Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Huawei nova 11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova 11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 161.3 × 75 × 6.9 mm | iPhone 12 mini is significantly more compact and pocketable; nova 11 is much larger and may be harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 135g | 168g | iPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | nova 11 has a much larger screen for immersive media consumption and better multitasking. iPhone 12 mini is much better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1084x2412 | Both have sharp displays, though difference in PPI means the iPhone 12 mini is a little sharper |
| PPI | 476 | 391 | iPhone 12 mini display appears sharper, with finer details. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors, so no real difference here. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | nova 11 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 950 nits | iPhone 12 mini has better visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 778G 4G (6nm) | Apple A14 is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 587,561 | iPhone 12 mini offers substantially better performance for demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 642L | Apple GPU is faster, which allows for better graphics processing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4500mAh | nova 11 has much larger battery capacity, likely resulting in significantly better battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 66W fast charging | nova 11 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | MagSafe/Qi wireless | Reverse charging | iPhone offers convenient wireless charging; Huawei can charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear (Main) Res | 12MP | 50MP | nova 11 captures higher-resolution images for more detail. |
| Rear (Main) Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.9 | iPhone 12 mini performs better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Res | 12MP | 60MP | nova 11 captures higher-resolution selfies for more detail. |
| Selfie Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | iPhone 12 mini performs better in low-light conditions |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 mini captures wider scenes |
| Wide Angle + Macro | No | Yes | Huawei nova 11 gives more creative photo opportunities. |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 720p@960fps | iPhone 12 mini supports higher quality video recording. |
| DxoMark Mobile | 117 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a very good mobile camera. |
| DxoMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a very good front-facing camera. |
| Features | OIS, Night Mode | Digital image stabilization | Apple iPhone 12 mini has better stabilization, Huawei nova 11 has Digital image stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, up to iOS 18 | Unknown | iPhone 12 mini offers regular updates and Apple ecosystem integration. Huawei nova 11 OS is not available |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO, Direct, Display | Huawei offers additional wifi functionalities |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Huawei nova 11 has a more modern bluetooth version with better audio codec support. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | Multiple (L1+L5) Systems | Huawei nova 11 has better gps accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | iPhone 12 mini supports eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer ample storage, but the iPhone 12 mini offers a 64GB option. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6/8/12 GB | Huawei nova 11 offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | iPhone 12 mini has slightly better audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei nova 11 offers faster security using the fingerprint scanner. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint | Apple iPhone 12 mini includes additional environmental sensors. Huawei nova 11 includes additional biometric sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size and Light Weight: Significantly easier to handle with one hand and more pocketable.
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chipset provides much better performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Higher Display Sharpness: Higher pixel density for a crisper, more detailed display.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: The brighter display is more visible in direct sunlight.
- Better Camera Quality: Higher DxoMark score and features like OIS, and Night Mode result in better photos in diverse conditions.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos for better spatial audio experience.
- Software Support: Guaranteed iOS updates for several years and smooth integration within the Apple ecosystem.
- MagSafe & Wireless Charging: Convenient wireless charging options.
Huawei nova 11 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Much bigger screen for immersive viewing and multitasking.
- Smoother Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother animations.
- Longer Battery Life: Significantly larger battery capacity for all-day use.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging for minimal downtime.
- More RAM: More RAM for smoother multitasking and handling demanding applications.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher megapixel front camera and other features.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices.
- Better GPS: More accurate GPS capabilities
- More modern Bluetooth version with better codec support
- Fingerprint sensor for better security
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Trades battery life and screen size for compact size and performance. It has a smaller screen, lower battery life, and may not be ideal for heavy media consumers.
- Huawei nova 11: Trades performance and portability for larger screen size, longer battery life, and faster charging. It is much larger and heavier, with a less powerful processor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize compact size, one-handed usability, and top-tier performance. Good for Apple ecosystem users who want a small, powerful phone with a very good camera and years of software updates.
- Use Cases:
- Daily commuting/travel where a small phone is more convenient.
- Users who prefer gaming and smooth app performance.
- Users who value the Apple ecosystem and software support.
- Users who prefer higher-quality pictures and video, and a more seamless camera user experience.
- Users who need a very good camera for social media.
Huawei nova 11:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a large screen, long battery life, and fast charging. Good for media consumption, gaming, and heavy social media use.
- Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies.
- Heavy social media use.
- Gamers who prioritize smooth gameplay and visuals.
- Users who need long-lasting battery and fast charging.
- Users who value a large screen for better visibility.
- Users who want high resolution selfie camera.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini offers excellent performance and features for its size but at a higher price point. The price may be perceived as high for the hardware.
- The Huawei nova 11 offers good value for money with its larger screen and longer battery life, but at a cost to performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Size and Portability: How important is a small, pocketable phone vs. a large screen for media?
- Performance vs. Battery Life: Do you prioritize top-tier performance and a premium user experience or longer battery life and faster charging?
- Camera Needs: Is low-light photography, video quality, and other camera features critical for your use?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent traveler who wants a one handed phone
- Recommendation: iPhone 12 mini, due to its compact size and performance.
- Scenario 2: User who plays games on the phone and consumes a lot of media
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 11 due to the larger display and high refresh rate.
- Scenario 3: User who travels frequently but is concerned about battery life:
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 11 due to longer battery life and fast charging.
- Scenario 4: User who takes a lot of pictures and is concerned with quality:
- Recommendation: iPhone 12 mini due to higher DxoMark score and features like OIS.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 mini. My primary use case is a reliable daily driver that excels in performance, is easy to use one-handed and is small and compact, and is able to take high quality photos for social media and memories. While the larger screen and longer battery life of the Huawei nova 11 are appealing, the superior performance, better camera quality, and regular software updates of the iPhone 12 mini are more important for my needs. The iPhone 12 mini, being more compact, also fits my needs much better. I prefer having a slightly smaller, more pocketable phone over a larger screen. Additionally, the higher DxoMark score of the iPhone's cameras is very important to me. While the battery is smaller, I am used to charging my phone daily so this is not a very big issue.
