All smartphone manufacturers made a habit of making the weight of their phones stable on their specifications sheet. To a certain degree, it is something important to look at because it tells an important story about the evolution of the materials used and tech. The weight of the iPhone 12 is an interesting study case of how Apple builds its phones.
Weight of All iPhone 12 Versions
For the iPhone 12, there are 4 devices to look at. When speaking about the weight you need to know which iPhone version you are comparing.
The iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest out of all of them and it would be reasonable to expect that it is the lightest. It weighs just 135 grams or 4.76 oz. The lower weight is easy to understand. It is smaller, with a smaller screen and probably a smaller battery but this is just an assumption. Apple does not disclose battery capacity for their phones.
For the iPhone 12, the weight is 164 grams or 5.78 oz. The phone is larger than the iPhone 12 Mini. What is interesting to notice is that the iPhone 12 Pro, which is the same size as the iPhone 12, is a bit heavier. It weighs 189 grams or 6.66 oz. There are no major differences in terms of hardware between the two. The Pro is mostly advertised for its superior cameras.
Lastly, there is the iPhone 12 Pro Max. It is the largest of the bunch but has an identical design as with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro. However, it weighs 228 grams or 8.03 oz. The difference in weight comes from a larger screen and body. Again the battery size is not disclosed.
How Does It Compare to Previous Versions?
Looking at the previous generation, the iPhone 11 was 194 grams. Compared to the 164 grams of the iPhone 12, that is a notable difference. The difference in size would not explain the weight of the iPhone 12 is 84% of that of the previous generation.
What Does Weight Tell You About a Phone?
Undoubtedly the iPhone 12 is a lighter phone than the previous generation. The weight of the phone becomes relevant when comparing nearly identical devices. Devices of the same size and similar hardware but different weights have a story to tell about their build and materials used.
Glass is a common material that is being used in flagship smartphones. At the same time, glass is heavier than plastic. A smartphone with a plastic back cover is lighter. Also, for the internal frame, there are again multiple options. Plastic is still the lightest material that can be used. It is also the cheapest.
At the same time, soft metals such as aluminum can be used to lower the weight of a phone but then it may compromise its structural integrity. There is a great degree of engineering and research involved in making phones lighter yet durable and with a reasonable battery capacity. The fact that Apple made the weight of the iPhone 12 lower while still maintaining the same high level of build quality.
