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The iPhone 12 mini stands out as a pocketable small phone with solid overall performance, especially for anyone who wants a compact iPhone. The tiny size is praised as its main advantage, and the 128GB unlocked setup adds flexibility. Battery life is the big drawback, with repeated reports of heavy drain, frequent charging, and weak endurance even on renewed premium units. There are also concerns about renewed quality, including non genuine parts and scratched screens, so the appeal is mostly in the form factor rather than long battery life.
People who want a pocketable phone for calls and messaging, because the small form factor is easy to carry and light use can fit the battery.
Yes. The 12 mini's small battery is repeatedly described as lasting only part of a day, even with light use, and Renewed Premium's 90% battery-health claim does not change that much. It is better suited to calls and messages than heavy streaming or all-day use.
The main tradeoff is size versus age: the mini form factor is praised as one of the best small phones, but the 12 mini is also seen as old for the price and likely to lose iOS support sooner than newer models. If you want a compact phone, the 13 mini is repeatedly pointed to as the better buy because of its stronger battery.
Not always. A renewed iPhone can arrive with a replaced screen made from non-genuine parts, and refurbished Apple phones bought outside Apple are described as potentially using aftermarket components that can still be made to report genuine parts in software.
Yes, if the seller is using a Verizon-based carrier path, the unlock policy may now be 1 year instead of 60 days. That makes the source of the renewed phone important if you need it unlocked quickly.
A few days ago I got Amazon/Woot renewed excellent iPhone 14 and it came with the screen scratched to hell. Very deep like someone did it with a purpose.
I since reordered from backmarket. Fxk Amazon
iPhone minis are quickly becoming collectors items. They are the most capable small form factor phone on the market still to this day. Many people are leaving their 17pros and moving to iPhone 13 mini and finding the small form factor wins over features and speed.
Are you sure about that? How do u explain SE1 these days?
It inevitable that this will not get supported long as iOS 28 and beyond. Beside, why spend $$$ when better phone exists for similar price??
I'm not attacking you, just trying to pick your brain because I don't see how old iPhone gonna stick around for much longer. SE1, iPhone 6 Plus, and X are considered old and the 12 mini is already past 5 years.
Last edited by Spaceman6969 February 17, 2026 at 08:20 PM.
Are you sure about that? How do u explain SE1 these days? It inevitable that this will not get supported long as iOS 28 and beyond. Beside, why spend $$$ when better phone exists for similar price??I'm not attacking you, just trying to pick your brain because I don't see how old iPhone gonna stick around for much longer. SE1, iPhone 6 Plus, and X are considered old and the 12 mini is already past 5 years.
That is obviously sarcasm. The Mini line was cancelled for a reason.
That is obviously sarcasm. The Mini line was cancelled for a reason.
He said "iPhone minis are quickly becoming collectors items. They are the most capable small form factor phone on the market still to this day. Many people are leaving their 17pros and moving to iPhone 13 mini and finding the small form factor wins over features and speed. "Idk who to believe
I got a new iPhone 12 Min 64GB from ST a few months ago which was free with 3 month of plan at $40. each for a total of $120. It unlocked on day 60. Excellent phone with full Apple warranty (I had to call them to add it). I don't see this as a deal with a unknown vendor. slickdeals.net/f/18776011-straight-talk-64gb-apple-iphone-12-mini-black-3-months-service-120 Of the 64GB I have only used 14.7GB and that's with using whatsapp and 4 other apps, a lot of photos, videos so I'm not concerned. I see BB has the 13 Mini refurbished/unlocked for $239.
They just changed their unlock policy to 1yr. No more 60-day unlocks on any Verizon-based carriers anymore!
iPhone minis are quickly becoming collectors items. They are the most capable small form factor phone on the market still to this day. Many people are leaving their 17pros and moving to iPhone 13 mini and finding the small form factor wins over features and speed.
Can we qualify what "pretty bad" battery drain is??? How long before it needs a recharge?
My 12 mini needed to be charged after 6 hours. It rarely ever held above 80 for longer than an hour. Eventually the battery failed and it bricked. I originally purchased it from mint mobile so maybe that had something to do with it. I always kept a charger around to keep it up, would hold 40-50% for a few hours then drop quickly. Hard to quantify but you need to charge it at least at least 2 times a day with regular use. In comparison other models hold a charge for multiple days. The small form is great for pocket size, but inherently the battery is small. If you don't use it a lot and only for calls and messaging then go for small form, listening to Spotify for a prolonged duration was enough to drain the battery substantially for example
Last edited by AmusedNest224 February 19, 2026 at 08:53 AM.
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Community Reviews
The iPhone 12 mini stands out as a pocketable small phone with solid overall performance, especially for anyone who wants a compact iPhone. The tiny size is praised as its main advantage, and the 128GB unlocked setup adds flexibility. Battery life is the big drawback, with repeated reports of heavy drain, frequent charging, and weak endurance even on renewed premium units. There are also concerns about renewed quality, including non genuine parts and scratched screens, so the appeal is mostly in the form factor rather than long battery life.
Common Questions (4)
Yes. The 12 mini's small battery is repeatedly described as lasting only part of a day, even with light use, and Renewed Premium's 90% battery-health claim does not change that much. It is better suited to calls and messages than heavy streaming or all-day use.
The main tradeoff is size versus age: the mini form factor is praised as one of the best small phones, but the 12 mini is also seen as old for the price and likely to lose iOS support sooner than newer models. If you want a compact phone, the 13 mini is repeatedly pointed to as the better buy because of its stronger battery.
Not always. A renewed iPhone can arrive with a replaced screen made from non-genuine parts, and refurbished Apple phones bought outside Apple are described as potentially using aftermarket components that can still be made to report genuine parts in software.
Yes, if the seller is using a Verizon-based carrier path, the unlock policy may now be 1 year instead of 60 days. That makes the source of the renewed phone important if you need it unlocked quickly.
AI-generated summary based on comments from the community. Updated ago
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I since reordered from backmarket. Fxk Amazon
It inevitable that this will not get supported long as iOS 28 and beyond. Beside, why spend $$$ when better phone exists for similar price??
I'm not attacking you, just trying to pick your brain because I don't see how old iPhone gonna stick around for much longer. SE1, iPhone 6 Plus, and X are considered old and the 12 mini is already past 5 years.
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