1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 163 × 76 × 7 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable, while the Edge 20 is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 135g | 163g | The iPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Build | Unknown Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Edge 20 has a more durable screen with Gorilla Glass 3, making it less susceptible to scratches and minor impacts. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | The Edge 20 has a much larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini's smaller screen is more suitable for single-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp displays, though the difference is minor. |
| PPI | 476 | 385 | The iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably sharper display due to its higher pixel density, making text and images appear clearer. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks typical of OLED displays. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Edge 20's 144Hz refresh rate provides dramatically smoother animations and scrolling compared to the iPhone 12 mini's 60Hz, which is more noticeable when gaming or scrolling through content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 mini has significantly better outdoor visibility, as the Edge 20's brightness is not specified. This is a major advantage in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | The A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 mini offers superior overall performance and is better for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 589,200 | The iPhone 12 mini has much higher benchmark scores, indicating significantly faster app loading and overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 642L | The Apple GPU in the iPhone 12 mini is better for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | The Edge 20 offers a higher megapixel count which may capture more detail in optimal conditions. The iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture for better low-light performance and larger pixel size that also helps in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.3 | The Edge 20 has a higher megapixel selfie camera, but aperture difference is minimal |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4 | The Edge 20 has a telephoto lens for optical zoom, which the iPhone 12 mini lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | None | The iPhone 12 mini has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame, which the Edge 20 lacks |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 16MP, f/2.2 | The Edge 20 has a wide-angle lens that also functions as a macro lens, useful for close-up shots, while the iPhone 12 mini lacks this feature. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps, HDR | Up to 4K 30fps, EIS | Both record 4K video but the iPhone 12 Mini offers HDR and higher frame rates whereas the Edge 20 uses Electronic Image Stabilization and has higher slow motion rates |
| DxoMark (Main) | 117 | Not Tested | The iPhone 12 mini's main camera is well-regarded, but the Edge 20 lacks dxomark results for comparison |
| DxoMark (Selfie) | 132 | Not Tested | The iPhone 12 mini's selfie camera is well-regarded, but the Edge 20 lacks dxomark results for comparison |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge 20 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4020mAh | The Edge 20 has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in much better battery life, although real-world performance will depend on use. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Edge 20 charges faster. |
| Features | Non-removable, MagSafe & Qi wireless charging | Non-removable, Reverse Charging | The iPhone 12 mini has wireless charging, MagSafe compatibility and the Edge 20 supports reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides much faster performance compared to the Snapdragon 778G. This results in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (476 PPI) makes the display noticeably sharper for text and images.
- Excellent Brightness: The 1200 nits brightness ensures great outdoor visibility.
- Better Main Camera Performance: The main camera is better in low light, has better optimization and produces well-regarded photos and videos as demonstrated by DxoMark scores.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
- Premium Audio: Dolby Atmos support for immersive audio.
- eSIM Support: Allows for dual SIM functionality with a digital carrier.
- Better Video Quality: Better video quality with 4K at 60fps.
Motorola Edge 20 Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 144Hz refresh rate provides a much smoother viewing experience.
- Larger Battery: The 4020mAh battery should provide significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: The 30W charging is quicker than the iPhone 12 mini's 20W charging.
- Telephoto and Macro Cameras: Versatile camera system with additional lenses.
- Reverse Charging: Ability to charge other devices.
- More RAM: Option for 6GB or 8GB RAM for better multitasking.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric security.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: iPhone 12 mini is more pocketable, while the Edge 20 is larger and less convenient for single hand use.
- Performance vs. Battery: iPhone 12 mini has superior performance, while the Edge 20 prioritizes battery life.
- Display Sharpness vs. Smoothness: iPhone 12 mini has higher sharpness, while the Edge 20 has a smoother display due to its refresh rate.
- Camera Versatility vs. Overall Quality: The Edge 20 offers a versatile set of lenses, while the iPhone 12 mini offers better overall image quality and more video features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal Users:
- Users Seeking Power in a Compact Form Factor: Individuals who prioritize performance and ease of single-handed use.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those who prefer iOS and its integration with other Apple devices.
- Users Needing Superior Camera Performance: Users who value image quality, HDR video capabilities, and features like RAW photography
Users Who Value Premium Audio: Users who consume a lot of video content and listen to audio often.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go.
- Quick content consumption.
- One-handed texting and browsing.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
Motorola Edge 20 Ideal Users:
- Users Seeking a Large Display for Media Consumption: Individuals who watch a lot of videos or multitask frequently.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last a full day without needing to be recharged.
- Users Who Want a Smooth Display: Those who prioritize a fluid and responsive user experience.
Users Who Need Versatile Camera System: Users who want different zoom options and want to capture close up shots.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows.
- Browsing social media.
- Gaming on a large screen
- Photography using different lenses and perspectives.
- Traveling and requiring battery life to last the full day.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The price of each phone is not provided so it is difficult to make a price-to-value assessment.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your priority: Performance or Battery Life? If you need top-tier performance for tasks like gaming, the iPhone 12 mini is superior. If battery life is paramount, the Edge 20 is the better choice.
- What is more important: Sharpness or Smoothness of the display? If you prefer a sharper display, go for the iPhone 12 mini, but if smoothness is more important, the Motorola Edge 20 is the better choice
- How important are compact size, single-hand usage, and ecosystem integration vs. larger display, versatile camera lenses and battery life? The iPhone 12 mini is compact and excels in Apple ecosystem integration, while the Edge 20 offers a larger display, more versatile camera and longer battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Power User): If you are a power user who prioritizes performance and are already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the iPhone 12 mini is the better option.
- Scenario 2 (Multimedia Consumer): If you prioritize a large screen for media consumption and long battery life, the Motorola Edge 20 is the more suitable choice.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you want a more balanced experience and you prefer a larger phone with more versatile camera features, the Motorola Edge 20 is more suited for you.
- Scenario 4 (Budget Conscious) If you are looking for the most bang for your buck, it would be best to compare prices of these phones at current retail prices.
- Scenario 5 (Photography Enthusiast) If you prefer better main camera quality, better overall videos with HDR capabilities, the iPhone 12 Mini is better suited for you, but if you want a variety of lenses, the Motorola Edge 20 is a better option for you.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would lean towards the iPhone 12 mini. While I appreciate the larger screen and higher refresh rate of the Motorola Edge 20, I prioritize the superior performance of the A14 Bionic chip, the higher pixel density display, and the excellent camera quality, especially in low light. I also value the compact size and premium build quality of the iPhone 12 mini as well as its excellent video quality with HDR capabilities.
While the battery life is an important factor, I believe the iPhone 12 mini's power efficiency, in tandem with a portable battery pack, can address my needs. The superior processing power, and integration into the Apple ecosystem is more important for my use cases.
