Curious whether the 13 Mini is worth the extra cash? We hear you. That’s why we’ve created an article that will hopefully shed some light on the key differences between the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini. We’ll give you the lowdown on every juicy detail, including the 13 Mini’s boosted battery life and improved storage space. So, let’s get to it.

---

Related blog: What Happened To The iPhone Mini?

Are the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini the same size?

Mini by name, mini by nature! Yes, both handsets stay true to form with their compact 5.18 x 2.53-inch size. Each phone sits comfortably in hand for easy use, while sleek glass rears and smooth, angular curves deliver a stylish finish. There are a few subtle tweaks, though. For instance, the 13 Mini’s dual camera features a diagonal arrangement, while the 12 Mini’s two are layered vertically. The notch on the 13 Mini is also 20% smaller, offering more display real estate for browsing, gaming, and streaming—a significant enhancement when the screen is a modest 5.4 inches. There’s also a major makeover in the way of colour. Bold shades of Black and Product Red still dress both handsets. However, the iPhone 13 Mini has more: all-new tones of Midnight, Pink, Starlight, Green, and Blue. 

Verdict: Draw.

 

iPhone 12 Mini Pros:	iPhone 13 Mini Cons:
Stunning cameras OLED screen 5G	No telephoto lens

 

Is the iPhone 12 mini and 13 mini the same screen?

A beautiful 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display (with 2340x1080 pixels apiece) lights up the two minis. The key difference? The 13 Mini reaches up to 800 nits, making for clearer browsing when outside. Both boast Apple’s uber-tough Ceramic Shield technology, protecting your screen from trips, falls, or air-borne mishaps. They’re also water-resistant to a depth of 6 metres for up to 30 minutes.

Verdict: Stalemate.

 

Which camera is better, 12 or 13?

Two rear cameras and front selfie snappers boast 12MP across both phones. The Ultra-Wide lens features an f2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view, delivering incredible scale and focus. The main difference is the 13 Mini’s Wide 1.7µm pixels range, promising better shots in low-light conditions. Another upgrade is the new sensor-shift optical image stabilisation (OIS) on the Wide lens, which remains steadier under shaky shooting.

Elsewhere, budding videographers will be pleased to hear the iPhone 13 Mini has a new Cinematic Mode. The nifty feature allows you to automatically hone in on a subject as they enter the shot and switch focus.

Verdict: It’s close. But the 13 Mini edges it.

 

Is the iPhone 13 Mini better than the 12 mini?

The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 13 Mini come packed with 4GB RAM and 4-Core GPU. The difference is that the 13 Mini features Apple’s ultra-powerful A15 Bionic Chip. However, it’s unlikely you’ll notice too much difference between the two handsets as the 12 model’s A14 chip processor is nearly as impressive.

The iPhone 13 Mini wins on storage, with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants. In contrast, the 12 Mini starts at 64GB and finishes at 256 GB. Another win for the iPhone 13 Mini is its battery life. Boosted from 2,227mAh to 2,438mAh, the upgrade should provide another hour or two of playtime each day.

Verdict: The iPhone 13 Mini outperforms its predecessor.

 

iPhone 13 Mini Pros:	iPhone 13 Mini Cons:
Gorgeous display 128GB base storage	60Hz screen only

Related blog: iPhone 16e Review

---

 

Conclusion:

This is a tough one. After all, there’s not much in it—both handsets feature stunning screens and powerful processors. The question is whether you want more storage and better battery life. If yes, we recommend plumping for the iPhone 13 Mini.

Whichever phone you pick, refurbished iPhone Mini handsets are available from Envirofone for less dosh than those sold in the Apple store. Better still, you can save more money by selling your iPhone to us!