Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Huawei P60 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei P60 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-03-31 | Huawei P60 Pro is significantly newer, benefiting from newer technologies. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, no folding or unique form factor. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 161 × 74.5 × 8.3 mm | iPhone 12 mini is much smaller and easier to handle; P60 Pro is larger, impacting pocketability. |
| Weight | 135g | 200g | iPhone 12 mini is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use, especially with smaller hands. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei P60 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.67" | P60 Pro offers a much larger viewing area, better for media consumption, gaming, and productivity. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1220x2700 | P60 Pro has a sharper display with more detail, although difference in sharpness might be marginal in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 476 PPI | 444 PPI | iPhone 12 mini has slightly sharper text and images, though both are very sharp. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | P60 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, a better experience for gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini likely provides better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight, assuming the Huawei P60 Pro value is an error. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei P60 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm) | Different architectures; P60 Pro is likely faster on paper and in benchmarks, may handle demanding tasks more smoothly. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,228,811 | P60 Pro is slightly faster in benchmarks, suggesting a smoother experience for intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Different architectures; P60 Pro has an Adreno GPU known for better performance in graphic-intensive tasks like gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei P60 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 48MP, f/1.4, 1/1.4", 1.17µm | P60 Pro has higher resolution photos (more detail), a wider aperture, and a larger sensor, potentially better low-light performance and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 31MP, f/2.4 | P60 Pro has higher resolution selfies, Apple iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 48MP, f/2.1 | P60 Pro has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which is not present on the iPhone 12 mini. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 13MP, f/2.2 | P60 Pro has slightly higher resolution and a wider aperture on wide angle lens. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR; 1080p up to 240fps | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS, 1080p up to 960fps | Both offer high-quality video recording; P60 Pro provides higher slow-motion framerates, and also has EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 117; Photo: 128; Video: 129 | Main: 156; Photo: 159; Video: 147 | P60 Pro scores much higher in DxOMark, indicating better overall camera quality. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132; Photo: 127; Video: 140 | Not Tested | iPhone 12 mini has good selfie camera according to DxOMark |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei P60 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4815mAh | P60 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely providing much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 88W fast charging | P60 Pro offers much faster charging times, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 50W Wireless, 7.5W Reverse | P60 Pro features faster wireless charging and reverse wireless charging. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Huawei P60 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | iOS 14.1, Upgradable to iOS 18 | Unknown, Likely Android based EMUI version | iOS offers a streamlined user experience with good app ecosystem. Android offers customizability with likely robust features, but is lacking Google Play Services. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB or 12GB | P60 Pro has significantly more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Storage | 64, 128, 256, 512 GB | 256, 512 GB | Both offer ample storage for most users, though iPhone 12 mini base model is lower. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | iPhone 12 mini offers richer and more immersive audio. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM), Dual Standby | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano), Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM functionality; iPhone 12 mini includes eSIM for flexibility, but that is not supported on all regions. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | P60 Pro has a slightly newer version, potentially offering more efficient and stable connections. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, Dual band | WiFi 6, Dual band, Direct, Display | Huawei offers extra WiFi features, offering more wireless capabilities |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GPS (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Huawei P60 Pro supports more satellite systems, potentially offering more accurate location tracking. |
| Security | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | P60 Pro offers biometric security with a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages
- Compact Size & Lightweight: Extremely pocketable and comfortable for single-handed use, ideal for users with smaller hands or those who prioritize portability.
- Higher Pixel Density: Sharper display, though the difference might not be noticeable in everyday use for most users.
- Brighter Display: Likely better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus, offering immersive audio experience.
- eSIM support: More flexible carrier switching.
Huawei P60 Pro Advantages
- Larger Display: Significantly more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and productivity.
- Higher Resolution: Sharper images and more detail on the screen, however marginal difference from iphone 12 mini.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate offers a more fluid user experience.
- Significantly Better Camera: Larger sensor, wider apertures, telephoto lens, higher DxOMark scores.
- Much Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Much faster wired and wireless charging.
- More RAM: Better multitasking and smoother performance for demanding apps.
- More comprehensive GPS support: Better location tracking in areas with weak signals.
- More flexible connectivity features: WiFi Direct, WiFi display, modern Bluetooth audio standards like LDAC.
- Fingerprint sensor: More practical unlock method for many.
Significant Trade-offs
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, shorter battery life, less versatile camera system, older technology.
- Huawei P60 Pro: Larger and heavier, less portable, no Google Play Store, may lack certain apps due to software, might not be ideal for single-handed use.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize portability, one-handed use, and a compact design, prefer iOS ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Users with smaller hands who find larger phones difficult to use.
- Those who need a phone that fits easily in a pocket or small purse.
- Basic daily usage, social media, and casual gaming.
- Users invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Price-to-Value: Older model; Price should be significantly lower compared to P60 Pro, which means good value for budget-conscious buyers who want compact flagship quality.
Huawei P60 Pro
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a top-tier camera system, large immersive display, long battery life, and are open to alternatives to Google services.
- Use Cases:
- Photography enthusiasts who want excellent image quality and versatile zoom capabilities.
- Users who frequently watch videos, play games, or multitask on their phone.
- Users who need all-day battery life with quick charging.
- Price-to-Value: Flagship device; comes at a premium price; however, offers cutting-edge technology for the price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- How important is phone size and portability to you? If you want a very small phone, the iPhone 12 mini is the only option.
- How important is camera performance? If camera quality is a priority, the P60 Pro is the better option.
- How important is battery life and charging speed? If long battery life is essential, the P60 Pro is vastly superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Ultimate Portability: Choose the iPhone 12 mini if size and weight are the highest priorities.
- Scenario 2: Top-Tier Camera and Battery: Choose the Huawei P60 Pro if camera quality, battery life, and performance are prioritized over size and portability, and if the lack of Google services is not an issue.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage: If both portability and overall features are important, and depending on pricing, P60 Pro might be a more balanced option for the average user. However the need for Google services will be a factor.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Huawei P60 Pro. My reasons are as follows:
- Camera Superiority: The P60 Pro’s camera system, as evidenced by its substantially higher DxOMark scores, is significantly more advanced and versatile. I value high-quality photos, especially in low-light conditions, and the zoom capabilities offered by the telephoto lens.
- Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery and significantly faster charging would be essential to my use case, I prefer to have a device that doesn't require constant power anxiety. The 50W wireless charging also adds flexibility and convenience.
- Display Size and Refresh Rate: I prefer the larger display for media consumption and gaming, and the 120Hz refresh rate offers a smoother user experience.
- Performance and Multitasking: With 8 GB or 12 GB of RAM, the P60 Pro is better suited for multitasking and demanding apps.
While the iPhone 12 mini is compelling in its compactness, I value the advanced camera, superior battery, and larger, smoother display more than the small form factor and iOS ecosystem. The compromises that come with a smaller phone outweigh the benefits in my specific use cases. I am also comfortable with using a device without Google services, as I value other features from the P60 Pro more.
