[imagesource: Apple]

There are three types of iPhone users out there.

Those who like to coast in the middle, with an average-sized phone that does the job and looks the part.

Then there are the opposing sides of the same coin.

Some like it big – the bigger the better – while others prefer things compact and manageable.

I fall into the latter camp, and I’ve been checking out the new generation iPhone SE for a while now. Then the iPhone 12 Mini came out, and I changed my mind…maybe…it’s going to be a tough choice.

With the launch of the iPhone 12 range, Apple officially offers more size options than ever before, but we’re going to focus on the little guys.

Let’s take a trip through iPhone history to compare Apple’s more compact models from the iPhone 4 to the iPhone 12 Mini.

They may be small but they pack a punch.

iPhone 12 Mini

Image: Apple

• Display size: 13,7cm
• Dimensions: 13,1cm x 6,42cm x 0,74cm

According to Apple Insider, the iPhone Mini comes complete with an A14 Bionic processor, a dual-camera system, and 5G connectivity. Apart from screen size, the iPhone 12 mini is effectively the same as the iPhone 12.

It also has flat sides, instead of the rounded sides found on recent flagship iPhones.

iPhone SE (2020)

Image: Apple

• Display size: 12cm
• Dimensions: 6,73cm x 13,84 x 0,73

The lightweight phone bridges the gap between the older iPhone SE and the behemothic (but impressive) iPhone 11 Pro Max. It’s equipped with an A13 Bionic chip, which is the same as the one used to power the iPhone 11 range.

iPhone SE/ iPhone 5 / iPhone 5s

Image: Apple

• Display size: 10cm
• Dimensions: 12,3cm x 5,86cm x 0,76cm

A detailed inspection of the front of an iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and iPhone SE (Special Edition) side-by-side would fool most into thinking that they were the same phone.

There are some differences that aren’t immediately obvious. For example, per EveryMac, the iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, and iPhone SE all have dual cameras but they differ.

Most notably, the front-facing camera in the iPhone 5s and iPhone SE provided slightly better low light performance because of the 1,9µm pixel display, and the “Retina Flash” option on the iPhone SE is designed to take better selfies.

iPhone 4

• Display size: 9cm
• Dimensions: 11,52cm x 8,86 x 0,93cm

The iPhone 4, which was first unveiled in 2010, introduced a new hardware design to the iPhone family. It was also hailed as the thinnest smartphone in the world at the time.

This little guy sported an A4 system-on-chip, the first front-facing camera, and a video chat feature.

MacRumors took some liberties in the interest of comparisons. For the iPhone 11 Pro Max image, the back camera setup does not accurately represent the XS Max, 7 Plus, and 8 Plus cameras, but the overall sizes give you a good idea of how the iPhones compare in size across the board:

Image: MacRumors

It’s crazy how far we’ve come since the days of the iPhone 4.

Back then, 5G connectivity and an A14 Bionic processor seemed a long way off in the distance.

Apple has a way of taking things to the next level without compromising on the features that we know and love.

[source:macrumors&appleinsider&everymac]