iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17e
Quick answer
The iPhone 17e is 7.3 millimetres0.29 inches wider and 34 grams1.20 ounces heavier than the iPhone 12 mini.
The iPhone 12 mini on Amazon (paid link) remains the last true pocket companion, available renewed at a much lower price. You gain a standard size and vastly better battery life in the newer model, but you lose the ability to vanish in any pocket. Choose the small one for portability or the 17e (paid link) for all-day endurance.
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 17e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
TRUE SCALE · 1.5 PX/MM
TRUE SCALE · 2.3 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 17e: 146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 millimetres, 169 grams.
12 mini, 17e shown at 2.3 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 17e
from $599 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 12 mini 131.5 millimetres, 17e 146.7 millimetres.Height: 12 mini 5.18 inches, 17e 5.78 inches.Width: 12 mini 64.2 millimetres, 17e 71.5 millimetres.Width: 12 mini 2.53 inches, 17e 2.81 inches.Depth: 12 mini 7.40 millimetres, 17e 7.80 millimetres.Depth: 12 mini 0.29 inches, 17e 0.31 inches.Weight: 12 mini 135 grams, 17e 169 grams.Weight: 12 mini 4.76 ounces, 17e 5.96 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 12 mini | 17e |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 131.5 millimetres5.18 inches | 146.7 millimetres, 15.2 millimetres more5.78 inches, 0.60 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 | 7.80 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres more0.31 inches, 0.02 inches more |
| Weight | 135 grams4.76 ounces | 169 grams, 34 grams more5.96 ounces, 1.20 ounces more |
| Volume | 62.5 cubic centimetres3.81 cubic inches | 81.8 cubic centimetres, 19.3 cubic centimetres more4.99 cubic inches, 1.18 cubic inches more |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 85 percent | 86 percent, 1 percent more |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 5.4 inches | 6.1 inches, 0.7 inches more |
| Resolution | 1080 × 2340 | 1170 × 2532 |
| Pixel density | 476 pixels per inch | 460 pixels per inch, 16 pixels per inch less |
| Cutout | Notch | Notch |
| 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 | 26 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 | 599 dollars, 100 dollars less |
| Released | Nov 2020 | Mar 2026 |
| Status | Legacy | Current |
Dimensions
The iPhone 17e is 15.2 mm (0.60 in) taller, 7.3 mm (0.29 in) wider, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thicker and 34 g (1.20 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 17e measures 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.80 mm (5.78 × 2.81 × 0.31 in) and weighs 169 g (5.96 oz).
Also compared with iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 16e
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 17
- 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 17e than the iPhone 12 mini?
The iPhone 17e is 15.2 mm taller and 7.3 mm wider than the iPhone 12 mini. It also has a 6.1 inch screen compared to the 5.4 inch display on the iPhone 12 mini.
Is the iPhone 17e heavier than the iPhone 12 mini?
Yes, the iPhone 17e weighs 34 grams more than the iPhone 12 mini. This weight difference is noticeable when holding the phones.
Which phone has a larger screen?
The iPhone 17e has a 6.1 inch screen while the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4 inch screen. The iPhone 17e screen is about 0.7 inches larger.
Which phone is easier to use one-handed?
The iPhone 12 mini is easier to use one-handed than the iPhone 17e. It is also better for small hands.
Do these phones fit in a jeans pocket?
The iPhone 12 mini fits in a typical men's or women's jeans pocket. The iPhone 17e fits in a typical men's jeans pocket but not a women's.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 17e worth it for size?
Whether upgrading for size alone is worth it depends on your preferences. The iPhone 17e provides a larger screen and longer battery life.