The Smallest iPhone With Face ID
Every iPhone since the X has Face ID except the SE line — so the real question is which Face ID model is physically smallest. Here's the full ranking, and what to buy depending on whether "new" matters.
Data last updated June 2, 2026 · Dimensions from Apple.com · Prices are June 2026 estimates
Face ID iPhones ranked by size
Smallest first. The SE is excluded because it uses Touch ID, not Face ID.
| Model | Height | Width | Screen | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 12 mini | 131.5 mm | 64.2 mm | 5.4" | Refurbished |
| iPhone 13 mini | 131.5 mm | 64.2 mm | 5.4" | Refurbished |
| iPhone X | 143.6 mm | 70.9 mm | 5.8" | Refurbished |
| iPhone 13 | 146.7 mm | 71.5 mm | 6.1" | Refurbished |
| iPhone 16e | 146.7 mm | 71.5 mm | 6.1" | Sold new |
The 12 mini and 13 mini tie for smallest at 131.5 mm. The 16e is the smallest Face ID iPhone still sold new.
Smallest overall: iPhone 13 mini (or 12 mini)
At 131.5 mm tall and just 64.2 mm wide, the mini twins are the smallest iPhones ever made with Face ID. You can reach the top corner of the screen and span its width one-handed — something no iPhone in the current lineup allows. Between the two, the 13 mini is the better buy: same size, but a newer chip (A15), a brighter screen, and slightly better battery and camera than the 12 mini.
Both are refurbished-only now. Expect around $320 for a 13 mini and a bit less for a 12 mini. If you want the smallest possible Face ID phone and can live with a smaller battery, the 13 mini is the answer.
Find a refurbished 13 mini →Smallest new: iPhone 16e
If buying new with a full warranty matters more than maximum compactness, the iPhone 16e at 146.7 mm is the smallest Face ID iPhone Apple currently sells — fractionally smaller than the iPhone 16. It's not a small phone in the mini sense, but it pairs Face ID with the latest iOS, Apple Intelligence, and far better battery life (~26h video) than any mini.
See iPhone 16e prices →Where to buy a small Face ID iPhone
The mini models are refurbished-only — here's where to find them with a warranty.
What about the iPhone SE?
The iPhone SE (3rd gen) is smaller than the 16e at 138.4 mm — but it uses Touch ID, not Face ID, so it doesn't qualify here. If a fingerprint reader and a home button actually suit you better, see the best small iPhone, where the SE is a top pick.
FAQ
What is the smallest iPhone with Face ID?
The iPhone 13 mini at 131.5 mm, tied with the 12 mini. Both fit a 5.4" screen and Face ID into the most compact modern iPhone body. Refurbished only, since the mini line ended after 2021.
What's the smallest new iPhone with Face ID?
The iPhone 16e at 146.7 mm, narrowly smaller than the iPhone 16. For anything smaller you need a refurbished 12 mini or 13 mini.
Does the iPhone SE have Face ID?
No — the SE 3rd gen uses Touch ID with a home button. For Face ID in a compact phone, the 13 mini is smallest and the 16e is the smallest new.
Best Face ID iPhone for one-handed use?
The iPhone 13 mini — 131.5 mm tall, 64.2 mm wide, reachable with one hand. Runs current iOS, about $320 refurbished.
Compare every compact iPhone
See all the small models measured side by side, and how Apple's lineup got bigger.