1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable. The ROG Phone 8 Pro is larger, offering a bigger screen, but is less convenient for one-handed use and portability. |
| Weight | 135g | 225g | The iPhone 12 mini is much lighter and more comfortable for extended use. The ROG Phone 8 Pro, while heavier, has a more substantial feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.78" | The ROG Phone 8 Pro provides a significantly larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. The iPhone 12 mini is better for users who prefer a compact device. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp displays, but the minor resolution difference is negligible in real-world use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 388 | The iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display due to higher pixel density, resulting in finer detail, though noticeable only for very discerning users. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction, deep blacks, and high contrast. Differences are subtle and not generally noticeable in everyday use. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a much smoother visual experience, particularly noticeable in gaming and scrolling. The iPhone 12 mini has a standard refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | The ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly brighter, leading to better visibility in bright sunlight. The iPhone 12 mini is adequately bright for indoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly more powerful processor, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A14 Bionic is still capable but not as performant. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 2,020,000 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro offers much higher benchmark performance, indicating a noticeably faster and more responsive experience, especially in demanding applications. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 750 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's Adreno 750 GPU is much more capable, providing higher frame rates and better graphics in games and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5500mAh | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much longer battery life. Real-world battery life depends on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | The ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, allowing for a quicker power-up. |
| Battery Features | MagSafe wireless, Qi charging | None | iPhone 12 mini supports additional charging options with MagSafe and Qi, while ROG only has the wired charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's higher resolution sensor provides more detail and is better for cropping and large prints. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.9 | The iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture, allowing more light in for better low-light performance, while ROG Phone has a smaller aperture. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.56" | The ROG Phone 8 Pro's larger sensor gathers more light, leading to improved image quality, especially in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 32MP | The ROG Phone 8 Pro captures more detailed selfies with its higher resolution sensor. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities, while iPhone has no telephoto. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | None | The iPhone 12 mini offers a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame, which the ROG lacks. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has wide angle lens with marco capabilities. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 24fps | The ROG Phone 8 Pro can record in higher resolutions (8K), making it suitable for professional video. |
| Slow Motion Video | 240fps | 480fps | ROG Phone offers higher frame rate which results in smoother slo-mo. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable to 18) | Android 14 (Upgradable to 16) | Different operating systems: iOS vs Android, each with its own ecosystem, UI, and app availability. iOS is known for its simplicity, while Android is known for its flexibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | The ROG Phone 8 Pro supports the newer and faster Wi-Fi 7 standard. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a newer Bluetooth standard, offering potentially more stable and efficient connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 8 Pro supports more satellite systems, offering potentially better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | iPhone supports eSIM while ROG only supports dual nano sims |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512 GB | 512/1024 GB | ROG Phone has more storage option with 512GB or 1024GB, compared to 64/128/256/512 GB of the iPhone. |
| RAM | 4GB | 16/24 GB | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Both phones offer stereo speakers but use different audio technologies and additional mics for clarity. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Fingerprint Sensor | The ROG Phone 8 Pro has a fingerprint sensor, providing faster and more convenient unlocking. The iPhone 12 mini relies primarily on face unlock which can be less convenient in certain situations. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro has superior screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The protection of iPhone is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | The ROG Phone 8 Pro includes additional biometric sensors. The iPhone 12 mini has a Barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size & Lightweight: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it extremely pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use. Ideal for users who prioritize portability.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density, resulting in a slightly sharper image.
- Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, offering convenient charging options.
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated wide angle lens
- eSIM support: Supports eSIM in addition to physical SIMs
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 mini is better for users who value portability and ease of use with one hand, while maintaining a high-quality display. It is well-suited for those who prefer a simple, pocketable smartphone and appreciate wireless charging.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, making it ideal for heavy gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Larger Display with Higher Refresh Rate: Bigger screen and a 165Hz refresh rate offer a much smoother and more immersive experience, particularly for gaming and video.
- Significantly Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Offers much longer battery life and faster charging, reducing downtime.
- Higher Resolution Cameras & Telephoto Lens: Offers more detailed photos and videos and a telephoto lens for zoom capabilities.
- Superior Screen Protection: Comes with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen protection, making the screen more resistant to scratches and damage
- Advanced Bluetooth: Supports more bluetooth audio codecs for superior audio.
- More storage and RAM: Has more storage and RAM to handle demanding tasks.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is designed for users who demand top-tier performance, a large immersive display and long battery life. Its camera system offers more flexibility and advanced features, making it a more complete creative tool.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size & Portability: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is much larger and heavier, making it less comfortable for one-handed use and less convenient to carry in a pocket. The iPhone 12 mini is significantly more portable.
- Battery Life vs. Portability: The iPhone 12 mini compromises on battery capacity for its smaller size, while the ROG Phone 8 Pro is much bulkier but has superior battery life.
- Display Sharpness vs Refresh Rate: The iPhone has higher pixel density, while ROG offers higher refresh rate.
- Camera flexibility vs simplicity: The ROG has a more flexible camera system while the iphone has a simpler two lens camera system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use.
- Those who value a simple, easy-to-use interface and prefer the iOS ecosystem.
- Users who don't require demanding performance and mainly use their phones for basic tasks, social media and consuming media.
- Those who prefer compact phone and dont mind shorter battery life.
- Users who like wireless charging options.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12 mini:
- Everyday use for calls, texts, browsing, and social media.
- Quick photo and video capture in well-lit conditions.
- Commuters who want a small and easily accessible phone.
- Users who like smaller devices that can fit easily in their pockets.
Ideal Users for Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Mobile gamers who demand high performance and smooth frame rates.
- Power users who need a phone for heavy multitasking and demanding applications.
- Media consumers who want a large display with a high refresh rate for videos and gaming.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery for extended use.
- Users who need the extra features of a triple camera setup and higher zoom capability.
- Users who appreciate the finer controls and flexibility of android.
Specific Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Intense gaming sessions with high graphics and frame rates.
- Video editing and content creation.
- Extensive media consumption, including high-resolution movies and games.
- Use in bright sunlight conditions
- Users that prefer more flexible camera setups.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini is an older, more affordable device, suitable for budget-conscious buyers who still appreciate a premium feel. However, it is outperformed by the ROG phone in almost every category except portability.
- The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a high-end device with a high price tag, offering cutting-edge performance and features. It is suitable for users who need a top-of-the-line device without compromising on performance or screen size.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
What is my priority: portability or performance?
- If portability is key, the iPhone 12 mini is a better choice.
- If you want top-tier performance, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the way to go.
How important are gaming, media consumption, and multitasking to me?
- If you are a gamer or power user, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear choice.
- If your needs are more basic, the iPhone 12 mini will suffice.
How important is camera quality and versatility to me?
- If you are a basic user and just need a phone camera for everyday shots the iPhone 12 mini is capable.
- If you need higher quality and better zoom capabilities, the ROG Phone is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Daily commuter who values a pocketable, easy-to-use phone: iPhone 12 mini is the better option.
- Scenario 2: Hardcore gamer who needs maximum performance and long battery life: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the best choice.
- Scenario 3: Casual user who values media consumption and the flexibility of Android: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is a better option.
- Scenario 4: User who wants a basic smartphone, with a smaller size and basic camera setup: iPhone 12 mini is a cheaper and better option.
- Scenario 5: User who prefers wireless charging options: iPhone 12 mini is the only option of the two.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. My reasoning is primarily driven by my preference for a more versatile and high performing device. Although I appreciate the compact size of the iPhone 12 mini, the ROG Phone 8 Pro's superior performance, much larger and smoother display, significantly longer battery life, and more flexible camera system would be more important to me. While the iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display due to higher pixel density, the high refresh rate of the ROG Phone 8 Pro would make it a more enjoyable phone for daily use, especially for gaming and media. The higher resolution camera, telephoto lens and additional camera features are also a major selling point over the iPhone 12 mini. Although the ROG Phone is larger and heavier, I am willing to accept that trade-off for the significant improvements in performance, display and battery.
