Short answer: Buy the iPhone 13 Mini at Rs 28,490, not the 12 Mini at Rs 19,990, unless you are genuinely never far from a charger. Battery capacity is the single defining difference between them and it is the known weakness of the 12 Mini. The 13 Mini also brings the faster A15 chip, sensor-shift stabilisation and a brighter screen. Apple no longer makes phones this size, which makes both of these the last of their kind.

Prices are live as of 6 September 2026 and move with stock — check the linked product page for the current figure before you decide.

The comparison

iPhone 12 Mini — Rs 19,990 iPhone 13 Mini — Rs 28,490
Screen 5.4-inch OLED 5.4-inch OLED, brighter
Chip A14 Bionic A15 Bionic
Battery Smaller — the known weak point Meaningfully larger
Main camera stabilisation Optical (OIS) Sensor-shift, from the 12 Pro Max
Notch Standard About 20% narrower
Update runway Shorter One year longer
Stock today In stock In stock

Why battery is the whole argument

Small phones have small batteries. That is unavoidable physics, and it is why Apple eventually discontinued the Mini line.

The iPhone 12 Mini shipped with a battery that most reviewers found short of a full day under normal use, when new. It is now a four-to-five-year-old device, and lithium batteries lose capacity with cycles regardless of care. Even at a healthy 88%, you are starting from a small number and taking 12% off it.

The 13 Mini increased capacity meaningfully and paired it with the more efficient A15. The difference in real endurance between the two is not subtle — it is the difference between a phone that reaches evening and one that does not.

If you buy the 12 Mini, buy it knowing you will carry a power bank, and check the battery health percentage before you pay.

Why would anyone want a small phone in 2026?

Because the alternative got very large. A 6.7-inch phone does not fit in most trouser pockets, cannot be used with one hand, and is genuinely awkward on a crowded metro. For people who want a phone to be a phone rather than a small tablet, the Mini is the only modern option with a current-generation chip, Face ID, 5G and a good camera.

It is a real niche, and nothing Apple currently sells serves it. That is the honest case for buying one.

What you give up

  • Battery life, against every other iPhone. This is the main cost.
  • Typing comfort. The keyboard is small. If you have large hands or type long messages, you will notice within an hour.
  • Video and reading. A 5.4-inch screen is a compromise for watching anything or reading long documents.
  • Telephoto. Neither Mini has one.

Who should NOT buy either Mini

  • Anyone who watches video or reads on their phone daily. Buy the iPhone 13 at Rs 30,390 instead — Rs 1,900 more than the 13 Mini for a much more usable screen.
  • Anyone with battery anxiety. The iPhone 14 Plus at Rs 39,490 is the exact opposite of a Mini and is the right phone for you.
  • Anyone with larger hands who has not held one. Try one first. A lot of people love the idea and dislike the reality.
  • Anyone who plays games or uses maps for long periods. Small battery plus sustained load is the worst combination for a Mini.

The verdict

If you want a small iPhone, buy the 13 Mini at Rs 28,490. The extra Rs 8,500 over the 12 Mini buys you the one thing that decides whether you will enjoy owning it.

If Rs 28,490 is beyond your budget, do not settle for the 12 Mini as a compromise — buy the iPhone 12 at Rs 21,990 instead. It costs Rs 2,000 more than the 12 Mini, has a considerably better battery, and the only thing you lose is the small size you were not primarily buying for.

What we can ship today

Every unit below is in stock as this page was last checked, with a 6-month NewAsNew Assured Warranty, GST invoice, 7-day returns and no-cost EMI. If it is listed here, we can dispatch it.

Model Price MRP You save
Apple iPhone 12 Mini
Grade A Certified		 ₹19,990 ₹69,900 71%
Apple iPhone 14
Grade A Certified		 ₹34,990 ₹79,900 56%
Apple iPhone 15
Grade A Certified		 ₹47,490 ₹79,900 41%
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Grade A Certified		 ₹79,990 ₹159,900 50%

Prices checked on 29 September 2026 — stock and prices move, so the linked product page is always the truth.

Browse all iPhones in stock · Ask us on WhatsApp which one fits you

Frequently asked questions

Is the iPhone 13 Mini worth Rs 8,500 more than the 12 Mini?

Yes, if you want a small phone you can use all day. The battery improvement is the difference between the phone working for you and against you, and you also get the A15 chip and a better camera.

Does Apple still make small iPhones?

No. The Mini line ended after the iPhone 13 Mini. There is no current small iPhone, which is why these two remain in demand.

How is the iPhone 12 Mini battery after four years?

It depends entirely on the individual unit and how it was used. We measure and record battery health during our 50-point check and state the figure rather than describing it. Ask on WhatsApp before ordering.

Can I replace the battery on a Mini?

Yes, at an Apple Authorised Service Provider or a reputable repair shop. It is worth factoring the cost into your budget if the health figure is below 85%.

Will the iPhone 12 Mini still get iOS updates?

Apple typically supports iPhones for around five to seven years from launch. The 12 Mini launched in 2020, so it has less runway remaining than the 13 Mini. Apple does not publish fixed end dates.

Which is better for photos?

The 13 Mini, because of sensor-shift stabilisation carried over from the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It produces noticeably steadier low-light shots and smoother video.

Related guides

Still deciding? Talk to a human

Send us the work you do and your budget on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly whether we have something for you — or whether you should wait. Chat with NewAsNew on WhatsApp (+91 79822 35917).

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Written by Atul Pandey, co-founder of NewAsNew (NextG Serve Private Limited, New Delhi). We came from four years of offline electronics retail in Prayagraj before building NewAsNew. Only 2 to 3 out of every 10 devices that reach our QC bench pass; the other 7 to 8 go back to the supplier. The exact figure moves month to month with the stock we are offered, so we publish the range rather than one flattering number. Read our story.