The iPhone 12 Mini is proof Apple could pack flagship power into a phone that fits in your pocket, one-handed, no stretching. Buy it refurbished and you get that rare compact size for way less, battery-backed at 85%+ so small doesn't mean short-lived.
At a glance
The refurbished iPhone 12 Mini is best for buyers who want a small iPhone with a sharp OLED screen, 5G, Face ID, MagSafe and strong everyday performance without paying for a newer model. It gives you the main iPhone 12 features in Apple’s smallest modern iPhone body.
For buyers comparing used, second-hand and refurbished options, the key risk is battery health. The iPhone 12 Mini has a smaller battery than most iPhones, so a weak battery matters more here than it does on a larger model. A professionally refurbished Apple iPhone from The Big Phone Store gives you clear grading, proper testing, warranty support and a minimum battery health standard, so you are not gambling on quality.
Best for: Buyers who want a small phone, casual users, parents buying a first iPhone for a child
Performance: A14 Bionic chip
Camera: Dual 12MP system — Wide and Ultra Wide, with Night mode, plus a 12MP TrueDepth front camera
Battery: Up to 15 hours of video playback
Software: iOS 26, still receiving updates
Consider a newer model if: you want better battery life and camera performance
The iPhone 12 Mini was announced by Apple on 13 October 2020 as part of the iPhone 12 family. It was Apple’s answer to people who wanted a smaller iPhone without going back to an older design.
Before the iPhone 12 Mini, smaller iPhone buyers often had to choose the iPhone SE, which kept the Home Button and older-style screen. The 12 Mini changed that. It gave you the modern Face ID design, OLED display, 5G, MagSafe charging and A14 Bionic chip in a much smaller body.
The biggest selling point was size. The iPhone 12 Mini has a 5.4-inch screen, but because it uses Apple’s all-screen design, the phone itself is smaller and lighter than older compact iPhones with thick bezels. It is easy to use one-handed, easy to pocket and much less bulky than most modern phones.
There is one trade-off though: battery life. Reviewers were excited about the smaller size at launch, but a smaller body means a smaller battery. This is still the main thing to consider when buying one refurbished in 2026.
How The iPhone 12 Mini Compares
There wasn't an iPhone 11 Mini, so most users will be comparing it with the standard iPhone 12. It's smaller, less expensive and has a smaller battery.
Feature | Technical Upgrade | What You Notice Day to Day |
|---|---|---|
Size | 5.4-inch display (vs 6.1-inch display on iPhone 12) | Easier to use one-handed, fits comfortably into smaller pockets, and feels much less bulky during everyday use. |
Weight | 133g (vs 164g on iPhone 12) | Feels noticeably lighter in your hand, making long calls, messaging and daily carrying more comfortable. |
Battery Life | Smaller battery than the iPhone 12 | You'll likely need to charge more often if you stream videos, use navigation regularly or spend long periods away from a charger. |
Camera System | Same dual 12MP camera system as iPhone 12 | You get virtually identical photo and video quality without needing to carry a larger device. |
Performance | Same A14 Bionic chip as iPhone 12 | Apps, games and everyday tasks feel just as fast as the larger model, despite the smaller size. |
Value | Usually costs less than the standard iPhone 12 on the refurbished market | You can get the core iPhone 12 experience for less money if screen size and battery life are not your top priorities. |
Battery Note: Shorter battery life is the main thing to think about. The iPhone 12 Mini is a great small phone, but it is not the best choice if you stream, game, use maps often or spend long days away from a charger.
The Big Phone Store Team Summary: The iPhone 12 Mini is one that’s hard to compare with previous models, because it’s actually the first Mini model released by Apple. It’s a small phone with a relatively small battery life too. If this is something that’s likely to bother you, opting for a ‘Like New’ iPhone 12 Mini is a smart choice because it gives you 100% battery health. Alternatively, you could upgrade to a brand new battery at checkout.
Many of our customers don’t like the fact that modern phones are increasing in size, but can’t buy an older phone without losing access to modern apps and features. The 12 Mini is one we recommend to anyone in that position, because you get all the core features you need, just in a smaller package.
I’d recommend the iPhone 12 Mini for people who want a smaller iPhone first and foremost. It suits casual users, parents buying a first iPhone for their child, people who dislike large phones, and anyone upgrading from an older iPhone.
Avoid the iPhone 12 Mini if battery life is your main concern. Its smaller size comes with a smaller battery, and that matters if you use your phone heavily. It’s not the type of phone to last a full day of constant use. It's also not ideal for those with bigger hands.
— Holly Williams, Marketing Executive
Find a cheap iPhone 12 Mini deal across our grades, colours and storage options.
Grades: Like New, Pristine, Very Good, Good
Colours: Black, White, Blue, Green, Purple, Product (RED)
Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB
Every grade (condition) of device we sell at The Big Phone Store is fully working. The grade describes cosmetic condition only, and all devices go through a 90+ point check before dispatch.
Like New includes 100% battery health. All other grades include a minimum 85% battery health, which can be upgraded to 100% with a new battery at checkout.
Feature | Technical Details | Why it Matters |
|---|---|---|
Screen | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, 2340 × 1080 resolution at 476 ppi | Sharp, compact screen that looks much better than older LCD iPhones. Texts, photos and videos are clear and easy to see, even on the small screen. |
Camera | Dual 12MP rear cameras: Wide and Ultra Wide. 12MP TrueDepth front camera | Clear and sharp photos, night mode support, and useful Ultra Wide shots. Good for casual everyday photos. |
Battery Life | Up to 15 hours of video playback; TBPS devices have minimum 85% battery health | Lasts long enough for light daily use. Those who mainly use their phone for practical features (calls, texts, browsing) will enjoy this device. |
iOS | Supports modern iOS versions, but not Apple Intelligence | You can continue using the latest apps, security updates, and most modern iPhone features. The phone is still supported in 2026. |
Dimensions | 131.5 mm × 64.2 mm × 7.4 mm, 133 g | One of the smallest and lightest modern iPhones Apple has made. Ideal for those who don’t carry a bag and prefer to pocket their phone. |
Every iPhone 12 Mini from The Big Phone Store comes with at least 85% battery health, well above Apple’s 80% replacement threshold. Like New devices have 100% battery health guaranteed.
If you want a small iPhone for less and do not mind the older Home Button design, try the iPhone SE 2022.
If you like the iPhone 12 Mini but want a larger screen and better battery life, try the iPhone 12.
If you want the same compact size with better battery life and camera performance, try the iPhone 13 mini.
If you want a stronger all-round iPhone and don’t need the smallest size, try the iPhone 13.
Size
The best feature on the iPhone 12 Mini is its size. It gives you a proper modern iPhone experience in a phone that still feels compact.
That matters because most newer phones are large, sometimes too large to feel practical if you don’t use your phone for watching videos or playing games. The iPhone 12 Mini is easy to use one-handed, fits into smaller pockets, and feels light during long calls or day-to-day use. For the majority of people, this is the main appeal.
You still get the features that make it feel modern: Face ID, OLED, 5G, MagSafe, Ceramic Shield and the A14 Bionic chip. It doesn’t feel like a small old phone. It feels like a smaller version of the iPhone 12.
If you're still undecided, we have dozens of other iPhone models available. See our range or get in contact!
iPhone 12 Mini
Bought for my husband who wanted a small phone to fit in his pocket the iPhone 12 mini was just right
Easy to order and arrived quickly excellent condition
Fantastic service - ordered a 12 mini in purple in gold; came with 100%
Battery. No issues
Great Experience, ordered an iPhone 12 mini in very good condition, came next day and as the condition was as described. Happy with condition and service provided from the ease of the website through to the phone itself.
The iPhone 12 Mini is a compact phone with a smaller battery, so we pay close attention to battery health.
Our internal refurbishment process for the iPhone 12 Mini includes device checks across 90+ points.
85%+ battery health confirmed and charging tested
Display brightness, colour and full-screen touch response
Face ID — tested, not assumed
Front camera and video
Speakers, microphone and haptic feedback
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and mobile signal
All buttons and sensors
IMEI and network history check via CheckMEND
Previous owner’s data fully erased
Account locks removed
Lost, stolen and blacklist status checked
Only devices that pass every required check are approved for sale. If a device doesn’t meet our standards, it won’t be sold. Each reconditioned iPhone 12 Mini we sell is tested, cleaned and graded in-house before dispatch.
There is a big difference between a second-hand iPhone 12 Mini and a refurbished one, but in both cases you need to be careful. From over twenty five years of experience working with used phones, we know that a cheap iPhone 12 Mini can come with problems that are not obvious from photos.
Don’t just look at the cost. When buying a used iPhone 12 Mini, watch out for these common pitfalls.
Risk to Watch Out For | The Issue | What it Means for You |
|---|---|---|
Non-UK or imported models | Some phones may not be intended for the UK market. | You'll pay marginally less upfront, however the phone may sell for as little as 10-20% of its original value later on. Whilst you'll make a small saving to start with, you'll take a huge hit when it's time to dispose of the device, because imported devices are seen as a risk for buyers. |
Phones that are not actually in stock | Some sellers list phones before they physically have them ready to send. | Your phone is your lifeline, and we understand this well. Do you really want to purchase from a company who has a reputation of taking your money and then making you wait for weeks, or in some cases months for your device? |
Weak battery health | A phone can look clean but still have a worn battery. | Many of our competitors don't even mention battery life, and the battery you get is left up to chance. Who wants to spend good money on a device that only turns on for a few hours? Our minimum battery health is 85%, and you can upgrade to 100% at checkout for much cheaper than a high-street battery replacement would cost. |
Hidden faults | Camera, Face ID, sensors or charging port issues may not show in photos. | Many sellers cut costs by not testing your device properly, or in some cases not at all. We believe that every customer deserves a fully functional device from day one, which is why our return rate is one of the lowest in the industry. |
Poor-quality replacement parts | Cheap screens, batteries or camera parts can affect how the phone feels and performs. | Mobile phones are precisely built and sensitive devices. Some sellers use cheap phone parts that are more likely to break or become faulty. We use genuine Apple parts in 95% of the iPhones we repair. On the rare occasion that third-party parts are used, these will be of the highest quality possible, and only for screens and batteries. See our quality charter. |
Blocked, locked or finance-flagged phones | Risky sellers may list phones that later turn out to be blocked, iCloud locked, finance-flagged or not fully reset. | What might seem like a good deal initially could cost you further down the line when the phone is blacklisted from use. We check that your phone hasn't been reported stolen, isn't on the police register, doesn't belong to another company, isn't hacked, and doesn't have any viruses. |
Weak aftercare | Some sellers offer limited support once the phone has been delivered. | If something goes wrong and you need quick support, you may be stuck talking to an AI chatbot. In some cases, the customer support team may live in a different timezone and can't help you when you need it most. Our award-winning team is here to help you by phone, WhatsApp, email and more. |
The Big Phone Store has been refurbishing phones since 1999, and every device is tested, graded and shipped from our UK operation. The reason customers come back is simple: real stock, clear grading, minimum 85% battery health and UK support from people you can actually speak to.
If you're looking for an iPhone 12 Mini refurbished in the UK, here’s why you should choose us:
What Matters | How We Help | Why it Matters to You |
|---|---|---|
Experience | Refurbished electronics specialist since 1999 | No one has more expertise in this industry than us. We’ve been refurbishing phones since before the iPhone existed. |
Trust | A 4.8 Trustpilot rating with over 5000 reviews | We have over 80,000 satisfied customers, and you can become one of them. |
Security | Devices are data-wiped, network status and device history are checked for blacklisting, theft, loss or outstanding finance | Our checks help protect you from blocked, stolen or finance-flagged phones. Unlike with unverified sellers, there’s no risk of being scammed or ripped off. |
Quality | 90+ point quality check | We refuse to sell devices that don't work the same as if they were new. Your device is ready to go straight out of the box. |
Support | UK-based customer support | Get help from real people who won the Best Customer Service (Consumer) award at the MNA 2026, beating major brands such as EE. |
Stock | Website stock means actual stock | Unlike other sites, all devices on our website are in stock and ready to ship from our warehouse today. No false listings or seller delays. |
Device Quality | Every part of the process is done in-house | We have full control over the refurbishment process. Unlike others who outsource their process, we confirm the quality of the devices ourselves. |
Every Apple iPhone 12 Mini refurbished at The Big Phone Store includes a 12-month warranty as standard, which you can upgrade to 2 years, 5 years, or lifetime. You also get free UK delivery for any order over £30 and a 45-day returns process.
Yes. Our refurbished iPhone 12 mini devices are SIM-free and unlocked for compatible UK networks.
No. A used phone is usually sold as-is by a private seller. A refurbished iPhone 12 mini is professionally tested, data-wiped, graded and sold with warranty cover.
Not if you want a compact phone. It is best for one-handed use, smaller pockets and people who prefer lighter devices. If you watch lots of video or want longer battery life, the standard iPhone 12 may suit you better.
Yes. It has a dual 12MP camera system with wide and ultra-wide lenses, Night mode, Deep Fusion and 4K Dolby Vision HDR video recording.
You get at least 85% battery health as standard. Like New phones include 100% guaranteed battery health.
That depends on the grade. Like New and Pristine look cleaner, while Very Good and Good may show more signs of previous use. All grades are fully functional.
Yes. Every refurbished iPhone 12 mini includes a 12-month warranty as standard, with upgrade options where available.
Buy the refurbished iPhone 12 mini if you want a fun, stylish, pocket-friendly iPhone with 5G, OLED, MagSafe and strong everyday speed, without carrying a large phone.
