1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Size | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is significantly larger and less pocketable, iPhone 12 mini is much more compact for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 135g | 178g | iPhone 12 mini feels significantly lighter and more comfortable for long-term use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.67" | Honor 70 provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness, though slightly more pixels on the Honor 70. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 395 | iPhone 12 mini screen will appear sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 70 offers smoother scrolling and animations, a better experience for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Honor 70 information is missing and should be confirmed. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance for gaming, multitasking, and app loading. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 600,525 | iPhone 12 mini provides noticeably faster overall performance and handles demanding tasks with more ease. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 642L | iPhone 12 mini's GPU is significantly more powerful, giving better graphics performance for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 54MP | Honor 70 captures images with more detail, but larger pixel size of iPhone 12 mini helps with low-light performance |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.9 | iPhone 12 mini gathers more light resulting in better low-light performance |
| Main Camera Sensor | 1/2.55" | 1/1.49" | Honor 70 sensor is larger, it should result in better dynamic range and low light |
| Selfie Camera Res | 12MP | 32MP | Honor 70 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | iPhone 12 mini gathers more light for selfies, potentially better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Res | 12MP | 50MP | Honor 70 wide angle is more detailed |
| Wide Angle Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.2 | Honor 70 wide angle gathers slightly more light, potentially better low light performance. |
| Macro Camera | None | 2MP | Honor 70 has a dedicated macro lens for closeup shots, while iPhone 12 mini lacks one. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer excellent video capabilities, iPhone 12 mini has 60 fps for smoother video while Honor 70 is capped at 30 fps |
| DxoMark Mobile | 117 (Main), 132 (Selfie) | 115 (Main) | iPhone 12 mini has better main camera capabilities, and an excellent Selfie camera. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70 offers significantly longer battery life under typical use, though actual battery life depends on usage |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Honor 70 charges much faster, significantly reducing charging times. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W / Qi 7.5W | No | iPhone 12 mini supports convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable) | Android 12 (upgradable) | Different user experience; iOS is known for its smooth performance while Android for customization. |
| Other | |||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Honor 70 has more RAM, beneficial for multitasking and demanding apps. |
| Storage | Up to 512GB | Up to 512GB | Both offer ample storage; No expandable storage on either device. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Honor 70 offers a slightly more advanced Bluetooth version and more audio codecs. |
| Security | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | Honor 70 offers an additional layer of security with its fingerprint scanner. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is substantially faster, offering better gaming, smoother multitasking, and snappier app loading.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density provides a crisper and more detailed viewing experience.
- Superior Outdoor Visibility: Much higher peak brightness makes it easier to see the screen in bright sunlight.
- Wireless Charging: Supports convenient MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
- Better main camera performance The main camera is rated better at DxoMark
- Better Selfie Camera Performance DxoMark test show a noticeably better Selfie Camera
- eSIM Support: Allows for easy switching between cellular plans and using two numbers simultaneously.
- Premium build quality and integration with Apple ecosystem: This ensures smooth user experience
- More accurate GPS: Includes QZSS for better location accuracy in certain areas.
- Better audio experience: Offers Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus for improved spatial audio
Practical implications: The iPhone 12 mini is the performance leader here, excelling in responsiveness, speed, and outdoor visibility while having a great camera.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Offers a more immersive experience for media consumption, browsing, and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate results in smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming experience.
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity provides much longer usage times between charges.
- Much Faster Charging: 66W fast charging reduces downtime spent waiting for the device to charge.
- More RAM: Allows for better multitasking, especially with more demanding apps and games.
- More detailed Cameras: The rear and front camera offers more detail.
- Macro lens: Allows for additional photography possibilities
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a faster and more convenient way to unlock the phone.
- Better Bluetooth codecs: Supports APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC for higher quality audio
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices using its battery.
Practical implications: The Honor 70 excels in providing an immersive multimedia experience with its large smooth display, extended battery life, faster charging and extra features with its camera set.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Has a significantly smaller battery and a lower refresh rate.
- Honor 70: Lacks the performance of Apple's chip, has an unknown brightness output and doesn't have wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, compact size, and a premium user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Users who want a phone that is easy to carry and use with one hand.
- Gamers who need high frame rates and excellent graphics capabilities.
- Individuals invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- People who want a pocketable phone without compromising power.
- Those who frequently use a phone in bright outdoor environments.
- Price-to-Value: Slightly higher price tag, but justified by its exceptional performance, compact size and premium experience.
Honor 70:
- Ideal User: Users who value a large, smooth display for media consumption and gaming, alongside long battery life.
- Use Cases:
- Users who frequently watch videos, play games, and browse on their phone.
- Individuals who need a phone that can last a full day on a single charge.
- Users who prefer a fast-charging experience.
- Those who enjoy having a larger screen for multitasking.
- People who prefer Android customization and flexibility.
- Price-to-Value: Generally a more budget-friendly option while offering a great screen and battery experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize performance and a compact size, or a large immersive display and longer battery life?
- How important is wireless charging and having better outdoor visibility on the display?
- Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, or do you prefer the flexibility of Android?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the "Power User": Choose the iPhone 12 mini if you want the fastest processing power and best overall performance, in a small package. This comes with trade-offs in screen size and battery
- For the "Multimedia Enthusiast": Choose the Honor 70 if you prioritize a larger, smoother screen for media consumption, long battery life and fast charging.
What I would choose and why!
Given these two options, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. My rationale is as follows:
While the Honor 70 offers a compelling package, especially with its larger, smoother screen, much bigger battery, and faster charging, I personally prioritize the overall performance and the compact design of the iPhone 12 mini.
Here's why:
- Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is a significant advantage for my daily usage, which involves a good amount of multitasking and occasional gaming. The iPhone 12 mini will provide a much more fluid and responsive experience.
- Compact Size: The iPhone 12 mini's small form factor is a major draw for me. As someone who prefers pocketable phones that can be used with one hand, the iPhone 12 mini will be more practical.
- Display Sharpness: The higher pixel density of the iPhone 12 mini screen will provide a crisper visual experience.
- Ecosystem: I am somewhat invested in the Apple ecosystem, so the iPhone will integrate seamlessly.
- Premium Build: I appreciate the overall build quality of the iPhone.
- Camera: I prefer the better main camera performance and the significantly better selfie camera.
While the battery of the iPhone 12 mini is indeed a weak point, I can manage it. The iPhone 12 mini sacrifices some battery life, the smaller screen and 60Hz for performance and compactness. On the other hand, the Honor 70 does have some missing information, so it needs to be looked at before a final purchase. The biggest of those missing features is the brightness which is not specified.
For me, the iPhone 12 mini's strengths align better with my typical usage scenarios, even considering the tradeoffs.
