compatibility with modern devices, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses the older Lightning connector that limits accessory options.
- The iPhone 16e includes a customizable Action Button for quick access to features like camera, flashlight, or shortcuts, while the iPhone 12 mini features only a mute switch with limited functionality.
- iPhone 16e features Bluetooth 5.3 for more reliable wireless connections and improved efficiency with modern accessories, whereas the iPhone 12 mini uses Bluetooth 5.0.
Maybe the iPhone 12 Mini price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 16e. 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 16e | iPhone 12 Mini |
| Chipset | Apple A18 (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) | Apple A14 Bionic (6-core CPU, 4-core GPU) |
| RAM | 8 GB LPDDR5X | 4 GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage options | 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB NVMe | 64 GB / 128 GB / 256 GB NVMe |
| Display size | 6.1-inch OLED Super Retina XDR | 5.4-inch OLED Super Retina XDR |
| Display resolution | 2532 × 1170 px (460 ppi) | 2340 × 1080 px (476 ppi) |
| Brightness (typical) | Up to 800 nits | Up to 625 nits |
| Rear camera | Single 48 MP wide (ƒ/1.6) | Dual 12 MP wide + ultra-wide |
| Optical zoom | 2× sensor-level zoom | No optical zoom |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth (4K video support) | 12 MP TrueDepth |
| Charging connector | USB-C (USB 2.0) | Lightning |
| 5G modem | Apple C1 (sub-6 GHz, no mmWave) | Qualcomm X55 (supports mmWave) |
| Wi-Fi standard | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Action button vs mute switch | Action Button (configurable) | Traditional mute switch |
| Battery video playback | Up to 26 h | Approx. 15 h (inferred lower) |
| Price | Check iPhone 16e Price | Check iPhone 12 Mini Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System: Both iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 mini run on Apple’s iOS platform with regular software updates, ensuring access to new features, security patches, and app compatibility.
- Display Technology: Both models use OLED Super Retina XDR panels, delivering high contrast ratios, deep blacks, and vibrant colors for an immersive viewing experience.
- HDR Support: Both devices support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, allowing users to enjoy brighter highlights and richer contrast in supported video content.
- True Tone: Each phone includes True Tone display technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature of the screen to match ambient lighting for a more natural viewing experience.
- Wide Color (P3): Both iPhones support the P3 wide color gamut, ensuring accurate and vivid color reproduction in photos, videos, and apps.
- Ceramic Shield: Both phones feature front glass with Ceramic Shield protection, making the screen more durable against drops and scratches.
- Face ID: Each model relies on Face ID for biometric security, enabling secure unlocking, app authentication, and Apple Pay transactions through facial recognition.
- Front Camera Resolution: Both include a 12 MP TrueDepth front-facing camera, ensuring high-quality selfies, video calls, and FaceTime experiences.
- Portrait Mode: Both iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 mini support Portrait Mode with depth control and portrait lighting effects, letting users capture professional-style photos.
- Night Mode: Both models feature Night Mode photography, enabling clear and bright images even in low-light conditions without excessive noise.
- Smart HDR: Both phones use Smart HDR processing in photos, balancing highlights and shadows to produce images with more natural detail and dynamic range.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 16e | iPhone 12 Mini |
| Operating System | Runs iOS with regular updates | Runs iOS with regular updates |
| Display Technology | OLED Super Retina XDR panel | OLED Super Retina XDR panel |
| HDR Support | Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision | Supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision |
| True Tone | Equipped with True Tone display | Equipped with True Tone display |
| Wide Color (P3) | Supports P3 wide color gamut | Supports P3 wide color gamut |
| Ceramic Shield | Front glass protected by Ceramic Shield | Front glass protected by Ceramic Shield |
| Face ID | Secure authentication with Face ID | Secure authentication with Face ID |
| Front Camera Resolution | 12 MP TrueDepth camera | 12 MP TrueDepth camera |
| Portrait Mode | Supports advanced Portrait Mode | Supports advanced Portrait Mode |
| Night Mode | Includes Night Mode photography | Includes Night Mode photography |
| Smart HDR | Features Smart HDR for photos | Features Smart HDR for photos |
| 4K Video Recording | Records up to 4K at 60fps | Records up to 4K at 60fps |
| Stereo Recording | Captures stereo audio in videos | Captures stereo audio in videos |
| Water Resistance | Rated IP68 water resistance | Rated IP68 water resistance |
| Wireless Charging | Supports Qi wireless charging | Supports Qi wireless charging |
| 5G Connectivity | Supports 5G networks | Supports 5G networks |
| Dual SIM | Supports Nano SIM + eSIM | Supports Nano SIM + eSIM |
| Price | Check iPhone 16e Price | Check iPhone 12 Mini Price |
FAQ
Does the iPhone 16e have a bigger display than the iPhone 12 mini? Is the iPhone 16e more powerful than the iPhone 12 mini? Do both phones support Face ID? Does the iPhone 16e have MagSafe like the iPhone 12 mini? Which phone has better battery life? Do both phones support wireless charging? Which device has the higher resolution main camera? Do both iPhones support 5G networks? Is the iPhone 16e larger and heavier than the iPhone 12 mini? Do both models come with water resistance? Does the iPhone 16e replace the mute switch with something else? Do both phones have Ceramic Shield protection? Which iPhone supports ultra-wideband (UWB)? |
