1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2021-07-22 | Huawei nova 8i is a newer phone, potentially with more up-to-date features (though not always the case) |
| Size | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 161.9 x 74.7 x 8.6 mm | iPhone 12 mini is much smaller, better for one-handed use and portability; nova 8i is larger and may be more difficult to handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 135g | 190g | iPhone 12 mini is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use. nova 8i is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.67" | nova 8i has a larger screen, better for media consumption; iPhone 12 mini is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2376 | Both have similar resolutions; differences are negligible in real-world use. |
| Pixel Density | 476 ppi | 391 ppi | iPhone 12 mini has a significantly sharper display. Text and images will appear clearer. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 mini has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rates, no practical difference. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini display will be much more visible outdoors, especially in direct sunlight. Huawei brightness is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 201,000 | iPhone 12 mini has vastly superior performance, a major difference in overall speed. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | Apple GPU will provide significantly better graphics performance, especially in demanding applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 12MP | 64MP | Huawei nova 8i has higher resolution but it doesn't always translate to better image quality. |
| Main Camera Ap. | f/1.6 | f/1.9 | iPhone 12 mini gathers more light, generally better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 12MP | 16MP | Huawei nova 8i has a slightly higher resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie Camera Ap. | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Huawei nova 8i's wider aperture may slightly perform better in low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Res. | 12MP | 8MP | iPhone 12 mini's wide angle lens has a higher resolution |
| Wide Angle Ap. | f/2.4 | f/2.2 | Huawei nova 8i's wide angle lens may be slightly better in low-light conditions. |
| Portrait Lens | None | 2MP | Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated portrait lens for depth effect. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Huawei nova 8i has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 mini is capable of recording much higher quality videos. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 117 | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini is a better mobile camera overall. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 132 | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini is a better selfie camera overall. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4300mAh | Huawei nova 8i has much larger battery; potentially providing a longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Huawei nova 8i can charge much faster. |
| Wireless Charging | Up to 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini supports wireless charging, including MagSafe. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, Upgradable to 18 | Android 10 | iOS is known for performance and simplicity while Android offers more customization; iPhone receives longer updates |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | iPhone 12 mini provides more storage options; both don't have an expandable storage option. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | Huawei nova 8i has slightly more RAM for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | iPhone 12 mini supports the latest Wi-Fi standard; it offers faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | iPhone 12 mini has a newer Bluetooth version; both support the same audio profiles except for high quality audio profiles such as APT-x and LDAC which are only available in Huawei nova 8i. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Noise cancellation mic | iPhone 12 mini has better spatial audio quality, while Huawei has a noise cancellation microphone for better call quality in noisy environment. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | None | Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Huawei nova 8i has the basic biometric security using fingerprint sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing, app loading, and gaming.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density and OLED technology provide a clearer and more vibrant screen.
- Better Camera System: Higher quality photos and videos, especially in low light. It also has better video recording capabilities (4K vs 1080p)
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
- Premium Build: Apple's ecosystem, software support, and general feel of quality.
- Better connectivity: Supports WiFi 6, a newer version of WiFi protocol with faster transfer rates, less congestion and better reliability. It also supports more satellite systems for GPS tracking accuracy.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Larger Battery: Significantly higher capacity for potentially longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging is much faster than iPhone's 20W
- Dedicated Camera Features: Includes a dedicated portrait and macro lens.
- More RAM: Slightly more RAM for moderate multitasking.
- More Audio Codecs: Support for high quality audio codecs such as APT-X and LDAC
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, smaller battery, slower charging, and typically costs more.
- Huawei nova 8i: Lower performance, less advanced display, inferior camera quality ( despite the higher megapixel count).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance, portability, and a high-quality camera.
- Individuals deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Those who prefer one-handed use and a compact design.
- Users that value premium build quality, quality, and software updates.
- Users who frequently consume high quality media and value having a high quality camera
- Users that need advanced connectivity features such as WiFi 6 and precise GPS tracking capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gamers who need smooth performance.
- Content creators who require high-quality video recording capabilities.
- Professionals who need fast app loading for work.
- Users who travel and need a compact, powerful phone.
- Users who like having the latest software version and frequent updates.
Huawei nova 8i Ideal User:
- Users who value a larger screen and longer battery life.
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for good value, but not necessarily the highest performance.
- Those who frequently take portrait and macro photos.
- Users who prioritize fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Users who frequently watch movies or TV shows on their phones.
- Individuals who need long battery life for all-day use.
- Casual photographers who like macro and portrait photography.
- Users who need a phone with decent performance and long battery life without spending a fortune.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: performance and portability, or battery life and a larger screen?
- How important is camera quality for you and how do you use it?
- Are you invested in the Apple ecosystem, or do you prefer Android?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: "I need the most powerful, compact phone for work and play."
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini. Its superior performance and portability make it ideal.
Scenario 2: "I need a big screen phone with a long battery for media consumption."
- Recommendation: Huawei nova 8i. Its larger display and bigger battery will be better suited for long hours of usage.
Scenario 3: "I want a good all-round phone without paying a premium."
- Recommendation: Depending on your priority. If performance is important choose the iPhone. If battery life and camera versatility are more important choose Huawei Nova 8i.
My Choice and Why
Given the provided specifications and my personal preferences, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini.
Here's why:
- Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is a game-changer, offering a level of performance that the Snapdragon 662 simply cannot match. This directly translates to a smoother, faster, and more responsive user experience.
- Display Quality: While smaller, the OLED display with its higher pixel density provides a far more enjoyable experience with sharper text, more vibrant colors, and much better visibility in daylight.
- Camera Quality: I highly value photo and video quality, and the iPhone 12 mini's camera system, along with the 4K video capabilities, is significantly more advanced. The inclusion of OIS, and advanced video recording options adds value that the Nova 8i lacks.
- Ecosystem: I prefer the iOS ecosystem, which provides a consistent and streamlined experience, along with long-term software support.
- Portability: I prefer a small and light smartphone that I can comfortably handle with one hand.
- Connectivity: I value a phone that supports the latest WiFi standard for the fastest and most reliable connectivity.
While the Huawei nova 8i excels in battery life and charging speeds, for me, the performance, camera quality, and build quality of the iPhone 12 mini outweigh these advantages. If I were solely prioritizing battery life or a larger screen for media consumption, my preference might differ, but for my needs the iPhone 12 mini is the clear winner.
