Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Motorola Moto G35 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 13, 2020 September 25, 2024
Release Year 2020 2024

Physical

Volume 62.47 cm³ 98.58 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 4 "/g 3.57 "/g
Weight 135 g 188 g
Height 131.5 mm 166.3 mm
Width 64.2 mm 76 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Midnight Black
  • Sage Green
  • Leaf Green
  • Guava Red

Display

Screen Size 5.4 " 6.72 "
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.8 % 86.3 %
Pixel Density 476 PPI 392 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits 1000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 76.37 mAh/in² 110.72 mAh/in²
Battery Density 35.65 mAh/cm³ 50.72 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2227 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Unisoc T760 (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (1x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 3x Cortex-A76 & 4x Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G57

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 14
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12 miniMotorola Moto G35Practical Impact
Design
Launch Date2020-11-132024-09-25Motorola is significantly newer, implying longer software support
Size131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm166.3 x 76 x 7.8 mmiPhone 12 mini is much more compact and pocketable; Moto G35 is larger and more suited for media consumption
Weight135g188giPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter, better for one-handed use and extended periods.
Display
Size5.4"6.72"Moto G35 offers a significantly larger viewing area, better for movies, gaming, and multitasking
Resolution1080x23401080x2400Similar sharpness, negligible real-world difference
PPI476392iPhone 12 mini display will appear noticeably sharper and more detailed
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 mini has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzMoto G35 provides smoother scrolling and animations; a more fluid visual experience
Brightness1200 nits1000 nitsiPhone 12 mini is more easily viewable in direct sunlight
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Unisoc T760 (6 nm)Apple A14 offers much higher performance, faster app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming
AnTuTu Score1,072,354423,297Apple iPhone 12 mini offers a far superior user experience in demanding tasks
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Mali-G57 (ARM Mali-G57 MP4)Apple GPU offers superior graphical performance
Battery
Capacity2227 mAh5000 mAhMoto G35 will likely have much longer battery life due to its significantly larger battery
Charging20W fast charging18W fast chargingiPhone 12 mini charges slightly faster, but the Moto G35 has much longer battery life
FeaturesNon-removable, MagSafe/Qi WirelessNon-removableiPhone 12 mini offers convenient wireless charging options; Moto G35 is more standard
Camera
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55"50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76"Moto G35 has higher resolution; iPhone 12 mini has a brighter aperture and larger sensor, implying better low light performance
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.216MP, f/2.45Moto G35 has higher resolution; iPhone 12 mini has a brighter aperture
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55"8MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 mini has higher resolution but Motorola Moto G35 has slightly wider aperture; iPhone 12 mini has larger sensor, implying better low light performance
Video4K@60fps HDR, Stereo Sound, advanced features4K@30fpsiPhone 12 mini offers superior video recording capabilities, including higher frame rates and HDR
DxOMark (Mobile)117N/AiPhone 12 mini has a verified good camera performance, G35 is not tested
DxOMark (Selfie)132N/AiPhone 12 mini has a verified good selfie camera performance, G35 is not tested
FeaturesOIS, RAW, Night ModeDigital image stabilizationiPhone 12 mini offers advanced camera features with OIS, RAW, and Night mode
Software
OSiOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18)Android 14Different operating systems with distinct user interfaces and app ecosystems
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)802.11aciPhone 12 mini supports newer Wi-Fi for faster speeds
Bluetooth5.15.0iPhone 12 mini has a slightly newer version for improved connectivity
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoSimilar location capabilities
SIMDual SIM (Nano + eSIM)Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM)Both provide dual SIM capabilities, both support eSIM
Storage
Internal64/128/256/512 GB128/256 GBiPhone 12 mini offers more maximum storage options
RAM4GB4/8 GBMoto G35 has an option for 8GB RAM variant
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone supports expandable storage
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo SpeakersDolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphonesiPhone 12 mini offers Dolby Digital Plus for enhanced audio experience; Moto G35 has dual microphones
Security
FeaturesBasic Security Featuresside-mounted fingerprint sensorMoto G35 has a fingerprint sensor, iPhone relies on FaceID/passcode
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 3Moto G35 offers better screen scratch resistance
Sensors
SensorsAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, BarometerAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, FingerprintiPhone 12 mini includes barometer, Moto G35 has a fingerprint sensor

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip delivers significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps, as indicated by the AnTuTu benchmark difference.
  • Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (PPI) on its OLED screen results in a crisper, more vibrant image quality.
  • Better Camera: Superior low light performance, advanced features (OIS, RAW, Night Mode), and higher quality video recording options (4k@60fps with HDR).
  • Compact and Lightweight Design: Significantly smaller and lighter, offering better portability and one-handed usability.
  • Faster Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6 support means faster speeds and better performance on modern networks.
  • Ecosystem: Access to Apple’s ecosystem and ecosystem benefits.
  • Wireless Charging: Convenient MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
  • Premium Build Quality: Although screen protection is not confirmed it is likely to be superior to the Motorola, however it is not clear.

Practical Implications of iPhone 12 Mini:

  • Smoother user experience
  • Better image quality and low-light performance
  • Better usability due to small form factor
  • Seamless ecosystem
  • Faster download and upload speeds

Motorola Moto G35 Advantages:

  • Significantly Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity for extended usage between charges.
  • Larger Display: More immersive experience for media consumption and multitasking.
  • Smoother Refresh Rate: 120Hz display provides smoother animations and scrolling.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: More secure and convenient biometric unlocking.
  • Expandable Storage (Not supported on either, but still worth mentioning): Ability to expand storage via microSD (Not applicable)
  • More Affordable: Typically offered at a lower price point.
  • Newer Software: Android 14 comes preinstalled.

Practical Implications of Moto G35:

  • All-day battery life without constant charging.
  • Better for media viewing due to the larger display.
  • More fluid scrolling
  • Easy unlocking
  • Good for people who like customizability.

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 mini: Smaller battery, higher price, no fingerprint sensor, and smaller screen.
  • Moto G35: Lower overall performance, lower screen sharpness, weaker camera, larger size, and lower quality video.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 mini:

  • Performance Enthusiasts: Users who demand smooth, fast performance for gaming, multitasking, and creative apps.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, especially in low light.
  • Compact Phone Lovers: Users who prefer a smaller, more pocketable device for ease of use and portability.
  • Apple Ecosystem Users: Users who are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and want the seamless experience.

Use Cases:

  • High-end mobile gaming
  • Photography and videography
  • On-the-go professionals needing a compact device
  • Users heavily relying on Apple services.

Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G35:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Users seeking a reliable smartphone with essential features at an affordable price.
  • Media Consumers: Users who prioritize a large display for watching videos, browsing, and social media.
  • Battery Life Seekers: Users who need all-day battery life without frequent charging.
  • Android Customization Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the flexibility of the Android operating system.

Use Cases:

  • General day-to-day tasks
  • Media consumption
  • Light gaming and casual use
  • Users who need long battery life
  • Users who want better customizability

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. Do you prioritize performance and high-quality camera features, or long battery life and a larger screen?
  2. Is a compact, easily pocketable design important, or do you prefer a larger display for media consumption?
  3. Are you invested in the Apple ecosystem, or do you prefer the flexibility of Android?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: "Power User"
    • Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini
    • Reasoning: Superior processing power, camera quality, and ecosystem features outweigh the smaller battery.
  • Scenario 2: "Budget-Conscious Media Consumer"
    • Recommendation: Motorola Moto G35
    • Reasoning: The larger display, long battery life, and more affordable price point make it a better value for media consumption and everyday tasks.
  • Scenario 3: "Portability and Performance"
    • Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini
    • Reasoning: The compact design without sacrificing performance is the ideal choice.

Personal Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini.

Reasoning: While the Motorola Moto G35 has a larger display and longer battery life, my priorities are focused on performance, camera quality, and compactness. The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers a significantly superior user experience in terms of processing power, display sharpness, and camera capabilities. The smaller size is a significant plus for portability, and I'm heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, which provides seamless continuity and integration. I value the premium feel and features, even if it comes at the cost of a smaller battery. The quality of life features that the Apple phone provides outweigh the minor benefits of the Motorola.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.