Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola One 5G Ace
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola One 5G Ace | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2021-01-14 | Motorola is newer, but the difference is marginal. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard form-factor phones. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable; Ace is larger, may be less comfortable in hand, especially for small hands. |
| Weight | 135g | 212g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | Motorola One 5G Ace provides a much larger viewing area for media consumption, gaming; iPhone is very compact for easy one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Similar resolution; sharpness differences will be minimal in everyday use, however small the difference is. |
| PPI | 476 | 393 | iPhone 12 mini will appear noticeably sharper, with more detailed visuals due to the higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 mini offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast thanks to OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rates, no differences in smoothness. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini will be vastly more visible under direct sunlight, making it much easier to use outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful, offering smoother performance, faster app loading, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 330,000 | iPhone 12 mini is significantly faster; noticeable differences in demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, etc. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 | iPhone 12 mini has a more powerful GPU, providing better graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | Motorola One 5G Ace has a much larger battery, likely providing much longer battery life, but real-world usage may still vary. |
| Charging | 20W | 15W | iPhone 12 mini charges slightly faster, but real-world charging speeds depend on the adapter used. |
| Features | 20W (sold separately), MagSafe, Qi | 10W in-box | iPhone 12 mini supports wireless charging, and charges faster when using a higher-power adapter (sold seperately). |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 48MP | Motorola has higher resolution, but other factors like sensor size and pixel size matter more for image quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.7 | Apple iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture, which may help in low-light performance but the difference is small. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | Motorola has higher resolution for selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps with HDR, Stereo sound | Up to 4K 30fps with EIS | iPhone has better video recording capabilities overall in terms of frame rate and stability. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | iPhone 12 mini has higher camera scores, indicating better overall camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, OIS, Ultra stable video, RAW, Night Mode | Digital Stabilization, RAW, Night Mode | Apple has better stabilization and optical zoom and features in general |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (up to iOS 18) | Android 10 (upgradable) | iPhone 12 mini gets longer software updates; iOS has a different ecosystem and user experience. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | 802.11ac | iPhone 12 mini is more future-proof with WiFi 6 support |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Single SIM (Nano) | iPhone 12 mini supports dual SIM functionality which is useful for travel and separating work/personal lines. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256/512GB | 64/128GB | iPhone 12 mini offers higher storage options for more files and media. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4 or 6GB | Motorola offers the option for 6 GB of RAM which is better for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | 2 Microphones | iPhone 12 mini offers a better audio experience for multimedia consumption due to its superior audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | Motorola Ace has a fingerprint sensor for easier access. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | iPhone has a Barometer while the Ace has a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides superior speed, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Superior Display: OLED technology offers vibrant colors, true blacks, and higher sharpness. Much better brightness for outdoor use.
- Better Camera Performance: Superior video quality, optical zoom, and a higher DXOMark score indicate better overall photo and video quality.
- More Compact Design: The smaller size is much more portable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Future-proof: Offers newer standards such as Wi-Fi 6 and future OS upgrades.
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Much Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery likely provides much longer battery life for extended use.
- Larger Screen: The 6.7" screen is ideal for media consumption, browsing, and gaming.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a convenient and fast way to unlock the phone.
- More RAM: Option for 6 GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for close up shots.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Sacrifices battery life and screen size for a more compact design and better performance. It also lacks a fingerprint sensor.
- Motorola One 5G Ace: Larger size and less powerful performance in comparison with the iPhone 12 mini in exchange for much larger battery. Its screen is also an IPS LCD, inferior to OLED and cannot be used comfortably in the sun.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need high performance for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing.
- Compact Phone Lovers: Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use.
- Multimedia Consumers: Enjoy better display technology for watching content.
- Ecosystem Users: Users who prefer iOS and its ecosystem.
- Photography and Video Enthusiasts: Those who value high-quality photo and video capabilities.
- Users who often are in direct sunlight: The 1200 nits brightness will make using the phone outside an easy task.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming with demanding graphics.
- Video editing on the go.
- Frequent outdoor use where brightness is critical.
- Use cases where one-handed use is a priority.
- Anyone preferring a small phone.
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal Users:
- Casual Users: Those who prioritize battery life and screen size.
- Budget Conscious Buyers: Users looking for a more affordable device with decent performance.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who value a large screen for media.
- Users who want a fingerprint sensor.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long days away from charging opportunities.
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Casual use including browsing the internet and social media.
- Users who prioritize a larger display.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize performance or battery life? The iPhone excels in performance while the Motorola leads in battery.
- Is screen size or portability more important? The iPhone is very compact while the Motorola has a large screen.
- What is your budget and do you value the ecosystem? The Motorola Ace is more budget-friendly, but the iPhone 12 mini has better features and has iOS support.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Performance-focused): If you need the best performance for gaming, video editing, or demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 mini is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2 (Battery and large screen): If you need all-day battery life and prioritize a large screen for media consumption, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a more suitable option.
- Scenario 3 (Budget and general use): If budget is a key factor and your needs are general use, the Motorola One 5G Ace could be a good pick.
- Scenario 4 (Portability): If a smaller, more compact phone is desired, the iPhone 12 mini is the only viable option.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the Motorola One 5G Ace has a larger battery and screen, my preference is for a smaller, more pocketable phone with significantly better performance. The superior display quality of the OLED panel, the much higher brightness, the faster A14 Bionic chip, and the better cameras make the iPhone 12 mini a much more compelling option for my use cases. Also, I am a big fan of the iOS ecosystem, therefore it is better suited for me. The trade-off of a smaller battery is acceptable for me, given the other improvements that it provides.
