IPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 Mini: which Apple Compact smartphone buy in 2023

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

iPhone 13 mini vs iPhone 12 mini: differences ?

By Sylvain Pichot – October 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. You think you are an iPhone 13 Mini when you already have an iPhone 12 Mini or you just ask what are the differences between the two smartphones of the Apple ? Here are some crossed elements that should help you see more clearly.

Externally, it is quite difficult to distinguish the differences between the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 13 Mini. Indeed, Apple has decided not to change the design of its smartphones. They offer a chassis with flat edges. However, as on pro models, we can note a small difference in terms of finesse. Indeed, theiPhone 13 Mini is 7.65 mm against 7.4 mm for the iPhone 12 Mini. The latter’s weight is lower than on the iPhone 13 Mini since it is 141 grams for 133 grams for the iPhone 12 Mini. The major external difference is registered in the optical block. The two sensors of the iPhone 13 Mini are installed diagonally while they are aligned vertically on the iPhone 12 Mini.

Aesthetic change because of a photo stabilizer

This modification is not that aesthetics. Indeed, The iPhone 13 Mini has a new 12 megapixel sensor that is stabilized. This requires more space than a sensor not stabilized and rather than spreading the objectives, the designers have found this tip of positioning the objectives diagonally rather than one under the other thus allowing to have more space around and offer better integration. The other sensor, a 12 megapixel also is identical to that which is installed within the iPhone 12 Mini. Ditto for the frontal lens housed in the notch at the top of the smartphone screen. According to the tests carried out by the independent laboratory DXOMARK, The iPhone 13 Mini obtains a score of 130 For the photo part which classifies it at the same level as the iPhone 12 Pro Max while the iPhone 12 Mini obtained a score of 122. This means thatApple has optimized the rendering of the images produced with the iPhone 13 Mini compared to the previous generation.

Better processor and faster RAM

L’iPhone 13 Mini benefits from the new Apple A15 Bionic chip against a pRoceseur 14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Mini, which must bring him even more power. The first tests report the presence of 4 GB of RAM, as on the iPhone 12 Mini but with the difference that this memory is at the LPDDR5 standard while it was in LPDDR4X format on the previous generation. This allows the new phone to offer much better performance. The 64 GB version of the iPhone 13 Mini does not exist since the manufacturer has decided to offer a minimum of 128 GB, always without the possibility of extending internal storage capacity via a memory card. A 512 GB embedding version is now available. Finally, note that The battery has gained capacity with 2406 mAh against 2227 mAh For the previous version. The first tests would show a significant gain in autonomy for the iPhone 13 Mini.

iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 Mini: which Apple Compact smartphone buy in 2023 ?

Apple compact smartphones, it seems finished: there was no iPhone 14 mini. But, before the previous ones are too obsolete, it may be the right time to buy a.

When the iPhone 14 arrived, our fears were checked: there was no iPhone 14 mini. Although the apple brand compact smartphones had a critical success, it was not commercial. Which led the firm to stop after only two iterations. However, the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini are very good on several points and it may be the last moment to buy them. To enlighten you in your choice, we have compared them.

The two compared models were tested on Frandroid ::

Why it’s a good time (and the last) to buy an iPhone mini

Officially, only the iPhone 13 mini remains on the Apple store. Everything suggests that he disappears in a few months, in September, during the presentation of the iPhone 15. In addition, there should not be an iPhone 15 mini either: compact smartphones at Apple is over (at least for the moment).

In fact, you can always buy the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini. Despite the fact that they went out respectively almost two and three years ago, they remain good deals, especially in a reconditioned.

First thing: these are the latest compact models of Apple. They have a 5.4 -inch slab, smaller than the 6.1 inch of the iPhone 14 for example. Among the rumors around iPhone 15, none mentions the return of the mini version in the range. If you want to enjoy a compact iPhone for a few more years, it may be the time.

Especially since buying iPhone from a few years ago is not necessarily synonymous to shoot yourself in the foot. Apple is renowned for its software monitoring, both in terms of updates and security patches. The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini will be compatible with iOS 17 when it was released in a few months. In terms of iOS updates, they still have a few great years ahead of them, between four and five.

Our video tests

The iPhone 12 Mini test

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The iPhone 13 mini test

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Technical iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini sheets

Model	Apple iPhone 12 Mini	Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Dimensions	6.42 cm x 13.15 cm x 7.4 mm	6.42 cm x 13.15 cm x 7.65 mm
Screen size	5.4 inches	5.4 inches
Definition	2340 x 1080 pixels	2340 x 1080 pixels
Pixel density	476 PPP	476 PPP
Technology	Oled	Oled
Sock	Apple A14 Bionic	Apple A15 Bionic
Graphic chip	Apple GPU	Apple GPU
Internal storage	128 GB, 64 GB, 256 GB	128 GB, 256 GB, 0 GB
Camera (Dorsal)	Sensor 1: 12 Mp 2: 12 MP sensor	Sensor 1: 12 Mp 2: 12 MP sensor
Front photo sensor	12 Mp	12 Mp
Definition Video Recording	4K	4K
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6 (AX)	Wi-Fi 6 (AX)
Bluetooth	5.0	5.0
5g	Yes	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Fingerprint	No	No
Connector type	Lightning	Lightning
Battery capacity	N/C	2438 mAh
Weight	133 g	140 g
Colors	Black, white, red, blue, green	Black, white, red, blue, pink
Price	€ 333	729 €
Product sheet See the test	Product sheet See the test

Design

In the format, the two Apple smartphones are very similar, but there are still some differences. First, the iPhone 13 Mini is slightly thicker than its little brother: 7.65 mm against 7.4 mm. In both cases, it’s quite fine, and this more imposing thickness is justified by a slightly larger battery. This is also found on the weight with a difference of 6 grams (140 grams for the 13 against 134 for the 12): in all cases, it is very light.

On the rest, these are visually the same and their small screen allows these devices to be used with one hand, when you reach the top of the screen. Finally, these two smartphones have neat designs and excellent finishes.

Screen

These two models offer an OLED screen of 5.4 inch with a 18: 9 format, for a definition of 2340 per 1080 pixels and therefore a resolution of 476 pp. If the screen is small, its resolution is very good, which means that you can read what is written on it. These two models only offer a 60 Hz refresh rate, where competition has been much better.

There is nevertheless a notable difference between the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 13 Mini: the brightness. The first only reaches 604 cd/m² while the second managed to reach 800 cd/m². In both cases, these are very good screens, well calibrated.

Software: the iPhone 13 mini logically ahead

On iOS, there is nothing to say: the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 13 Mini have the same interface, the same software features. iOS has been renowned for years and this is one of the reasons why Apple sells so many iPhones.

However, the iPhone 13 Mini has an advantage for him on the software component: it was released a year later. Logically, he will benefit at least a year of update and security patch in addition.

Performance

In terms of pure performance, it is of course the iPhone 13 Mini which takes the lead. The simple explanation is that it has a more recent chip (and by more power extension): the A15 Bionic, when the iPhone 12 Mini is satisfied with the A14 Bionic. On the RAM side, the two models have the same capacity, namely 4 GB.

Model	Apple iPhone 12 Mini	Apple iPhone 13 Mini
Antutu 9	N/C	817107
Antutu 8	627849	N/C
Antutu CPU	166169	205470
Antutu GPU	265181	352795
Antutu Mem	112033	131413
Antutu UX	92697	127429
3DMARK SLINGSHOT EXTREME	5289	N/C
3DMARK SLINGSHOT EXTREME GRAPHICS	6543	N/C
3dmark Slingshot Extreme Physics	3165	N/C
3dmark Wild Life	6635	8971
3dmark Wild Life Middle Framerate	39 fps	53 fps
GFXBENCH AZTEC VULKAN / METAL HIGH (Onscreen / Offscreen)	60/83 FPS	N/C
GFXBENCH Car Chase (Onscreen / Offscreen)	53/65 fps	N/C
GFXBENCH Manhattan 3.0 (onscreen / offscreen)	60/154 FPS	N/C

On storage, this is where it can sting: the iPhone 12 mini starts at 64 GB of storage, when its big brother has 128 GB minimum. If you decide for the 12 mini, prefer 128 GB of minimum storage, it will be less restrictive. If you can have 256 GB on one of these models, it is all the more preferable.

Photo

In the photo, they are the same, with these photo sensors:

• A large 12 Mpx angle with an opening of f/1.6, helped by mechanical stabilization;
• An ultra-angle (x 0.5) of 12 Mpx with an opening of f/2.4 and a field of vision of 120 °;
• At the front: Camera TrueDepth 12 Mpx with f/2.2 opening.

It is not so much on the side of the technical sheet as the difference is in order, but rather on the side of the software processing of photos and videos. The additional power of the iPhone 13 Mini offers, for example, a better night photo treatment, a kinematic mode for video (which allows you to blur the background in real time) and photographic styles (tone presets and temperature).

So yes, the iPhone 13 Mini is better in photos than the iPhone 12 Mini and it is completely logical.

Battery

Autonomy is perhaps one of the unique black dots of the mini versions of the iPhone compared to their big brothers. Who says compact format says smaller battery, and it feels use.

The iPhone 12 Mini offers a day of autonomy in mixed use (social networks, messages, navigation, video, video games, etc.)). As for the iPhone 13 Mini, it is a little more enduring, especially on the big days of use. We can even go to a day and a half of autonomy before the battery falls in harbor. After that, it must be recharged.

Recharge

On the load power, Apple is not known to offer great performance. 20 W both for the 12 mini and for the 13 mini, it is pale in view of the competition. Thirty minutes of load on the iPhone 12 Mini allow you to recover 60 % of the battery. As for the 13 mini, count 1:30 for a full load.

We are also entitled to wireless load with the Magsafe protocol, a magnetic charger that sticks to the back of the smartphone. You can go to a maximum load power of approximately 15 W, and a limitation to 7.5 W with a wireless charger Qi.

Network and communication

These two smartphones are compatible 5G, no problem on this point. Everyone has a nanosim port as well as the ESIM support (dematerialized SIM card). There is a difference on this point between the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 13 Mini: the second can use two ESIM cards simultaneously (but by deactivating the physical sim), when the first can only be satisfied with a SIM and an esim. Note that you can store up to eight ESIM cards on an iPhone.

On receiving the signal, the two are very good. As for the rest of the connectivity part, we are entitled to the two models to Wi-Fi 6, from Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, Ultra Wideband and GPS (Glonass, Galileo, Qzss and Beidou).

iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini: which one to choose ?

There is not really a match between the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 13 Mini and it is completely logical: there is a generation of difference. The only important advantage of the iPhone 13 Mini is its autonomy: thanks to a larger battery, its endurance is improved. A major profit on a mini model, since its autonomy is restricted by its size.

Remains the difference in price. If we take the 128 GB version for both models, the iPhone 13 Mini is sold at 809 euros on the Apple website. As for the iPhone 12 Mini (in 128 GB), it no longer appears in the official catalog. In addition, it does not seem available for new sale: you have to be satisfied with reconditioned models. If we accept this concession, it is possible to find it between 400 and 475 euros. As for an iPhone 13 mini reconditioned, it is possible to find 500 to 600 euros. If you want to buy it on the Apple site directly, it is significantly more expensive: 689 euros. This is not for nothing if you can almost only find iPhone on the reconditioned market: their bone is updated, and they are well designed.

In view of all these prices, the decision is quite simple. If you absolutely do not want a reconditioned model, you have no choice but to turn to an iPhone 13 mini. In case buying in reconditioned does not scare you, it depends on your budget: if it is very tight and you are not an intensive user of your smartphone, the iPhone 12 mini can suit you. But if you plan to use it a lot and you can allow yourself to lengthen your budget, an iPhone 13 mini reconditioned appears as the right balance between a recent (and better) model and an advantageous price.

Last element to consider: temporality. If it is the iPhone 13 mini new that interests you, you should get it before the release of the iPhone 15 scheduled for mid/late September. After its release, it is likely that the iPhone 13 will disappear from the Apple catalog and that it is more and more complicated to find them. You can also wait after the iPhone 15 to buy an iPhone mini reconditioned: generally, previous generations see their price drop after the release of a new.

Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone 13 Mini

Why Apple iPhone 12 mini is better than Apple iPhone 13 Mini?

• 1 more microphones

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Why Apple iPhone 13 mini is better than Apple iPhone 12 Mini?

• 9.47% more battery power

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What are the most popular comparisons?

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Price comparison

Apple iPhone 12 Mini

Apple iPhone 13 Mini

Alternatives at low prices

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User opinion

General note

Apple iPhone 12 Mini
21 User reviews
Apple iPhone 12 Mini
21 User reviews
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
22 User reviews
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
22 User reviews

Features

Manufacturing quality

Screen quality

Comments

Apple iPhone 12 Mini Apple iPhone 13 Mini

This phone is amazing and has a great price store

I have had this phone for 2 months, it is a value for its money, this is my first iPhone, and i had been using redmi devices in the past. It took a while to get used to the interface, but the device performs very well, its battery performance is very good i can get up to 7 hours of battery life on normal use, and it charges readyty quickly from 0 to 80 per cent even Though from 80 to 100 it does take a long time. Its dual-Camera Setup is top tier, it out beats mobile phones in its price ranges. Good Battery Life Great Performance Great Camera Good Screen Quality Great Sound Quality Light Weight Cons No On-Display Feature No Usb C No 3.5mm Headphone Jack Comes with no charge head

• Great Performance
• Great Camera
• Good Screen Quality
• Great Sound Quality

• No on-display feature
• No USB C
• No 3.5mm Headphone Jack
• Comes with no charge head

�� Voting 2 users found this useful

Perfect Phone for Children and Elder

As you would Expect from an Apple Product, the iPhone 12 is Beautifully Crafted, Meticulously Engineered, and Relentlessly Efficient. This is the phone Apple Designs for the Typical Phone User. As such, it does Everything Well and Excels at a Few Things. Software Integration is seamless. No phone matches the iPhone for efficient software uses. While People Will Ding the Phones for Their Ram, The Truth is, Iphones Simply Do not require the Ram Other Phones. This phone will run as much as you want to throw at it and your falter. If you are look for social media, browsing, email, messaging, photography, and media consumption, the iPhone is above average in every one of those areas. What’s more, you can rest assed apple will support the phone for years and it will be a long time before the phone feels the least “outdated”. The Only Issuits I’ve Found With The Phone? The Battery is Only Above Average. If you press the phone with video consumption, heavy gameplay, or heavy social media consumption, you will need a top off before the end of the day. Also, its about Time Imessage was able to text non -iphones on wifi. There is simple no good reason apple doesn’t do this, and it would be very useful in low service areas where users may be complies. Besides that, when compared to other phones, as a daily driver from 2020, the iPhone Simply has no peers. As i Said, It Does Everything Well Ease of Useas You Would Expect from an Apple Product, the iPhone 12 is Beautifully Crafted, Meticulously Engineered, and Relentlessly Efficient. This is the phone Apple Designs for the Typical Phone User. As such, it does Everything Well and Excels at a Few Things. Software Integration is seamless. No phone matches the iPhone for efficient software uses. While People Will Ding the Phones for Their Ram, The Truth is, Iphones Simply Do not require the Ram Other Phones. This phone will run as much as you want to throw at it and your falter. If you are look for social media, browsing, email, messaging, photography, and media consumption, the iPhone is above average in every one of those areas. What’s more, you can rest .There is simple no good reason apple doesn’t do this, and it would be very useful in low service areas where users may be complies. Besides that, when compared to other phones, as a daily driver from 2020, the iPhone Simply has no peers. As i said, it does Everything Well!

• Better Build Quality
• Good Display
• Affordable iPhone
• Awesome camera
• future updates

• Battery Life
• Screen size

�� Voting 1 users found this useful

Battery is the Achilles’ Heel.

not a good display and battery life sucches. to be honest i think the form factor is too small, though people say its the perfect size phone. I Cant Even Play A FPS Game With that Small Screen As My Thumbs Take 40% Screen, Just Waste of That Fast Chip..