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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the iPhone 12 mini is significantly less expensive than the iPhone 15. The iPhone 12 mini is smaller with a 5.4-inch screen, which might be more comfortable for one-handed use, though the iPhone 15's larger 6.1-inch screen could be better for media consumption and gaming. The iPhone 15 comes with higher storage capacity as the base model, better camera performance, and superior display brightness. It also has a longer battery life, which means less frequent charging. The tradeoff comes with the higher price point of the iPhone 15. Both phones run on iOS and share features like wireless charging and 5G connectivity, but the iPhone 15 will have a more advanced processor and more RAM, leading to better overall performance. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12 mini
- The Apple iPhone 12 mini has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 15.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 15
- Very good for taking photos
- Excellent for recording videos
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.6
The Apple iPhone 15 has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality.
The iPhone 15 boasts excellent cameras attributable to advancements in photo and video qualities, including superior resolution, enhanced dynamic range, and low light performance as well as better software refining the overall experience, translating to higher selfie quality. In comparison, the iPhone 12 mini offers good cameras with decent resolution and software experience, but it falls short of the iPhone 15's overall camera capabilities and versatility, especially in selfie performance.
Photo Quality
7.1
8.5
The Apple iPhone 15 takes very good photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 15 takes better selfies and overall better photos than the iPhone 12 mini because it offers a superior photos software experience and selfie quality. The iPhone 15 also improves on dynamic range and low light performance, factors which contribute to its best photo-taking capabilities compared to the good performance of the iPhone 12 mini.
Video Quality
7.2
9.1
The Apple iPhone 15 takes excellent videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has very good video capabilities, but the newer iPhone 15 offers the best performance in key areas such as video resolution and framerate, as well as overall video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and microphone quality, making it superior in capturing videos. The advancements in the iPhone 15 are due to both hardware improvements and more sophisticated software algorithms which enhance the video recording experience.
Battery
5.1 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone 15 has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Apple iPhone 15 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$300
$729
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Apple iPhone 15 costs $729.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Apple iPhone 15 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Apple iPhone 15 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $729 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Apple | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | iOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | September 22, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2556 x 1179 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 461 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | A16 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 9.2/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 48 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 3349 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 5.81" x 2.82" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 6.03 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Yellow, Pink, Blue, Green, Black | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Custom ROM Support | |||
Custom ROM Support | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12 mini
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | September 2022
"If you’re going to opt for an iPhone and you want a smaller device without buying up the latest iPhone 13 mini, this is the perfect option for you – and it’s one of the smallest 5G phones on the market too. The camera is versatile, the screen is fantastic, it comes with reams of power and the added benefits of 5G and MagSafe mean this is a phone that will last you for years to come."
Apple iPhone 15
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | September 2023
"Apple finally waves goodbye to the notch in favor of the Dynamic Island on all phones in its new lineup, and on the iPhone 15 that versatile screen technology is paired with new materials, lovely contoured edges, a powerful A16 Bionic CPU, and, yes, the new USB-C port. Even the photography has been leveled up, with a 48MP camera and new portrait processing capabilities."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Apple iPhone 15
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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