iPhone 12 mini review: World’s smallest 5G phone needs bigger battery

For some people the smallest iPhone of the recently released four new iPhones will be the perfect size – but it’s a little too small in one key area.

Apple recently released four new iPhones – the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

With so many to choose from this time around I decided to get my hands on the iPhone 12 mini, which is not only the smallest of the bunch but the smallest iPhone that you can buy (as well as the world’s smallest 5G phone).

It’s also the only iPhone that’s actually close to fitting into women’s front pockets and is able to be completely tucked away in anyone’s back pocket, which is very enticing to me.

Although the sizing is arguably new, the iPhone 12 design this year is almost identical in size to the iPhone 5, which also had the same squared-off look introduced in the iPhone 4 and revived for the iPhone 12.

RELATED: Stomach-churning picture of iPhone

Tech reviewer Elly Awesome with the iPhone 12 mini.

RELATED: Save hundreds on your new iPhone

Unlike the iPhone 5, however, there’s no home button on this device, which means you get more screen real estate for a compact build. This also means you can use the phone one-handed more easily.

The iPhone 12 mini’s display is beautiful too. The 5.4” screen is an OLED “super retina XDR display” which is incredibly crisp and bright. I also opted to have my apps in a “zoomed” mode when setting up the phone which means the text and app icons are larger, making the phone really easy to use.

The iPhone 12 mini can easily be used with one hand.

RELATED: Apple roasted over new iPhone omission

The phone has three 12MP cameras (one 12MP on the front and two 12MP on the back – wide and ultra wide). This is the same as the regular iPhone 12 so you don’t have to worry about missing out. However, they’re both missing the telephoto lens seen on the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max.

Surprisingly, compared to the iPhone 12, the mini isn’t really missing anything else. They both come in three models – 64GB, 128GB and 256GB of storage – have the same speedy A14 chip, ability to record in 4K at 24fps, 30fps and 60fps and 1080p HD at 30fps and 60fps and have Face ID unlock.

RELATED: What delayed iPhone’s new feature

It’s basically a shrunk down version of the iPhone 12.

RELATED: Amazon apologises for ‘fingerprints’

The iPhone 12 mini is also 5G compatible which means, in 5G network areas, you’ll get faster download and upload speeds.

There is one big downside to the mini though – the battery life. If you’re using it constantly to watch videos or hotspot, for example, you may have to charge it in the middle of the day. The mini’s battery is quite small at 2227mAh compared to the regular iPhone 12 coming in at 2815mAh. So, if you’re a power user and don’t enjoy charging your phone frequently, this probably isn’t the phone for you and you might want to grab the iPhone 12. However, if you aren’t a heavy phone user you should only have to charge the phone once a day.

RELATED: Unlimited data ‘the future’ of mobile

The iPhone 12 mini in its new blue colour.

The iPhone 12 mini starts at $1199, though I would recommend the 128GB model for $1279 so you don’t run out of storage.

Although that’s a steep price, this is one of the most powerful pocketable phones. As long as you can handle the reduced battery life, if you’re looking for a smaller Apple device while still being able to run your favourite games and apps smoothly, look no further than the iPhone 12 mini.