iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Air
Quick answer
The iPhone 17 Air is 10.5 millimetres0.41 inches wider and 24.7 millimetres0.97 inches taller than the iPhone 12 mini.
The iPhone 12 mini on Amazon (paid link) remains delightfully compact for single-hand use, but the iPhone 17 Air (paid link) trades that small size for a screen that feels alive and a battery that lasts through the day. You buy the 12 mini renewed for the fit and value; you buy the 17 Air new for the power and peace of mind.
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 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.4 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 17 Air: 156.2 by 74.7 by 5.64 millimetres, 165 grams.
12 mini, 17 Air 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 17 Air
from $999 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 12 mini 131.5 millimetres, 17 Air 156.2 millimetres.Height: 12 mini 5.18 inches, 17 Air 6.15 inches.Width: 12 mini 64.2 millimetres, 17 Air 74.7 millimetres.Width: 12 mini 2.53 inches, 17 Air 2.94 inches.Depth: 12 mini 7.40 millimetres, 17 Air 5.64 millimetres.Depth: 12 mini 0.29 inches, 17 Air 0.22 inches.Weight: 12 mini 135 grams, 17 Air 165 grams.Weight: 12 mini 4.76 ounces, 17 Air 5.82 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 mini | 17 Air |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 131.5 millimetres5.18 inches | 156.2 millimetres, 24.7 millimetres more6.15 inches, 0.97 inches more |
| Width | 64.2 millimetres2.53 inches | 74.7 millimetres, 10.5 millimetres more2.94 inches, 0.41 inches more |
| Depth | 7.40 millimetres0.29 inches | 5.64 millimetres, 1.76 millimetres less0.22 inches, 0.07 inches less |
| Weight | 135 grams4.76 ounces | 165 grams, 30 grams more5.82 ounces, 1.06 ounces more |
| Volume | 62.5 cubic centimetres3.81 cubic inches | 65.8 cubic centimetres, 3.3 cubic centimetres more4.02 cubic inches, 0.20 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 | 6.5 inches, 1.1 inches more |
| Resolution | 1080 × 2340 | 1260 × 2736 |
| 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 Pro |
| 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 | 256 GB – 1 TB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 699 dollars | 999 dollars, 300 dollars more |
| Released | Nov 2020 | Sep 2025 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17 Air is 24.7 mm (0.97 in) taller, 10.5 mm (0.41 in) wider, 1.76 mm (0.07 in) thinner and 30 g (1.06 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 Air measures 156.2 × 74.7 × 5.64 mm (6.15 × 2.94 × 0.22 in) and weighs 165 g (5.82 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 12 mini
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- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17e
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- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 18 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much bigger is the iPhone 17 Air than the iPhone 12 mini?
The iPhone 17 Air is 24.7 mm taller and 10.5 mm wider than the iPhone 12 mini. It also has a 6.5 inch screen compared to the 5.4 inch display on the iPhone 12 mini.
Which phone is heavier between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air weighs 165 grams while the iPhone 12 mini weighs 135 grams. The 30 gram difference is noticeable when holding both phones.
How does the screen size compare on the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 17 Air?
The iPhone 17 Air has a 6.5 inch display which is 1.1 inches larger than the 5.4 inch screen on the iPhone 12 mini.
Is the iPhone 12 mini easier to use one handed than the iPhone 17 Air?
Yes, the iPhone 12 mini is easier to use one handed and better for small hands than the iPhone 17 Air. Its narrower width makes it more manageable for a typical adult hand.
Will the iPhone 17 Air fit in a women's jeans pocket?
The iPhone 17 Air fits in a typical men's jeans pocket but does not fit in a median women's jeans pocket. The iPhone 12 mini fits in both men's and women's pockets.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 17 Air worth it for size?
Whether upgrading is worth it depends on if you prefer a larger screen and taller body. The iPhone 17 Air offers more screen real estate but sacrifices the compactness of the iPhone 12 mini.