Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy A35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and easier to handle one-handed, A35 is larger, better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 135g | 209g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.6" | A35's larger screen is better for media, gaming; iPhone 12 mini is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2340 | Identical sharpness, details are equal at same view distance. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 390 | iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably sharper, clearer display. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A35 provides smoother scrolling, animations and better gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 mini screen is much more visible in bright sunlight, A35 brightness is unknown |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | Apple A14 offers significantly faster app loading and superior performance, particularly in intensive tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 578,500 | iPhone 12 mini demonstrates much stronger overall performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G68 MP5 | Apple's GPU is better optimized for gaming and intensive graphic tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | A35 has much higher detail in photos, more flexibility in editing. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 mini captures better low-light images. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.96" | A35's larger sensor allows it to collect more light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.40 µm | 0.80 µm | iPhone 12 mini's larger pixels improve low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 13MP | Similar detail level for self portraits, A35 has a bit higher. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 12MP | 8MP | iPhone 12 mini has a better field of view. |
| Macro Lens | No | 5MP | A35 can take detailed close-up photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K 30fps | iPhone 12 mini offers better video flexibility, more frame rate options. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 117 | 104 | iPhone 12 mini has higher quality overall camera and video. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini provides excellent selfies. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | A35 will provide significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A35 charges a bit faster, with significantly bigger battery capacity. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | No | iPhone 12 mini offers convenient wireless charging, MagSafe compatibility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 14 (upgradable to Android 18) | Different operating systems, user preference is key here. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Similar fast wireless connection capabilities |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | A35 has a newer, more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | A35 offers two physical SIM slots, iPhone 12 mini offers one physical slot and one digital eSIM |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | iPhone 12 mini offers up to 512 GB of storage for users who need large storage. |
| RAM | 4GB | 6/8GB | A35 provides better multitasking with more RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | No options for expandable storage for both. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both deliver high quality audio; different features cater to different audio preference. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | A35 has a quick and convenient fingerprint sensor for unlocking, iPhone has no fingerprint. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | A35 has better screen protection against scratches and damages. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Barometer | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Fingerprint, Hall, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A35's sensor suite is great for augmented reality and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster and smoother performance for all tasks, including demanding games.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (476 PPI) results in a clearer, more detailed display.
- Better Outdoor Visibility: Much higher brightness (1200 nits) makes it more usable under bright sunlight.
- Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for added convenience.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher Dxomark scores, better video performance, and low light performance
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: The large 5000mAh battery provides much better endurance.
- Larger Display: The 6.6" screen is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides noticeably smoother animations and interactions.
- Macro Camera: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 offers better efficiency and features.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric authentication for unlocking the device.
- Better Screen Protection: Offers a Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen for superior protection.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, significantly shorter battery life, no fingerprint sensor.
- Samsung Galaxy A35: Lower performance, less sharp display, lower camera performance according to DXOMark, and lower outdoor visibility.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize portability: The small size and light weight make it perfect for one-handed use and carrying around.
- Performance enthusiasts: Users who need fast, reliable performance for gaming and demanding applications.
- Those who want a high-quality camera: Users who value excellent camera performance, especially for low light photography, but also for high quality video.
- Those in the Apple ecosystem: Perfect for those who use Apple devices, and benefit from the seamless integration.
Specific Use Cases:
- One-handed daily use: Easily fits in pockets and can be used comfortably with one hand.
- Mobile gaming: Powerful A14 chip provides superior gaming performance.
- Content creation: High quality camera for social media and light content creation.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize battery life: Ideal for users who need a phone that lasts a full day or more on a single charge.
- Media consumers: The large, vibrant display is great for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Those who want a convenient fingerprint sensor: Ideal for those who prefer a quick and easy way to unlock their phone.
- Users who desire smooth visuals: The 120Hz refresh rate is great for daily use and gaming.
Specific Use Cases:
- Media consumption: Large screen and long battery life are ideal for watching videos, movies, etc.
- Daily driver for social media and browsing: Perfect for users who require long battery life and large display.
- Casual gaming: Can run most games smoothly, and the 120Hz display enhances gaming experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your priority: performance or battery life? If performance is your primary concern, the iPhone 12 mini is better. If battery life is more critical, choose the Galaxy A35.
- How important is screen size to you? If you value a small, pocketable phone, the iPhone 12 mini is better. If you prefer a large screen for media, choose the Galaxy A35.
- Which ecosystem do you prefer? If you are embedded into the Apple ecosystem (other Apple devices, etc) and prefer iOS, the iPhone 12 mini is the way to go. If you are comfortable with Android and the Google ecosystem, the Galaxy A35 will suit you better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: On-the-go professional: Needs a small, light phone, excellent performance, and great camera for daily use. Recommendation: iPhone 12 mini.
- Scenario 2: Media enthusiast: Wants a large, smooth screen for watching videos and long lasting battery. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A35.
- Scenario 3: Budget-conscious user: Wants a capable phone for daily tasks and some gaming with long battery life and smooth scrolling experience. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A35.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A35. Although the iPhone 12 mini offers better performance and display quality, the dramatically larger battery, larger display, fingerprint sensor, newer Bluetooth version, macro camera, screen protection, and smooth 120Hz display are all more important to me for a daily driver. The A35's balanced feature set, especially with its superior battery life, makes it a more practical choice for my daily use, as I spend a lot of time consuming media and browsing. The A35 is a better value proposition than the iPhone 12 Mini.
