iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is 7.3 millimetres0.29 inches wider and 42 grams1.48 ounces heavier than the iPhone 12 mini.

The iPhone 12 mini on Amazon (paid link) is still easy to hold, but the iPhone 17 (paid link) offers a modern experience with significantly longer battery life and a larger display. Apple sells the 17 at full price, while the 12 mini is only available renewed. Pick the 17 for all-day reliability and modern features, or stay with the mini if one-handing is your priority.

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 17
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Paid link.

TRUE SCALE · 1.4 PX/MM

Hand: US Army ANSUR II, 2012 (sex-balanced median). Pockets: The Pudding, 2018. Card: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1.

iPhone 12 mini
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
iPhone 17
from $799 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)

Paid link.

HeightWidthDepthWeight12 mini131.5 millimetres5.18 inches64.2 millimetres2.53 inches7.40 millimetres0.29 inches135 grams4.76 ounces17149.6 millimetres, 18.1 millimetres more5.89 inches, 0.71 inches more71.5 millimetres, 7.3 millimetres more2.81 inches, 0.29 inches more7.95 millimetres, 0.55 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more177 grams, 42 grams more6.24 ounces, 1.48 ounces more

Height: 12 mini 131.5 millimetres, 17 149.6 millimetres.Height: 12 mini 5.18 inches, 17 5.89 inches.Width: 12 mini 64.2 millimetres, 17 71.5 millimetres.Width: 12 mini 2.53 inches, 17 2.81 inches.Depth: 12 mini 7.40 millimetres, 17 7.95 millimetres.Depth: 12 mini 0.29 inches, 17 0.31 inches.Weight: 12 mini 135 grams, 17 177 grams.Weight: 12 mini 4.76 ounces, 17 6.24 ounces.

Specifications

Specifications for iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 17. Differences are given against iPhone 12 mini.
Specification	12 mini	17

Height	131.5 millimetres5.18 inches	149.6 millimetres, 18.1 millimetres more5.89 inches, 0.71 inches more
Width	64.2 millimetres2.53 inches	71.5 millimetres, 7.3 millimetres more2.81 inches, 0.29 inches more
Depth	7.40 millimetres0.29 inches	7.95 millimetres, 0.55 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more
Weight	135 grams4.76 ounces	177 grams, 42 grams more6.24 ounces, 1.48 ounces more
Volume	62.5 cubic centimetres3.81 cubic inches	85.0 cubic centimetres, 22.6 cubic centimetres more5.19 cubic inches, 1.38 cubic inches more
Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure.	85 percent	90 percent, 5 percent more

Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches.	5.4 inches	6.3 inches, 0.9 inches more
Resolution	1080 × 2340	1206 × 2622
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	A19
Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity.	15 hrs	30 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	256 – 512 GB
Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars.	699 dollars	799 dollars, 100 dollars more

Released	Nov 2020	Sep 2025
Status	Legacy	Current

Dimensions

The iPhone 17 is 18.1 mm (0.71 in) taller, 7.3 mm (0.29 in) wider, 0.55 mm (0.02 in) thicker and 42 g (1.48 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 17 measures 149.6 × 71.5 × 7.95 mm (5.89 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 177 g (6.24 oz).

Questions about these phones

How much bigger is the iPhone 17 than the iPhone 12 mini?

The iPhone 17 is 18.1 mm taller and 7.3 mm wider than the iPhone 12 mini.

Is the iPhone 17 heavier than the iPhone 12 mini?

The iPhone 17 weighs 42 grams more than the iPhone 12 mini.

How does the screen size compare between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17?

The iPhone 17 has a 6.3 inch display which is 0.9 inches larger than the iPhone 12 mini screen.

Which phone is easier to use one handed?

The iPhone 12 mini is easier to use one handed than the iPhone 17.

Do both phones fit in jeans pockets?

The iPhone 12 mini fits in typical men's and women's jeans pockets while the iPhone 17 fits in typical men's jeans pockets.

Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 17 worth it for size alone?

Whether upgrading from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 17 is worth it depends on your preference for a larger device.

iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17

Quick answer

Specifications

Dimensions

Also compared with iPhone 12 mini

Questions about these phones