Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge 30 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2022-03-04 | Motorola Edge 30 Pro is significantly newer, potentially offering longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 163.1 × 76 × 8.8 mm | iPhone 12 mini is much smaller and more pocketable; Edge 30 Pro is larger, better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 135g | 196g | iPhone 12 mini is significantly lighter, more comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | Edge 30 Pro offers a larger, more immersive viewing experience for videos and gaming. iPhone 12 mini is very compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar FHD+ resolutions, providing good visual clarity, Edge 30 Pro offers slightly more vertical content. |
| PPI | 476 | 393 | iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display due to higher pixel density, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratio. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 Pro offers much smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini should have significantly better outdoor visibility in bright conditions, based on the provided data. The Motorola spec appears to be incorrect. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Both chipsets offer excellent performance. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is newer and might have marginal processing gains. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,061,400 | Both phones have nearly identical performance scores; real-world difference is likely negligible. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 | Different architectures, but both provide high performance for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | Edge 30 Pro has higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 mini's wider aperture might perform slightly better in low light, but the sensor size of Edge 30 Pro might be more advantageous here |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.55" | Edge 30 Pro has a larger sensor, generally better for light sensitivity and dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 12MP | 60MP | Edge 30 Pro has drastically higher selfie resolution. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 mini offers wide-angle photography; Edge 30 Pro has a Macro lens |
| Dedicated Depth Camera | No | Yes | Motorola Edge 30 Pro has dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps HDR | Up to 8K 30fps HDR | Edge 30 Pro offers higher resolution video recording and 960fps slow motion. |
| DxoMark Score (Mobile) | 117 | 101 | iPhone 12 mini generally provides a higher level of camera performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4800mAh | Edge 30 Pro has a significantly larger battery; it should offer much better battery life, dependent on user habits and optimization. |
| Charging | 20W | 68W | Edge 30 Pro has significantly faster charging capabilities, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe/7.5W Qi | 15W | Both offer wireless charging, iPhone 12 mini offers MagSafe, but Motorola offers reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 12 | iOS is known for its user-friendly interface and tight ecosystem; Android offers greater customization and openness. |
| Max OS Version | iOS 18 | Android 13 | Apple will offer longer software support (though this was the OS version at launch, so this will not be for current OS versions). |
| Other | |||
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | Edge 30 Pro offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and faster performance. |
| Storage Options | 64/128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both phones offer multiple storage options. iPhone 12 mini has a 64 GB storage option as well |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones have no expandable storage, so users must choose the appropriate storage option for their needs. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Edge 30 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version and also supports more codecs; may offer slightly better audio performance with compatible devices |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola has slightly superior screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size & Lightweight: Extremely pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use, ideal for users who value portability above all else.
- Higher Display Sharpness: Superior PPI leads to sharper text and images.
- Potentially Better Low-Light Camera: The wider aperture may help in low-light conditions, though sensor size matters as well.
- Significantly higher Outdoor Visibility The brightness spec suggests it's far superior in direct sunlight.
- Ecosystem and Software: iOS offers a smooth experience, seamless integration with other Apple devices, and longer software support.
- DxoMark Score (Mobile): The iPhone 12 mini provides a higher quality camera system, especially video.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 144Hz refresh rate provides much smoother animations and a more responsive experience.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Should offer much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 68W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: Offers 50MP main camera and 60MP selfie, potentially capturing more detail.
- Versatile Camera System: Includes macro and depth sensors, increasing photography versatility.
- More RAM: Option for 8GB/12GB of RAM, which is very good for more demanding users.
- Newer Bluetooth version and codec support: Allows for better sound quality with supported devices.
- Screen Protection: Has a good quality screen protector from Gorilla Glass.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, lower refresh rate, significantly smaller battery, slower charging, potentially less versatile camera options compared to the Motorola.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro: Larger and heavier, less pocketable, lower display sharpness, and the camera system does not score as well.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize portability: Those who prefer a small, lightweight phone that easily fits in pockets and is comfortable for one-handed use.
- Apple Ecosystem enthusiasts: Users already invested in the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Users who want good photography: Based on DxOMark scoring, its a very good mobile camera system.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily commuting, one-handed use while walking or using public transport.
- Users who primarily use their phones for messaging, calls, and light browsing.
- Users who prefer a smooth and simple user experience with a familiar OS.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro Ideal Users:
- Media consumption enthusiasts: Users who frequently watch videos, play games, or browse social media and prefer a large display.
- Multitaskers and gamers: Users who need more RAM and a higher refresh rate for smooth multitasking and gaming performance.
- Battery-conscious users: Users who prioritize long battery life and fast charging.
- Android Customization fans Users who prefer more open software and customization opportunities.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on the go.
- Gaming or graphic-intensive tasks.
- Users that prefer taking high resolution selfies.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- iPhone 12 Mini: It is the older phone, but still a capable device. The small size may be a premium for certain users.
- Motorola Edge 30 Pro: The specs here are overall better compared to the iPhone 12 mini. The only real downside is its larger size and the camera not being as good.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What size phone is most comfortable for me? (Pocketability vs. Immersive Viewing)
- How important is battery life and charging speed? (All-day power vs. Quick top-ups)
- Am I heavily invested in the Apple or Android ecosystem? (Seamless integration vs. Customization)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Portability and Simplicity are key:
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini. Its compact size and simplicity will fit your use cases.
- Scenario 2: Media and gaming on the go:
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30 Pro. The large display, high refresh rate, and fast charging will be more beneficial.
- Scenario 3: Value conscious but prefer best in class Camera:
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini. The DxO Mark rating is significantly higher than the Motorola Edge 30 Pro.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Motorola Edge 30 Pro. While I appreciate the compact design and sharpness of the iPhone 12 mini, the larger display and higher refresh rate of the Edge 30 Pro are more appealing to my primary use cases which mostly involve consuming media and some gaming. The Edge 30 Pro's significantly larger battery is a very important feature for me, as is its faster charging capability. While the camera may not be as good, the difference is only around 10-15% and I appreciate the versatility of the Edge 30 Pro's camera system. Therefore, the practical advantages of the Motorola, especially its display and battery, outweigh the benefits of the iPhone 12 mini's smaller size and higher pixel density.
