1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable. Moto G04s is larger and may be less convenient for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 135g | 178.8g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended holding and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.56" | Moto G04s offers a larger display for more immersive media consumption, while the iPhone 12 mini is more compact for those preferring smaller phones. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 720x1612 | iPhone 12 mini has a much sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 269 | iPhone 12 mini offers a significantly sharper viewing experience due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 mini has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the LCD of the Moto G04s. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G04s offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits (Unspecified) | iPhone 12 mini is much better for outdoor use under direct sunlight due to higher brightness. Moto G04s brightness is unspecified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | iPhone 12 mini offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking and higher gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 220,000 | iPhone 12 mini is significantly more powerful, suitable for demanding apps and games. Moto G04s is better suited for basic tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G57 MP1 | iPhone 12 mini provides superior graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | Moto G04s is likely to offer much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 15W fast charging | iPhone 12 mini charges slightly faster with a 20W charger (sold separately). |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res. | 12MP | 50MP | Moto G04s has a higher resolution sensor but doesn't guarantee better image quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 mini captures more light due to the wider aperture, potentially better low-light photos. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/2.76" | iPhone 12 mini has a slightly larger sensor, capable of capturing more light and detail. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 12MP | 5MP | iPhone 12 mini takes higher resolution selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 mini has a wide-angle lens for capturing more of the scene. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | 1080p 30fps | iPhone 12 mini can record much higher resolution video with more options for frame rates and HDR. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a confirmed rating indicating very good camera performance; Moto G04s has no available DXOMark data for comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable to 18) | Android 14 | Different ecosystems; iPhone 12 mini offers iOS experience while Moto G04s offers Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | iPhone 12 mini has faster and more reliable WiFi performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | iPhone 12 mini has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | QZSS, Galileo, etc. | SUPL, Galileo, etc. | iPhone 12 mini supports more satellite systems for potentially more accurate location services. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | iPhone 12 mini supports eSIM for more flexibility in mobile plans. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 512GB | Up to 256GB | iPhone 12 mini offers more storage options, up to 512GB. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB | Both provide sufficient RAM for basic usage. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Digital Plus, Stereo | Dolby Atmos | iPhone 12 mini has more premium audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Moto G04s has a fingerprint sensor for faster unlocking and better security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass 3 | Moto G04s has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Compass, Barometer, etc. | Fingerprint, etc. | iPhone 12 mini has a Compass and Barometer; Moto G04s has a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly more powerful processor: The A14 Bionic chip offers substantially better performance for demanding apps, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Superior display quality: The OLED display has a much higher resolution, pixel density, and contrast, resulting in sharper, more vibrant visuals. It is also brighter making it much better under sunlight.
- Higher quality camera system: The iPhone 12 mini has a better main camera with a wider aperture and larger sensor, a better front camera, and a wide angle lens, resulting in better photo and video quality, especially in low light, plus the benefit of 4K video recording.
- Better video recording features: The Apple phone supports 4K video recording, which is crucial for high-quality vlogs and memorable moments and also has better stabilization and slow-motion capabilities.
- Premium audio features: Includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and Stereo Speakers.
- More compact and lighter design: Easier to handle and carry around.
- Newer WiFi Standard: Supports WiFi 6, providing faster and more stable connections on compatible networks.
- eSIM support: Offers more flexibility with mobile plans.
- Higher benchmark scores: Significantly higher AnTuTu score demonstrates better overall performance.
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Significantly larger battery: Provides much better battery life, especially for extended use without needing frequent charging.
- Larger display: The 6.56" screen is better for media consumption.
- Higher refresh rate: The 90Hz display offers smoother scrolling and animations.
- Fingerprint sensor: More convenient and secure unlocking.
- Superior screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better durability.
- More recent operating system: Comes with Android 14
- Lower price: Generally more affordable than the Apple iPhone.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 12 mini sacrifices battery life for its compact size and powerful performance, while the Moto G04s sacrifices processing power and display quality for battery life and size.
- The iPhone 12 mini is significantly more expensive than the Moto G04s.
- The Moto G04s offers a basic user experience compared to the more advanced performance and display on the iPhone 12 mini.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Users who value a compact, premium smartphone with a high-quality display and camera.
- Users who need a phone with high-quality video recording features.
- Users who prefer the iOS ecosystem and its features.
- Users who value a powerful camera for both photography and video.
Use Cases for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Mobile gaming on the go.
- Editing photos and videos.
- Power users who heavily rely on apps and multitasking.
- Anyone needing a high-quality camera for social media and memories.
- Those who prefer a smaller phone form factor
Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G04s:
- Users who prioritize long battery life above all else.
- Users who need a large screen for media consumption and accessibility.
- Users who want a reliable phone with essential features at a budget-friendly price.
- Users who are comfortable with the Android operating system.
Use Cases for Motorola Moto G04s:
- Users who require a phone for basic communication, browsing, and casual media viewing.
- Users who travel a lot and need long battery life.
- Users who are not power users and prioritize simplicity.
- Users who prefer a larger display for easier readability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your priority: Performance and Display or Battery Life and Affordability? (iPhone 12 mini excels in performance and display; Moto G04s excels in battery and cost)
- What size and form factor are you comfortable with? (iPhone 12 mini is very compact; Moto G04s is a larger phone).
- What is your budget? (iPhone 12 mini is a more expensive premium device; Moto G04s is a more budget-friendly option).
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance & Camera Enthusiast: If you want the best possible performance, a high-quality display, a better camera and don't mind the lower battery life, then the iPhone 12 mini is the better option.
- Scenario 2: Budget User with Long Battery Life Priority: If you need a reliable phone with long-lasting battery, a big display, and a more affordable price tag, then the Motorola Moto G04s is better suited.
- Scenario 3: Compactness and Premium Experience: If you want a phone that is easy to hold and carry around and value the premium Apple ecosystem, then the iPhone 12 mini is better suited.
My Choice
I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the Moto G04s has a significantly larger battery and a larger screen, my priorities lean heavily toward performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The iPhone 12 mini's A14 Bionic chip provides a noticeable performance difference that makes a huge difference in responsiveness and the speed at which apps open and how smooth multitasking is. The OLED display with its higher resolution and pixel density is far superior for viewing content and the camera is noticeably better. While battery life is definitely a trade-off, for my use case, the performance and camera advantages outweigh the battery concern, and the compact size is a plus. While the cost is higher, for the premium experience, I find it a worthwhile investment.
