1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Realme 11 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-05-15 | Realme 11 Pro+ is a significantly newer device with potentially more modern features and software support. |
| Size | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 161.6 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | iPhone 12 mini is much smaller and more pocketable, while the Realme 11 Pro+ is larger and may be less comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 135g | 183g | iPhone 12 mini is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | Realme 11 Pro+ offers a much larger display, better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. iPhone 12 mini is better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2412 | Both have similar FHD+ resolution, resulting in comparable sharpness. |
| PPI | 476 | 394 | iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display due to its higher pixel density. Text and images will appear more crisp. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use excellent display technologies offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 11 Pro+ has a smoother display, resulting in more fluid animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 950 nits | iPhone 12 mini is slightly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Apple A14 is a more powerful chip, resulting in faster app loading, better gaming performance, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 540,800 | iPhone 12 mini has significantly higher benchmark performance, indicating a more powerful and responsive device overall. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G68 MC4 | iPhone 12 mini's GPU is optimized for iOS, generally resulting in smoother gaming performance than the Mali-G68 in the Realme 11 Pro+. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh | Realme 11 Pro+ has a much larger battery, potentially offering significantly longer battery life throughout the day. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 100W Fast Charging | Realme 11 Pro+ charges much faster, getting the battery to full much quicker than the iPhone 12 mini. |
| Battery Features | MagSafe & Qi Wireless Charging | 2x2500mAh | iPhone 12 mini offers wireless charging capabilities. Realme 11 Pro+ has a unique dual-cell battery design that contributes to its charging speed. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 200MP f/1.69 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a much higher resolution sensor, allowing for more detail in photos and greater flexibility in cropping. The iPhone has a slightly wider aperture, performing slightly better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.45 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a higher resolution sensor, capturing more detailed selfies. The iPhone has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.2 | iPhone 12 mini captures more detailed wide-angle shots, while Realme 11 Pro+ has a wider aperture for better low-light wide angle pictures. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP f/2.3 | Realme 11 Pro+ has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the iPhone lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | Both offer excellent video capabilities, but the iPhone has more FPS options at 4k. |
| DxoMark Scores | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini has a higher DxoMark score for both its main and selfie camera, indicating better camera performance overall, although Realme is missing scores. |
| Camera Features | Optical Zoom, Manual Focus, RAW | UIS, Noise Reduction | iPhone 12 mini offers more advanced control features, while the Realme 11 Pro+ focuses on digital image stabilization and noise reduction. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, upgradable to 18 | Android 13, upgradable to 15 | iPhone 12 mini runs iOS, known for its user-friendliness and consistent updates. Realme 11 Pro+ runs Android, known for its customization and open ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable connections; Realme supports more features like Direct, Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.3 LE | Realme 11 Pro+ has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better power efficiency and possibly improved audio connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Realme 11 Pro+ provides more accurate location services by supporting more GPS frequencies, better for areas with poor visibility. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Both support dual SIM functionality but iPhone 12 mini offers an eSIM option for added flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Realme 11 Pro+ offers a maximum of 1024 GB of internal storage, providing more space for photos, videos, and apps. The iPhone 12 mini offers less maximum capacity and starts at a much lower 64GB, while also having 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 11 Pro+ has significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and performance with more apps running in the background. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so the onboard storage is all you have. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 11 Pro+ provides better noise cancellation and overall clearer audio. iPhone 12 mini offers Dolby Digital Plus. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | Realme 11 Pro+ offers a fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking. The iPhone 12 mini uses Face ID for biometric security. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Both have basic sensors, with the iPhone offering a Barometer, while the Realme includes a Fingerprint sensor and Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides substantially higher performance, making it better for gaming, demanding apps, and general responsiveness.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density results in a noticeably sharper display, enhancing the viewing experience.
- Better Camera Scores: Higher DxOMark scores for both main and selfie cameras suggest better overall image quality.
- Compact Form Factor: Its small size makes it very pocketable and easy to handle with one hand.
- Wireless Charging: Offers MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
- Better outdoor brightness: Offers a screen that is noticeably brighter than the competition, making it easier to use outdoors in direct sunlight.
Realme 11 Pro+ Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen is much better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience.
- Much Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity translates to longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: 100W fast charging allows for incredibly quick battery refills.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 200MP main camera allows for more detail in photos and more cropping flexibility.
- More RAM: Offers significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Additional Camera Lens: Macro lens provides creative close-up photography options.
- More storage: Offers twice as much storage space compared to the iPhone.
- More up to date software: Offers a more up to date software experience out of the box.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The fingerprint sensor is a tried and true biometric security measure.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, lower battery capacity, slower charging, less RAM.
- Realme 11 Pro+: Lower benchmark performance, lower display sharpness, larger less pocketable design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Users who prioritize portability and one-handed use. The small size is perfect for those who find large phones cumbersome.
- Users who need high performance in a small package. The powerful A14 chip handles intensive tasks with ease.
- Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem. Seamless integration with other Apple devices is a plus.
- Users who want the best camera performance available at this pricepoint. The cameras have been tested with very good results.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12 mini:
- Quick texting, browsing, and calls on the go.
- Demanding mobile gaming in a very small phone form factor.
- Everyday photography and videography with a high level of image quality.
- Seamless experience with other Apple devices.
Ideal User for Realme 11 Pro+:
- Users who prioritize a large display for media consumption and gaming. Perfect for immersive entertainment.
- Users who need long battery life and fast charging. Ideal for power users and those on the go.
- Users who want a versatile camera system with macro capabilities. Good for creative photography in a wide range of scenarios.
- Users who prefer Android's customization options and open ecosystem. Perfect for those who want the freedom of an Android ecosystem.
- Users who need lots of storage capacity and multitasking capabilities. Good for those who keep lots of apps and media on their phones.
Specific Use Cases for Realme 11 Pro+:
- Watching movies, TV shows, and streaming content.
- Playing visually intensive mobile games with a smooth display.
- Heavy usage throughout the day without worrying about battery life.
- Capturing detailed photos and videos with the 200MP camera and macro lens.
- Multitasking between several apps.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini will be more expensive, especially if looking for the higher storage configurations, due to the overall quality of the camera and processing power. It offers a premium experience in a compact form factor.
- The Realme 11 Pro+ offers a solid value proposition with its large screen, long battery life, fast charging, high-resolution camera, lots of ram, and large storage capacity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you prioritize a compact and lightweight design or a large screen for media consumption? (Size and screen are very different)
- Do you need top-tier performance or is good performance with long battery life sufficient? (Performance vs Battery is a significant difference)
- Do you prefer iOS or Android operating systems? (OS preference plays a large role)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "Power User" - If you are a "power user" who runs lots of apps at once, play lots of games and need a fast phone, and are invested in Apple, the iPhone 12 mini is likely the better choice.
- Scenario 2: "Media Consumer" - If you primarily watch videos, game, and need an overall media consumption phone with better battery life, the Realme 11 Pro+ is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: "Budget-Conscious User" - If price is a major concern, the Realme 11 Pro+ offers great value with its large display, long battery life, fast charging, and camera versatility, though with less performance.
- Scenario 4: "Compact User" - If you need a very compact phone that can be used with one hand the iPhone 12 mini is the only choice for you out of these two.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would choose the Realme 11 Pro+. While the iPhone 12 mini boasts impressive processing power and a sharper display, the Realme 11 Pro+'s larger screen, far superior battery life, faster charging, larger ram, and higher storage capacity align more closely with my daily needs and usage patterns. As someone who consumes a lot of media and frequently uses their phone for productivity tasks, a larger screen is crucial for me. The longer battery life also means I can go through a full day without worrying about constantly needing a charger. Although it has a much lower benchmark score, it is still sufficient for everyday use and gaming. The 100W charging is also a huge bonus as a very fast charge time means I can quickly top it up before going out. While the iPhone 12 mini is undoubtedly an excellent phone, I value the large screen, longer battery, and faster charging much more.
