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iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro | What’s The Difference?
Welcome out our iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro comparison! Apple’s 2020 iPhone lineup includes four new models of the iPhone. This is a first for Apple. In prior years, at most, the new iPhone lineup included only three models. However, the iPhone 12 series brings the aforementioned four models.
Without a doubt, the two most popular models are likely to be the all-new iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro. Both are the entry points into the two halves of the iPhone 12 series: the “regular” models and their “pro” variants. But how do they compete against each other? Let’s find out.
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro Quick Comparison
Design
The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 mini feature the same design language. That is they both have Ceramic Shield glass on front and back. They also both have flat-edge frames–much like the design of the iPhone 4. However, when it comes to the frame, there is some difference. The frame on the iPhone 12 Pro is made of stainless steel, while the frame on the iPhone 12 mini is made of aluminum.
But besides the frame differences, the two phones are remarkably similar in look. Because they both feature Apple’s Face ID, each phone also features an all-screen design. Of course, those screen sizes are vastly different, as we’ll discuss next…
- iPhone 12 mini – The iPhone 12 mini features a glass and aluminum body. Like others in the iPhone 12 series, it features flat edges that are reminiscent of the sale found on the iPhone 4. It comes in blue, green, red, white, or black color options.
- iPhone 12 Pro – The iPhone 12 Pro features a glass and surgical-grade stainless steel body. It’ also features the flat edge design of the iPhone 4. Due to its stainless steel frame, it looks a little more “high-end” than the 12 mini. It comes in blue, gold, silver, or graphite.
Winner? iPhone 12 Pro – The stainless steel frame of the iPhone 12 Pro gives the phone a sexier, sleeker look than the design found on the iPhone 12 mini.
MORE: How To Set Up iPhone 12 | Tips & Tricks
Displays
The display is going to be one of the most prominent ways these two phones are different. The iPhone 12 Pro features a 6.1in display with a 2532 x 1160-pixel resolution. The compares to the iPhone 12 mini’s 5.4in display with a 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution.
However, both are Super Retina XDR OLED displays. This means each display offers the most advanced tech. OLED displays have a number of advantages, including better power-efficiency, sharper text and images, brighter colors, and darker blacks.
- iPhone 12 mini – The iPhone 12 mini features a 5.4in OLED Super Retina XDR display with a 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution. A new type of glass, called Ceramic Shield, protects the display from drops more than ever before.
- iPhone 12 Pro – The iPhone 12 Pro features a 6.1in OLED Super Retina XDR display with a 2532 x 1160-pixel resolution. The display is also made of Ceramic Shield glass, meaning it has the same level of drop protection as the mini.
Winner? Draw – Both phones use the exact same display technology and both have Ceramic Shield glass.
CPU/Processor
The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 mini also have another identical feature: the CPU. Both iPhones sport Apple’s newest A14 chipset. This chipset is the fastest CPU in a smartphone. Apps and games will, figuratively, fly thanks to the A14 chipset.
Personally, we think it’s great that Apple doesn’t opt for a lower-end A-series chip in the smaller iPhone.
- iPhone 12 mini – the iPhone 12 Pro features the A14 Bionic chipset.
- iPhone 12 Pro – the iPhone 12 Pro features the A14 Bionic chipset.
Winner? Draw – Both phones use the same A14 Bionic chipset. That means each phone has identical processing power.
Camera
OK, this is where the two iPhones are VASTLY different. Matter of fact, besides the display differences, this is the #1 consideration people should make when deciding between getting the iPhone 12 Pro or the iPhone 12 mini. The rear camera you get on each is very different.
But before we get to the differences, know that the front selfie camera on each is the same. On the iPhone 12 Pro you get a 12MP front selfies camera and on the iPhone 12 mini, you get the 12MP front selfie camera.
But what about the rear cameras? Look, the rear camera on the iPhone 12 mini is nothing to sneer at. It’s a terrific rear camera system thanks to its dual-lens 12MP lenses, which include a wide lens and an ultra-wide lens with 2x optical zoom out. It’s also important to note that the iPhone 12 mini supports software-based features like Night Mode–just like the iPhone 12 Pro.
But speaking of the iPhone 12 Pro, the rear camera is clearly superior. This is because it uses a triple-lens system. This system features a 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP telephoto lens. It also gives you 2x optical zoom in and 2x optical zoom out. And while it too supports software-based features like Night Mode, it offers something the iPhone 12 mini doesn’t have: a LiDAR sensor. The LiDAR sensor gives the iPhone 12 Pro better night shot capabilities and allows the camera to focus faster in low-light environments.
- iPhone 12 mini – The iPhone 12 mini features a 12MP selfie camera. The rear camera also has 12MP lenses, but you get two of them – a wide lens and an ultra-wide lens with 2x optical zoom out.
- iPhone 12 Pro – The iPhone 12 Pro features a 12MP selfie camera, too. But the rear camera module packs in THREE lenses: a 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, and 12MP telephoto lens. It also sports 2x optical zoom in and 2x optical zoom out as well as supports the new Apple ProRAW format and night mode portraits. Additionally, the LiDAR scanner enables better night mode portraits and faster autofocus in low light.
Winner? iPhone 12 Pro – The camera on the Pro is far superior to the camera on the mini. Thank the triple-lens setup and the LiDAR scanner for that.
Storage Options
Given that the iPhone 12 Pro is a “pro” model, it’s no surprise it has better storage options. The iPhone 12 Pro doubles the storage capacity with each option the iPhone 12 mini has.
- iPhone 12 mini – 64, 128, or 256GB
- iPhone 12 Pro – 128, 256, or 512GB
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Battery Life
The iPhone 12 Pro also beats the iPhone 12 mini in battery life. It’ll get you an extra two hours of battery life, specifically. However, both iPhones offer similar other power-management tech, like wireless charging and MagSafe charging.
- iPhone 12 mini – The iPhone 12 mini’s battery will get you around 15 hours of battery life. And the new MagSafe wireless charger makes charging a snap.
- iPhone 12 Pro – The iPhone 12 Pro’s battery will get you around 17 hours of battery life. It also features MagSafe wireless charging tech, too.
Winner? iPhone 12 Pro – You get an extra two hours of battery life.
Price
- iPhone 12 mini – The 5.4in iPhone 12 mini costs $699 (64GB) and $749 (128GB) and $849 (256GB).
- iPhone 12 Pro – The 6.1in iPhone 12 Pro costs $999 (128GB) and $1099 (256GB) and $1299 (512GB).
Verdict?
In all honesty, your choice between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro will probably come down to the display size. Some people think the 5.4in display on the mini is the perfect size for an iPhone. Others like the larger 6.1in display found on the iPhone 12 Pro. Remember, besides the size of the display, the underlying tech is identical. Also, remember that each iPhone supports 5G cellular networks.
Moving on to internals, both phones do sport many of the same features too, including MagSafe wireless charging and the insanely powerful A14 Bionic chipset. Where the Pro does handily beat out the mini is in the camera department. The rear camera on the iPhone 12 Pro blows the camera on the iPhone 12 mini away. That’s mainly thanks to the triple-lens system, but also the increased optical zoom and that amazing LiDAR scanner.
MORE: Is The iPhone 11 Still Worth Buying In 2020? My 2 Cents…
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone 12 Pro: Specs
Here are the specs for the iPhone 12 mini:
- Display: 5.4in OLED Super Retina XDR display with a 2340 x 1080-pixel resolution
- Dimensions: 131.5 mm x 64.2 mm x 7.4 mm
- Weight: 135 grams
- Storage: 64, 128, or 256GB
- Processors: A14 Bionic chip
- Front camera: 12MP FaceTime HD camera
- Rear camera: 12 MP Ultra Wide and 12MP Wide. 2x optical zoom out.
- Battery: Up to 15 hours (video playback)
- Other: 5G, Face ID, NFC, wireless charging with MagSafe, IP68 waterproof (6m)
And here are the specs for the iPhone 12 Pro:
- Display: 6.1in OLED Super Retina XDR display with a 2532 x 1160-pixel resolution
- Dimensions: 146.7 mm x 71.5 mm x 7.4 mm
- Weight: 189 grams
- Storage: 128, 256, or 512GB
- Processors: A14 Bionic chip
- Front camera: 12MP FaceTime HD camera
- Rear camera: 12 MP Ultra Wide, 12MP Wide, and 12MP Telephoto. 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out. LiDAR Scanner.
- Battery: Up to 17 hours (video playback)
- Other: 5G, Face ID, NFC, wireless charging with MagSafe, IP68 waterproof (6m)
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