Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Huawei Mate X3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei Mate X3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-04-08 | Mate X3 is significantly newer, likely with more recent technology |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Mate X3 offers a larger display that folds for pocketability, while iPhone is a traditional single-screen design. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 156.9 × 141.5 × 5.3 mm (unfolded) | Mate X3 is significantly larger when unfolded and wider. The iPhone is much more compact and easier to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 135g | 239g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter making it more comfortable for long use, while the Mate X3 is heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 7.85" | Mate X3 has a significantly larger display, ideal for media consumption and multitasking, while the iPhone is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 2224x2496 | Mate X3 offers more screen detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 426 | iPhone 12 mini is sharper |
| Technology | OLED | iPhone 12 mini offers superior display quality in terms of contrast and color accuracy (OLED), whereas Mate X3 details are missing | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Mate X3 offers smoother scrolling and animations, while the iPhone 12 mini has standard 60Hz. |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 0 | iPhone 12 mini has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions. Mate X3 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Different architectures; Snapdragon is typically better for gaming, while Apple chipsets excel at specific tasks like video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,238,400 | Mate X3 shows higher benchmark scores, indicating better performance under heavy loads |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 | Different GPUs; Snapdragon Adreno is generally better for gaming, while Apple GPU excels at specific tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | Mate X3 captures more detail in photos and can crop better without losing quality |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 mini's wider aperture performs slightly better in low light, but is negligibly better compared to the sensor size and resolution difference |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.56" | Mate X3 has a larger sensor, generally resulting in better low-light performance |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 8MP | iPhone 12 mini's higher resolution selfie camera produces finer details |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | iPhone 12 mini selfie camera better at low light |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 16MP | Mate X3 has optical zoom, whereas iPhone relies on digital zoom |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | None | iPhone 12 mini has an ultrawide lens for expansive shots, whereas Mate X3 lacks this. |
| Macro Lens | None | 12MP (Wide Angle + Macro) | Mate X3 can take close-up photos without a separate macro lens |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps HDR | Up to 4K 60fps | Both record high-quality video, Mate X3 has EIS |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 117 | N/A | iPhone has a tested camera performance, no info about the Mate X3 |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 132 | N/A | iPhone has a tested camera performance, no info about the Mate X3 |
| Camera Features | Dual camera, OIS, 4K, Night Mode | Triple camera, OIS, 4K, digital stabilization, main cam for selfies | Both offer essential features, but differ in the lens options and stabilization type |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4800mAh | Mate X3's much larger battery offers significantly longer usage, especially for a large display device |
| Charging | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 66W wired, 50W wireless | Mate X3 has significantly faster wired and wireless charging |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Both offer similar benefits, Li-Polymer tend to be lighter |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to 18) | iOS offers a seamless, user-friendly ecosystem; Mate X3 OS information is missing | |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Display | Both have Wi-Fi 6. Mate X3 has better functionality with Wi-Fi Direct, and Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE, EDR, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Mate X3 has the newer Bluetooth, better audio codec support for wireless headphones |
| GPS | Multiple | Multiple | Both offer multiple satellite positioning; Mate X3 has dual frequency GPS for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone supports eSIM, whereas Mate X3 allows two SIMs only. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256/512GB | 256/512/1024GB | Mate X3 offers up to 1TB storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | Mate X3 offers far superior multitasking performance |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | iPhone has better overall audio, enhanced spatial audio and better immersion |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Mate X3 offers biometric security; both devices have basic security features |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both offer unknown screen protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Fingerprint, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Mate X3 has additional sensors for more advanced features and functionalities |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it much easier to handle one-handed and pocketable.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (476 PPI) leads to a visibly sharper screen.
- OLED Technology: Better contrast and color accuracy, resulting in better overall display quality.
- Brighter Display: 1200 nits brightness offers excellent outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Established Ecosystem: Seamless integration with Apple services and devices.
- Tested Camera Performance: Known DxOMark scores for photo and video quality.
- Better Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus.
- eSIM Support: Greater flexibility for international travel.
Huawei Mate X3 Advantages:
- Large Foldable Display: Offers a tablet-like experience when unfolded, ideal for media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience.
- Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu score and more RAM for better multitasking and gaming.
- Superior Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity (4800 mAh) with faster charging.
- Telephoto and Macro Lens: Greater versatility in photography.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.2 with better audio codecs.
- More Storage: Offers higher storage options of up to 1TB.
- Additional Sensors: More sensor options for added capabilities and functionalities.
- Biometric Security: Offers the convenience and added security of a fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, lower battery capacity, older chipset, fewer camera lenses, and lacks a fingerprint sensor.
- Huawei Mate X3: Larger, heavier and bulkier, no known screen brightness or display tech information, OS is unknown, and no ultrawide camera, and no known DxOMark score
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who prefer a compact, pocketable phone for one-handed use.
- Apple ecosystem enthusiasts seeking seamless integration.
- Users who prioritize a bright, sharp display with excellent color accuracy.
- Users who value tested camera performance and audio quality.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday phone calls, texting, and light social media use.
- Users who need a compact phone for travel and commuting.
- Content creators who require good color accuracy for photo and video editing.
Huawei Mate X3:
- Ideal Users:
- Users who want a large screen for media consumption and productivity.
- Multitaskers and gamers who need powerful performance.
- Users who value a long battery life and fast charging capabilities.
- Users who want versatile camera options including a telephoto and macro lens.
- Users who prefer a fingerprint sensor for security.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy media consumption: watching videos, movies and gaming.
- Business use: multitasking, presentations, and remote work.
- Photography enthusiasts who require versatile lens capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize size and portability or a large screen?
- How important is battery life, and how often will you be away from a charger?
- Which camera features are more important: versatility, tested performance, or specific lens options?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Compact Convenience: If you need a truly pocketable phone with a top-notch display and reliable performance, the iPhone 12 mini is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Media and Multitasking: If you want a larger screen for media consumption, multitasking, and gaming, and you prioritize battery life, the Huawei Mate X3 is the superior option.
- Scenario 3: Photography Versatility: If you need a versatile camera setup with telephoto, macro lens and better overall zoom capabilities, the Huawei Mate X3 is more suitable. If you prioritize tested performance and a great overall camera, then iPhone 12 mini is preferable
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would choose the Huawei Mate X3. Despite the missing information about the Mate X3's display, its large, foldable screen and its versatile camera features make it a very appealing choice. My personal use case requires a large screen for multitasking and media consumption, and its superior battery life and faster charging capabilities would be beneficial. The extra versatility provided by the telephoto and macro lenses is a strong point for me.
While I value the compact size and brighter screen of the iPhone 12 mini, the larger display and the features offered by the Mate X3 are more aligned with my priorities, and the larger battery and better performance tips the scale despite the iPhone 12 mini having an extremely high quality display and camera performance.
