Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2021-01-29 | S21+ is newer by ~2.5 months, potentially newer features/software |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | S21+ is significantly larger and less pocketable; 12 mini is easier for one-hand use |
| Weight | 135g | 200g | 12 mini is much lighter, better for long periods of holding |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | S21+ has a larger screen for media consumption, gaming, multitasking |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2400 | Both very similar, minor difference |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 394 | 12 mini has a sharper display with more detail; less noticeable on S21+ |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, but generally similar |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21+ has smoother scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | S21+ is slightly brighter in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) | Exynos 2100 (5nm) | Different architectures; A14 generally known for strong single-core performance |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 749,100 | 12 mini has significantly higher benchmark scores, potentially faster |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G78 MP14 | Different GPU architectures; both offer solid gaming performance |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm | S21+ has a physically larger sensor with bigger pixels, better in low light, 12 mini with better aperture, both have good quality main lens |
| Telephoto Camera | N/A | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm | S21+ has dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for zoomed in shots |
| Wide-Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | N/A | 12 Mini has a dedicated wide angle camera |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | S21+ has a dedicated wide angle + macro lens |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | 12 mini has 2MP higher resolution selfie camera |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps HDR | Up to 8K 24fps HDR | S21+ offers higher resolution video recording; both offer good quality |
| DxoMark Mobile Score | 117 | 111 | 12 mini scores better overall on DxoMark test |
| DxoMark Photo Score | 128 | 118 | 12 mini scores better on DxoMark photo test |
| DxoMark Video Score | 129 | 89 | 12 mini scores much better on DxoMark video test |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4800 mAh | S21+ has significantly larger battery, better battery life |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | S21+ has slightly faster wired charging |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe / 7.5W Qi | 15W | Similar wireless charging capabilities |
| Features | MagSafe, No charger in box, 20W adapter sold separately | Reverse wireless charging, No charger in box | S21+ can charge other devices wirelessly, both no charger in box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable) | Android 11 (Upgradable) | Different ecosystems, personal preference |
| Max OS Version | 18 | 15 | 12 mini should receive longer software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Minor difference, both very similar |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21+ has more advanced GPS technologies |
| SIM | Dual SIM (nano+eSIM) | Dual SIM (nano+eSIM) | Similar dual SIM capabilities |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64GB/128GB/256GB/512GB | 128GB/256GB | 12 mini offers more storage options |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | S21+ has more RAM, better for multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | S21+ has slightly more advanced audio features |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic security | Fingerprint sensor | S21+ has a fingerprint scanner for easy unlocking |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | S21+ has superior glass protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S21+ has additional sensors for various functions |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size and Lightweight: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it ideal for one-handed use and pocketability.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density (476 PPI) provides a noticeably sharper visual experience than the S21+.
- Superior Performance: Higher benchmark scores indicate potentially smoother operation and faster app loading.
- Superior Video Camera: Better video and selfie camera performance on DxoMark tests
- More Storage Options: Offers a 512GB storage option, while the S21+ maxes out at 256GB.
- Longer Software Updates Apple is known to provide software updates for a longer time than android devices, so the iPhone 12 mini is likely to be supported longer.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Camera: Useful for landscape and group photography.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 mini excels for users who prioritize portability, sharp display quality, and smooth performance and good camera quality for video creation and selfies.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" display is ideal for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Offers much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Telephoto and Macro Cameras: The S21+ has a dedicated telephoto camera and a dedicated macro camera which offer flexibility in photography.
- Faster Wired Charging: Supports slightly faster charging with 25W (vs 20W on the 12 mini)
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Allows you to charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus offers superior scratch and shatter resistance.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM provides better multitasking capability.
- Better GPS: S21+ has more advanced GPS tech.
- More Audio Features: Slightly better audio features that include Hi-Res Audio and a noise cancelling microphone.
- Fingerprint Sensor: S21+ has a fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking.
Practical Implications: The Galaxy S21+ 5G is ideal for users who prioritize a large, smooth display, long battery life, more flexible camera and extra features.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size vs Portability: The iPhone 12 mini excels in portability, while the S21+ is larger, making it less convenient for single-handed use.
- Battery vs Performance: The S21+ offers significantly better battery life, while the iPhone 12 mini has slightly better performance on paper.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for iPhone 12 mini:
- Users who prefer a compact, lightweight phone for one-handed use.
- Individuals who value a sharp display and smooth performance in a small package.
- Those who prioritize portability and don't need a large screen for media or multitasking.
- Users in the Apple ecosystem who appreciate software integration and a polished experience.
- Content creators who prioritise video recording quality and selfie camera performance.
Use Cases:
- Easy to carry in a pocket or small bag, great for commuting.
- Simple to use while walking or on the go.
- Perfect for casual browsing and communication.
- Good for taking quick pictures and videos for socials.
- Good for content creation due to video recording quality
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G:
- Users who prefer a large display for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Individuals who value long battery life and don't want to worry about daily charging.
- Those who enjoy versatile photography with telephoto capabilities.
- Users who prefer the Android operating system and customizability.
- People who value high-quality gaming experience
Use Cases:
- Ideal for watching movies, playing games, and consuming content.
- Great for productivity tasks, like email, document editing, and multitasking.
- Suitable for heavy usage with its longer battery life.
- Good for photography, especially with its versatile camera system.
- Good for gaming due to higher refresh rate and more RAM.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini generally has a higher price tag for similar specifications.
- The S21+ is generally less expensive for the larger screen, more battery life, and additional features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize size and portability, or a large screen for media consumption?
- Is battery life or performance the most important factor for you?
- Do you prefer iOS or Android, and how does the ecosystem affect your use case?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I want a small phone that's easy to use with one hand": Choose the iPhone 12 mini for its compact size and lightweight design.
- Scenario 2: "I want a phone for watching movies, playing games, and multitasking": Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G for its large, smooth screen and large battery.
- Scenario 3: "I take lots of pictures and want a versatile camera system": The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G offers telephoto and macro options
- Scenario 4: "I value smooth performance and a sharp display in a small package": Choose the iPhone 12 mini for its high performance and high pixel density screen.
- Scenario 5: "I do a lot of video recording and take lots of selfies" Choose the iPhone 12 mini for it's superior video camera and selfie camera performance, as recorded by DxoMark.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G. My decision is based on a few key factors:
- Battery Life: I prefer not to worry about having to charge my phone frequently throughout the day, and the S21+'s significantly larger battery offers much better battery life.
- Larger Screen: I watch a lot of videos and play games on my phone, so the larger 6.7" screen with a 120Hz refresh rate of the S21+ is much better for me than the much smaller screen of the 12 Mini.
- Camera Versatility: While the 12 mini performs well for general photos and excels at video, the additional flexibility of the dedicated telephoto and macro lenses on the S21+ is more appealing to my use case.
- More RAM: The 8GB of RAM is better for multi-tasking.
- Value: While the iPhone 12 mini has some strengths, the S21+ offers more features at a generally lower price point.
- Fingerprint Sensor: This is a big benefit over the face ID security feature, which can be problematic when wearing a mask.
While I do appreciate the compact size and sharper display of the iPhone 12 mini, the advantages of the S21+ for my specific use cases are more significant. If I prioritized pocketability and single-handed use over everything else, then the 12 mini would be the better choice for me.
