1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2024-07-09 | The Nothing CMF Phone 1 is much newer, likely featuring more up-to-date software and features. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones; neither has a foldable design. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 164 × 77 × 8.2 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller, making it better for one-handed use and pocketability. The CMF Phone 1 is larger, potentially better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Weight | 135g | 197g | The iPhone 12 mini is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.67" | The CMF Phone 1 offers a larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for videos and gaming. The iPhone 12 mini is better for those who value small size. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar resolutions, so visual clarity is comparable. |
| PPI | 476 | 395 | The iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display due to the higher pixel density, resulting in finer details. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use excellent display technologies, so color accuracy and contrast are generally similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The CMF Phone 1 has a much smoother screen experience during scrolling and animation. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2000 nits | The CMF Phone 1 is much brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4nm) | The A14 Bionic is optimized for iOS and offers very good real world performance in Apple devices, while the Dimensity 7300 is optimized for Android systems, both are capable processors. |
| Antutu Score | 1,072,354 | 673,000 | The iPhone 12 mini has a significantly higher benchmark score, suggesting faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G615 MC2 | The Apple GPU is designed for the A14 Bionic and performs well for Apple specific games. The Mali GPU is a common Android GPU. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX372 | 50MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.70µm, Sony IMX882 | The CMF Phone 1 has a higher-resolution sensor that might allow for more detailed images and better digital zoom. The iPhone has slightly wider aperture and bigger pixels which allows for more light to reach the sensor, and potentially better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514, pixel size not specified | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.1", 1.00µm, GalaxyCore GC16B3C | The CMF Phone 1 has a higher-resolution and a wider aperture, which potentially leads to better selfies, especially in low-light. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.40µm, Sony IMX503 | Not available | The iPhone 12 mini offers more versatile photography with a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Depth Sensor | Not available | 2MP, f/2.3, 1/4", 1.12µm, Smartsens sc202pcs | The CMF Phone 1 includes a dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode, not available on the iPhone 12 mini. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | The iPhone 12 mini offers higher frame rate options for 4k video, with stereo sound recording. Both offer slow motion capability. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 117; Photo: 128; Video: 129. Selfie: 132; Photo: 127; Video: 140 | Not Available | The iPhone 12 mini has been rated by DXOMark. The CMF phone has no rating available. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Nothing CMF Phone 1 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | The CMF Phone 1 has a much larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The CMF Phone 1 supports faster charging, allowing for quicker battery top-ups. |
| Features | MagSafe, Qi Wireless | None | The iPhone 12 mini supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, offering more convenient charging options. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly smaller and lighter: Easier to handle and carry, ideal for one-handed use.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density provides greater visual clarity.
- Superior Performance: A14 Bionic chip offers faster app loading and smoother multitasking.
- More Feature-Rich Camera System: Offers a wide-angle lens, optical image stabilization, RAW capture, night mode, and optical zoom, providing more photography options.
- Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for convenience.
- Better Audio Features: Features Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus for enhanced audio experience.
- eSIM Support: Supports eSIM, providing more flexibility with carrier options.
Nothing CMF Phone 1 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Released nearly 4 years later, likely has newer technologies and up-to-date software.
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a much more fluid experience.
- Brighter Screen: Offers superior visibility in bright sunlight.
- Longer Battery Life: Much larger battery capacity for extended use.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging for quicker power replenishment.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better self-portraits, particularly in low light.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers biometric security.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports newer audio codecs.
- Depth Sensor: Dedicated depth sensor for improved portrait mode photos.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, shorter battery life, older chipset.
- Nothing CMF Phone 1: Larger and heavier design, lower benchmark performance, no wide-angle lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize a compact design, premium performance, and versatile camera capabilities.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Users who prefer one-handed operation.
- Those who value a high-quality camera with features like RAW capture and optical zoom.
- Users already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Those who prefer a very sharp display.
- Those that prefer wireless charging.
- Price-to-Value: May represent a good value on the used market, though newer devices offer improved features at higher prices.
Nothing CMF Phone 1:
- Ideal Users: Users who prioritize a larger display, long battery life, and a smooth user experience on a budget.
- Specific Use Cases:
- Users who enjoy media consumption (videos, movies, games).
- Those who need a phone that lasts all day on a single charge.
- Those that value a higher refresh rate on a display.
- Those who prefer good self-portraits.
- Android users seeking a modern device with a smooth display.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value with its large screen, long battery life, and fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Size and Ergonomics: Do you prioritize a compact phone for one-handed use, or a larger screen for a more immersive experience?
- Battery Life: Do you need a phone that will last a full day of heavy usage, or is it okay to recharge more frequently?
- Camera Requirements: Do you need a wide-angle lens or RAW image capture, or is a good selfie camera and portrait mode more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User on the Go: If you are often away from a charger, and you spend a lot of time on your phone, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 is better due to its significantly larger battery and fast charging.
- Scenario 2: Photography Enthusiast: If you like taking a variety of pictures, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is better with its wide-angle lens, optical zoom, OIS, and RAW capture.
- Scenario 3: One-Handed User: If you prioritize a small phone that is easy to use with one hand, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is much smaller and lighter.
- Scenario 4: Media Consumption: If you watch a lot of videos, game, and enjoy consuming media, the Nothing CMF Phone 1 has a larger and smoother screen, making it better suited.
- Scenario 5: Performance Focused: If you value performance over everything else, and are okay with a smaller screen, the Apple iPhone 12 mini offers significantly better performance.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Nothing CMF Phone 1. While the iPhone 12 mini offers better performance, more camera features and a more premium feel, the Nothing phone is more suited to my personal needs and use cases. I am mostly an Android user, prefer a larger display and prioritize a long-lasting battery. The 120 Hz refresh rate and bright screen are also features I enjoy and value, and the slightly inferior camera performance is a trade-off I'm willing to accept. The 12 mini is a great device for its form factor, but the battery life and size of the screen are too much of a compromise for my use case.
