Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Razr 40 Ultra offers a unique folding design, more pocketable when folded; iPhone 12 mini is a classic candy-bar design |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 170.8 x 74 x 7 mm | Razr 40 Ultra is significantly taller and slightly wider, less convenient for single-handed use when open; iPhone 12 mini is very compact |
| Weight | 135g | 184.5g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, easier to carry and use for extended periods |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.9" | Razr 40 Ultra offers a significantly larger display for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking; iPhone 12 mini is very small screen, suitable for basic use and pocketability |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2640 | Razr 40 Ultra has a slightly higher resolution resulting in slightly more visual detail |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 413 | iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display, text and images look more crisp |
| Technology | OLED | Unknown | iPhone 12 mini's OLED offers superior blacks and contrast, though the exact technology of Razr 40 Ultra isn't specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | Razr 40 Ultra provides much smoother scrolling and animations, more enjoyable for gaming and browsing |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1400 nits | Razr 40 Ultra is noticeably brighter for better outdoor visibility |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Razr 40 Ultra has a newer and slightly more powerful chipset that is better for demanding apps and gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,238,000 | Razr 40 Ultra shows higher benchmark score, suggesting slightly better real-world performance |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 | Razr 40 Ultra has a dedicated gaming-focused GPU, while iPhone has a custom Apple GPU. In practice both are powerful. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 12MP, f/1.5 | Razr 40 Ultra has a slightly wider aperture, which could mean slightly better low-light performance, other factors equal |
| Front Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45 | Razr 40 Ultra has a higher-resolution front camera for more detailed selfies; iPhone 12 mini has a slightly wider aperture |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone 12 mini has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group shots and landscapes |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | Razr 40 Ultra offers an additional wide-angle + macro lens, offering greater versatility |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Both offer high quality video recording with HDR, though the iPhone offers more framerate options at 1080p |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 117 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini is tested and shows strong results in image quality, while Razr 40 Ultra is untested. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini is tested and shows strong results in selfie camera quality, while Razr 40 Ultra is untested |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 3800mAh | Razr 40 Ultra has significantly larger battery, likely providing better battery life |
| Charging | 20W Fast | 30W Fast | Razr 40 Ultra offers faster charging speed |
| Charging Features | MagSafe Wireless (15W), Qi Wireless (7.5W) | Reverse Charging, Wireless (8W) | iPhone has proprietary wireless charging and slower wireless charging, Razr 40 Ultra can reverse-charge other devices wirelessly |
| Software & Other | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to 18) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Different ecosystem, iOS is well regarded for its usability, Razr 40 Ultra provides Android customization |
| RAM | 4GB | 8/12GB | Razr 40 Ultra has significantly more RAM for better multitasking |
| Storage | 64/128/256/512GB | 256/512GB | Both are available up to 512GB but the base storage is lower on the iphone |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | Razr 40 Ultra supports newer WiFi standard, better performance on congested networks |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Razr 40 Ultra has a more modern Bluetooth version for better connectivity |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple systems | Both have comprehensive location options |
| Security | Basic security features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Razr 40 Ultra offers a fast fingerprint reader for easier unlocking; iphone relies on other secure biometric |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Razr 40 Ultra offers superior screen protection |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages
- Compact Size: Extremely pocketable and easy to use one-handed, ideal for those who prefer smaller phones.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (476 ppi) makes text and images appear significantly sharper.
- Tested Camera Quality: DxOMark testing indicates a strong and reliable camera performance.
- Mature Ecosystem: Benefits from Apple's tightly integrated ecosystem with seamless device and software compatibility.
- Wide Angle Camera: Has a dedicated wide angle lens, and good photo quality across the camera array.
- MagSafe Charging: Offers the convenience of MagSafe wireless charging.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 mini excels for users who value portability, a sharp display, and prefer the Apple ecosystem. Its small size is ideal for discreet use and comfortable handling, despite the smaller screen size.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Advantages
- Foldable Design: Unique folding design offers a larger screen in a more compact format when folded.
- Larger Display: Much bigger screen for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: Higher 165Hz refresh rate results in incredibly smooth scrolling and animations.
- Faster Performance: Newer chipset and more RAM provide better performance for demanding applications.
- Better Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity for longer usage.
- Faster Charging: Offers faster 30W fast charging and 8W wireless charging
- Versatile Cameras: Wide angle and Macro, and a high resolution selfie camera.
- Modern Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6E and newer Bluetooth 5.3.
Practical Implications: The Razr 40 Ultra caters to users who desire a large, immersive display, high performance, a longer battery life, and appreciate the innovative foldable form factor. It also offers newer connectivity and more versatile camera functionality.
Trade-offs
- iPhone 12 mini: Sacrifices screen size and battery life for portability.
- Motorola Razr 40 Ultra: Trade's portability of the phone (when unfolded) for a much larger display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal Users
- Minimalists: Prefer a small, lightweight phone that is easy to handle.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Those who already own other Apple devices and value the seamless ecosystem.
- Budget-Conscious: Users looking for a more affordable iPhone.
- Sharp Display Users: Users who read and browse a lot on their phone and value a sharp and crisp screen
Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, emails)
- Basic social media browsing and casual web browsing
- Users who like to use their phone in one hand
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Ideal Users
- Tech Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate innovative technology and unique form factors.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or play mobile games and want a large display.
- Power Users: Those who multitask heavily and require high performance and long battery life.
- Camera Focused Users: Those who take a lot of photos and videos and need the extra utility of macro, wide angle, and high resolution selfie.
Use Cases:
- Watching videos and playing games
- Multitasking and productivity
- Taking high-quality photos and videos
- Using as a secondary display in a more portable form factor.
Price-to-Value Ratio
- iPhone 12 mini: Offers a good price for entry into the Apple ecosystem, but has a higher price than comparable devices from other companies, and has limitations on battery and screen size
- Motorola Razr 40 Ultra: Premium price for the innovative foldable design and high-end features, may not be good value for those who do not need these features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- How important is portability vs screen size? (iPhone 12 mini for ultimate portability, Razr 40 Ultra for a large display experience)
- Which operating system ecosystem do I prefer? (iOS for simplicity and integration, Android for customization and flexibility)
- What is my budget? (iPhone 12 mini is older and more budget friendly, Razr 40 Ultra is high end)
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget Conscious & Compact User - If you prioritize a compact phone at the best price, the iPhone 12 mini is your best choice. You'll get the Apple ecosystem and a sharp screen at a lower price point.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Cutting Edge User - If you prefer a cutting edge phone, with a large display and top end performance and don't mind paying the price, choose the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
- Scenario 3: Value & All-Round User - If you want more of an all round phone, you should look at alternatives to both of these phones, since they each have significant drawbacks. If you were forced to pick, the iphone 12 mini is a more affordable and traditional smartphone experience, while the Razr 40 Ultra is more expensive, experimental and cutting edge.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones for myself, I would choose the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. While I appreciate the portability of the iPhone 12 mini, I value the larger display, the versatility of a foldable, and the cutting edge technology that the Razr 40 Ultra offers. I would also value the performance and the larger battery, as well as the flexible camera system. Although it's more expensive, the innovative design, larger screen and performance justify the higher cost for my use case, which would consist of heavy media consumption, gaming, and content creation.
