Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. realme 8
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications of the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the realme 8, focusing on practical implications for users:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm | iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller, easier for one-handed use and pocketable. realme 8 is larger, potentially better for media consumption but less convenient to carry. |
| Weight | 135g | 191g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. realme 8 is heavier, might feel cumbersome after a while. |
| Build | Unknown | Unknown | Unable to determine the build materials. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.78" | iPhone 12 mini is very compact, ideal for users who prefer small phones. realme 8 has a much larger screen, better for watching videos, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1264 x 2780 | realme 8 has a higher resolution, resulting in a slightly sharper image (more detail). |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 450 | iPhone 12 mini has a slightly higher pixel density, which may result in a slightly sharper image, though the difference is minor. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is minimal. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | realme 8 has a smoother display with faster refresh rate, leading to a more fluid experience when scrolling, gaming, etc. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini is considerably brighter, making it much more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. The realme 8's brightness is unknown, making outdoor use potentially problematic. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | Both are high-performance chipsets. The iPhone's A14 Bionic is known for its excellent performance and optimization within the iOS ecosystem. The realme 8's Snapdragon is very powerful too. |
| Antutu Score | 1,072,354 | N/A | Unable to compare benchmark scores due to missing data for realme 8. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 732 | Both are capable GPUs. The specific performance difference cannot be accurately determined without real-world testing of the realme 8. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", Sony IMX372 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a detailed and capable main camera. Details are missing for realme 8. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a good selfie camera. Details are missing for realme 8. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", Sony IMX503 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a good wide-angle camera. Details are missing for realme 8. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps HDR w/ Stereo Sound, Slow-mo 240fps | Up to 4K 60fps OIS, EIS | Both offer high-quality video recording. iPhone 12 mini's video is smoother due to OIS; realme 8 lacks stabilization. |
| DXOMark | Main: 117, Selfie: 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has been evaluated by DXOMark which provides insight into camera performance. No data available for realme 8. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, Digital/Optical Zoom, OIS, etc. | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has a comprehensive feature set including OIS and RAW capture. The features for the realme 8 are unknown |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 0mAh | iPhone 12 mini has a battery. Battery information for the realme 8 is missing. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, MagSafe & Qi Wireless Charging | Standard Charging | iPhone 12 mini has fast charging and wireless charging capabilities, making it more convenient. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, Wireless Charging | Standard | iPhone 12 mini offers non-removable battery and wireless charging options. The features for the realme 8 are unknown |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size & Lightweight: Much easier to handle and carry, ideal for one-handed use.
- High-Quality Display: Excellent brightness for outdoor visibility, better colors, contrast and clarity than comparable phones from the same period.
- Excellent Camera System: Comprehensive set of features with OIS and impressive video recording capabilities, backed by DXOMark scores.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, allowing more flexible charging options.
- Strong Performance: A14 Bionic offers great performance for everyday use and gaming, further optimised by iOS.
- Software Support: Long-term software updates and ecosystem integration.
- Audio: Supports high quality audio formats and features like Dolby Atmos, that enhances sound.
realme 8 Advantages:
- Larger Display: Ideal for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother visuals and animations for an enhanced user experience.
- Potentially Better Battery Life: Note: battery specs are missing, so this is speculative Large size often implies higher battery capacity, but this is not guaranteed.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Basic biometric security.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller display, can be a drawback for users who prefer larger screens. Battery life can be limited, especially if pushed hard. The device is also older.
- realme 8: Unknown battery capacity, unknown display brightness, unknown camera features, and unknown build materials.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal User: Individuals who prioritize portability and ease of use, people who want a small yet powerful device, fans of iOS ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Users who prefer one-handed operation.
- Anyone needing a compact device for travel or fitness tracking.
- Users who prefer iOS eco system and app store.
- Those who value high quality camera performance with many features
- Users who prioritize better audio quality and immersion
- Those who want wireless charging and fast charging options.
realme 8:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a large display for multimedia, gamers, and those who prefer Android OS and may want a more basic phone, as all specifications for realme 8 were not known.
- Use Cases:
- Heavy media consumers and gamers.
- Users who want a larger screen and a smooth display with 120 Hz refresh rate.
- Users who value basic biometric security with a fingerprint scanner.
4. Decision Framework
Here are 3 key questions buyers should consider:
What is your preferred phone size and portability?
- Recommendation: If portability is a priority, the iPhone 12 mini is a superior choice. If you prefer a large display for multimedia, realme 8 should be considered, although the lack of data is concerning.
Do you need advanced camera features, reliable performance, and long term software support?
- Recommendation: The iPhone 12 mini is preferable if a comprehensive feature set and reliable camera with OIS is desired.
What is your preferred mobile operating system?
- Recommendation: The iPhone 12 mini uses the Apple iOS ecosystem, while the realme 8 uses Android. This is a major point of divergence, and your preferred ecosystem should take precedence.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Apple iPhone 12 mini. Even though it is an older model, there is more concrete information available, and the specifications are superior. The realme 8 has a lot of unknown or unclear specifications, and this makes the phone hard to recommend. My primary reason for choosing the iPhone is its superior camera quality, the small size is a bonus and the availability of MagSafe and QI wireless charging. Additionally, I prefer the iOS ecosystem which is well-optimized and consistent. While the realme 8's large display and 120Hz refresh rate are tempting, the lack of detail regarding the device, such as battery capacity and display brightness, and overall lack of confirmed features is a deal-breaker. The excellent performance, great camera, and long-term software support of the iPhone 12 mini makes it the more attractive option.
