Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy A05s
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy A05s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-10-18 | Galaxy A05s is significantly newer (almost 3 years), may have better software support in the long run. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are traditional smartphones, not foldable or flip phones. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 168 × 77.8 × 8.8 mm | iPhone 12 mini is much smaller and pocketable, A05s is larger, better for content consumption and users with larger hands. |
| Weight | 135g | 194g | iPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for long use and one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | A05s offers a larger viewing area for media, gaming and multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini is much more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have similar resolutions but A05s is slightly sharper but not noticeable. |
| Pixel Density | 476 PPI | 393 PPI | iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display, making text and images look crisper, especially for detailed content. |
| Technology | OLED | PLS LCD | iPhone 12 mini's OLED has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. A05s has an LCD which looks more washed out in comparison. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Samsung A05s display is smoother in animations and scrolling than iPhone 12 mini, but not by a lot. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini offers significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The A05s brightness is currently unknown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6 nm) | A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 1,072,354 | 260,000 | iPhone 12 mini offers much higher performance, resulting in a snappier overall experience. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | iPhone 12 mini has a much more powerful GPU, better for gaming and graphics intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh | A05s has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly better battery life, though actual endurance depends on optimization. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A05s charges slightly faster. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, Wireless charging | Non-removable | iPhone 12 mini offers wireless charging capabilities, A05s doesn't. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | A05s captures images with more detail, but sensor size and processing are also critical. |
| Main Camera Ap | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 mini’s wider aperture captures more light, which can be better in low-light scenarios. |
| Selfie Camera Res | 12MP | 13MP | Both offer similar selfie quality, A05s is slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera Ap | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | A05s has a slightly wider aperture in the selfie camera, capturing more light in low-light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 mini offers a wider field of view for landscape and group shots. |
| Portrait Lens | No | Yes | A05s offers a dedicated depth camera for better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | A05s offers a dedicated Macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps HDR | 1080p up to 60fps | iPhone 12 mini provides higher quality video recording with 4K capabilities and HDR for high-quality vlogs and memorable moments. |
| Stabilization | Yes (OIS) | No | iPhone 12 mini's OIS makes video recordings smoother especially if walking or in movement. |
| DxOMark Scores | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | iPhone 12 mini has significantly better mobile and selfie camera image quality based on DxOMark scores. |
| Other Features | OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Triple camera | iPhone 12 mini includes more advanced camera features. A05s has a dedicated depth and macro camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (up to iOS 18) | Android 13 | Different ecosystems. iOS often receives updates for longer, while Android is more customizable. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | iPhone 12 mini supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds and better performance in congested networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.1 LE | Both devices offer the same Bluetooth version with similar features. |
| GPS | Yes | Yes | Both devices provide the same GPS capabilities |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano) | iPhone 12 mini offers eSIM support for flexibility; A05s only supports physical nano SIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64, 128, 256, 512GB | 64, 128GB | iPhone 12 mini has a higher storage option. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4 or 6GB | Samsung A05s has an option for more RAM for smoother multitasking and app switching. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic | iPhone 12 mini offers superior audio with immersive spatial audio features and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Samsung A05s offers biometric security using the fingerprint sensor, while iPhone 12 mini does not have this. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | The screen protection on both devices are unknown. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Fingerprint | iPhone 12 mini has more sensors including compass, gyroscope and barometer, while A05s include fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides a far superior user experience for all tasks including gaming.
- Superior Display: OLED technology with higher pixel density and brightness results in better image quality and outdoor visibility.
- Advanced Camera System: Offers better low-light performance with a wider aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS), and a wide angle lens.
- Enhanced Audio: Includes Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus and stereo speakers for a more immersive audio experience.
- Wireless Charging: Offers wireless charging convenience through MagSafe and Qi.
- Premium build quality: Better build and better materials used.
- Long-Term Software Support: Apple typically offers longer software update cycles.
Samsung Galaxy A05s Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Likely offers much better battery life for all-day usage.
- Expandable Storage: Options for more storage by purchasing one with more.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Quicker biometric unlock mechanism.
- Newer Device: May receive newer software updates, despite not being the most powerful device.
- 90Hz refresh rate: Offers slightly smoother animations and scrolling.
- Better selfie camera: Has a wider aperture selfie camera.
- Dedicated portrait & Macro lens: Better depth and macro photography.
- Lower price: Better value for money.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Has a much smaller battery with shorter battery life, smaller screen for media consumption, and a higher price.
- Samsung Galaxy A05s: Significantly weaker performance compared to the iPhone, display quality is not as good, and it does not have as advanced camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance and speed.
- Those who prefer a compact phone for portability and one-handed use.
- Users looking for high-quality camera capabilities and video recording (4k).
- Users invested in the iOS ecosystem.
- Users who want a great media consumption device.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming at high settings.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Fast and smooth multitasking, photo and video editing on the go.
- Users who value quality of display over size.
- Users that prioritize software over hardware.
- Price-to-Value: Better performance and premium experience but at a higher price point.
Samsung Galaxy A05s:
- Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize battery life and long-lasting usage.
- Those who prefer larger screens for media consumption, and those with larger hands.
- Users who want basic functionality and long battery life at a lower price.
- Users who prefer a dedicated fingerprint sensor for security.
- Users who want a versatile camera for different use cases.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday use including social media, browsing, emails, and navigation.
- Extended media consumption on the go.
- Users that need a dedicated fingerprint sensor for fast unlocking.
- Casual gamers or light users.
- Price-to-Value: Great value for money considering its lower price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The iPhone 12 mini is significantly more expensive.
- What size of phone do I prefer? The iPhone 12 mini is very small and compact while the A05s is larger.
- What do I prioritize most in a smartphone? (performance, camera quality, display, battery, price)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you need the best performance and a high quality compact experience: Choose the iPhone 12 mini, you will be paying a premium, but the performance will be better.
- If you prioritize battery life and a large screen for media consumption: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A05s, and sacrifice performance.
- If you are looking for a budget phone with reasonable everyday functionality and a large display Choose the A05s.
- If you need a compact camera powerhouse with good all around performance: Choose the iPhone 12 mini.
My Choice and Why
Personally, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. Despite its age and smaller battery, it offers significantly better performance thanks to the A14 Bionic chip. The OLED display is also much more appealing, providing better colors and higher brightness, which would be essential for outdoor use. The camera is significantly better than that of the A05s.
While the Samsung Galaxy A05s offers a larger screen and larger battery, the performance trade-offs are too significant for me. The iPhone 12 mini is also more likely to receive software updates for a longer period than the A05s. Although the A05s might be more cost effective, the overall user experience of the iPhone 12 mini, despite the battery issues, is much more appealing and worth the extra money.
