Small phones are basically extinct. If you walk into an Apple Store today, everything looks like a glass brick designed for someone with giant hands or a very deep pocket. But tucked away in the pockets of enthusiasts and budget-savvy buyers is the iphone 12 mini black. It’s a weird little device. Released in late 2020, it was Apple’s first real attempt at putting flagship power into something that didn't feel like a tablet.
Honestly, holding one in 2026 feels like a nostalgic trip. It’s light—only 135 grams. That is remarkably light. For context, the modern base models are pushing well past 170 grams.
The black finish: Not just a color choice
The iphone 12 mini black isn't actually a deep, vantablack abyss. It’s more of a very dark, midnight ink. Under certain lights, you’ll catch a hint of navy, but mostly it’s just stealthy. Because the 12 mini uses an aluminum frame rather than the stainless steel found on the Pros, the black rails have a matte texture. This is a godsend. It doesn't show greasy fingerprints the way the shiny models do.
However, the back glass is a different story. It’s glossy. If you don't use a case, it will look like a crime scene of smudges within five minutes. But there’s something about the way the black OLED screen melts into the black bezels and then into the black frame. It looks like a single, seamless pebble.
Does the A14 Bionic still have legs?
We are deep into the era of iOS 26. People always ask if a six-year-old chip can handle modern apps. The short answer? Surprisingly, yes. The long answer is a bit more "kinda."
The A14 Bionic was the first 5nm chip in a phone. It was overbuilt for 2020. Today, scrolling through TikTok, checking emails, or navigating with Apple Maps feels snappy. But you’ll notice the 4GB of RAM struggling when you jump between heavy apps. If you’re editing a 4K video in CapCut and someone calls you, don't be shocked if the video app reloads when you go back to it.
The thermal management is where things get real. Because the iphone 12 mini black is so small, there isn't much room for heat to dissipate. If you’re playing a high-intensity game like Genshin Impact, the phone will get hot. Not "warm," but actually hot to the touch. When that happens, the screen dims to protect the internals, and the frame rate drops. It’s a pocket rocket, sure, but it’s one that overheats if you floor it for too long.
The battery elephant in the room
We have to talk about the battery. It’s the one thing everyone gets right when they criticize this phone. With a 2,227 mAh capacity, it was small when it launched. In 2026, with aged lithium-ion cells, it’s a struggle.
If your battery health is sitting at 80% or lower, you aren't making it to dinner time. Period. Most users find themselves tethered to a MagSafe battery pack or hunting for a Lightning cable by 3:00 PM. It’s the tax you pay for the size.
- Light use: You’ll get through a workday (calls, texts, some Spotify).
- Heavy use: You’ll be at 20% by noon.
- The Fix: A fresh battery replacement from a certified shop (usually around $90) can breathe another two years of life into it.
Why people still buy the iphone 12 mini black today
You can find these refurbished for under $150 now. That is insane value for a phone with a Super Retina XDR OLED display. The screen is 5.4 inches, but because it’s edge-to-edge, it actually shows more content than the old iPhone 8 or the SE models.
The camera system is still remarkably competent. You get two 12MP sensors—a wide and an ultra-wide. In daylight, the photos are indistinguishable from newer mid-range phones. The Night Mode works on all cameras, including the selfie one. It lacks the fancy "Action Mode" or "Cinematic Video" of the iPhone 15 or 16, but for a quick Instagram story or a family photo, it’s more than enough.
The "Digital Minimalist" appeal
There’s a growing trend of people switching to the iphone 12 mini black specifically because it’s not a media consumption beast. It’s a tool. It’s hard to get sucked into a six-hour doomscrolling session on a screen this small. It encourages you to put the phone down and live your life.
Things that might annoy you:
- The Notch: It’s the old-school notch, not the Dynamic Island. It takes up a decent chunk of the top of the screen.
- 60Hz Refresh Rate: Once you’ve used a 120Hz ProMotion screen, this feels slightly "choppy," though most people won't care.
- Lightning Port: We’re in a USB-C world now. Carrying a specific cable just for your phone is becoming a chore.
What to check before buying one used
If you’re scouring eBay or Swappa for an iphone 12 mini black, don't just look at the price.
First, ask about the battery health. Anything under 85% is going to be a headache. Second, check the OLED for "burn-in." Since these screens are older now, sometimes the ghost of a keyboard or the status bar icons can get stuck on the screen. It’s rare but worth a look.
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Lastly, check the speakers. The 12 series had a known issue with the "receiver module" (the earpiece) failing. Apple had a repair program for this, but many units out there might still have muffled or dead audio during calls.
The iphone 12 mini black remains a niche classic. It represents a time when Apple took a risk on a form factor that the vocal minority begged for, even if the general public eventually moved toward bigger screens. It’s a tiny, powerful, slightly flawed masterpiece that still holds its own.
Actionable Steps for 12 Mini Owners:
- Check Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it's below 80%, book a replacement to avoid CPU throttling.
- Manage Storage: The base 64GB model is tiny for 2026. Use iCloud Photos with "Optimize iPhone Storage" turned on to keep your local space free.
- Update with Caution: If you're on a stable version of iOS 25, read user forums before jumping to the latest iOS 26 build. Older hardware sometimes struggles with the initial "indexing" phase of new updates, causing temporary lag and heat.
- Get a MagSafe Wallet: It’s the perfect size for the back of this phone and adds some much-needed grip without adding bulk.