The most affordable model in the iPhone 12 range is the most compact too. But it's not just fast and pocketable. With great cameras and a powerful processor, the iPhone 12 Mini has got much else to recommend it too.
What's the iPhone 12 Mini got to offer?
The iPhone 12 Mini is a lot of smartphone for a really good price.
It's got 5G speeds. It's got the same A14 processor (the fastest in any smartphone) as the iPhone 12 Pro models. And it's made from the same brawny Ceramic Shield material that means it's four times as robust as the iPhone 11 too.
Despite its compact dimensions, the iPhone 12 Mini manages to pack in a 5.4-inch screen.
And its impressive dual lens camera and front snapper have Night Mode technology for pretty shots and selfies in challenging low light conditions.
Design and display
The iPhone 12 Mini is touted as the "smallest, thinnest and lightest 5G phone in the world". It's a billing that's more than merited.
The Mini 12's all-screen design means that Apple has managed to squeeze a pretty expansive 5.4-inch screen in a device that remains very compact.
It's every bit as pocketable as the iPhone SE 2020 (see the two phones side by side in the photo above) and just as easy to use one-handed.
And, of course, the display itself is impressive too. Featuring the same OLED Super Retina XD technology as the more expensive models in the iPhone 12 range, the Mini's screen is bright, vibrant and great for watching movies and TV shows while you're out and about.
Camera
Despite its keen price point, the iPhone 12 Mini has an identical camera array as the standard edition of the iPhone 12.
That means it's got a dual-lens rear camera that teams a 12-megapixel standard wide lens with a secondary 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. While around the front, you'll find a 12-megapixel selfie camera.
Just like the costlier iPhone 12, Apple's Night Mode feature is enabled on every camera too. Which really helps when you're shooting in challenging, low-light conditions.
Selfies and portraits impress, thanks to an improve version of Portrait Mode with more artful background blur for bokeh shots. And for the first time in an iPhone, you can record 4K HDR video with Dolby Vision.
Battery and processor
At the heart of the iPhone 12 Mini is a 2,255mAh battery that's some way smaller than its stablemates. But that's counteracted by the fact that it's got a smaller screen to keep powered up.
Handily, the battery supports more power-efficient wireless charging than previous iPhones. And there's speedy wired charging too, which can get you from zero to 50% in half an hour when you use a 20W charger (sold separately).
The phone is also powered by an A14 processor, which is incredibly powerful and works in the background to eke out battery life and ensure the iPhone 12 Mini runs with a real sense of 'zip'.
5G connectivity
The iPhone 12 Mini is compatible with 5G networks, which means you can expect super-fast downloads and smooth streaming even when you're watching in 4K.
What's the cheapest iPhone 12 Mini deal?
As the most wallet-friendly of 2020's range of iPhones, the 12 Mini is already pretty keenly priced. But if you're still minded to cut costs, we'd recommend you take a look at value networks such as Tesco Mobile or giffgaff.
They typically don't offer the sort of customer freebies you get with the likes of O2 or EE. But the compensation is that you can expect lower monthly premiums on your iPhone 12 Mini contract.
Which networks sell the iPhone 12 Mini?
You can take your pick of all the household-name networks for the iPhone 12 Mini. Here's a snapshot of what they've got to offer...
EE
EE's 5G speeds and coverage compares well with other networks. And contracts with flexible benefits allow you can mix and match from month to month.
O2
Probably the best network for freebies and customer incentives, O2's Rewards and Priority schemes entitle you to money-off at high-street outlets and priority ticket booking at O2 venues.
Vodafone
Vodafone isn't among the cheaper networks, but offers reliable, fast 5G, as well as attractive Red Entertainment plans.
Three
Three offers excellent 5G and similarly high rated roaming schemes for a really good price.
Trade-in to get money off an iPhone 12 Mini
Trading in your current phone for part-exchange is a really good way of offsetting the cost of a new iPhone 12 Mini.
We highly recommend you take a look at recycling sites like CompareMyMobile or SellMyMobile for some of the best trade-in prices.
iPhone 12 Mini specs
| Manufacturer | Apple |
|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS |
| Sim Card Type | Nano |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
|---|---|
| Proximity | Yes |
| Compass | Yes |
| Barometer | Yes |
| Gyroscope | Yes |
| GPS | No |
| Form Factor | Candy Bar |
|---|---|
| Thickness | 7.4 mm |
| Size | 64.2mm x 7.4mm x 131.5mm |
| Weight | 133 g |
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion |
|---|---|
| Capacity | 2227 mah |
| Standby | hours |
| Talktime | hours |
| Display Size | 5.4 inches |
|---|---|
| Screen Type | |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 inches |
| Pixels Per Inch | 476 ppi |
| Touch Screen Type | Capacitive |
| CPU | 0 mhz |
|---|---|
| Processor Cores | 6 Cores Cores |
| Memory | 0 MB |
| Internal Storage | 64, 128, 256 |
|---|---|
| External Storage | No |
| Primary Camera | 12 MP |
|---|---|
| Flash | Yes |
| LED Flash | |
| GEO Tagging | Yes |
| Auto Focus | Yes |
| Fixed Focus | Yes |
| Touch Focus | |
| Face Detection | Yes |
| Smile Detection | |
| Image Stabilisation | Yes |
| Video Quality | 2160 |
| 2nd Camera | 12 MP |
| Generation | 5G |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Dual-band |
| NFC | No |
| Wi-Fi | No |
| Wi-Fi Hotspot | No |
| Wi-Fi Direct | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| USB | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
|---|
