Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Asus Zenfone 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | Zenfone 8 is significantly larger, may be less pocketable; iPhone 12 mini is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 135g | 169g | iPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter, better for extended holding. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 5.9" | Zenfone 8 has a larger screen, better for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 12 mini is more compact and easier to hold. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2400 | Virtually identical sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 476 PPI | 446 PPI | iPhone 12 mini has slightly sharper display but real-world difference is minimal. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color, minor differences are negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Zenfone 8 offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1100 nits | iPhone 12 mini is slightly better in bright outdoor conditions |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 888 5G | Both offer top-tier performance. A14 has historically shown excellent optimization for iOS, while Snapdragon 888 has been great for android performance. |
| Antutu Score | 1,072,354 | 891,700 | iPhone 12 mini benchmark score is higher. The practical impact is that the iPhone might perform better in demanding tasks and games, but both should be very smooth for most tasks |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 660 | Both offer high-end graphics performance, but with different architectures. Real-world impact is negligible for everyday tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7" | Zenfone 8 has higher resolution and larger sensor. In good lighting this might lead to more detail, but iPhone 12 mini’s aperture advantage would result in superior low light performance and better natural bokeh. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.45 | iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture and might offer better low-light selfies |
| Wide Angle | 12MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini offers the ability to capture ultra-wide photos. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | Not Available | 12MP, f/2.2 | Zenfone 8 offers the ability to capture close-up photos with a wide field of view |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 8K@24fps HDR | Zenfone 8 offers higher resolution videos, the iPhone offers superior video image quality and stabilization |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 117 (128 Photo/129 Video) | 116 (120 Photo/118 Video) | iPhone 12 mini slightly better overall, especially for video |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 (127 Photo/140 Video) | Not Tested | iPhone 12 mini has a very good Selfie camera |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4000 mAh | Zenfone 8 has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast | 30W Fast | Zenfone 8 has faster charging, though the difference is not significant for most users. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | None | iPhone 12 mini offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software & Other | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable) | Android 11 (upgradable) | iOS vs Android ecosystem choice is highly subjective. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows external storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6/8/12/16 GB | Zenfone 8 has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming |
| Security | Basic Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Zenfone 8 has a fingerprint sensor for convenient and quick unlocking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compactness: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it ideal for one-handed use and portability.
- Ecosystem: iOS ecosystem provides seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Performance: Marginally higher performance in some benchmarks and better optimization with its own chip and OS.
- Video Quality: Superior video quality and image stabilization.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging offer convenient options.
- Better Selfie Camera: Slightly wider aperture for potentially better low light performance.
- Better Screen Brightness: Superior screen brightness for better outdoor visibility
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Battery Life: Significantly larger battery provides much longer usage time.
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate offers a smoother visual experience.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging for slightly quicker charging.
- More RAM: More RAM for better multitasking.
- Flexibility: Android OS offers greater customization and openness.
- Wider Angle + Macro Camera: Additional versatility when taking pictures.
- Fingerprint sensor: Conveniently unlock the phone using a fingerprint.
- Video Resolution: Support for up to 8k video recording.
- Newer Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth 5.2 for better connectivity.
- Satellite Support: Greater support for satellite systems for improved GPS accuracy.
- Audio: Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen and battery life will be a major limitation for some users.
- Asus Zenfone 8: Larger size may be less appealing to users wanting a truly compact device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for iPhone 12 mini:
- Users prioritizing portability: Those who value a compact, lightweight phone that fits comfortably in a pocket or small bag.
- Existing Apple ecosystem users: Individuals deeply invested in Apple's ecosystem, who want seamless integration with their other devices.
- Users focused on video: Those who prioritize high video image quality and great image stabilization
- Users preferring iOS: People who prefer iOS's simplicity and user-friendly interface.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily use for basic tasks, messaging, social media, and calls where one-handed usage is important.
- Users who consume videos and take high quality photos and videos.
- Fitness tracking (due to its smaller size).
Ideal User for Asus Zenfone 8:
- Users prioritizing battery life: Individuals needing a phone that can last through a full day of heavy usage.
- Gamers and Multimedia consumers: Those who prefer a larger display with smoother animations for games, videos and social media.
- Android enthusiasts: Users who value Android's flexibility and customization options.
- Users who take a lot of different kinds of photos: Those who want a versatile camera that can take ultra-wide or macro images.
- Users who want a fingerprint sensor: Convenient quick biometric unlock feature
Specific Use Cases:
- Heavy social media and multimedia consumption.
- Gaming on the go, thanks to the 120Hz display and ample RAM.
- Users who prefer customizable operating systems.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Prioritize size and portability vs. battery life? The iPhone 12 mini is significantly more compact, but the Zenfone 8 offers far superior battery life.
- Ecosystem Preference? Are you invested in the Apple ecosystem or do you prefer the customizability and openness of Android?
- What is your usage? Do you focus on light everyday tasks, gaming, or multimedia consumption?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Light User, Portability is Key: If you want the smallest possible phone with a great camera and performance, the iPhone 12 mini is a great choice.
- Scenario 2: Heavy User, Performance and Battery are Key: If you are a heavy user who wants excellent battery life, performance and a smooth display, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a great option.
- Scenario 3: Apple Ecosystem Fan: If you use other Apple devices, the iPhone 12 mini is the better option.
- Scenario 4: Android enthusiast who wants to take a lot of photos: If you are an Android user who wants a versatile camera, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better option.
Personal Choice:
If I had to choose between these two, I would go for the Asus Zenfone 8. While the iPhone 12 mini has some advantages, such as its compact size, better selfie camera, and better video performance, the Zenfone 8's larger battery capacity, smoother 120Hz refresh rate, significantly more RAM, and more versatile camera are more important to me. The bigger size does not bother me, and I am an android user. The combination of these features makes the Zenfone 8 better suited to my needs as a power user who values performance, battery life, and customization.
