Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola Moto G Power (2021)
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G Power (2021) | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 165.3 x 75.9 x 9.5 mm | iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable; Moto G Power is larger and might be less comfortable for small hands. |
| Weight | 135g | 206.5g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it easier to handle for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.6" | Moto G Power provides a larger viewing area for media consumption, while iPhone 12 mini is more compact for single-hand use. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 720 x 1600 | iPhone 12 mini offers a sharper and more detailed display; Moto G Power's display will appear less crisp. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 266 | iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably clearer display with finer details and sharper text; Moto G Power has a lower pixel density meaning a less clear image |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 mini's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. Moto G Power's IPS LCD provides decent color accuracy. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini offers much better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight; Moto G Power's brightness is not listed and it's unclear how it'll perform outdoors |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both displays have the same refresh rate, meaning identical smoothness in scrolling and animations. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | iPhone 12 mini’s A14 Bionic offers dramatically faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and general responsiveness compared to the Moto G Power's Snapdragon 662. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 178,220 | iPhone 12 mini is significantly faster in real-world app loading, multitasking, and gaming performance due to the higher benchmark score |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | iPhone 12 mini is expected to handle graphically demanding games much smoother compared to the Moto G Power. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | Moto G Power's main camera has a higher resolution, potentially allowing for more detailed images in good light; however, the pixel size is smaller, meaning smaller pixel size can be worse in low-light conditions. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.7 | iPhone 12 mini's wider aperture may result in slightly better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 8MP | iPhone 12 mini captures higher-resolution selfies, potentially more detailed images, but the Moto G Power has larger pixel size |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | Moto G Power's wider aperture means potentially better performance in low-light conditions for selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini offers an ultrawide lens for creative shots and capturing expansive scenes; Motorola does not have this capability. |
| Portrait/Depth Lens | Not Available | 2MP | Moto G Power has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; iPhone 12 mini relies on software to achieve a portrait effect. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP | Moto G Power has a dedicated macro lens for taking close-up shots; iPhone 12 mini cannot take close-up macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K @ 60fps | Up to 1080p @ 60fps | iPhone 12 mini is capable of recording higher resolution videos and has better video recording features overall. |
| Slow Motion | Up to 1080p @ 240fps | Up to 1080p @ 60fps | The iPhone 12 mini offers better slow-motion recording capabilities |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G Power has significantly larger battery capacity, potentially resulting in much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | iPhone 12 mini supports faster charging than the Moto G Power. |
| Wireless Charging | Up to 15W MagSafe, Up to 7.5W Qi | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for more convenient charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradeable to iOS 18) | Android 10 | iPhone 12 mini provides a seamless software experience and long software support life, while the Motorola Moto G Power has an older OS with limited updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | iPhone 12 mini supports WiFi 6 for potentially faster speeds, lower latency and better performance in busy networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | iPhone 12 mini supports the newer Bluetooth 5.1 standard |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | iPhone 12 mini offers dual sim support with eSIM and Nano SIM combination for using two carriers and is suitable for travellers, while the Moto G Power only supports one Nano Sim. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512 GB | 32/64 GB | iPhone 12 mini offers significantly more storage options (Up to 512 GB), while the Moto G Power has limited internal storage. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 3/4 GB | Both phones have sufficient RAM for most everyday tasks, though the iPhone's RAM is usually optimized better. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone provides expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio | iPhone 12 mini offers a more immersive audio experience with enhanced spatial audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Moto G Power offers fingerprint security, while the iPhone does not have it and relies on Face ID or Passcode. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Barometer, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | iPhone has additional environmental sensor, while Moto G Power includes an additional biometric sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar protection technology |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities, leading to smoother app performance, gaming, and multitasking.
- Superior Display: The OLED display provides much better contrast, color vibrancy, and sharpness than the Moto G Power's LCD screen.
- Premium Build and Design: Smaller, lighter, and made from higher quality materials.
- Better Camera Capabilities: Includes an ultrawide lens, optical image stabilization, and overall better video recording quality.
- Software and Ecosystem: Seamless software updates, greater app availability, and a more mature ecosystem.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for convenience.
- Better Audio: Has Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and Stereo Speakers for an enhanced audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards, Dual SIM Support and better GPS tracking
Motorola Moto G Power (2021) Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers much longer battery life.
- Larger Display: The 6.6" display is suitable for users who prioritize media consumption and larger text.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The physical fingerprint sensor is faster and more convenient for some users than Face ID.
- Lower Price: Generally much more affordable, providing excellent value in the budget category.
- Dedicated Macro Lens & Portrait Lens: Offers more flexibility in camera shots.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, much shorter battery life, higher cost.
- Moto G Power (2021): Lower display quality, significantly weaker performance, an older OS, less premium build quality, and not as good camera features and quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Users who prioritize compact size and portability.
- Users who demand high performance for gaming, demanding apps, and smooth multitasking.
- Users who value superior display quality and overall premium experience.
- Users who prefer the iOS ecosystem and its seamless software integration and long software support.
- Users who need a very capable camera for both photos and video.
- Users who prefer wireless charging and fast charging.
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Users who prioritize long battery life above all other features.
- Users who prefer a larger screen for media consumption, and browsing.
- Users on a tight budget seeking an affordable smartphone with decent features.
- Users who prefer physical fingerprint sensor for security.
- Users who want the flexibility of having a macro lens.
Specific Use Cases:
- iPhone 12 mini:
- Gaming enthusiasts who want a powerful but portable device.
- Users who need a high-quality camera for vlogging and photography.
- Users who want a pocketable premium phone for everyday use.
- Users who want seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Motorola Moto G Power (2021):
- Users who watch lots of videos and need a large screen with a long battery.
- Users who travel and need a reliable phone that can last for days without charging.
- Users who need a basic, dependable phone for everyday tasks without paying premium prices.
- Budget-conscious users looking for a good phone that offers long battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini has a high initial price but offers superior performance and features.
- The Moto G Power (2021) is a budget phone that compromises on performance but offers exceptional battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 mini is more expensive than the Moto G Power.
- How important is battery life to you? The Moto G Power excels in battery life, while the iPhone 12 mini has a significantly shorter battery life.
- How important is performance for you? The iPhone 12 mini is much faster than the Moto G Power, and handles gaming and demanding apps much better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Gaming Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 mini for its superior processing power, better display, and excellent GPU.
- Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Traveler: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) for its long battery life and reliable performance at a lower price.
- Scenario 3: Casual User who loves to watch videos and read: Choose the Motorola Moto G Power (2021) for its large screen and long battery life.
- Scenario 4: User who wants the best overall phone: Choose the iPhone 12 mini as it excels in almost every area apart from battery life, and has long software support life.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the Moto G Power offers impressive battery life and a lower price, the iPhone 12 mini wins in almost all other areas that are important for a daily driver. The significantly better performance ensures that apps run smoothly, multitasking is seamless, and gaming is enjoyable. The higher resolution and vibrant OLED display makes everything more visually appealing, whether it's watching videos, browsing photos, or playing games.
Additionally, I find the smaller form factor of the iPhone 12 mini more appealing, as it's more comfortable to handle and fits easily in my pocket. The camera on the iPhone 12 mini is also much more versatile with its ultrawide lens and higher quality video recording capabilities, which I would prefer over the Moto G Power's macro lens.
While battery life is a concern, I'm comfortable charging the iPhone 12 mini more frequently given that it's an overall better experience in performance, display, build quality, and software, all of which are my main priorities in a smartphone.
