1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge (2022) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2022-09-22 | Motorola is ~22 months newer; newer tech & software. |
| Size | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 160.9 x 74.2 x 8 mm | iPhone is much more compact, ideal for one-hand use; Motorola is larger, more screen real estate but less pocketable. |
| Weight | 135g | 170g | iPhone feels significantly lighter and more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.6" | Motorola's display is noticeably larger, better for media consumption and gaming. iPhone is ideal for one hand use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are similar, resulting in sharp visuals, but not a massive difference. |
| PPI | 476 | 399 | iPhone screen is noticeably sharper, better for reading fine text and detailed images. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Motorola provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone has dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. Motorola brightness info is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 1050 (6 nm) | Apple chip offers superior speed and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 522,375 | iPhone significantly faster for demanding tasks, multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Arm Mali-G610 MC3 | iPhone has better graphics performance overall. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.6, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.55" sensor, 1.0µm pixels | Motorola has higher resolution and larger sensor, potentially better in low light but not always. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.45, 0.7µm pixels | Motorola has higher resolution for sharper selfies. |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 12MP f/2.4, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.4µm pixels | 13MP f/1.5, 1.12µm pixels | Motorola has a wider aperture for low-light wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 20MP f/2.4, 1/2.83" sensor, 0.9µm pixels | Motorola has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps HDR | Up to 4K 30fps with EIS | iPhone offers more HDR video recording options, but Motorola has EIS |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 117 (Photo: 128, Video: 129) | Not Tested | iPhone has a professionally rated high-quality camera; Motorola has no score. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 (Photo: 127, Video: 140) | Not Tested | iPhone has a professionally rated high-quality selfie camera; Motorola has no score. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh | Motorola has a much larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W wired, 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | 30W wired, 15W Wireless, 5W Reverse | Motorola provides faster wired charging. iPhone offers unique MagSafe charging option. |
| Features | Non-removable, 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe, Qi wireless | Non-removable, Reverse charging, 15W wireless charging | Motorola can charge other devices wirelessly; Apple offers MagSafe. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Different ecosystems. iPhone has smooth experience, Motorola is open and customizable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Wi-Fi MiMO | Wi-Fi 6, Dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | Similar performance. Motorola supports display sharing, iPhone supports MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 LE | Motorola has slightly newer Bluetooth, generally more energy efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | iPhone has more satellite systems for location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both support dual SIM, digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | iPhone offers more storage options (up to 512GB) |
| RAM | 4GB | 6/8GB | Motorola likely handles multitasking better with more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers, 3 Mics | Motorola features a noise-canceling mic and 3 microphones for better voice quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Fingerprint sensor | Motorola provides biometric authentication. iPhone has no fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola has known screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Barometer, Fingerprint | Motorola has a broader set of sensors; including a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (476 PPI) results in a visibly sharper screen for reading text, viewing images, and overall clarity.
- Better Brightness: With a 1200 nits display, the iPhone 12 mini is significantly more usable outdoors in bright sunlight.
- Superior Camera System (rated): DXOMark scores show a better camera system, including video and selfie, with professional rating.
- More Compact and Lightweight: The smaller size and lighter weight make it far easier to handle and carry, particularly for single-handed use.
- MagSafe Charging: Unique and convenient wireless charging option.
- Premium Build: While not specified in the protection info, the iPhone 12 mini generally offers premium design and materials.
Motorola Edge (2022) Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Display: 6.6-inch screen offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling, which are very noticeable and enhance the user experience.
- Larger Battery: The 5000 mAh battery likely provides significantly longer battery life compared to the iPhone 12 mini's smaller battery.
- Faster Wired Charging: 30W wired charging is faster than the iPhone 12 mini's 20W charging.
- More RAM: Available with 6 or 8GB RAM compared to the iPhone's 4GB
- Versatile Camera System: Includes a dedicated macro lens. High-resolution standard and selfie cameras offer flexibility.
- More Open Software: Android OS offers greater customisation and freedom than iOS.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Fingerprint sensor adds an extra layer of security.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: The ability to wirelessly charge other devices is a useful feature.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Compromises on display size, battery life, and charging speed for a more compact design and superior performance and camera.
- Motorola Edge (2022): Trades top-tier performance and a premium camera system for a larger display, higher refresh rate, bigger battery and more flexibility (Android). The screen brightness is a big question mark without a value provided.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize portability: People who value a compact, lightweight phone that is easy to handle with one hand, and easy to slip in a pocket.
- Power Users: Users who need the best possible performance for gaming, demanding apps, and multitasking.
- Camera Enthusiasts: People who want high-quality photos and videos from a proven and tested system.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Individuals who prefer the Apple ecosystem and its tight integration with other Apple products and services.
Use Cases:
- On-the-Go: Excellent for people who are always on the move and need a phone that is easy to carry and use quickly.
- Social Media & Content Creation: Ideal for creating high-quality social media content with its excellent camera and smooth performance.
- Mobile Gaming: Offers exceptional performance for demanding mobile games.
- Everyday Use: Great for everyday tasks, communications, and productivity.
Motorola Edge (2022) Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize a larger screen for watching videos, movies, and playing games.
- Android Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the customisation and flexibility of the Android OS.
- Power Users: Users who value long battery life and fast charging speeds.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value having a macro lens and a more versatile system for general photography.
- Value-Conscious Buyers: Those seeking a feature-rich phone without the top-tier price tag.
Use Cases:
- Media Consumption: Ideal for watching movies, shows, and videos on its large, smooth display.
- Casual Gaming: The high refresh rate offers a great experience for casual gaming and everyday use.
- Photography: Suitable for users who want a flexible and feature-rich system with a macro lens.
- Travel & Outdoor Use: Long battery life and fast charging are beneficial when traveling or spending time outdoors.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: Portability and Performance or Larger Screen and Battery Life? If you value a compact phone with top-tier performance, the iPhone is ideal. If you need a large display with long battery life, choose the Motorola.
- Do you prefer iOS or Android? Your comfort with a given OS ecosystem will play a major role.
- How important is a professionally rated camera? If you want the best still camera and best video recording, the iPhone wins. If you want more general versatility and flexibility the Motorola works.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: The Mobile Gamer/Power User
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini. Its significantly faster performance and more powerful GPU will provide a much better gaming experience.
Scenario 2: The Content Creator / Social Media User
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini, but the Motorola can also be great for social media and flexibility. The iPhone’s still and video capabilities would give it the edge.
Scenario 3: The On-the-Go User / Pocketability
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Mini. Its portability makes it a good fit.
Scenario 4: The Media Consumer / Long Battery User
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge (2022). Its larger display, smooth refresh rate, and significantly larger battery make it a better choice for media consumption and long usage.
Scenario 5: The Value-Conscious Buyer
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge (2022). With a newer chip, larger screen and battery, and fingerprint scanner it provides more features at a potentially lower price. The iPhone 12 mini is a much older device.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Edge (2022). Here's why:
While I appreciate the iPhone 12 mini's performance, the lack of information about the Motorola's brightness is concerning, but I would be willing to take the risk, as it's still a newer device. The larger display and 144Hz refresh rate are much more appealing to me, as I value a great media consumption experience. The significantly larger battery would also be a huge advantage, meaning less concern for running out of power. The Motorola also provides a fingerprint scanner, and is a more up-to-date device. Although the iPhone has a superior performance, the trade-off seems more suitable for my current needs. Furthermore, having a more open and flexible OS like Android would mean more room to customise the phone.
