Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Just How Small is the iPhone 12 Mini? Try It Out for Yourself

MacRumors said:


As rumors of the iPhone 12 have continued to build over the past few months, the one model that has the most excitement around it is the smallest 5.4" model. The iPhone 12 is believed to be coming in 5.4", 6.7", and 6.1" sizes.

iphone-12-size-hand.jpg

Dummy models have shown how much smaller the 5.4" is compared to the rest of the iPhone lineup. The upcoming 5.4" iPhone falls in-between the size of the original iPhone SE and the 2020 iPhone SE, representing the smallest iPhone from Apple in years.

While Apple once advertised the relatively small form factor of the 4" iPhone 5 as being the perfect size for one handed use, there has been a steady growth in device sizes from the original 3.5" size to the largest 6.5" size. The smallest iPhone you can presently purchase is the 2020 iPhone SE which uses the 4.7" screen size of the iPhone 7/8.

While the rumored 5.4" screen size is larger than the 4.7" screen size of the iPhone 7/8, the removal of the Home Button from the body allows the overall device size to be smaller.

To see how much smaller, we've created these images that will let existing full screen Face ID iPhone owners see exactly how a 5.4" iPhone will feel in hand. Simply, open the corresponding image on your iPhone to see. Left and right aligned images are provided.

iPhone 11, XR: Left Handed, Right Handed

iPhone 11 Pro, XS, X: Left Handed, Right Handed

iPhone 11 Pro Max, XS Max: Left Handed, Right Handed

For the full effect, save the image to your camera roll and view in full screen. The iPhone 12 is expected to be released in September or October of this year.



Article Link: Just How Small Will the 5.4-Inch iPhone 12 Screen Be? Try It Out for Yourself
Click to expand...
Not happy about the smaller screen. As a surgeon and my eyes are use to the larger screen. Will there be option to getting an iPhone with the larger screens?
 
Not happy about the smaller screen. Will there be an iPhone with the larger screen like Max XS? As we get older, the screens are important. Plus as a surgeon I prefer to see scans on the larger screen if I’m on call. As far as I’m concerned that they should have an option for both large and small.
This really sucks!
 
cecil444 said:
I have to agree. I could accept an updated/bezel-less OG SE, but this 5.4” looks to be too tall. I gave up on the iPhone 6 because I couldn’t stand doing the dreaded hand-shimmy. I won’t upgrade from my OG SE until there’s an iPhone that’s comfortable for full one-handed use. However I am glad to see this size moving back in the right direction...
Click to expand...

I agree that they should go even smaller- just shorter really, but I lined up an old 5c with the 5.4" image on my Xs and it looks like (if these rumors are true) that the 5.4" will be basically the size of an OG SE with a thin case on it-- but a display with the same width as the 6,7,8 so, a better keyboard in my estimation. I loved my OG SE, but the slightly wider keyboard of the 6,7,8 is nice. Those flat edges should help with the thumb-reachability too I'd wager. We'll see. Exciting geek times!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Arctic Moose and MartyvH
MacBH928 said:
wait... people consider 5.4 excitingly small? I am not willing to go any larger than the 4.7 of iphone7. Anything larger you might just call it ipad mini.
Click to expand...

Heck I've got an LG V60 6.8" phone right now. I love it. I call it my BAP. Big Ass Phone! Then throw the dual screen case on and your rocking almost 14" of Phablet. 😂
 
jeffbax said:
While I still wish it was 4.7”, I’ll take what I can get I guess. Hope it is available the following year since I’m trying to get at least 3 years out of my XS.

I’d take a 4.7” if it had to sacrifice down to the non-Pro camera. Night vision is all I really miss.

The dream is still closer to the 4s size but the software UI has likely moved on. Also wish they’d go back to aluminum instead of this stupid heavy, fragile, $550 repair glass nonsense 😒
Click to expand...

We are in full agreement here, although I’d happily take 3GS shape and materials.
 
rs0212 said:
I agree, it would be great to have an iPhone 11 Pro (or iPhone 12 Pro) in this size.
I actually may go from an iPhone 11 Pro to the base iPhone 12 model because of the size (if the rumors are true). I went from an original SE to the 11 Pro instead of the 11 simply because it was smaller than the base model. I have average sized hands for a guy, with a case on, my thumb just barely misses being able to swipe from the left of the screen to the right to go backwards. I have to grip my phone with two hands to do this now, where it was easily done with one hand on the SE. I know it sounds like a small issue but in practicality it is a huge hassle. I would almost certainly give up some Pro features to be able to Use my phone one-handily again.
Click to expand...

This. Just make us a smaller flagship model. The market for it is bigger than you think!
 
  • Like
Reactions: xpxp2002 and RaoulDuke42
I’m kind of frustrated that they’re making the standard pro model bigger. 5.8” is the maximum size for me. I’d really like to get the 12 Pro, but I just cannot do 6.1”. That’s just too wide and tall.

I guess I’ll consider it, but it’s looking like the 5.4” iPhone 12 for me. Just wish they’d give it steel frame and the full cameras.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xpxp2002 and catean
PaladinGuy said:
I’m kind of frustrated that they’re making the standard pro model bigger. 5.8” is the maximum size for me. I’d really like to get the 12 Pro, but I just cannot do 6.1”. That’s just too wide and tall.

I guess I’ll consider it, but it’s looking like the 5.4” iPhone 12 for me. Just wish they’d give it steel frame and the full cameras.
Click to expand...
It would be nice to have the steel frame on the 5.4”, just like the old days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: xpxp2002
jimothyGator said:
I measured the screen size (using the images MacRumors supplied) as approximately 2.25" x 4.8".
Click to expand...
I'm considering the new 5.4" iPhone 12 model as my upgrade from my prehistoric iPhone 6+, so I'm interested in how the screen real estate will compare.

Given jimothyGator's spec estimates above (2.25" x 4.8"), the new 5.4" screen will be 10.8 square inches.

Using the Screen Size Calculator, I get 4.9" x 2.3" or 11.27 square inches.

My 6+ screen is 4.8" x 2.7", giving it a screen area of 12.96 square inches.

That's a hefty 17% downgrade in working area (or 13% given the ratio calculation), but I may be able to cope with the loss once I find out the final spec left to cement my decision: the weight of the new 5.4". Hopefully Apple will keep it svelte, unlike the half pound boat anchors that the recent plus-size models have become.

______________________________________

FTR, for comparison:

- iPhone 12 6.1" screen will be 5.5" x 2.6" or 14.3 square inches
- iPhone 12 6.7" screen will be 6.1" x 2.8" or 17.1 square inches
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MartyvH
I like the size but expect it to have a battery life too close to the current SE (== useless). I need a tool I can actually use for the day for whatever I need, not an expensive toy that spends more time in a charger than in use.
 
This size is really intriguing to me - it would be nice to return to using my phone one-handed. I currently have an iPhone X, which is too large for one-handed use. (Smallish hands).
 
  • Like
Reactions: RaoulDuke42
Still on the fence about the mini or just to get the 6.1. The mini really doesn’t seem that small in all fairness.

Or even just keep my X for another year tbh.
 
Seanm87 said:
Still on the fence about the mini or just to get the 6.1. The mini really doesn’t seem that small in all fairness.

Or even just keep my X for another year tbh.
Click to expand...
Wait till you get to hold both in your hands at the store. I used to find a huge difference going from an 8 to an X/XS/11 Pro and the Mini is lighter than the 8. That said, if the X is working for you, there is no reason to buy a new phone.
 
  • Disagree
Reactions: tridley68
Seanm87 said:
Still on the fence about the mini or just to get the 6.1. The mini really doesn’t seem that small in all fairness.

Or even just keep my X for another year tbh.
Click to expand...
Save your cash and wait till next year. If your phone is serving you well don’t fall for the “must get new phone, must buy buy buy” marketing. No need.
 
  • Like
  • Angry
Reactions: tridley68 and AAPLGeek
vertical smile said:
Just going by dimensions, it is the smallest phone, height and width, since the iPhone 5. It is actually thinner than the iPhone 5.

How much smaller were you looking for?
Click to expand...

What I meant was I was worried the screen would look cramped. But it actually looks pretty good size wise.
 
Seanm87 said:
Still on the fence about the mini or just to get the 6.1. The mini really doesn’t seem that small in all fairness.

Or even just keep my X for another year tbh.
Click to expand...
Check out this comparison:
phonesized.com

Compare Phone and Tablet Sizes Side by Side

A website for comparing and viewing the relative visual size difference between different mobile phones and tablets devices.
phonesized.com phonesized.com

It is definitely going to be a mini for me. Although I'm sad about missing out on some of the camera stuff I can't wait to be able to (almost) comfortably operate my phone one-handed again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back