iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Plus
Quick answer
The iPhone 16 Plus is 13.6 millimetres0.54 inches wider and 64 grams2.26 ounces heavier than the iPhone 12 mini.
The iPhone 12 mini on Amazon (paid link) disappears into a pocket and feels light enough for one-hand browsing, but the iPhone 16 Plus (paid link) trades that comfort for endurance that carries you through heavy use. Renewed pricing makes the older model a bargain, yet the newer phone supports Apple Intelligence and lasts longer on a charge. Choose the 12 mini if size is your priority; pick the 16 Plus if you need power without hunting for outlets.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 12 mini
Pocket: iPhone 12 mini
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 12 mini
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.3 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.1 PX/MM
Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.
iPhone 12 mini: 131.5 by 64.2 by 7.4 millimetres, 135 grams. iPhone 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams.
12 mini, 16 Plus shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 12 mini
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 12 mini 131.5 millimetres, 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres.Height: 12 mini 5.18 inches, 16 Plus 6.33 inches.Width: 12 mini 64.2 millimetres, 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres.Width: 12 mini 2.53 inches, 16 Plus 3.06 inches.Depth: 12 mini 7.40 millimetres, 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 12 mini 0.29 inches, 16 Plus 0.31 inches.Weight: 12 mini 135 grams, 16 Plus 199 grams.Weight: 12 mini 4.76 ounces, 16 Plus 7.02 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 mini | 16 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 131.5 millimetres5.18 inches | 160.9 millimetres, 29.4 millimetres more6.33 inches, 1.16 inches more |
| Width | 64.2 millimetres2.53 inches | 77.8 millimetres, 13.6 millimetres more3.06 inches, 0.54 inches more |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 7.80 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more |
| Weight | 135 grams4.76 ounces | 199 grams, 64 grams more7.02 ounces, 2.26 ounces more |
| Volume | 62.5 cubic centimetres3.81 cubic inches | 97.6 cubic centimetres, 35.2 cubic centimetres more5.96 cubic inches, 2.15 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 85 percent | 88 percent, 2 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 5.4 inches | 6.7 inches, 1.3 inches more |
| Resolution | 1080 × 2340 | 1290 × 2796 |
| Pixel density | 476 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 16 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Notch | Dynamic Island |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A14 Bionic | A18 |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 15 hrs | 27 hrs |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 64 – 256 GB | 128 – 512 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 699 dollars | 899 dollars, 200 dollars more |
| Released | Nov 2020 | Sep 2024 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 16 Plus is 29.4 mm (1.16 in) taller, 13.6 mm (0.54 in) wider, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thicker and 64 g (2.26 oz) heavier than the iPhone 12 mini. The iPhone 12 mini measures 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.40 mm (5.18 × 2.53 × 0.29 in) and weighs 135 g (4.76 oz). The iPhone 16 Plus measures 160.9 × 77.8 × 7.80 mm (6.33 × 3.06 × 0.31 in) and weighs 199 g (7.02 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 12 mini
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- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 12 Pro
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- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16
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- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 18 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 16 Plus than the iPhone 12 mini?
The iPhone 16 Plus is 29.4 mm taller and 13.6 mm wider than the iPhone 12 mini.
Is the iPhone 16 Plus heavier than the iPhone 12 mini?
The iPhone 16 Plus weighs 64 g more than the iPhone 12 mini, a difference that is noticeable.
What is the screen size difference between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 16 Plus has a 6.7 inch display while the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch display.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
The iPhone 12 mini is easier to use one-handed and is better suited for small hands than the iPhone 16 Plus.
Do both phones fit in a typical jeans pocket?
The iPhone 12 mini fits in a typical men's and women's jeans pocket while the iPhone 16 Plus fits in a typical men's jeans pocket.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 16 Plus worth it for size alone?
A size-only upgrade from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 16 Plus is not considered worth it.