Many have asked for a physical size comparison Apple’s iPhone SE (1st generation) versus the iPhone SE (2nd generation) vs. the iPhone 12 mini. Here ya go!
iPhone SE (1st generation):
• Height: 4.87 inches (123.8 mm)
• Width: 2.31 inches (58.6 mm)
• Depth: 0.30 inch (7.6 mm)
• Weight: 3.99 ounces (113 grams)
• Retina display
• 4-inch (diagonal) widescreen LCD display with IPS technology
• 1136-by-640-pixel resolution at 326 ppi
• 800:1 contrast ratio (typical)
• Full sRGB standard
• 500 nits max brightness (typical)
iPhone SE (2nd generation):
• Height: 5.45 inches (138.4 mm)
• Width: 2.65 inches (67.3 mm)
• Depth: 0.29 inch (7.3 mm)
• Weight: 5.22 ounces (148 grams)
• Retina HD display
• 4.7-inch (diagonal) widescreen LCD display with IPS technology
• 1334-by-750-pixel resolution at 326 ppi
• 1400:1 contrast ratio (typical)
• True Tone display
• Wide color display (P3)
• Haptic Touch
• 625 nits max brightness (typical)
iPhone 12 mini:
• Height: 5.18 inches (131.5 mm)
• Width: 2.53 inches (64.2 mm)
• Depth: 0.29 inch (7.4 mm)
• Weight: 4.76 ounces (135 grams)
• Super Retina XDR display
• 5.4-inch (diagonal) OLED display
• HDR display
• 2340-by-1080-pixel resolution at 476 ppi
• 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical)
• True Tone display
• Wide color display (P3)
• Haptic Touch
• 625 nits max brightness (typical)
• 1200 nits max brightness (HDR)
So, as you can see from the size comparison image and specs above, Apple’s all-new iPhone 12 mini is physically smaller than the iPhone SE (2nd generation), but a tad larger than the iPhone SE (first generation). The display sizes obviously range greatly, from the SE 1’s 4.0-inch display to the SE 2’s 4.7-inch to the iPhone 12 mini’s 5.4-inch, while all retaining a relatively small physical enclosure (thanks to the jettisoning of the antiquated Home button in the iPhone 12 mini).
For those that deal in fractions all the time. The 12 Mini is about 5/16” taller than the original SE and about 7/32” wider, but 1/64” thinner.
I’m good with that.
I’ve been holding onto my 1st gen, iPhone SE for this moment. The mini is my next new iPhone.
I have never been a SE guy but I have always believed there was a HUGE iPhone demographic that wanted a “mini” loaded with allllll the bells and whistles….
Notice the 12 proMax and the 12mini are coming out later. This gives Apple the time to ramp up inventory for the total demand tsunami that is coming…
12 Mini looks good but regret it does not have touch ID. For this reason, my last iPhone is SE2020, as long as it lasts…. And…I rather prefer the original SE size and weight. I have all other Apple gadgets and don’t need large phone anyway. The moment Apple implement some type of touch ID, either in-screen or traditional, my buying cycle restarts.
It’s not the size that counts. It’s how you use it that matters!
That’s not what she said!
Touch ID sooo much more flexible – despite my XR I so miss touch.
I rather like the FaceID because it doesn’t interrupt my work flow to authenticate me. Here’s an example, from my real life: I wanted to log into my back account online. So I TouchID (1st one of this example) to open phone, then launch safari and go to the site. The site wants to use my stored information and prompts to use TouchID (2nd). Turns out the bank wants me to change my password, so I open 1Password with TouchID (3rd) and then generate a new one, then paste into Safari. While going through changing my password, it also wants security questions, so I go back to 1Password (TouchID 4) and look them up. I then finish up my password change and save. But being worried that somehow the password I just paste doesn’t match up to 1Password, I go back to 1Password (TouchID 5) and open the website there. It works. I’m happy.
With Face ID, I swipe up on the phone and go to Safari and 1Password as much as I want without interruption.
I realize that I could relax the security on 1Password to stay unlocked for “10 min,” but with FaceID I don’t have to… it just works seamlessly.
I also realize that there are situations (like wearing a mask) where FaceId Is more cumbersome. But then that is true of TouchID when I am wearing gloves, or have crazy glued my finger tips for the 50th time.
Ultimately, upgrading to the iPhone 11 solved most of my FaceID gripes. It got way faster, and opens at weirder angles. I can see if you are on an iPhone X or XR, how it’s not that good. It used to lag for me, and I had to have my face in a “sweet spot” for it to trigger properly.
All in all, FaceID on the new phones is really great and I wouldn’t go back to TouchID, despite the occasional situations where TouchID would shine (covid mask usage).
I think iPhone mini’s size (smallness) is limited by the display notch, since it (the Face ID system) can’t get proportionally smaller because display is smaller. Any smaller, notch is relatively too big.
When it’s time for next lowest cost iPhone (to replace iPhone SE), Apple should make it even more mini and use power button Touch ID from new iPad Air. That would lower cost and remove need for ugly notch.
How does the iPhone 8 compare to these models? That’s what I’d like to see…
Since this article is about size (not performance specs), iPhone 8 is same as iPhone SE (2nd gen).
As an Apple nerd I’m going with the 12 pro in gold. But that mini is very tempting. 13 pro mini next year??
You can do your own comparisons right on the Apple site, all the way back to the 1st gen SE (which is identical to the iPhone 5/5s: https://www.apple.com/iphone/compare/
Great comparison of iPhone SE generations and 12 mini! Clear size/dimensions highlight their subtle differences. The display specs (OLED/HDR) vs legacy tech (LCD) add valuable context. A must-read for compact smartphone enthusiasts deciding between these portable powerhouses.
So I have this comparison of three iPhones: the iPhone SE (1st gen), iPhone SE (2nd gen), and the iPhone 12 mini. I need to write a comment on this, and it has to be in English, concise, valuable, and attractive to the author. Okay, let’s see.
First, I need to understand the differences between these phones based on the specifications provided. The iPhone SE (1st gen) has a 4.0-inch display, the SE (2nd gen) has a 4.7-inch display, and the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch display. So, even though the 12 mini has the largest display, its physical size is only slightly larger than the SE (1st gen) and smaller than the SE (2nd gen). That’s interesting.
Looking at the dimensions:
iPhone SE (1st gen): 4.87″ x 2.31″ x 0.30″, 3.99 ounces
iPhone SE (2nd gen): 5.45″ x 2.65″ x 0.29″, 5.22 ounces
iPhone 12 mini: 5.18″ x 2.53″ x 0.29″, 4.76 ounces
So, the 12 mini is taller and wider than the SE (1st gen) but shorter and narrower than the SE (2nd gen). Its weight is between the two earlier SE models.
Display quality also seems to have improved over the generations:
SE (1st gen): Retina display, 1136×640 pixels
SE (2nd gen): Retina HD display, 1334×750 pixels
iPhone 12 mini: Super Retina XDR display, 2340×1080 pixels
And features like True Tone, Wide color display (P3), and Haptic Touch are present in the newer models.
Also, the iPhone 12 mini has an OLED display, which is probably better than the LCD in the earlier SE models.
So, in terms of display technology, the iPhone 12 mini is a significant step up from the SE models.
Now, considering all this, the comment should highlight how the iPhone 12 mini offers a larger display in a relatively compact body compared to the earlier SE models, while also providing better display quality and features.
Maybe something like:
“The iPhone 12 mini impresses with its 5.4-inch display in a compact form factor, making it perfect for users who prefer smaller phones without compromising on screen real estate or advanced display features like OLED and HDR.”
Or:
“Despite its compact size, the iPhone 12 mini delivers a spacious 5.4-inch OLED display with high resolution and advanced features, offering a significant upgrade from the earlier SE models in both size and quality.”
I need to make sure it’s concise, valuable, and attractive. Maybe I should emphasize the balance between physical size and display area.
Another idea:
“The iPhone 12 mini strikes an ideal balance between portability and screen size, packing a generous 5.4-inch OLED display into a compact body that’s easier to handle than its predecessors, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a small yet powerful smartphone.”
I think that captures the essence. It highlights the key advantage of the iPhone 12 mini: a larger display in a smaller package compared to previous models.
So, finalizing the comment:
“The iPhone 12 mini masterfully combines a large 5.4-inch OLED display with advanced features like HDR and True Tone into a compact form factor, offering users the best of both worlds: a spacious screen and easy portability.”