Is the iPhone 12 Mini worth buying in 2025?

Should you still get the iPhone 12 Mini in 2025? Let's take a look.

Jan 03, 2025

Apple’s iPhone 12 Mini, released in late 2020, offered a refreshing departure from the trend of ever-growing smartphone screens. The iPhone 12 Mini was designed for those who cherished smaller devices, packing modern flagship features into a compact 5.4-inch form factor. However, as we enter 2025, the smartphone landscape has evolved significantly. Apple’s more recent iPhone models, like the iPhone 14 and 15 series, push the envelope in terms of performance, camera technology, battery life, and overall design. So, is the iPhone 12 Mini still worth buying in 2025? Let’s dive deep into its design, performance, camera, software longevity, battery life, and pricing to see how it holds up after almost five years in the market.

1. Design and Build Quality: Timeless Yet Limited

When the iPhone 12 Mini was first unveiled, it stood out with its sleek, flat-edged design, echoing the aesthetics of the iPhone 4 and 5. Apple introduced Ceramic Shield glass, which was advertised as providing four times better drop protection compared to previous models. Its combination of a glass front and back, along with aluminum sides, gave it a premium feel that remained consistent throughout its lifecycle.

Compact Form Factor: For fans of smaller phones, the iPhone 12 Mini continues to offer something that is difficult to find in today’s smartphone market. At just 5.4 inches, the Mini is one of the smallest modern smartphones available. For users who prefer a phone that can easily fit in a pocket or be used with one hand, the Mini is a breath of fresh air in an era where most flagship phones exceed 6 inches. It’s also remarkably lightweight, weighing just 135 grams (4.76 ounces), which is about 20% lighter than many current models.

Durability: As we look at the device’s build quality in 2025, it still holds up well. The Ceramic Shield front glass remains resistant to scratches and cracks compared to older iPhones. However, it’s worth noting that the back glass, while still durable, is more prone to scratches and cracks from accidental drops, which is true for most glass-backed smartphones.

Size vs. Usability: While the iPhone 12 Mini offers an excellent one-handed experience, its compactness also means compromises. For example, the smaller display can feel cramped for tasks like watching videos or multitasking. If you’re someone who enjoys consuming media or playing games on your phone, you may find the 5.4-inch screen limiting compared to the larger, 6.1-inch displays seen in the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series. However, for users who prioritize portability over a larger screen, the Mini’s design still excels.

2. Display: Still Bright, But Behind the Curve

The iPhone 12 Mini boasts a Super Retina XDR OLED display, delivering a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, which was impressive at launch. The color accuracy, deep blacks, and high contrast ratio were features that made the display stand out in 2020, and it still looks vibrant today.

Screen Quality: Despite newer iPhones offering larger, brighter, and smoother displays (such as the iPhone 15 Pro’s Dynamic Island and ProMotion displays), the 12 Mini’s screen remains sharp, with 476 pixels per inch (PPI), and is more than adequate for everyday use like browsing the web, watching content, and casual gaming. The display’s peak brightness of 1200 nits (in HDR) is bright enough to handle outdoor use, even under direct sunlight.

Refresh Rate: While the iPhone 12 Mini’s 60Hz refresh rate might have been sufficient for most users in 2020, by 2025, many smartphones, including Apple’s own iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, have upgraded to 120Hz refresh rates, making scrolling and animations feel much smoother. The lack of ProMotion technology may be a dealbreaker for users who value this fluidity for gaming or smooth navigation. However, if you don’t mind a 60Hz display or don’t prioritize buttery smooth animations, the 12 Mini’s screen will still satisfy basic needs.

Size for Viewing: One downside of the iPhone 12 Mini's display, especially in 2025, is its small size. Media consumption on a 5.4-inch screen may feel cramped compared to modern phones with 6.1-inch or larger displays. If you watch a lot of movies or play mobile games, a larger screen might be a better fit. Still, for users who prioritize portability and don’t mind the smaller screen size, it remains a functional and enjoyable display.

3. Performance: Aging Gracefully But Starting to Show Limits

The iPhone 12 Mini is powered by Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, which was one of the most powerful processors on the market when it launched in 2020. The A14 chip is built on a 5nm process and features a 6-core CPU (two high-performance cores and four efficiency cores) and a 4-core GPU, making it capable of handling most tasks with ease, from daily app usage to more demanding operations like video editing.

Everyday Performance in 2025: Despite being several years old, the A14 Bionic chip remains a strong performer for most everyday tasks, including browsing the web, using social media, checking emails, and running non-intensive apps. Apps open quickly, and multitasking remains smooth for basic workflows. You can still play games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile at reasonable settings, although newer games or more graphically demanding titles may cause the A14 to struggle at higher settings.

However, compared to newer iPhones powered by the A17 or A18 chips, the A14 does show its age in some areas. Tasks like rendering 4K video, performing AI-driven tasks (like voice recognition or advanced photo processing), and running cutting-edge applications can feel slower or more taxing on the A14 compared to newer processors. If you need top-tier performance for gaming, 3D rendering, or high-level multitasking, newer models will outperform the iPhone 12 Mini.

Long-Term Viability: Apple’s optimization of iOS means the iPhone 12 Mini will continue to perform well with software updates, but over time, the performance gap between the A14 and newer chips will become more apparent. The A14 Bionic will likely remain viable for many years of regular use, but if you want the fastest speeds, better future-proofing, and superior performance in advanced applications, a more recent iPhone would be a better choice.

4. Camera: Decent, but Lagging Behind Modern Standards

The iPhone 12 Mini features a dual-camera system: a 12MP wide camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The camera was praised at launch for its ability to capture great photos and video, even in low-light conditions, thanks to features like Night Mode and Deep Fusion. The addition of Smart HDR 3 further improved image quality, especially in high-contrast settings.

Daytime Photography: In good lighting, the iPhone 12 Mini still takes excellent photos. The wide-angle lens captures sharp, vibrant shots with great detail, and the ultra-wide lens allows for more expansive shots. Night Mode works reasonably well, although newer models like the iPhone 14 and 15 have improved low-light performance significantly with larger sensors and more advanced computational photography. The iPhone 12 Mini’s Night Mode works, but it’s not as effective in very low light compared to the iPhone 13 and later models.

Video Capabilities: The iPhone 12 Mini supports 4K video recording at 24, 30, or 60 fps, with Dolby Vision HDR. This remains impressive, as the quality of video captured on the iPhone 12 Mini is still on par with what most people need for personal or semi-professional use. However, the more recent iPhone models now offer superior stabilization, better zoom capabilities, and enhanced low-light video performance. If you’re into vlogging or shooting more advanced video content, newer iPhones will give you more creative options.

Selfies and Portraits: The 12 Mini’s front-facing 12MP camera with Night Mode also holds up well, producing crisp selfies in well-lit environments. However, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 offer additional features like autofocus for sharper selfies and better performance in low-light scenarios, which the iPhone 12 Mini lacks.

Overall, while the iPhone 12 Mini’s camera system is far from bad, it’s starting to feel somewhat basic compared to newer iPhones, especially in areas like computational photography, low-light performance, and video recording.

5. Battery Life: A Major Weakness

Perhaps the most significant drawback of the iPhone 12 Mini, even when it was first released, was its battery life. With a 2227mAh battery, the iPhone 12 Mini doesn’t pack the same longevity as larger iPhones. Apple’s efficient A14 chip helps conserve battery life, but the small form factor means there isn’t much room for a large battery.

Performance in 2025: In 2025, the battery life on the iPhone 12 Mini may be a major concern for many users. With the device now several years old, the battery’s health will likely have diminished, especially if you’ve been using the phone extensively. Users may find themselves charging the device at least once per day, especially if they’re using the phone for activities like streaming, gaming, or taking photos. The relatively small battery capacity and the growing demands of newer apps and features put the iPhone 12 Mini at a disadvantage compared to newer iPhones with more power-efficient processors and larger batteries.

Battery Alternatives: If you’re looking for longer-lasting battery life, newer models like the iPhone 13, iPhone 14, or iPhone 15 would be much better suited. The iPhone 13, for example, is equipped with a larger battery and more efficient components, allowing for significantly better battery life compared to the iPhone 12 Mini.

6. Software Support: A Strong Point

One of the enduring strengths of Apple’s ecosystem is its software support. The iPhone 12 Mini, despite being released in 2020, is still eligible for the latest version of iOS as of 2025. Apple typically supports devices with iOS updates for five to six years, meaning the iPhone 12 Mini will continue to receive the latest features, security patches, and bug fixes for a few more years.

For users who plan to keep their phone for several years, this longevity is a significant advantage. Unlike Android devices, which often stop receiving updates after a few years, the iPhone 12 Mini will remain secure and functional for many years to come, making it a good option for those looking for a device that won’t become obsolete quickly.

7. Pricing and Value in 2025

When considering whether the iPhone 12 Mini is worth it in 2025, pricing plays a crucial role. With newer iPhones now available, the iPhone 12 Mini’s price has likely dropped, especially for refurbished or second-hand models. If you find a used 12 Mini at a significantly reduced price, it could represent solid value for someone looking for a compact iPhone without breaking the bank.

Used or Refurbished Deals: Refurbished models or used phones in good condition could offer excellent value for money, especially for users who don’t need the very latest features but still want a reliable, premium device. However, newer iPhones like the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 are likely priced only slightly higher than the iPhone 12 Mini, and they offer better overall performance, cameras, and battery life.

Conclusion: Is the iPhone 12 Mini Worth It in 2025?

Ultimately, the iPhone 12 Mini still offers decent value in 2025, especially for users who prefer compact devices and are looking for a well-built, reliable phone that can handle everyday tasks. Its design remains timeless, and the performance, while showing its age, is still sufficient for most non-demanding activities. The camera is solid, and software support from Apple ensures that it will remain relevant for a while longer.

However, the smaller battery, aging processor, and lack of some newer features, like ProMotion and enhanced low-light photography, make it less appealing for power users or those who want the latest and greatest. If you can find the iPhone 12 Mini at a great price and don’t mind the limitations, it can still be a fantastic option. But if you’re looking for better battery life, faster performance, and more advanced camera features, newer models like the iPhone 13, 14, or 15 will offer a much better experience in 2025.