iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 12 mini
Quick answer
The iPhone 12 mini is 13.6 millimetres0.54 inches narrower and 64 grams2.26 ounces lighter than the iPhone 16 Plus.
The iPhone 12 mini on Amazon (paid link) fits easily in most pockets and stays light in the hand, offering real relief if you find larger phones cumbersome. The iPhone 16 Plus (paid link) lasts significantly longer without a charger but feels much heavier. Buy the 12 mini if you want portability, or step up to the 16 Plus when battery life becomes your top priority. If you want a middle ground, the iPhone 16 (paid link) balances size and battery nicely.
Paid link.
Easier one-handed: iPhone 12 mini
Pocket: iPhone 12 mini
Weight difference: Noticeable
iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12 mini
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (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 16 Plus: 160.9 by 77.8 by 7.8 millimetres, 199 grams. iPhone 12 mini: 131.5 by 64.2 by 7.4 millimetres, 135 grams.
16 Plus, 12 mini shown at 2.1 pixels per millimetre.
iPhone 16 Plus
from $899 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon (paid link)iPhone 12 mini
from $699 at launch.
Launch price, not a live Amazon price.
Check price on Amazon Renewed (paid link)
Paid link.
Height: 16 Plus 160.9 millimetres, 12 mini 131.5 millimetres.Height: 16 Plus 6.33 inches, 12 mini 5.18 inches.Width: 16 Plus 77.8 millimetres, 12 mini 64.2 millimetres.Width: 16 Plus 3.06 inches, 12 mini 2.53 inches.Depth: 16 Plus 7.80 millimetres, 12 mini 7.40 millimetres.Depth: 16 Plus 0.31 inches, 12 mini 0.29 inches.Weight: 16 Plus 199 grams, 12 mini 135 grams.Weight: 16 Plus 7.02 ounces, 12 mini 4.76 ounces.
Specifications
| Specification | 16 Plus | 12 mini |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 160.9 millimetres6.33 inches | 131.5 millimetres, 29.4 millimetres less5.18 inches, 1.16 inches less |
| Width | 77.8 millimetres3.06 inches | 64.2 millimetres, 13.6 millimetres less2.53 inches, 0.54 inches less |
| Depth | 7.80 millimetres0.31 inches | 7.40 millimetres, 0.40 millimetres less0.29 inches, 0.02 inches less |
| Weight | 199 grams7.02 ounces | 135 grams, 64 grams less4.76 ounces, 2.26 ounces less |
| Volume | 97.6 cubic centimetres5.96 cubic inches | 62.5 cubic centimetres, 35.2 cubic centimetres less3.81 cubic inches, 2.15 cubic inches less |
| Screen-to-body — Active display area over body area. Our own estimate, not an Apple figure. | 88 percent | 85 percent, 2 percent less |
| Display size — Screen size is always quoted in inches. | 6.7 inches | 5.4 inches, 1.3 inches less |
| Resolution | 1290 × 2796 | 1080 × 2340 |
| Pixel density | 460 pixels per inch | 476 pixels per inch, 16 pixels per inch more |
| Cutout | Dynamic Island | Notch |
| Rear main | 48MP | 48MP |
| Rear ultra-wide | — | — |
| Rear telephoto | — | — |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Chip | A18 | A14 Bionic |
| Video playback — Apple's rated hours of video playback. Apple does not publish battery capacity. | 27 hrs | 15 hrs |
| Port | USB-C | Lightning |
| Wireless | 5G · Wi-Fi · Bluetooth | 5G · Wi-Fi 6 · Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Water resistance | IP68 (6m for 30 min) | IP68 (6m for 30 min) |
| Storage | 128 – 512 GB | 64 – 256 GB |
| Launch price — Base configuration at launch, in US dollars. | 899 dollars | 699 dollars, 200 dollars less |
| Released | Sep 2024 | Nov 2020 |
| Status | Current | Legacy |
Dimensions
The iPhone 12 mini is 29.4 mm (1.16 in) shorter, 13.6 mm (0.54 in) narrower, 0.40 mm (0.02 in) thinner and 64 g (2.26 oz) lighter than the iPhone 16 Plus. 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). 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).
Also compared with iPhone 16 Plus
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- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17 Air
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 17e
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone Duo
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 18 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 Plus vs iPhone 18 Pro
Questions about these phones
How much smaller is the iPhone 12 mini than the iPhone 16 Plus?
The iPhone 12 mini is 29.4 mm shorter and 13.6 mm narrower than the iPhone 16 Plus.
Is the iPhone 12 mini lighter than the iPhone 16 Plus?
Yes, the iPhone 12 mini weighs 64 g less than the iPhone 16 Plus.
What is the difference in screen size 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 compared to the iPhone 16 Plus.
Do both phones fit in a typical men's jeans pocket?
The iPhone 12 mini fits in a typical men's and women's jeans pocket, but the iPhone 16 Plus fits only in a typical men's jeans pocket.
Is upgrading from the iPhone 12 mini to the iPhone 16 Plus worth it for size alone?
Whether the upgrade is worth it depends on your preference for a larger screen and longer battery life.