Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Sony Xperia 1 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Sony Xperia 1 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 165 × 71 × 8.2 mm | The Xperia 1 IV is significantly larger, making the iPhone 12 mini much more pocketable and easier to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 135g | 185g | The iPhone 12 mini is noticeably lighter, enhancing comfort during long use sessions. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.5" | The Xperia 1 IV offers a larger viewing area, ideal for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone 12 mini is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1644x3840 | The Xperia 1 IV has a much sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. |
| PPI | 476 | 643 | The Xperia 1 IV has higher pixel density resulting in a more detailed and smoother visual experience |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Xperia 1 IV has smoother scrolling and animations, which improves user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 mini has a much brighter display, making it easier to see outdoors in sunlight. The Sony Xperia 1 IV is missing this info. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Both offer flagship level performance for smooth everyday operation and demanding games. The newer architecture of the Sony's chip is slightly more efficient. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 1,076,100 | Both phones offer similar raw performance, suitable for gaming and heavy apps. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Both provide top-tier graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | The Xperia 1 IV has a vastly larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Xperia 1 IV charges faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable, MagSafe, Qi Wireless | Non-removable, Bypass Charging | The iPhone 12 mini offers the convenience of MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. The Xperia 1 IV offers bypass charging for optimized performance while plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.40 µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.80 µm | The Xperia 1 IV has larger pixels, potentially leading to better low-light performance. The iPhone 12 Mini's wider aperture also allows more light in. |
| Selfie Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.0 | The Xperia 1 IV has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.3, 1.00 µm | The Xperia 1 IV has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering greater versatility in zoom photography. The iPhone 12 mini lacks this feature. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40 µm | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Xperia 1 IV has a wider aperture for the wide-angle lens. |
| ToF 3D Sensor | N/A | Yes | The Xperia 1 IV has a ToF sensor for better depth perception in photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 4K 120fps | Both capture high-quality video, but the Xperia 1 IV has a higher frame rate in 4K, and OIS/EIS for stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 117 | 105 | The iPhone 12 Mini achieved a higher overall camera score on DxOMark, especially in video and photo performance |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | Only the iPhone 12 Mini has been tested for selfies and has an impressive score. |
| Features | Dual Camera, Night Mode, Optical zoom | Quadruple Camera, Digital stabilization | The iPhone 12 mini has a dual camera system with manual focus and night mode, while the Xperia 1 IV has a quadruple camera system with digital stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 12 | The iPhone runs iOS, while the Xperia 1 IV runs Android, offering different ecosystems and user interfaces. |
| Max OS Version | iOS 18 | Android 13 | The iPhone 12 mini will have longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support fast Wi-Fi 6. The Xperia 1 IV also supports Wi-Fi direct and display. The iPhone 12 mini also supports Wi-Fi MIMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The Xperia 1 IV has a newer Bluetooth version with more features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Xperia 1 IV has more precise GPS positioning with support for additional bands and satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Both offer dual SIM capabilities, including an eSIM option. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256/512 GB | 256/512 GB | The Xperia 1 IV starts at a higher base storage level. Both offer 512 GB at maximum. |
| RAM | 4GB | 12/16 GB | The Xperia 1 IV has significantly more RAM, resulting in better multitasking and performance in demanding applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both offer high quality audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos but the Xperia has Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Xperia 1 IV includes biometric security via fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Xperia 1 IV has much better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall | The Xperia 1 IV has additional biometric sensor support. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Compact Size and Lightweight Design: Easier to handle and pocketable, ideal for those who prefer smaller phones.
- Superior Display Brightness: Better visibility in outdoor, bright conditions.
- Better Main Camera and Selfie Scores: Per DxOMark results, photo and video capabilities are better.
- MagSafe and Qi Wireless Charging: Convenient for wireless charging options and accessories.
- Longer Software Support: Apple typically provides longer software updates for their devices.
Sony Xperia 1 IV Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: Better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother 120Hz Refresh Rate: More fluid animations and scrolling for better user experience.
- Larger Battery Capacity: Significantly longer battery life for all-day use.
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens and ToF Sensor: More versatile camera system with advanced photography capabilities.
- More RAM: Much better performance when using multiple heavy applications.
- More Precise GPS: Better location accuracy with dual-band GPS.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Better audio fidelity for audiophiles.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric security option.
- Better Screen Protection: More durable screen due to Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 12 mini has a smaller display and shorter battery life compared to the Xperia 1 IV, which is large and heavy.
- The Xperia 1 IV, while having better specs for video, is outperformed by the iPhone 12 mini in the overall camera score.
- The Xperia 1 IV offers more advanced camera hardware but lacks the simple software experience of the iPhone.
- The iPhone 12 mini has slightly better scores in DxOMark, but overall, the Xperia has a more versatile camera system
- The iPhone 12 mini has a dated design compared to the Xperia 1 IV.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini - Ideal Users:
- Users Who Prefer Compact Phones: Those who value portability and one-handed use.
- iOS Ecosystem Users: Those invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS.
- Users Prioritizing Display Brightness: Individuals who frequently use their phones in bright, outdoor settings.
- Social Media Enthusiasts: Those who value good camera performance, especially for selfies and basic video, but do not need a full suite of camera features.
- Users who value long term software support: Individuals who want more years of software updates from the manufacturer.
Use Cases:
- Everyday browsing, texting, and social media.
- Quick photos and videos, and for high-quality selfies.
- Commuting and travel.
- Fitness tracking and health apps.
Sony Xperia 1 IV - Ideal Users:
- Media Consumers and Gamers: Those who enjoy large, high-resolution displays, smooth refresh rates, and powerful performance.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera system with telephoto and depth sensors.
- Power Users: Individuals who need long battery life, multitasking capabilities, and robust performance.
- Users who prioritize audio fidelity: Those who need Hi-Res audio support
- Android Ecosystem Users: Those who are comfortable with and prefer Android.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies, TV shows, and videos.
- Playing graphics-intensive games.
- Professional and enthusiast photography and videography.
- Multitasking with productivity apps.
- Long days away from a power source.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Size and Portability: Do you prefer a compact phone that is easy to handle, or a larger screen for more immersive media consumption?
- Camera Needs: Do you need the simplicity and high-quality output of the iPhone 12 mini or the versatility and features of the Xperia 1 IV camera system?
- Battery Life Requirements: Do you prioritize long battery life over other features, or are you willing to trade some battery life for a smaller phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You prioritize a small, pocketable phone that works well in bright sunlight. - Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini is better due to its compact design and higher brightness
- Scenario 2: You want a large screen for watching media and a versatile camera system - Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 IV is the better choice with its bigger and sharper screen, and telephoto camera.
- Scenario 3: You need all day battery life and fast performance for productivity apps. - Recommendation: Sony Xperia 1 IV is the better fit with a larger battery and more RAM.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally opt for the Sony Xperia 1 IV. My primary needs include a large, high-quality display for media consumption and detailed work tasks, along with long battery life to get through a full day without worrying about charging. The larger display, 120Hz refresh rate, significantly larger battery and 12GB RAM of the Xperia 1 IV make it ideal for these needs. While the iPhone 12 mini has a great camera and a smaller form factor, the practical advantages of the Xperia 1 IV align better with my usage preferences. The more versatile camera system, including the telephoto lens and superior audio capabilities are also very appealing to me. Also, despite the iPhone's higher DxOMark scores, the more versatile camera hardware on the Xperia 1 IV with the Telephoto and ToF sensor appeals more to my personal preferences as I would prefer more utility in the lenses rather than slightly better image processing. The added fingerprint sensor is also appreciated.
