Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy S24
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2024-01-24 | Galaxy S24 is significantly newer, likely with more modern features and longer software support. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphone designs, not foldable. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | S24 is noticeably larger and slightly thicker, meaning better for content viewing but harder to handle one-handed. |
| Weight | 135g | 167g | iPhone 12 mini is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use, while S24 might feel more substantial. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.2" | S24 provides a larger viewing area, better for media consumption, while 12 mini is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2340 | Identical resolution; Both phones have the same level of detail at the base, however combined with a larger screen, this results in lower detail per inch on the S24 |
| PPI | 476 | 416 | iPhone 12 mini has a sharper display due to higher pixel density, which is good for text clarity and detail. |
| Technology | OLED | Unspecified | iPhone 12 mini has OLED, offering better contrast and color reproduction. Samsung Galaxy S24's display technology is unspecified, but it is likely OLED given its product class. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24 offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, particularly in gaming and fast paced movement. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2600 nits | S24 is significantly brighter, greatly improving outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | S24 has a much newer and more powerful processor, enabling faster app loading and multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,639,695 | S24 has much higher benchmark scores, implying superior performance in demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Apple 4-core | Adreno 750 | S24's GPU is more powerful, delivering better graphics performance in gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 4000mAh | S24 has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life, essential for power users. |
| Charging | 20W | 25W | S24 charges slightly faster, but the advantage is not massive. |
| Features | MagSafe, Qi | Bypass, Reverse | iPhone 12 mini has MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. S24 offers Bypass and Reverse wireless charging, which is an excellent feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | S24 has significantly higher resolution, allowing for more detailed images and better cropping capabilities, although low light performance is not always directly proportional to resolution. |
| Main Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture, allowing more light to reach the sensor and resulting in improved performance under low-light conditions. |
| Main Sensor | 1/2.55" | 1/1.57" | S24 has a physically larger sensor, which should contribute to better light-gathering capabilities. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP | S24 has a telephoto lens, which enables better zoom capabilities without loss of detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | 12.2MP f/2.2 | Both phones have wide-angle lenses, with similar practical quality. |
| Video | 4K@60fps HDR | 8K@30fps HDR | S24 can record 8k video, with better stabilization, while iPhone 12 mini goes up to 4k. |
| DXOMark | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 mini has official camera scores, indicating generally good image quality but this is from 2020. No scores for S24 in this comparison. |
| Features | OIS, Ultra Stable, Night Mode | OIS, Digital, Night Mode 2.0, 8K, Triple | S24 offers more versatile camera features with 8K video and improved low-light performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, Up to iOS 18 | Android 14, Up to Android 21 | Different operating systems, iOS for a walled garden approach and Android for more customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6E | S24 has WiFi 6E, offering access to 6GHz band, reduced interference, lower latency, and faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | S24 features a more advanced Bluetooth version, with more codecs support and improved performance. |
| GPS | Multiple Systems | Enhanced Multiple Systems | S24 offers more accurate positioning due to enhanced multiple satellite system support. |
| SIM | Nano/eSIM | Nano/eSIM | Both are dual-sim compatible. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | Up to 512GB | Up to 512GB | Both offer similar storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB/12GB | S24 has significantly more RAM, ensuring better multitasking and overall system performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos | Noise Cancelling mic | iPhone 12 mini provides more immersive sound with Dolby Atmos, while Samsung Galaxy S24 has a noise-cancelling microphone. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Fingerprint Sensor | Samsung Galaxy S24 has fingerprint sensor for better security while iPhone 12 mini provides a less secure experience with Face Unlock. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Samsung Galaxy S24 provides better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making it more durable and scratch-resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Multiple | Enhanced Multiple | Samsung Galaxy S24 features a comprehensive array of sensors compared to iPhone 12 mini, expanding functionality and applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size & Weight: Extremely pocketable and light, ideal for one-handed use.
- Sharper Display (PPI): Higher pixel density offers crisper text and images.
- Dolby Atmos: Better audio immersion for media consumption.
- MagSafe: Convenient magnetic wireless charging and accessory attachment.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Advantages:
- Significantly Newer: More advanced features, longer software support, improved performance.
- Larger Display & Higher Brightness: Better for media consumption and outdoor visibility.
- Significantly More Powerful Processor & GPU: Faster, smoother multitasking and gaming performance.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Much longer battery life, great for heavy users.
- Telephoto Lens: Better zoom capabilities for versatile photography.
- Advanced Video Recording: 8K recording capabilities, superior stabilization.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 for faster, more reliable connections.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Adds security and convenience.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenient for charging other devices wirelessly.
- Bypass Charging: Can bypass charging while gaming.
- Superior Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides improved durability.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 12 mini offers unmatched compactness, at the cost of a smaller screen and battery.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24's size and weight may be too large for some users seeking a smaller device.
- The iPhone 12 mini has better audio immersion, while Samsung Galaxy S24's audio is not far behind.
- The iPhone 12 mini doesn't have a telephoto lens compared to the S24.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Users with Small Hands: Those who prioritize a small, lightweight phone that is easily manageable.
- Minimalists: Users who prefer pocketable devices with a focus on core functionalities and not looking to maximize battery life.
- Those Already in the Apple Ecosystem: Users who are comfortable with iOS and prefer Apple's ecosystem.
- Budget-Conscious: Users willing to sacrifice some of the higher-end features for cost savings.
Casual Smartphone Users: Those who primarily use their phones for basic functions and prefer an easy-to-use experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- One-handed texting and calling.
- Occasional use for navigation and web browsing.
- A secondary phone for specific purposes.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy S24:
- Power Users: Those who need top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, play games, or frequently use social media apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who desire a versatile camera system with telephoto capabilities and improved low-light performance.
- Professionals: Those who need to make use of the enhanced connectivity features and fast performance for productivity.
Android Customization Lovers: Users who prefer Android's openness and customization options.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other graphics-intensive tasks.
- Long days away from a power source, relying on longer battery life.
- Extensive content consumption.
- Photography and videography where high-quality zoom is needed.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Size and Portability: How important is a small, lightweight phone versus a larger screen for viewing content?
- Performance Needs: What is your primary use case for the phone? Is it more for basic tasks or for gaming and power intensive operations?
- Ecosystem Preference: Do you prefer iOS or Android, and do you heavily use other devices within one ecosystem?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Ultra-Portability Focus: If a small, lightweight phone is your priority, and you value easy one-handed use, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Feature Rich: If you want the latest performance, a high-quality display, a versatile camera, and long battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is a significantly better option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Use and Budget Focus: If your priorities are basic tasks, prefer a low-cost phone with easy one-handed use, then the iPhone 12 mini can also be considered as well.
What Would I Choose?
Based on the provided specifications and my analysis, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. Here's why:
- Modern Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset is significantly more powerful than the A14 Bionic, ensuring smoother performance for all tasks, including gaming and multitasking.
- Enhanced Display: The larger, brighter 120Hz display on the S24 provides a much more immersive and enjoyable user experience, particularly for media consumption and gaming.
- Superior Battery Life: The larger battery capacity of the S24 is crucial for heavy users who need their phones to last all day without constantly needing to charge, which is an issue with the iPhone 12 mini's small battery.
- Versatile Camera System: The telephoto lens and advanced video features of the S24 offer more creative options for photography and videography, which I value in a phone.
- Better Future-Proofing: As the newer phone, the S24 will likely receive software updates for a longer time, providing a longer lifespan.
While I appreciate the compact form factor of the iPhone 12 mini, the performance, battery life, display, and camera limitations compared to the S24 make the Samsung Galaxy S24 a more practical choice for my needs, despite the increase in size and weight. The S24 provides a better balance of functionality, performance, and overall user experience for the modern era.
