You can now grab some decent savings on the iPhone 12 mini directly from Apple itself.

Apple is now selling the iPhone 12 mini on its Certified Refurbished Store, the company's online store that features used Apple products that have been meticulously refurbished and sold in like-new condition. Customers can save $100 by choosing to buy a refurbished model over a new one.

Apple refurbished products are unmatched

While the company is sure to continue to add configurations to its online store, there is currently only one available at the time of this article being written:

• Refurbished iPhone 12 mini 128GB - Black (Unlocked) - $579.00 (Was $679.00, Save $100.00)

Apple's refurbished versions of the iPhone 12 mini are available to order now, with shipping times as soon as two days with express shipping. if you don't want to pay $8.00 for express shipping, regular shipping is also available for free. You can also choose your local Apple Store as the place for pickup.

Customers who take advantage of Apple's Certified Refurbished program get a "like new" device with AppleCare with savings of up to 15% on the purchase.

You will receive a like new device with genuine Apple replacement parts (as needed) that has been thoroughly cleaned and inspected. Refurbished iOS devices will come with new battery and outer shell. Every device will come with all accessories, cables and operating systems. All Apple Certified Refurbished products are packaged in a brand new white box and will be sent to you with free shipping and returns.

The iPhone 12 mini is only one of two mini iPhone models. While there are those of us who love the mini iPhones, Apple is likely to remove the mini from its lineup when it announces the iPhone 14 this fall.

If you want to find some things to spend that savings on, check out our list of the Best iPhone 12 Cases in 2022.

I remember when I picked up my iPhone 13 mini for the first time. I was coming from the iPhone 12 Pro and had taken a shot at "the smallest 5G phone in the world" as Apple described it.

I remember my first thought being, "Wow, this thing is so small. I miss the telephoto lens. I'm worried about the battery life. I'm not sure if this is going to work." Within a week, I fell in love with Apple's tiny iPhone and haven't missed my larger iPhone one bit. It finally felt like a fully-capable iPhone that could actually fit comfortably in your pocket. Using it is also a pleasure - compared to the larger iPhones it is incredibly light and brings you back into a world where you can truly use it one-handed. It injects the best features of the present into the best form factor from the past.

I've since been hoping that the company will continue to realize it has something special in a small "flagship" iPhone, but reports have emerged that Apple has decided its small iPhone experiment has failed.

The iPhone mini isn't a failure — it's a beloved phone that just hasn't gotten into the hands of enough potential customers to make its case yet.

People like small iPhones — they just forget

One of the things (actually the biggest thing) that many point to when dismissing the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini are the sales metrics, and that's a valid argument at first glance. The iPhone 12 mini, despite its intense marketing as the "smallest 5G phone in the world," didn't make up much of the sales when compared to Apple's larger iPhone 12 models.

That didn't change with the iPhone 13 mini, despite Apple fixing one of the biggest issues with its mini iPhone: battery life. Battery life was admittedly troublesome with the iPhone 12 mini, even for your "regular" users. Apple bumped the battery life in the iPhone 13 mini by hours, which practically resulted in a perfect mini iPhone. Still, the iPhone 13 mini made up a fraction of the sales when compared to larger iPhones.

So, why is the mini iPhone making up mini sales? I think there's more to this picture than just "people like big screens." That's another argument that many make against the viability of a smaller "flagship" iPhone — that people have simply moved on and, as bigger screens became available, everyone looked at their smaller iPhone with disdain, switched to a larger phone, and absolutely refused to go back. I don't think it's that simple — I think people have just forgotten how great a small iPhone is because they haven't had the option for a long time.

The benefit of a drastic change in phone size is something you have to feel in your hand; it can't be felt placing an order online. That has put the mini iPhone at an immediate disadvantage since both phones launched during a pandemic that made going into the store to shop for your new iPhone much less likely. If you couldn't experience something before making such a drastic switch, you'd probably be less inclined to try it, right? However, there is a small test group that did get that opportunity and became passionate advocates for a mini iPhone: technology journalists and content creators.

This is a group you wouldn't initially expect to drop their iPhone Pro model in favor of a tiny one, right? They're "pros" so they'd probably pick the pro iPhone, right? They want the best that the iPhone has to offer: bigger screens, high refresh rate, more and better cameras, better battery life. However, many of those that would normally be pegged as passionate iPhone Pro Max users have, after getting the opportunity to test out the iPhone mini, ditched their iPhone Pro model in favor of the tiny iPhone.

And therein lies my point. iPhone mini sales are still small because most people haven't gotten the opportunity to just hold one in their hand and fall in love with the practicality of a small iPhone again.

Does mini materialize again?

Now, while there is a small (but growing!) number of us who are pleading with Apple to keep the iPhone mini alive, more and more rumors and leaks are pointing to the death of our beloved tiny iPhone as soon as this year. Multiple renders have shown that, for the iPhone 14 models, the company is going to ditch the idea of an iPhone 14 mini and go instead with a regular iPhone with a larger screen. This would result in a lineup that would resemble something like the following:

• iPhone 14 (6.1-inch)
• iPhone 14 Max (6.7-inch)
• iPhone 14 Pro (6.1-inch)
• iPhone 14 Pro Max (6.7-inch)

If the iPhone 14 mini is indeed dead and will never return as a part of the "flagship" iPhone lineup, does that mean our wishes for a small iPhone are gone forever? Maybe not, as there is still one regularly updated iPhone in the lineup that is a perfect candidate to take over as the tiny but mighty iPhone: the iPhone SE.

When Apple revealed the new iPhone SE at its March event earlier this month, many were hoping for a redesign to the one we have known since the iPhone 6. While the phone is undoubtedly a great value for the price since it now also packs the same chip as the iPhone 13 lineup, 5G, better durability, and better camera features due to the processor, many were hoping for that "edge-to-edge" screen that we have grown to expect from any iPhone since the iPhone X.

This is where the iPhone mini could continue to live on, but it would require additional sacrifices from what we've come to expect from the iPhone SE's features and price. If Apple was to bring the iPhone mini's design, with its edge-to-edge display and smaller footprint to a price point that was close to the iPhone SE, it would mean sacrifices in other areas. We would most likely need to lose:

• Face ID in favor of Touch ID built into the power button
• The Ultra-wide rear camera in favor of one Wide camera
• MagSafe charging in favor of Qi wireless charging
• mmWave 5G in favor of sub-6Hz 5G
• The $429 price point of the iPhone SE

A merging of the iPhone SE's technology with the iPhone mini's design and form factor, while certainly a trade-off to both sides in terms of cost and features, could be the perfect marriage for those looking for a small iPhone that gets them everything they need but omits the things they could survive without.

Until next time, friend

While this theoretical marriage of the iPhone SE and iPhone mini sounds great in my head, there is of course no guarantee that Apple will go this route. The iPhone SE could take on Apple's newer design ethos but, instead of jumping all the way to the iPhone 12 era, take on the form factor of the iPhone X through iPhone 11 era with its larger size and curved corners.

So, until Apple actually announces the next generation of the iPhone SE, it is looking more and more likely that us iPhone mini enthusiasts will be stuck in this world where, if we want the latest and greatest that the iPhone has to offer, it will mean saying goodbye to our beloved tiny iPhone and heading back into the world of the big phone.

While some will hold out for as long as they can with their iPhone mini, I'm sure many will begrudgingly part with their small phone in favor of new features that they would benefit from. And, at that point, all of the big phone advocates will claim victory and declare tiny phones a permanent thing of the past.

Until the new iPhone SE, potentially one of the best iPhones, gets announced, hopefully.

We recently saw a new Ming-Chi Kuo report say that no 5.4-inch iPhone will be part of the 2022 iPhone lineup. We'll still get one as part of the iPhone 13 fun later this year, though. But after that, nada. And it's surely no surprise.

Before Apple announced the iPhone 12 mini towards the end of 2021 there was much excitement. People ran through the streets, garments in hand, waxing poetic about how a smaller iPhone was all they'd ever wanted. And some of them bought one as well.

But not enough.

Apple of course doesn't tell us how many specific iPhones it sells anymore and it hasn't for some time. Analysts try to work these things out based on supply chain throughput and whatnot, but it's guessing at best. But I'd love to know how many iPhone 12 minis have been sold and how that compares with projections made before launch. Come on Apple, drop me an email – I promise I won't tell anyone else!

We've been hearing rumors of poor iPhone 12 sales ever since the thing landed on store shelves – so many rumors at this point that there has to be some truth to the story. Anecdotally, I've never seen an iPhone 12 mini in the wild. Not once. I know of one person who owns one and they're on the internet, not real life. So you could argue they don't even exist.

Kuo says that the 2022 iPhone story will consist of two 6.1-inch and two 6.7-inch models, suggesting Apple has been told by the masses that they want large iPhones but don't want to pay large iPhone Pro prices. That's cool and makes sense. But Apple was also told by half the internet that they wanted a small iPhone without compromising on speed and features. Heck, that was the subhead of our iPhone 12 mini review!

Turns out, people wanted a bit more screen. And something more to hold on to. And a bigger battery, while we're writing our wishlist.

Maybe they wanted all that in a small iPhone which isn't happening for boring physics reasons. But time will tell whether the people telling Apple they want big, cheap iPhones are any more right than the people saying people wanted small and fast ones.

Still keen on the little iPhone? These are the best iPhone 12 deals available right now.

Of all the iPhone deals we've seen this year, today's offer at Mint Mobile is easily one of our favorites. Mint Mobile is pairing two years of its Unlimited data plan, including unlimited talk and text, with the new iPhone 12 mini for only $60 per month! You can choose between White, Black, Blue, Green, and Red colorways of the device while supplies last, or upgrade to a model with increased storage capacity. Mint Mobile also offers two years of AppleCare+ with today's purchase for an additional $149.

With Mint Mobile's Unlimited data plan, you'll have 35GB of high-speed data to use at your leisure each month after which speeds are slowed to 128kbps. This plan also includes nationwide unlimited talk and texting, free international calls to Canada and Mexio, 5GB of mobile hotspot data per month, Wi-Fi Calling and Texting, and more.

Though it's owned by T-Mobile and uses the same GSM networks, Mint Mobile is able to provide a much lower cost for its customers. That's because this service operates entirely virtually. Instead of brick-and-mortar stores staffed with employees to help you out, Mint Mobile offers 24/7 customer service online and allows you to manage your account all on your own using an app on your smartphone or tablet.

Mint Mobile's Unlimited data plan at $30 per month is undoubtedly its best offering, but there are plans with lower data allotments that are even more affordable such as the 4GB plan for $15 per month. You can choose to pair the iPhone 12 mini with several different plans to find one that better suits your needs and your budget.

The iPhone 12 mini is perfect for anyone who's not enthused about how large smartphones have been designed in the past few years. Its base model comes with 64GB of storage, or you can upgrade to a 128GB or 256GB model instead. In our iPhone 12 mini review from last year, the device scored a nearly perfect rating for including all of the excellent features found in the latest iPhone 12 devices but in a smaller form factor. Be sure to check out the full review for a hand-on, in-depth look at the device.

Rumors this week claim that the iPhone 13 mini might be the last 'mini' iPhone that Apple plans to release as a flagship.

Earlier this week, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (who rarely misses) reported that Apple will release a mini iPhone 13 later this year, but that next year the small iPhone will disappear in favor of another 6.1-inch iPhone. The iPhone 12 mini is, according to multiple reports, the least popular iPhone 12 model, accounting for as little as 5% of sales since its launch.

Given the reports about low sales and waning popularity, this might not come as a surprise. Indeed, the iPhone 12 mini is the cheapest iPhone 12, but it's not a true budget model, that's the iPhone SE. In fact, the iPhone SE seems to be the go-to choice for many customers who want either a smaller iPhone or a cheaper one. Many of Apple's most fervent smartphone customers, the early-adopters and the yearly-upgraders will likely be put off either by the phone's smaller form factor or its weak battery life, for only $100 more the iPhone 12 is usually a stronger option for most buyers.

But then, on Friday's iMore show, a burst of inspiration. The iPhone 'mini' might be on the way out as a flagship, but what if Apple was to resurrect the 5.4-inch form factor next year as its next-generation iPhone SE. Some thoughts.

Demand

As mentioned, the popularity of the original iPhone SE and Apple's decision to upgrade it last year with an A13 processor show there is definitely a market for a smaller, cheaper iPhone.

We've also heard rumors that Apple has another new iPhone SE in the works, with some reports hinting at an upgrade to the current version, and others suggesting a larger 'Plus' iPhone SE could be on the way.

Design

The iPhone SE is currently based on the design language of the iPhone 8, featuring a larger "chin" and "forehead" around the screen, a Touch ID sensor, rounded edges and corners, and more. Yet Apple made a huge change to its iPhone design language with iPhone 12, switching back to the squared edges of old. Would it really make sense for Apple to release a new iPhone SE next year that doesn't also match this?

The iPhone 'mini' is a 5.4-inch smartphone that incorporates all of Apple's latest design language changes, yet the iPhone 12 mini is held back by poor battery life. So what if Apple could take the iPhone 12 mini's form factor and turn it into the iPhone SE?

Features

Apple has already proven with the iPhone SE that it can make a small form-factor phone that packs a punch. The iPhone SE offers great battery life and powerful processing but compromises with an LCD display, keeping cost and energy demands down.

Next year, I want to see Apple take the 'mini' 5.4-inch iPhone and tweak it down to a true budget smartphone offering to replace the iPhone SE from last year.

That could mean an LCD display, or it could mean Apple holding onto OLED whilst the iPhone 13 and beyond move further ahead thanks to LTPO and 120Hz.

It could also mean a new processor (the iPhone SE had the current-gen processor from the iPhone 11), or holding onto the A14 from the iPhone 12, which we all know is no slouch.

Apple can also hang onto the dual-camera setup of the iPhone 12 mini. In our iPhone SE review, one of our only gripes was the single camera, and it seems high-time the iPhone SE got a second camera to bring it up to speed.

Price

The iPhone 12 mini is $699, the SE is $399. Obviously, if Apple wants to keep the SE as a budget option it needs to bring that price right down, but enough "savings" when it comes to features as detailed above should pave the way for an iPhone that is almost just as a cheap (if not as cheap) as the current SE.

What a great idea

There are no rumors to suggest Apple might do this, just musings and a few good ideas. Would you be interested in an iPhone SE that looked like the iPhone 12 mini? What features would you expect it to have, and how much would you be willing to pay? Drop your thoughts in the comments or over on Twitter.

The iPhone 12 and it's smaller sibling, the iPhone 12 mini, are both available in five breathtaking colors, including an all-new deep blue. These phones are identical in every other way, other than the screen size and battery life. You can go traditional and select the black or white model or try one of the new shades featured for this model. Whatever you choose, make an iPhone 12 color selection that matches your personality.

New kid

In recent years, Apple has introduced at least one fresh color for its iPhone or iPhone Pro lineup. For 2020-21, that color is blue. The darkest blue color to date for any Apple handset, this choice is a bold one for whoever decides to take the challenge!

Always a winner

The (PRODUCT)RED iPhone is always easy to recognize with its beautiful crimson perfectly surrounding the iconic Apple logo on the back of the device. On the iPhone 12, things are even better next to the dual-camera system that adds another layer of perfection.

Every iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini (PRODUCT)RED purchase now contributes directly to the Global Fund to combat COVID‑19.

A safe choice

You can't go wrong with the iPhone 12 color in white. Perhaps it's not the sexiest version out there, but that's OK. It's just as powerful as all the others. However, a white iPhone 12 will look especially gorgeous in some of the best iPhone 12 cases.

A safe choice part two

If a white iPhone isn't your thing, but you still want to go with a safe choice, this is the one. Call it black, space black, or space gray, Apple has always produced a dark iPhone color. This year's choice with the iPhone 12 is perhaps the nicest to date.

Looks like spring

You'll never be sad with the green iPhone 12. This model will always keep a smile on your face, more of a cross between traditional green and white.

What's your favorite?

For Apple's latest flagship device, you can choose from five beautiful colors. Each one appeals to a certain audience and demographic, but they're all good colors, and it really just depends on what you're looking for.

Our favorite is the all-new blue version, which is slightly different than the Pacific Blue iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, but still gorgeous in its own right. It's more of a deep navy blue, and it will surely stand out. Plus, it's the most obvious choice for showing off to others that you have the latest iPhone!

If you're looking for something a little bit more traditional, you can't go wrong with the iPhone 12 in white or black. Either of these colors will still turn heads and look terrific with one of the new iPhone 12 MagSafe cases. Still undecided? That's when you select the green or PRODUCT(RED) versions, which can definitely be more bold or unique. The PRODUCT(RED) iPhone 12 would also match perfectly with a PRODUCT(RED) Apple Watch Series 6!

Happy shopping, and enjoy your new iPhone!

A new report out today claims that Apple's iPhone 12 mini accounted for just 5% of sales across the entire iPhone 12 lineup last month. That's really small.

Before the iPhone 12 lineup was locked in and confirmed we heard from tons of people who said they just wanted a smaller iPhone. But they wanted that smaller iPhone to also be a modern iPhone, with the latest chips, the latest cameras, and Face ID. The 5.4-inch iPhone mini was surely the answer. It had everything the larger iPhone 12 had, including some stellar cameras. So what went wrong?

I joined a Clubhouse room to discuss this very subject with YouTuber Vyyyper earlier today because he suspected that iPhone 12 Pro Max would still sell more units than iPhone 12 mini even if they were identical beyond the screen size. He might be right – I'm honestly not sure. But I don't think that's the right conversation to have.

Comparing iPhone 12 mini with iPhone 12 Pro Max isn't really a fair fight because they live at opposite ends of Apple's price and screen size range. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 comparison makes the most sense, but again, I'm still not sure that's the point here.

The real question is actually two questions. Maybe three – I haven't decided yet.

1. Regardless of how many iPhone 12 mini units were sold, was it enough for Apple?
2. Was the market for iPhone 12 mini ever as large as the vocal voices on social media, YouTube, and elsewhere had us believe?
3. Did the COVID-19 pandemic alter the market, moving it away from iPhone 12 mini?

So yes, there was a third point after all.

Starting with point one, it's important to remember that the number of iPhone 12 mini handsets sold doesn't matter to anyone other than Apple. We'll never know what Apple's forecast for iPhone 12 mini sales was, or whether the number of sales reached that forecast. Ultimately, it's the only thing that matters – is making sure small phone fans don't switch to Android enough to make the model worth shipping?

Next up, it's entirely possible that iPhone 12 mini didn't have the demand that we'd been led to believe it did. Plenty of people have been filling Reddit, Twitter, comment threads, and more to declare their love for small phones – so long as they had the specs of larger models. iPhone 12 mini delivered, and at a lower price than iPhone 12. But as tends to be the case, the minority is the loudest. People complaining are always louder than people who aren't. People who want something are always louder than those who don't. Did the noise generated by the iPhone 12 mini minority have us expecting a bigger splash than the one we saw? Did that happen to Apple as well? See point one above.

Finally, we have the pandemic. It's impossible to avoid because that's what makes pandemics, pandemics, but how much did this one change the way people saw iPhone 12 mini?

My reasoning is simple. People who want small iPhones want to be able to one-hand them when stood in line somewhere. They don't want to risk dropping them on the sidewalk or at the beach. But people aren't running those risks anymore and we aren't standing in line anywhere near as much. We're sat at home. Where larger iPhones make more sense because the risks of drops aren't as high and we're all sprawled out on the sofa. Could it be that the pandemic pushed people to larger phones than they might otherwise have chosen?

How did that eat into the – likely already small – market targeted by iPhone 12 mini?

I don't know the answer to any of these questions. But I'll round out with this – the report that caused all of this? It's from Counterpoint. Not Apple. Just remember to take those numbers with a pinch of salt.

What you need to know

• iPhone 12 mini reportedly accounted for a small percentage of iPhone sales in January.

A new report claims that just 5% of new iPhone 12 series sales were for the smaller iPhone 12 mini model during the month of January 2021.

According to numbers put together by Counterpoint and shared by Reuters, the smallest iPhone has been less of a hit than many might have expected. However, it's important to remember that none of these numbers are Apple's – the one company that knows exactly how many iPhone 12 mini handsets have been sold.

Reuters believes that the lack of interest in a small iPhone comes from the way people are consuming content nowadays.

Prior to the iPhone 12 mini launch in November of last year, we'd heard from a very vocal group that all they wanted was an iPhone that was smaller than the growing lineup. Whether those people were smaller in number than we expected isn't clear, but it seems increasingly likely that the iPhone 12 mini sales numbers are on the low side.

Recent reports have Apple slashing orders iPhone 12 mini orders, potentially due to the pandemic.

Though the new phones have only been on the market a couple of months, there have already been a bunch of great iPhone 12 deals. In typical fashion, Mint Mobile is here with its own excellent offering. For a limited time, new customers can get the all-new iPhone 12 mini with unlimited service for just $60 per month. That's $30 for the 64GB phone and $30 for the unlimited Mint Mobile plan for 24 months. It's jut a few bucks more for the higher-capacity phones, too.

We've seen Mint Mobile offer some pretty great deals in the past, and this one is definitely in line with those. It does only apply to new customers, but existing customers can purchase the device and finance it from Mint Mobile instead if they wish.

Mint Mobile offers unlimited talk and text with every plan it has, as well as 4G LTE and 5G high speed data, and nationwide coverage. It also allows for free international calls to Mexico and Canada, and the ability to turn your mobile device into a hotspot. The $30 plan you're paying for with this deal includes unlimited data and you don't pay any extra for 5G speeds where available so you can put your new 5G-enabled iPhone 12 mini to good use when you catch a 5G signal.

If you aren't familiar with the newest small iPhone, you'll want to check out our iPhone 12 mini review. The TL;DR of it is that it's got all of the features of the iPhone 12 packed into a 5.4-inch form factor that is a joy to use for small phone fans.

Inside, it's powered the A14 Bionic chip and features a gorgeous Super Retina XDR OLED display, dual 12MP rear cameras with wide and ultra-wide lenses, MagSafe wireless charging, and all-day battery life.

Be sure to grab one using this deal now!

What you need to know

• JerryRigEverything has run iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max through the usual durability tests.
• Apple might be on to something with its Ceramic Shield, but it still isn't scratchproof.

Now that iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max are available to buy it was only a matter of time before Zack 'JerryRigEverything' Nelson took a knife and a power drill to them. And that's exactly what has now happened.

At least I think it has. I was watching through my fingers. Those poor iPhones!

I don't want to spoil the fun because everyone should watch the full video – Nelson does some great work, even if I couldn't bring myself to do what he does! But there's one thing that does stand out – this round of testing appears to show that the Ceramic Shield adds at least a little scratch protection.

Nelson does manage to scratch the new iPhones at the same rating as an iPhone 11-series device, but the scratches are much less pronounced. Still, anyone wanting to make sure their iPhone stays in pristine condition should still add a screen protector – Apple doesn't tout Ceramic Shield as adding any kind of scratch resistance. It's all about that drop protection, see.

What you need to know

• The iPhone 12 mini has its first teardown.
• iFixit has cracked the device open for a first-look at those internals.
• You can see the 12 mini's battery, camera, and more.

If you'd read our iPhone 12 mini review, you'll know it's all Lory Gil has ever wanted in a tiny iPhone.

Now, iFixit is back with the first part of its iPhone 12 teardown, giving us all a juicy first-look at the iPhone 12 mini's insides.

From iFixit:

Notable turnups to report include "increased grille asymmetry", which iFixit says is likely because the phone needs more space for its 5G antenna band. Compared to the regular iPhone 12, the mini only has two displays cables (instead of three), a "miniaturized" battery, Taptic Engine, and loudspeaker, and "migrated display silicon." iFixit also notes that the mini's upper assembly is slightly different. On cameras:

iFixit says they were also surprised by the "even shripmier" Taptic engine in the mini, but that overall, everything seems to be packed in very snugly.

Part 2 of the teardown is on the way and will include a look at all of the iPhone 12 mini's major internals.

The folks at iFixit also made headlines earlier this week, after some of its tools were spotted in Apple's lab during its November Apple silicon Mac event, prompting an outburst of irony-spotting on social media.

Just a few weeks ago, Apple released the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, which are Apple's flagship devices. Supplier and shipping issues have plagued 2020, and so Apple released two additional phones a few weeks later, the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, both of which are the polar opposites of each other in terms of size. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the biggest iPhone Apple has ever made with a massive 6.7-inch screen. The iPhone 12 mini, which this review is about, is not the smallest iPhone Apple has ever made, but it's the smallest we've seen in years and is more closely comparable to the four-inch iPhone than any iPhone since the original iPhone SE.

I've long been an outspoken supporter of the smaller iPhone. By the time the 2020 iPhone SE came out, I'd all but given up hope that Apple would ever go back to a really small iPhone. And then the iPhone 12 mini was introduced.

It's larger than the original iPhone SE/iPhone 5, but smaller than the brand new iPhone SE/iPhone 6 (and up). It's thin. It's light. It has all of the same features as the iPhone 12, Apple's flagship iPhone. Is it everything I've always wanted in a smaller iPhone? Pretty much, yes. But let's talk about why.

• The smallest iPhone you can get
• All the features of the iPhone 12 but smaller
• Pocketability!

• A big screen
• Pro model extras
• The longest battery life

In terms of the differences and similarities between the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini, the only difference is in battery life and some slightly different specs on the Super Retina XDR display (the smaller phone has a smaller resolution but more pixels per inch, but that's how screen sizes work).

That's it. Everything else is the same. Same Face ID with TrueDepth camera. Same edge-to-edge(ish) screen. Same beautiful new design and colors. Same processor. Same cameras.

It's, frankly, unheard of.

Not even when the original iPhone SE launched in 2016 was it outfitted with the same level of features as the iPhone 7, which launched the same year.

The iPhone 12 mini is not the entry-level iPhone. It's not the cheapest iPhone. That's what the 2020 iPhone SE is for. It's not last year's model. That's the iPhone 11. This is the newest and best iPhone Apple has ever made (except the Pro models) packed into a smaller body.

iPhone 12 mini review: Pocket friendly

So just how small is this small phone? Even though lots of reviewers are talking about it being small, what is their basis for comparison? It's only until you are holding it in your hand that you get an idea of just how small it is.

When I first unboxed the iPhone 12 mini, I let out a squeak of excitement. It really is small. I was actually expecting to be disappointed because it's not as small as the original iPhone SE (the four-inch iPhone). I figured I'd be pleased with its size, but not flat out love it.

I flat out love it.

Having been using larger phones for the past few years, from the iPhone X to the iPhone 12, and even the 2020 iPhone SE, I'm just used to iPhones being bigger now. It was sheer joy to open the box and see its diminutive size.

The first thing I wanted to know was how easy is it to wrap my hand around it? Very easy. My thumb and fingers overlap when I hold the iPhone 12 mini in one hand. By comparison, I can't quite fit my hand around the iPhone 12 — there is about a quart-inch (maybe closer to half-inch) gap.

It means one-handed usability with the iPhone 12 mini is much easier than with its larger counterpart. It's truly a pleasant experience reaching for the opposite side of the screen. I can actually reach across to the other side of the screen without having to contort my hand.

It means it fits so much better into the small spaces that I normally put my phone. It practically fits all the way into my back pocket. And, yeah, I wear those skinny jeans with small pockets. It fits snug in my fanny pack, which I use in place of a purse because I hate carrying around a large bag. This is one of my biggest joys. My fanny pack is stuffed with everything I need to take with me out of the house, so much so that even a pair of sunglasses barely fits. For the past three years, the iPhones I carry with me made my pack feel overly full. It has been a constant source of irritation for me. But not anymore.

It means I can use a case with it without it feeling like it adds too much bulk and weight. It's so small that there is room for a little added protection.

For anyone wondering about the size of the iPhone 12 mini, hoping it is comparable to the original iPhone SE or iPhone 5 of the past. It is, indeed. It's not as small, but it definitely evokes that same feeling of smallness.

With all of this small talk, it's quite extraordinary that it can fit all of the advanced features of the iPhone 12. Face ID, edge-to-edge display, A14 processor, long battery life (though not quite as long as the iPhone 12).

Something I should point out about the smaller size; I have two standing charging pads that don't work with the iPhone 12 mini. It's too short. The charging coils inside the iPhone don't line up with the charging coils inside the charging pad. I don't know whether this is a universal problem, but it's a problem for two of my wireless chargers.

I also want to note, in this section about pocketability that, though it fits nicely into my skinny jeans pockets, it is also susceptible to slipping out and falling on the ground. That did happen to me. It still sticks out of my back pockets just a little, and that's a recipe for popping out like a slippery fish.

iPhone 12 mini review: Light as a feather

Small is good, and small does usually mean lighter, and that's exactly what the iPhone 12 mini is. It's so light that I no longer feel cramping in my hand when I use my iPhone one-handed for long periods of time.

A small iPhone is a good thing, but a light iPhone matters just as much. If you're still carrying around something that weighs nearly six ounces, you aren't going to have as pleasant of an experience. One of the problems I have with the larger iPhone is that it's heavy enough to cause a bit of cramping in the finger I rest the phone on (usually my pinky finger).

With the iPhone 12 mini in hand (one hand), I can scroll through the News app for an hour, reply to all of my morning emails, and check out my Twitter feed without ever feeling the strain of holding a device for a long time.

Something I did notice is that the iPhone 12 mini feels a little top-heavy. If I balance the phone on one finger, it seems to be weighted with a perfect balance, but my brain thinks the top of the iPhone is just a little heavier than the bottom.

iPhone 12 mini review: Smaller screen is small

Yes, the iPhone 12 mini is small. That means the iPhone 12 mini screen is also ... you guessed it, small. It's notably smaller than the iPhone X - 12 screen size. If you are used to the larger display of any of the Face ID iPhones, it's going to take some getting used to.

The keyboard is the most noticeably smaller feature. Those keys are really packed into a small space. It's not quite the mash-your-fingers-all-over-the-keys sort of experience you had with the original iPhone SE, but those keys are cramped. Thank goodness for autocorrect (I never thought I'd say that) because I've done a lot of misspelling simply because my finger tapped the S key when I was trying to tap the D key.

It is, however, very close to the same size as the iPhone 6 through the 2020 iPhone SE, even though it's packed into a significantly smaller frame. For anyone upgrading from an iPhone with a Home button (not the Plus models) will consider this screen to be very familiar. It's more narrow than the iPhone 6 display, but longer and fills the device better.

Because there is no "chin" or "forehead" on the iPhone 12 mini (in other words, it's nearly edge-to-edge), reaching for buttons in the bottom corner is actually a little uncomfortable. You have to angle your thumb awkwardly lower than your thumb is meant to go. By comparison on the iPhone 12, however, it's much better.

Reaching for buttons in the top corner is also a little uncomfortable, but it's really because I expect to be able to reach up to the top as I would on the original iPhone SE, but the top is higher, so I end up frustrated (it's just barely out of reach). Luckily, the iPhone 12 mini does support Reachability, which I find myself using more than I ever did with any other iPhone with Face ID simply because I want to keep that one-handed activity going.

Even though this is the largest screen ever on a phone this small, it is small. Everything on the screen is shrunk down to fit, so if you have trouble seeing smaller text, you will probably want to increase the font size.

iPhone 12 mini review: How it compares to the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

I've been lucky enough to test out the iPhone 12 mini alongside the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, and it's pretty close to the same, feature-wise, which is incredible considering the iPhone 12 mini is so much smaller than the iPhone 12 but packs in everything I love about the iPhone 12.

Let's talk about the camera. The camera performs exactly the same on the iPhone 12 mini as it does on the iPhone 12. That's because it's the exact same system — same 12MP camera with wide and ultra-wide, same ƒ/1.6 for the wide lens and 2x optical zoom out, same Night Mode and Deep Fusion support. Video recording and the TrueDepth Camera are also exactly the same, too. You can take advantage of the front-facing camera to get detailed beautiful Portrait mode selfies and can get goofy in your FaceTime calls with Animoji and Memoji. The iPhone 12 mini, like its larger sibling, supports Dolby Vision HDR recording up to 30 fps, as well as, 4K recording at 24, 30, or 60 fps. Basically, this tiny phone can make a full-length movie. Editing on that small screen is a different story, though. There was nothing about the camera on the iPhone 12 mini that was of lower quality than the iPhone 12.

Compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, there are some differences, mostly with the telephoto lens and the LiDAR scanner, which makes taking night time shots much better. The iPhone 12 mini does not have a telephoto lens, so you won't be able to optically zoom in, only digitally. Digital zoom causes noise, which is something no one wants, but Apple has significantly improved digital zooming over the years and because you can crop photos, it's even easier to get a better shot with a wide lens and then crop to zoom instead of using a telephoto lens. I realize that this isn't ideal for everyone and an optical telephoto lens is far superior to a cropped zoom, but I rarely found myself using the telephoto lens on the iPhone 12 Pro (or iPhone 11 Pro, for that matter), so don't miss it on the iPhone 12 mini. The compromise is worth it to me.

The LiDAR scanner on the iPhone 12 Pro future-proofs it for AR improvements in the years to come. Right now, the one thing it does, and it does it really well, is to take better low-light pictures. The LiDAR scanner is able to determine an object and its distance from the phone in a split second and then tells the camera where to lock on to get accurate auto-focus. It works really well, and I do miss not having it on the iPhone 12 mini. I prefer a smaller phone to exquisite nighttime photos, but it's the one thing I truly envy about the iPhone 12 Pro.

The iPhone 12 mini has a slightly smaller battery than the iPhone 12 at an estimated 15 hours of video playback vs an estimated 17 hours of video playback. These specs, while nice to have, don't interest me as much as, will my iPhone last all day? With the iPhone 12, I would usually reach anywhere between 25% and 35% before going to bed. With the iPhone 12 mini, it stretches closer to 20% before bedtime hits, and that's with a workout every day, playing music for a bit, doom scrolling on Twitter, taking lots of pictures and a few videos, reading the news in the evening and playing video games for a bit. This is a fairly normal day of use for me. There are going to be scenarios under which I'll be wishing for longer battery life, but for the most part, it does what I need it to, which is last all day.

It's also small enough that I could add a battery case to it and it wouldn't feel like I was carrying around a brick, which is a nice bonus considering if I were ever somewhere that I worried at all about running low on battery power, I'd have to bring along a heavy battery backup, no matter what size phone I had.

iPhone 12 mini review: How it really compares to the original iPhone SE

If you've read this far, you're probably like me; hated the iPhone 6 when it first came out because it was too big, kept your iPhone 5s all the way until Apple released the iPhone SE, but was also disappointed in the SE for not having the same advanced features as the iPhone 7 and spent every subsequent year yelling into the void about how Apple should bring back the smaller iPhone. Sound about right?

So, of course, you want to know just how much like the original iPhone SE the iPhone 12 mini is like. The short answer is; a lot. At first glance, you almost think it's the same model of phone. With a second glance, you can tell that it's not the same phone, but you can't put your finger on why. Is it the glass back? Is it the buttons? Oh, wait, I see. It's bigger. But ... is it narrower than the SE? No, I guess it's not, but it sure does look like it is (actual conversation I had with a friend).

It is not the 4-inch iPhone of our past, but it really does evoke those nostalgic feelings and makes this fan of the original iPhone SE very happy.

What it doesn't have is Touch ID. If you've refused to upgrade your iPhone for a couple of years because you are just not having Face ID, you may want to consider the new-and-improved 2020 iPhone SE.

iPhone 12 mini review: Small but not inexpensive; Is it better than the 2020 iPhone SE?

When you have the conversation about a small phone, you're not having the conversation about a cheap phone. Those are totally different categories. Those of us that love small phones love them because they fit so well in our hands. They fit so well in our pockets. We will spend nearly as much (maybe even fully as much) as we would on a larger iPhone if it means we can have all of the same advanced features. It's not about the price.

If you're looking for an inexpensive phone that does the most advanced things your budget can buy, you want the iPhone SE. It has an A13 processor (same as in the iPhone 11 Pro), is very thin and very light, and is the least expensive iPhone you can get at just $399. I was using the 2020 iPhone SE right up until just before Apple announced the iPhone 12 mini, and I downgraded from the iPhone 11 Pro. It's a great phone and worth twice as much as it costs. Plus, if you don't like Face ID, it's the only phone left on Apple's current lineup with Touch ID.

There really isn't a comparison between the 2020 iPhone SE and the iPhone 12 mini, but because it's "mini" some people might think of it as cheaper and want to know how it compares to the cheapest iPhone.

On the one hand, it blows it out of the water. The iPhone 12 mini has a faster processor, better display, longer battery life, and is smaller and lighter.

On the other hand, the 2020 iPhone SE is still an incredibly powerful machine for its price. I stand by my 2020 iPhone SE review that it is not a compromise for what you get. If $399 is your budget, you're still going to walk away very happy.

iPhone 12 mini review: Bottomline

If you need your phone to be a phone, the iPhone 12 mini is the first phone in years to meet that standard of portability. It fits easily in one hand and is incredibly lightweight. It's small but still usable. Though the screen is definitely smaller than an iPhone 12, it's still a lot to fit into a small package. It easily fits in your pockets and won't feel like a burden when you need to pull it out of your pocket to use it.

If you need your phone to be more than a phone, if it's more of a computing device for you than a tablet or a full computer, you should consider something larger, like the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 12 Pro (or Pro Max), not because these larger phones work better, but because they have a more comfortable display size.

Even though Apple sent me an iPhone 12 mini for review so I could bring you this review as early as possible, I bought the iPhone 12 mini for myself. I even stepped up my storage option, which I've never done before because I plan to own this specific phone for many years to come. The iPhone 12 mini will be my forever phone (unless Apple makes an iPhone 12 mini Pro) and I'm head-over-heels for every aspect of it. The only thing missing from this phone is a telephoto lens and LiDAR scanner and the compromise is hands-down worth it for me.

What you need to know

• Some iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max orders are beginning to ship.
• They're expected to arrive on doorsteps this Friday.
• Anyone who didn't order already will have to wait longer, though.

Some of those with quick fingers who managed to pre-order an iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12 Pro Max are reporting that their orders are beginning to ship. They aren't set to arrive until this Friday, November 13, however.

With delivery times having slipped you're going to have to wait a while if you didn't get an order in sharpish. But some of those who did the thing are getting shipping notifications already – from both Apple and carriers such as Verizon.

Even if your iPhone is already winging its way to you, I wouldn't get too excited just yet. Apple has couriers hold shipments until launch day – although it isn't unheard of for the odd iPhone to slip through the net. Who knows, maybe this year is your lucky year!

Apple put iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max up for pre-order last week, two weeks after iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro went on sale. The staggered release is thought to be down to production delays related to COVID-19 – likely something that could also prevent Apple from replenishing stocks as quickly as it might like.

What you need to know

• Apple's iPhone 12 mini comes to market later this week.
• The first reviews have just gone live.
• It's looking good, but battery life might be a concern.

Apple's iPhone 12 mini is the iPhone tons of people have been waiting for and some people have been using one for about a week. Those people are reviewers – and they've begun sharing their thoughts across the internet.

With iPhone 12 mini being so small video reviews are where it's at. I think you really need to see this thing alongside other objects to get a feel of just how small it is. And there are plenty of videos to take in.

The overall theme is that iPhone 12 mini is a winner, but that small form factor could potentially be an issue for anyone who needs their iPhone to last a long time on a single charge of its battery.

A selection of the best reviews you can watch includes:

Rene Ritchie

MKBHD

The Verge

Peter McKinnon

Dave Lee

So what do you think? Do you have an iPhone 12 mini on pre-order and do these reviews change your mind about it? Sound off and let me know in the comments!

What you need to know

• Apple put iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max up for pre-order today.
• Some models have started to see their expected delivery times slip.
• But many haven't, especially in the United States.

Apple made its iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max available for pre-order and depending on which model you order now, you might have to wait a while for delivery. But if you choose the right color you can still get both devices on launch day.

While iPhone launches normally see the base storage options sell out almost immediately, that doesn't seem to be the case here. While some models are showing delivery dates stretching into November – especially internationally – you can still get both devices for delivery on launch day. That's November 13, in case you were wondering.

Interestingly, stocks internationally do seem to be lower or, just as likely, demand is higher in countries outside of the United States. It's always important not to assume that long delivery times automatically mean that demand is high anywhere. Only Apple knows how many ahndsets were made available and where.

All that being said, being able to order a new iPhone on pre-order day, five hours after go-live, and still get it on launch day is pretty amazing.

What you need to know

• Apple's smallest flagship iPhone is now available for pre-order.
• Apple's biggest ever iPhone is also now available for pre-order.
• All the things are now available for pre-order!

You've had to wait a little longer than some people but the day is finally here – Apple just started accepting pre-orders for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.

They were announced in October and we've already seen iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro have their time in the sun, but now it's the time of the little and large show. It's time for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max!

Both new iPhones feature MagSafe and with pricing starting at $699 for a 64GB iPhone 12 mini and $1,099 for a 128GB iPhone 12 Pro Max, the screen sizes aren't the only things with a big difference between them!

We've already seen the two newest iPhones in a hands-on video and it's clear that the size difference between the two models is huge. We haven't seen any reviews yet but they're expected early next week.

Hopefully you're reading this after placing your pre-order. If you're reading it before, what are you waiting for? Get yourself over to the store now! Failing that, we have some new iPhone deals you should probably be checking out, too.

Did you get a pre-order in? Let me know in the comments whether you placed an order and if you did, which model and color?

What you need to know

• The Verge has posted a video about the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• The video does a quick comparison between the sizes of the new iPhones.
• The full review of each phone is not yet out.

The Verge has posted a video with a size comparison between the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. It is one of the first times that we've gotten to see the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max in the wild.

While the video is not a full review of either device, it does offer some first impressions of each one of the new iPhones. The iPhone 12 mini, for instance, packs a 5.4-inch display into one of the smallest iPhones that Apple has ever made. While this makes accessing top menus like Notification Center and Control Center much easier, it also does mean an adjustment when it comes to typing.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max comes in on the opposite end of the size spectrum as the largest iPhone that Apple has ever made. While the screen size will be great for those who want a big phone, the Verge does mention that you wouldn't want to drop it on your face while watching videos in bed.

The big round of review videos and articles are expected to hit on Monday, November 9, according to an earlier report. Apple is apparently trying to avoid the new iPhones taking the spotlight away from its Apple Silicon event on Tuesday, November 10.

You can watch the first hands-on videos of the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max below:

The Verge

Engadget

CNET

What you need to know

• iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max reviews will go live on Monday, November 9.
• Bloomberg's Mark Gurman says Apple does not want the phones to interfere with its Apple Silicon event.
• The phones are already in the hands of reviewers, says Gurman.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, reviews for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will go live on Monday, November 9. Gurman says that both phones are already in the hands of those who have been selected by Apple to review the phones early.

Gurman goes on to say that the embargo for reviews will lift on Monday so that the new iPhones do not interfere with Tuesday's "One More Thing" event, where Apple is expected to unveil its Apple Silicon processors and the first MacBook Air and MacBook Pro featuring the new chips.

Customers will be able to preorder the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max on Friday, November 6. The HomePod mini will also be available to preorder on that day. Having the reviews go live on Monday is a different plan than Apple had for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, which had reviews go live on Wednesday after preorders began.

It appears that Apple really wants to put it's transition from Intel to Apple Silicon front and center, even getting its new iPhone reviews out of the way to put all the weight on its "One More Thing" event that is set to kick off on Tuesday, November 10 at 10:00 AM PST.

What you need to know

• Apple will put iPhone 12 mini up for pre-order this Friday, November 6.
• It's updated a support document to include information about using a MagSafe Charger with the miniature iPhone.
• Turns out the MagSafe Charger can only charge iPhone 12 mini at 12W.

In news that will surely be a disappointment to those planning on picking one up, Apple says that the MagSafe Charger will only charge iPhone 12 mini at up to 12W. That's strange because the rest of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro lineup all support 15W charging.

The news comes after MacRumors spotted a newly updated support document that outlines the speeds at which a MagSafe Charger can do its thing. And it isn't great reading for those buying Apple's smallest iPhone 12.

Apple doesn't go on to explain why that might be, which is a real shame. We might have to wait until someone tears one of these things down to see what's going on inside. But if I had to guess, it could be related to the size of the device and potential cooling issues. But again, that's my wild guess,

Regardless of the reasons, it's pretty bad news for anyone buying an iPhone 12 mini this week. And don't forget you're still going to need a charger as well!

What you need to know

• Apple's iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro will go up for pre-order this Friday.
• Those on the iPhone Upgrade Program can now get their upgrade pre-approved.
• That'll make things quicker come the big day.

Apple's iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will go up for pre-order this Friday, November 6 with devices available for sale on Friday, November 13. But anyone on the iPhone Upgrade Program can now get pre-approved for an upgrade, making this way quicker and less stressful come Friday.

Getting pre-approved is easy. Simply open the Apple Store app on your iPhone, select the model you want including color and storage capacity, and follow the on-screen instructions. Once you're done you'll be good to go.

Then it's just a case of waiting for Friday so you can complete the process!

After a wait of what seems like forever, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max pre-orders will get started at 5 a.m. PT or 8 a.m. ET on Friday, November 6. This comes three weeks after those buying iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro models went through the same process with varying degrees of success.

Godspeed, intrepid iPhone upgraders!

Not only does the iPhone 12 mini sport a brand new screen size, 5.4 inches, but it does see the introductions of a new body size, too. The iPhone 12 mini is the smallest flagship iPhone that Apple has made since the iPhone 5s, though it isn't quite that small.

There's also the matter of the new design on the iPhone 12 series of phones. Even if the iPhone 12 mini were the size of an existing iPhone, the new design would preclude it from working with existing cases.

One of the key components of the iPhone 12 lineup is MagSafe. MagSafe is a magnetic accessory and charger connection on the back of the new iPhones, including the iPhone 12 mini. All of Apple's first-party cases, including the silicone, clear, and the upcoming leather options, come with MagSafe magnets inside.

Not only do these MagSafe cases allow you to connect magnetic accessories to your iPhone while using a case, but they also let your iPhone charge through the MagSafe charger while in a case. Of course, you can connect to these accessories and the charger without a case, too.

And if you don't like any of Apple's options, there are some great iPhone 12 mini cases already available to order.

What you need to know

• The iPhone 12 mini launch is just a couple of weeks away.
• This unboxing shows just how minuscule the new iPhone is.
• You're going to lose this in your pocket.

Apple will release its iPhone 12 mini in a couple of weeks and expectations are high. The mini iPhone is something people have wanted for years and now it's almost here. But nobody was expecting it to be this small.

A new unboxing video shows just how small iPhone 12 mini is, with four different colors shown off. In fact, the mini is so small that the person unboxing can fit four of them in their hand at the same time.

Now that's mini! Check out the video in the second tweet below.

With a screen so small it's probably a good job you can use Siri and AirPods for hands-free calling, right?

So what do we reckon, folks? Is iPhone 12 mini too small? Will your cat swallow it whole?

What you need to know

• We've been treated to the first iPhone 12 mini hands-on video.
• A Romanian YouTuber was able to get hold of one.
• It's fair to say that it's small.

If you're holding out for an iPhone 12 mini when it goes on sale on November 13 you're probably going to enjoy this – someone got their hands on one early and filmed it for our enjoyment.

Spotted by MacRumors, Romanian YouTuber George Buhnici has shared what appears to be the first iPhone 12 mini hands-on. And as expected, it's small. Very small.

Update: The original video has been removed from YouTube. I've replaced it with a shorter, similar one.

Unfortunately, the full video is in Romanian and there are no subtitles to be seen anywhere. Still, you can get the gist and it's great to see the iPhone mini in someone's hands for size context.

Apple's iPhone 12 mini is functionality identical to iPhone 12, but with a smaller 5.4-inch display rather than the larger 6.1-inch screen. That will make it super pocketable and many people will be pleased to have this in their hand rather than the massive phones we're more accustomed to.

You can pre-order iPhone 12 mini on November 6 with orders shipping the following Friday.

This year, Apple is releasing four different iPhone 12 models: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will be available on October 23, while the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available on November 13, with pre-orders starting November 6. If you're thinking about picking up the regular iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 mini, then you may be struggling with how much storage capacity you need. Fortunately, we're here to help break it down for you.

iPhone 12 storage size: Price per gigabyte

From a money perspective, you may want to consider which size option gets you the biggest bang for your buck. To go about that, you need to see how much it costs per gigabyte, basically. Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 start at 64GB and go up to 256GB.

• 64GB - $699 or $10.92 per gigabyte
• 128GB - $749 or $5.85 per gigabyte
• 256GB - $849 or $3.32 per gigabyte

• 64GB - $799 or $12.48 per gigabyte
• 128GB - $849 or $6.63 per gigabyte
• 256GB - $949 or $3.71 per gigabyte

When you break it down to price per gigabyte, the 256GB option for both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 offer the most bang for your buck. However, 256GB can be considered too much for some, so the 128GB is a nice middle ground. But if you just want to get the most affordable iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12, then the 64GB is the lowest price, but not the best value.

iPhone 12 storage size: Local storage or cloud storage?

Since both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 still start at 64GB (the Pro models start at 128GB), it's important to ask yourself if you are going to be relying on local storage for files and media, or can you use cloud storage syncing services?

Apple offers 5GB of iCloud storage for free for every iPhone user, but let's face it — that is a paltry amount and really won't hold much before you fill it up. This is especially true if you want to use iCloud backups for your devices. But you can bump up that iCloud storage space with plans that start at $0.99 for 50GB, $2.99 for 200GB, and $9.99 for 2TB. iCloud storage will also be a part of the upcoming Apple One bundles, so if you use a few of Apple's services already (Apple Music, Apple Arcade, Apple TV+, Apple News+, and the new Fitness+), then these are a great value.

As long as your iCloud storage subscription is active, you'll be able to use things like iCloud Photo Library and iCloud Music Library. With these, you can have your photos and video stored in the cloud, accessible from anywhere, and you can stream your music instead of requiring them to be local on your iPhone. You can even use iCloud Drive to store files and documents and access them anywhere.

There are also third-party cloud storage options like Dropbox, Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and more, if you want something other than iCloud.

• If you already use a lot of cloud storage and streaming services, then 64GB should be enough.
• If you often travel or just don't always have a reliable data connection, then 128GB provides plenty of space for local storage.
• If you prefer to have everything available offline or just on your iPhone, then go with 256GB.

iPhone 12 storage size: Make use of the great cameras

Even though the iPhone 12 Pro series will have bigger sensors and telephoto lens, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 still have a fantastic camera system. After all, you are still going to have the dual 12MP Wide and Ultra Wide cameras, optical image stabilization, 2x optical zoom out and 5x digital zoom. And yes, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 can still record 4K video up to 60fps, and do HDR Dolby Vision recording up to 30fps.

So while the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 may not not have the telephoto camera and all that extra stuff, you're still going to get some great shots with the camera. And if you plan on shooting 4K video, they'll look beautiful and stunning, but guess what? 4K video files can take up quite a bit of space!

• If you don't plan to take a lot of 4K videos but just need to shoot some photos, then 64GB should be fine.
• If you plan to shoot some 4K video and take a good amount of photos, then 128GB is what you should consider.
• For those who are going to shoot a lot of 4K video and photos, then you should get 256GB.

iPhone 12 storage size: Entertain yourself with media

The iPhone 12 mini may have the smallest screen size right now at 5.4-inches, but it's still a great device to watch videos while in bed. And the iPhone 12 has a bigger screen at 6.1-inches, so it's great for consuming video too. Both can also play other audio files, such as music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more. If you plan to consume a lot of media, you should think about the storage size on your future device.

A typical movie in iTunes is between 1GB-3GB for standard definition, and can be anywhere from 3GB-6GB for HD. Television episodes are about half that, but require more episodes to compensate. Individual song files are only a fraction of that, but when you take into account multiple albums, they will add up quickly.

But in today's world, it's not just about buying these forms of media from iTunes. There are multiple streaming services, like Apple Music and Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. All of these also give users the option to download audio and video files locally so that they can be played even without an Internet connection. If you want to download stuff so that it's always available, and not just when you have a good data connection, then you'll need to have space to do so first.

• If you always stream content and don't plan on downloading any to your device, 64GB is good enough.
• If you want to have some video and audio files downloaded, then you should think about 128GB.
• If you think you will be constantly downloading multimedia files to your device (to watch on flights, for example), then 256GB is the only way to go.

iPhone 12 storage size: Apps and games

The App Store debuted in 2008, and since then, there are millions of apps and games available to download. Apps can help you become more productive, entertain you, maintain healthy habits, communicate with others, make your photos and video better, and so much more. Games are just downright fun and entertaining, and there are so many offerings available now on Apple Arcade. With Apple Arcade, you get unlimited access to dozens of premium and exclusive games for just $5 a month or $50 a year, and a subscription can be shared among six other people with Family Sharing.

But if you want to be able to download all of these apps and games, you have to have enough free space. Most apps are not that big in size, but the more graphically intense and complex games can require 1GB of space sometimes, so you need to keep that in mind. You should always have some space for apps and games if need be, but it is always possible to run out of space if you have a smaller capacity and don't manage it often.

• If you tend to stick with stock apps and don't need a lot of apps or games, then 64GB should be okay.
• If you want to download some apps and get some mobile gaming in, then consider a 128GB device.
• If you love to try out new apps and mobile games, then get 256GB.

Who should get the 64GB iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12?

Those who mostly just store their files and documents in the cloud, stream content, take some photos and not shoot a lot of 4K video, and don't want or need a lot of third-party apps and games should be okay with 64GB. Just understand that you are getting the worst value if you look at the price per gigabyte.

Who should get the 128GB iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12?

People who want a nice middle ground should get the 128GB. With 128GB, you can do a mix of having local and cloud storage for files and documents, media, photos and video, as well as download apps and games without worry.

Who should get the 256GB iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12?

If you want to be able to download files, documents, multimedia, apps, games, and shoot a good amount of 4K video and take a lot of photos, then you should get 256GB.

Get what you need

While we break it down for you, when it comes to iPhone 12 storage size, you really should go with what you need and what you can afford. Everyone's budget is different, and so go with what works best for you. But if money isn't an issue, then think about what you're going to be using your iPhone 12 for. And don't forget to get a nice case for your iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12!

We hope this breakdown helps you with picking out the storage size for your next iPhone 12 mini or iPhone 12. If you get one and aren't satisfied with the storage space, you can also return it within Apple's 14-day return window. Just make sure to check Apple Store availability beforehand.

What you need to know

• Apple is gearing up for better-than-expected sales of its iPhone 12 mini.
• That's according to a new DigiTimes report regarding orders from suppliers.
• It follows Ming-Chi Kuo's suggestion the iPhone 12 mini could struggle in China.

A new report from DigiTimes suggests Apple is gearing up for better-than-expected sales of its iPhone 12 mini in Asia.

The report states:

As mentioned, the news follows analysis from Ming-Chi Kuo stating demand for the iPhone 12 mini may be lower in China due to the small display and lack of physical dual-SIM support.

It's quite possible both reports are true, and that DigiTimes is simply looking to demand in Asia as a whole. Kuo also reported that iPhone 12 and 12 Pro shipments are expected to be double that of the iPhone 11 and 11 Pro. Apple's iPhone 12 and 12 Pro were made available to pre-order Friday and will be released on October 23, later this week. Apple's iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max will be made available to pre-order in November.

The new iPhone 12 range includes 5G and Apple's new A14 processor, as well as a redesigned form factor.

What you need to know

• Apple is adding more RAM to its Pro iPhone models.
• The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max feature 6GB of RAM.
• The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 will remain at 4GB of RAM.

As reported by 9to5Mac, Apple is packing its new iPhone 12 models with different levels of RAM depending on the phone you choose. It will be the first time, however, that an iPhone features 6GB of RAM.

According to the Xcode 12.1 beta, the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 will feature 4GB of RAM.

The iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, however, will get a bump to 6GB of RAM each. This is a 2GB increase from last year's Pro models.

There are also early Geekbench scores available for the iPhone 12 Pro. According to the results, the iPhone 12 Pro scored a single-core score of 1590 and a 3120 in multi-core testing. While these show an improvement with single-core performance when compared with the iPhone 11 Pro, this early test showed a little hit in multi-core performance.

The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro will both be available for preorder starting at 5:00 AM Pacific Time on Friday, October 16. Preorders for the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max won't be until November 6.