1. Specifications Comparison
Design
Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable, while the nova Y90 is larger and may be less comfortable for small hands. |
Weight | 135g | 195g | The iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it easier to hold for long periods without fatigue. |
Display
Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | The nova Y90 offers a much larger screen, better for media consumption, while the iPhone 12 mini is more compact. |
Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2388 | Both offer similar sharpness, but differences are negligible in practical use. |
Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 391 | The iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably sharper display due to its higher pixel density. |
Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The iPhone 12 mini has better contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially more vibrant colors due to OLED. |
Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The nova Y90 has smoother animations and scrolling due to higher refresh rate. |
Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 mini is dramatically brighter, making it much better for use in direct sunlight (brightness of the Huawei is not stated and assumed 0). |
Performance
Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The iPhone 12 mini’s A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 249,000 | The iPhone 12 mini has vastly superior performance, scoring 331% higher. It will handle demanding apps much more smoothly. |
GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | The iPhone 12 mini's GPU is significantly more powerful, enabling better graphics in games and demanding applications. |
Camera
Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
Rear Camera (Standard) | 12MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The nova Y90 has higher resolution, which could offer more detail, but the iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture for better low light performance. |
Front Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The iPhone 12 mini has a higher resolution front camera. |
Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | The iPhone 12 mini offers an additional wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single shot. |
Additional Lenses | None | 2MP Macro & Depth | The nova Y90 has dedicated macro and depth sensors. |
Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | The iPhone 12 mini offers much higher quality video recording capabilities. |
Camera Features | 4K Video, Optical zoom, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Triple camera | The iPhone 12 mini has more advanced features for video and low-light photography, and optical image stabilization for clearer results. |
DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 117, Photo: 128, Video: 129 | Not Tested | The iPhone 12 mini has a DxOMark score showing its camera performance. |
DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132, Photo: 127, Video: 140 | Not Tested | The iPhone 12 mini has a DxOMark score showing its front camera performance. |
Battery
Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei nova Y90 | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh | The nova Y90 has a significantly larger battery capacity, likely leading to much longer battery life. |
Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 40W Fast Charging | The nova Y90 has faster charging capabilities and a larger battery. |
Features | MagSafe & Qi wireless charging | None | The iPhone 12 mini has wireless charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing, better graphics, and smoother overall performance. This translates to a more fluid and responsive user experience, especially in demanding apps and games.
- Higher Quality Display: The OLED screen with higher brightness and pixel density results in a sharper, more vibrant, and easily viewable screen even in direct sunlight.
- Advanced Camera System: The iPhone 12 mini boasts a more versatile camera system with optical image stabilization, wide-angle lens, and support for higher-quality 4K video recording.
- Wireless Charging: Offers both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
- Software Updates: Apple devices typically receive software updates for longer periods.
Huawei nova Y90 Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: The larger 5000 mAh battery offers substantially longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen is better for media consumption and those who prefer a bigger screen experience.
- Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging allows for faster charging of the larger battery.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Sacrifices battery life for a smaller, higher-performing phone.
- Huawei nova Y90: Trades performance and display quality for longer battery life and a larger screen.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
Ideal Users for Huawei nova Y90:
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need a phone that can easily last a full day or more without needing a recharge.
- Media Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos, browsing social media, and playing games on a large screen.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Users seeking a large screen phone at a more affordable price point.
- Users who prefer a larger display: Those who value a bigger screen for readability and easier interaction.
- Use Cases:
- Extensive video streaming and gaming sessions.
- Long periods of browsing or reading on the go.
- Everyday tasks with minimal need for frequent charging.
- Users needing a large display for accessibility or ease of use.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What do you prioritize most: Battery Life or Performance? If battery life is critical, the nova Y90 is the better choice. If performance is the main concern, the iPhone 12 mini is superior.
- How important is screen size and display quality? If you prefer a large screen for media consumption, the nova Y90 is better. However, the iPhone 12 mini has a more advanced display with better brightness and sharpness.
- Are you tied to a specific ecosystem? If you prefer iOS, the iPhone is the clear choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler/On-the-Go User: If you are constantly on the go and need a phone that will reliably last all day, the Huawei nova Y90 is recommended due to its significantly larger battery capacity.
- Scenario 2: Gamer/Performance Enthusiast: If smooth performance and demanding games are your priority, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is recommended due to its far superior processor.
- Scenario 3: Media Lover: If you prioritize screen size for movies and videos, the Huawei nova Y90 is better. If display quality is preferred over size, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is the superior choice.
- Scenario 4: Budget User: If you're looking for a large-screen phone at a budget price point, the Huawei nova Y90 is the obvious choice.
- Scenario 5: Bright Sunlight Use: If you live in a sunny climate or are often outside, the significantly brighter display of the Apple iPhone 12 mini is very advantageous.
My Choice:
If I were to choose between these two, I would personally opt for the Apple iPhone 12 mini. Although the battery life is significantly shorter and the screen is smaller, the drastic improvement in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities makes it the superior choice for my needs. The higher brightness will allow me to easily use the phone in direct sunlight. I prioritize overall speed and responsiveness over battery life, and I am already invested in the Apple ecosystem. I would be willing to carry a small power bank to compensate for the shorter battery life, while the superior performance and camera are harder to mitigate.