What are the "pros and cons" of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max compared to another? Is one the right iPhone for me?

Please note that the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max all have been discontinued. This Q&A has been updated with the latest iOS support and other details and can be quite useful to anyone buying one of these devices on the used market.

When all is said and done, only you can decide if an iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max is the right iPhone for you, but objective pros and cons can help.

EveryiPhone.com also provides a complete iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max comparison for those who want a detailed evaluation. For those who prefer a quick to read summary, the following can be perfect.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 12 mini/iPhone 12)

iPhone 12 mini/iPhone 12 Pros:

• Expensive when first released, but less expensive than the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• Smallest iPhone 12 mini packs a lot of display in a relatively small housing.
• Just as fast performance and the same cellular capabilities as the more expensive iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• Great battery life.
• Flat sides are easier to hold than many earlier models.
• Attractive color options.
• Waterproof to six meters for up to 30 minutes.
• Fast, Face ID authentication makes security easy and AR (augmented reality) shows great promise.
• Integrated inductive (Qi) charging as well as slick "MagSafe" magnet charging.
• Quality dual lens rear cameras.
• Dual SIM standard (one Nano SIM and one eSIM on most models).
• Support for the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone 12 mini/iPhone 12 Cons:

• Slightly dimmer display than the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
• Stronger glass than earlier models, especially the front, but the glass front and back are fragile compared to many kinds of metal, plastic, or other materials.
• Somewhat awkward "camera notch" at the top of the display.
• 4 GB of RAM, instead of 6 GB of RAM like the more expensive iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max may mean these devices are not supported for as long, or as completely, by future versions of the iOS.
• Storage tops out at 256 GB.
• When running iOS 18, the Messages via Satellite and Apple Intelligence (AI) features are not supported.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iPhone 12 Pro/iPhone 12 Pro Max)

iPhone 12 Pro & iPhone 12 Pro Max Pros:

• Beautiful, bright, high-quality, high-resolution HDR OLED displays.
• Fast performance and 6 GB of RAM.
• 5G LTE.
• Excellent battery life.
• Flat sides are easier to hold than many earlier models and textured glass means easier handling than the cheaper iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12.
• Fast, Face ID authentication makes security easy and AR (augmented reality) shows great promise.
• LiDAR capability opens new possibilities.
• Waterproof to six meters for up to 30 minutes.
• Integrated inductive (Qi) charging as well as slick "MagSafe" magnet charging.
• Impressive, high-quality triple lens camera system is the most advanced yet on for an iPhone.
• Dual SIM standard (one Nano SIM and one eSIM on most models).
• The option of as much as 512 GB of storage.
• Support for the current version of the iOS, iOS 18.

iPhone 12 Pro & iPhone 12 Pro Max Cons:

• Very expensive; the most expensive iPhone models.
• Large cases are difficult, even impossible, to handle with one hand. The gigantic iPhone 12 Pro Max is practically a tablet.
• Stronger glass than earlier models, especially the front, but the glass front and back are fragile compared to more durable materials.
• Somewhat awkward "camera notch" at the top of the display takes getting used to.
• Face ID could prove to be a security concern (but it can be disabled, if desired).
• When running iOS 18, the Messages via Satellite and Apple Intelligence (AI) features are not supported.

So, should I buy an iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max?

Compared just to one another, and ignoring subsequent models, EveryiPhone.com recommends that those who want the smallest iPhone buy the iPhone 12 mini and those who want the largest buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

For those who are trying to compromise with a "middle of the road" balance between price and performance, we would suggest that you buy the iPhone 12 instead of the iPhone 12 Pro. The iPhone 12 is the same speed, offers the same connectivity, and originally cost US$120-US$170 less.

Now that the iPhone 12 Pro is available on the used market, the value proposition may have changed somewhat. However, compared to the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro does have (1) a stronger steel frame and textured glass for less slippery handling, (2) a slightly brighter display, (3) a more advanced rear camera, (4) more RAM, (5) LiDAR support, and (6) the option of more storage. When running iOS 16 or later, the iPhone 12 Pro also (7) supports Accessibility Detection, whereas the iPhone 12 does not.

For some users, the more advanced camera alone is worth the extra money, but for the majority of users, the iPhone 12 should be quite sufficient.

In the US, site sponsor Other World Computing sells used and refurbished iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max models with free shipping. On the other hand, if you need to sell an iPhone, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac and GoRoostr will buy your older iPhone with an instant quote and prompt payment.

Please also see EveryiPhone.com's Ultimate iComparison feature to dynamically compare any iPhone model to any other iPod, iPhone, or iPad.