Apple iPhone 12 mini: The Best iPhone

The iPhone 12 mini is the smallest and most affordable phone in Apple’s late-2020 iPhone quartet. It’s sure to appeal most to owners of older iPhones (particularly the iPhone 5 through 8) as well as anyone fed up with a handset that doesn’t fit into their pocket.

- SASCHA SEGAN

The 12 mini is also the best value in the iPhone 12 family, packing premium power and the latest features (including 5G and a very capable Night photo mode) into a smaller build for less money than its siblings. It’s our top-pick iPhone this year and easily earns our Editors’ Choice award.

WHERE THE 12 MINI FITS IN THE IPHONE 12 LINEUP

Apple has on offer a rich crop of phones this year. In addition to the iPhone 12 mini are the iPhone SE ($399), the iPhone 12 ($799), the iPhone 12 Pro ($999), and the iPhone 12 Pro Max ($1,099). Last year’s iPhone 11 is also still available, for $599.

The 12 mini looks and feels like an iPhone 12—just smaller. Like the iPhone 12, it comes in glossy black, blue, green, red, or white, with a new “ceramic shield” glass front that Apple claims is less prone to smashing than previous iPhone fronts. The backs of our iPhone 12 review units haven’t yet shown scratches after being knocked around, which is a good sign. You’re probably less likely to drop a small phone, but in case you do, it’s IP68-rated and should survive a voyage to the bottom of the bathtub.

At 5.18 by 2.53 by 0.29 inches (HWD) and 4.76 ounces, the 12 mini is the smallest, lightest premium phone I’ve seen in a while. That 2.53-inch width measurement is the key, since width affects how easily you can reach across a phone. In my experience, when you get over 2.7 inches, you have to stretch, and many people’s comfort limit is at just about 2.8 inches. The main iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are 2.83 inches wide; the Pro Max is over 3 inches wide.