Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy S23
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-02-17 | The Galaxy S23 is significantly newer, benefiting from more recent technology |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both phones have a standard design (not foldable). |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller, better for one-handed use, while the S23 is larger and may be preferred for media consumption. |
| Weight | 135g | 168g | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.1" | The S23 offers a larger display, providing a more immersive experience for media and gaming. The 12 mini is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2340 | Both phones have the same resolution, leading to similar sharpness at a given distance. |
| Pixel Density | 476 ppi | 425 ppi | The iPhone 12 mini has higher pixel density, offering a sharper looking screen, particularly noticeable up close. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both use high-quality display technologies, resulting in vibrant colors, deep blacks, and good contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The S23 offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1750 nits | The S23 has dramatically better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | The S23 has a newer and significantly faster chipset, leading to better overall performance in apps and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,456,671 | The S23 scores much higher in benchmarks, indicating noticeably better performance in real-world use cases. |
| GPU | Apple 4-core | Adreno 740 | The S23 has a more powerful GPU, translating to better gaming performance and graphics processing capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 3900 mAh | The S23 has a significantly larger battery, potentially providing a much longer battery life throughout the day. |
| Charging | 20W Fast | 25W Fast | The S23 has slightly faster charging speed which is helpful for quick power ups. |
| Battery Features | MagSafe, Qi Wireless | Reverse, 10W Wireless | The iPhone 12 mini utilizes the Apple eco system, while the S23 can reverse charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 50MP f/1.8 | The S23 has a higher resolution sensor and a slightly larger sensor size which results in better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.2 | Both phones have similar front-facing cameras. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP f/2.4 | The S23 has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering optical zoom capabilities which the 12 mini lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | 12.2MP f/2.2 | The S23 has a slightly wider aperture for its ultra-wide lens, which might be better for low-light. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 30fps | The S23 offers significantly higher video recording capabilities at 8K. Both phones support video stabilization and slow-motion video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 117 Selfie: 132 | Mobile: 133 | The S23 has a higher score for the Main camera, while the 12 mini shows better performance in photos and video tests for the Mobile camera.The 12 mini has a higher score for the selfie camera. |
| Camera Features | Dual Camera, OIS | Triple Camera, OIS | The S23 has a triple camera setup, whereas the iPhone 12 mini has a dual camera. The S23 has more versatile camera options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (up to iOS 18) | Android 13 (up to 17) | The iPhone uses Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the S23 runs on Android, each having different user experiences and applications. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards but the S23 has additional features like Wi-Fi Direct. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | The S23 has a newer version of Bluetooth with more audio profiles, potentially providing more stable connections. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | More precise systems | The S23 has more precise GPS capabilities with dual-band support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Dual SIM + eSIM | Both offer Dual SIM capabilities, allowing use of two numbers on one device. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | Up to 512 GB | Up to 512 GB | Both phones offer similar maximum internal storage options. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | The S23 has double the RAM for better multitasking and app switching. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos | Noise Cancellation | The iPhone 12 mini has Dolby Atmos support for an enhanced audio experience, while the S23 has noise-cancelling for better calls. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | The S23 has a fingerprint sensor for more secure biometric access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The S23 has the latest generation of Gorilla Glass for better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity,Motion,Environmental | Biometric,Proximity,Motion,Environmental | The S23 includes a Fingerprint sensor. |
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 portability.
- Higher Pixel Density: The display is noticeably sharper due to higher pixel density.
- Dolby Atmos: Enhanced audio experience with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus
- Higher Selfie Camera DXOMark Score: Better Selfie camera performance overall.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Advantages:
- Newer Technology: Newer generation processor and technology with faster and more efficient performance.
- Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility due to higher brightness levels.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Potentially much longer battery life.
- Telephoto Lens: Optical zoom capabilities and versatile camera setup.
- Superior Performance: Much faster and smoother operation due to the upgraded chipset and more RAM.
- Biometric Security: Fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking.
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
- Significantly higher Main Camera Score: Much better camera performance overall.
Significant Trade-Offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, potentially less immersive for media; older processor and battery life; no telephoto lens, worse DXO main Camera Score.
- Samsung Galaxy S23: Larger size may be less comfortable for some users, especially for one-handed use; Lower pixel density on the display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Users who prioritize compactness and portability.
- Those who prefer one-handed operation and a lightweight phone.
- Apple Ecosystem users: People already invested in the iOS ecosystem, or who prefer Apple's OS
- Users who prioritize selfie camera quality over main camera
- Users who want to save some money
Use Cases:
- Easy to carry in pockets or small bags.
- Comfortable for quick tasks, texting, and calls.
- Ideal for users who want basic smartphone functionality in the smallest possible size.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S23:
- Users who prioritize performance, display quality and battery life.
- Gamers and media enthusiasts who want a larger, smoother display.
- Users who need a more versatile camera with a telephoto lens.
- Power users who multitask and need robust processing power.
- Those looking for a more recent phone with newer technology
- Users who prioritize Main Camera performance
Use Cases:
- Gaming and graphic-intensive applications.
- Watching videos and movies.
- Photography and videography, including optical zoom.
- Multitasking with multiple apps.
- Day-long usage without worrying about battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Size and Portability: Do you prioritize a small, pocketable device or a larger screen for media?
- Performance and Battery: Do you need the fastest possible performance and long battery life, or is basic functionality sufficient?
- Camera Needs: Do you need a versatile camera system with optical zoom, or is a capable main camera enough for your daily use?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent traveler who wants a compact, lightweight device: The iPhone 12 mini is the better choice due to its smaller size and portability, however, battery life may be a major downside.
- Scenario 2: Casual gamer who wants the best performance and a large screen: The Samsung Galaxy S23 is recommended due to its superior performance, larger 120Hz screen, and better battery life, as well as superior main camera.
- Scenario 3: Photographer who needs versatility and optical zoom: The Samsung Galaxy S23 is the clear choice with its telephoto lens and overall more advanced camera system.
- Scenario 4: User who primarily wants the smallest possible phone The iPhone 12 mini is the only option.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers a significant performance advantage over the A14 Bionic, resulting in a smoother and faster overall experience.
- Display: The larger, brighter display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a huge upgrade for media consumption and general usage. The better outdoor visibility is also very appealing.
- Camera: While I like the selfie camera on the 12 mini, the versatile triple camera system with a telephoto lens, higher resolution sensor and better performance of the main camera on the S23 is very compelling.
- Battery Life: The substantially larger battery in the S23 is a crucial factor for all-day usage, something the iPhone 12 mini struggles with.
- Modernity: The S23 is a more recent device with newer technology.
- Biometric Security: I value the convenience of a fingerprint sensor.
While I appreciate the compact form factor of the iPhone 12 mini, the performance, display quality, battery life, and overall feature set of the S23 make it the better choice for my needs. The S23 is simply a more capable device overall despite the fact that the 12 mini has a higher resolution screen, and a better selfie camera. The S23 has a better Main camera score, and that to me is more important.
