Is the iPhone 12 mini still worth it in 2026?

Yes, if you want a small, powerful phone, the iPhone 12 mini remains worth it in 2026. It runs current iOS, supports 5G, and handles daily tasks with ease thanks to the A14 chip. It's best bought refurbished now for the price. Shopfox makes it simple to compare iPhone 12 mini prices and New vs Refurbished options across sellers.

iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone 13 mini: what's the difference?

The iPhone 13 mini improves battery life meaningfully, upgrades the cameras with sensor-shift stabilization, and uses the faster A15 chip, while the 12 mini is cheaper and still very capable. Both share the same compact 5.4-inch form factor. If battery matters most, lean 13 mini. Compare both on shopfox to see current price gaps and any cashback before you commit.

Is the iPhone 12 mini waterproof?

The iPhone 12 mini is water resistant with an IP68 rating, surviving submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. It handles rain, splashes, and brief drops in water, but liquid damage isn't warranty-covered, so don't push it. Ceramic Shield also boosts drop protection. When buying an iPhone 12 mini, shopfox aggregates listings so you can weigh price against condition easily.

Apple iPhone 12 mini Cell Phones Reviews & Ratings

Name: Apple iPhone 12 mini Cell Phones
Brand: Apple
Rating: 3.8 (5569 reviews)

Apple iPhone 12 mini Cell Phones

$236.99

Prices last updated Sep 17, 2026

Apple3.83.8

(5,569 reviews)

$236.99

Prices last updated Sep 17, 2026

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All-in-One Comparison

7 sellers & 2 platforms

SKU	Platform	Merchant	Delivery	Return Policy	Price	Shipping
BlackLocked64GB	pinkyauctionbargainsLowest Price	pinkyauctionbargains 5.0(831)	3 - 7 days	No returns	$249.00	Free
BlackLocked64GB	banjodiva	banjodiva 5.0(280)	4 - 8 days	No returns	$249.00	Free
BlackLocked64GB	yechielt	yechielt 5.0(761)	4 - 10 day...	No returns	$255.00	Free
BlackCricket256GB	Amazon.comPremium Curated	Amazon.com 5.0	5 days	FREE 15-da...	$879.00	Free
BlueCricket256GB	Amazon.com	Amazon.com 5.0	5 days	FREE 15-da...	$879.00	Free
BlueUnlocked128GB	creghed024	creghed024 5.0(154)	3 - 8 days	No returns	$1500.00	$9.14
RedUnlocked128GB	biany_r59	biany_r59 5.0(129)	3 - 6 days	No returns	$50000.00	$8.06

pinkyauctionbargains

Lowest Price

$249.00

BlackLocked64GB

pinkyauctionbargains5.0 (831)Free

3 - 7 daysNo returns

banjodiva

$249.00

BlackLocked64GB

banjodiva5.0 (280)Free

4 - 8 daysNo returns

yechielt

$255.00

BlackLocked64GB

yechielt5.0 (761)Free

4 - 10 day...No returns

Amazon.com

Premium Curated

$879.00

BlackCricket256GB

Amazon.com5.0Free

5 daysFREE 15-da...

Amazon.com

$879.00

BlueCricket256GB

Amazon.com5.0Free

5 daysFREE 15-da...

creghed024

$1500.00

BlueUnlocked128GB

creghed0245.0 (154)$9.14

3 - 8 daysNo returns

biany_r59

$50000.00

RedUnlocked128GB

biany_r595.0 (129)$8.06

3 - 6 daysNo returns

Cash Back

9 sites · 11 platforms · 46 offers

Cash Back

9 sites · 11 platforms · 46 offers

Adorama

BeFrugalVerified

Online Purchases Cashback

Updated Aug 15

BeFrugalOnline Purchases Cashback

VerifiedUpdated Aug 15

Cashback Rate:

Category:

Online Purchases

User Eligibility:

Members

Amazon

Capital One ShoppingVerified

General Cashback

Updated Sep 18

Capital One ShoppingGeneral Cashback

VerifiedUpdated Sep 18

Cashback Rate:

New User Bonus:

Extra Credits after first qualifying purchase

User Eligibility:

Members only

Apple

RakutenVerified

Apple Accessories And Selected Eligible Products Cashback

Updated Sep 15

RakutenApple Accessories And Selected Eligible Products Cashback

VerifiedUpdated Sep 15

Cashback Rate:

Category:

Apple Accessories And Selected Eligible Products

User Eligibility:

All users

Specifications

2020

380

2020

380

Side-by-Side Comparison

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This Product

Apple iPhone 12 mini Cell Phones

3.8(380)

$236.99 - $933.90

Avg 3.1

1.Its compact 5.4-inch OLED display and lightweight 4.76 oz design make it one of the most pocketable iPhones, ideal for one-handed use.

2.Smooth iOS performance with a hexa-core chip and solid 12MP dual cameras deliver a reliable daily experience in a small form factor.

Compact phone fansiOS users

One-handed useDaily pocket carry

not specified

iOS

not specified

Hexa Core

5.4 in

2340 x 1080

not specified

OLED

not specified

—

not specified

12 MP

—

Best Performance

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Cell Phones

$599.99 - $1,648.90

Best Value

Apple iPhone 11 Cell Phones

4.8(329)

$169.99 - $933.90

Apple Ecosystem

Apple iPhone 12 Cell Phones

4.4(5K+)

$144.99 - $1,043.90

Fast Charge

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max Cell Phones

$469.00 - $1,593.90

Apple Ecosystem

Apple iPhone 14 Cell Phones

4.4(4.1K+)

$359.99 - $1,208.90

Avg 3.1

Avg 2.4

Avg 3.2

Avg 3

Avg 3.4

1.Powered by the A16 Bionic chip and a 120Hz ProMotion display, the iPhone 14 Pro delivers top-tier speed and fluidity for demanding tasks and gaming.

2.A great choice for iOS users who want the best performance in a compact Pro form factor.

1.Offers a solid iOS experience with Face ID and reliable performance at a budget-friendly price, backed by strong user satisfaction on value.

2.A practical choice for those seeking essential Apple features like wireless charging and water resistance without the latest premium cost.

1.Renewed iPhone 12 delivers the core Apple experience with Face ID, OLED display, and 5G, verified for like-new performance.

1.Built around fast 20W charging and a vivid 6.5-inch OLED display for users who want quick top-ups and premium visuals in a reliable iPhone.

2.A practical choice for budget-conscious buyers seeking a flagship-grade screen and fast recharging at a fraction of the original price.

1.Seamlessly integrates with other Apple devices and services, while the Super Retina XDR OLED display and Hexa Core processor deliver smooth daily performance.

2.Ideal for users who prioritize ecosystem synergy, with eSIM support and 5G for reliable connectivity on the go.

Power usersiOS loyalists

Smooth multitaskingHigh-performance gaming

Budget-conscious usersApple loyalists

Everyday reliabilityCasual photography

Apple loyalistsStudents

Everyday iOS useSecure Face ID unlocking

Budget-conscious iPhone fansRefurbished shoppers

Quick rechargingOLED viewing experience

Apple loyalists

Cross-device integrationEveryday reliability

not specified

iOS

not specified

Hexa Core

6.1 in

6.5 in

6.1 in

2556 x 1179

1792 x 828 Pixels

2532 x 1170 Pixels

2688 x 1242 Pixels

2532 x 1170

120 hertz

not specified

OLED

LCD

OLED

not specified

—

not specified

—

not specified

48 MP

12 MP

—

Reviews & Ratings

(5,569)

3.8

5569 reviews

👍 Pros

👎 Cons

Performance

4.0

80%

A14 Bionic chip delivers smooth, fast performance for daily tasks. Users report reliable operation, though occasional defective units occur.

Performance

4.0

80%

A14 Bionic chip delivers smooth, fast performance for daily tasks. Users report reliable operation, though occasional defective units occur.

Camera Quality

3.0

60%

No user feedback on camera quality in reviews. The dual 12MP system is not assessed by buyers.

Camera Quality

3.0

60%

No user feedback on camera quality in reviews. The dual 12MP system is not assessed by buyers.

Battery Life

2.5

50%

Generally solid for daily use, but some users report faster drain and worn-out batteries, especially on refurbished units.

Battery Life

2.5

50%

Generally solid for daily use, but some users report faster drain and worn-out batteries, especially on refurbished units.

Display Quality

3.0

60%

No reviews mention display quality. The 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display is assumed standard but not commented on.

Display Quality

3.0

60%

No reviews mention display quality. The 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display is assumed standard but not commented on.

Build & Design

3.0

60%

Compact and lightweight design praised. However, some units have speaker issues, scratches, and poor cosmetic condition.

Build & Design

3.0

60%

Compact and lightweight design praised. However, some units have speaker issues, scratches, and poor cosmetic condition.

Keywords

User Voices

5.0BESTBUYMay 13, 2026

Sam_92

Great Compact Phone & Smooth Buying Experience

Picked up an iPhone 12 mini from Best Buy recently and I’m honestly impressed. The phone came in excellent condition, battery life is solid, and everything runs buttery smooth. I really dig the compact size — it’s super portable without sacrificing performance or speed. Plus, the whole buying experience was quick and hassle-free. Totally worth it!

5.0BESTBUYMay 13, 2026

Alex_2024

Great Compact Phone & Smooth Buying Experience

Just grabbed an iPhone 12 mini from Best Buy and I'm absolutely loving it. The phone came in excellent condition, battery life is solid, and everything runs super smooth. I'm a huge fan of the compact size — it's easy to carry around yet still packs a punch in terms of performance and speed. The whole buying experience at Best Buy was quick and professional. Totally worth it!

Apple iPhone 12 mini Cell Phones

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