Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for the Apple iPhone 12 mini and Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro, focusing on their practical impact on user experience:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable; the Poco M4 Pro is larger, which can be better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 135g | 179.5g | iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.43" | The Poco M4 Pro provides a larger viewing area for media and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both are Full HD+, offering similar sharpness, but with slightly different aspect ratios. |
| PPI | 476 | 409 | iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both provide excellent contrast and vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Poco M4 Pro has smoother scrolling and animations, though the difference is not dramatic. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 mini offers dramatically better visibility in bright sunlight. Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro brightness is not provided. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | The A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 438,700 | The iPhone 12 mini has a much higher benchmark score, indicating superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G57 MC2 | The A14's GPU offers superior graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" | iPhone 12 mini captures better low-light photos due to the larger sensor, while Poco M4 Pro has a higher resolution, allowing more detail in good lighting, although pixel size is much smaller on the Poco |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | iPhone 12 mini has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies; Poco has a higher resolution and larger pixel size. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55" | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" | iPhone 12 mini captures more details and less noise due to its larger sensor and wider aperture; Poco M4 Pro benefits from a wider aperture, leading to slightly better low light performance. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 mini offers significantly higher quality video recording with 4K resolution and better stabilization. |
| DxOMark | Main: 117, Selfie: 132 | Not Available | iPhone 12 mini has been tested and has a high ranking. Poco M4 Pro was not rated. |
| Features | 4K Video, Optical zoom, OIS, RAW, Night Mode | Digital zoom, Digital stabilization, Night Mode | iPhone 12 mini has an edge with OIS and RAW capture, and optical zoom. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | The Poco M4 Pro has a much larger battery, likely offering significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Poco M4 Pro charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | MagSafe & Qi Wireless Charging | None | iPhone 12 mini offers versatile wireless charging options. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable to 18) | Android 11 | Different OS environments with unique advantages and limitations. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Wi-Fi MiMO | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Wi-Fi Direct | iPhone 12 mini supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE | 5.1, LE, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Poco M4 Pro supports more advanced Bluetooth audio codecs for better audio quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Both support a variety of satelite systems for accurate positioning. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM / eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 mini offers eSIM for flexible connectivity options. |
| Storage | 64/128/256/512 GB | Not specified | iPhone 12 mini has multiple storage options. |
| RAM | 4GB | Not specified | iPhone 12 mini has 4GB of RAM, which can be limiting for some users |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 mics | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has a slight edge in audio with high quality audio playback and better voice capture. |
| Security | Basic security features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Poco M4 Pro offers biometric security with a fingerprint sensor. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 Pro uses a scratch-resistant glass for screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The Poco M4 Pro includes additional biometric sensors, while the iPhone 12 mini has more environmental sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly better processing power, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
- Sharper Display: Higher PPI results in a more detailed and crisp visual experience.
- Better Camera System: Superior low-light performance, 4K video recording, OIS, and RAW support enable higher quality photos and videos with more creative control.
- Wireless Charging: Offers MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, providing convenient charging options.
- Compact Design: Significantly smaller and lighter, making it extremely pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight with 1200 nits.
- eSIM support: Enables flexible connectivity options.
- More storage options: Comes in different configurations up to 512 GB.
- Higher quality construction: Built with premium materials, leading to a more robust feel.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.43" screen provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Longer Battery Life: The larger 5000mAh battery offers significantly more usage time, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging capability reduces the waiting time when charging.
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother animations and scrolling.
- Better audio: Offers high-quality audio and improved voice capture.
- Fingerprint sensor: Adds biometric security.
- Improved Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides resistance against scratches.
- More advanced bluetooth audio codecs: APT-x, LDAC, AAC for higher quality wireless audio.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Trades battery life and screen size for superior performance, camera capabilities, premium features and build quality.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro: Trades raw performance and camera quality for extended battery life, larger display and smoother animations.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini:
- Ideal User: Individuals who prioritize a compact, high-performance phone with an excellent camera system, premium build quality and superior screen.
- Use Cases:
- Users who need a pocketable phone without sacrificing processing power.
- Those who value photo and video quality with OIS and RAW capture.
- Users seeking a smooth user experience and prefer the iOS ecosystem.
- Users who want wireless charging and premium design.
- Users who need a brighter screen for better outdoor visibility.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro:
- Ideal User: Individuals who prioritize a larger screen, longer battery life, fast charging, and smoother animations on a budget.
- Use Cases:
- Media consumers who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a bigger screen.
- Users who need a long-lasting battery that can last the whole day without frequent charging.
- Users who value a smooth, responsive display for casual use.
- Cost-conscious buyers who want good features at an affordable price.
- Users who value high-quality audio playback.
Price-to-Value:
- iPhone 12 mini: Higher price point but provides superior overall performance, camera quality, and build quality.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro: Lower price point, making it more accessible for budget-conscious users who want a larger screen and longer battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Size Preference: Do you prioritize a highly pocketable phone (iPhone 12 mini) or a larger screen for media consumption (Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro)?
- Performance Needs: Do you require top-tier processing power and graphic capabilities (iPhone 12 mini) or is a mid-range chipset sufficient (Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro)?
- Battery Life vs. Camera Quality: Is long battery life a priority (Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro) or do you need the highest possible photo and video quality and features (iPhone 12 mini)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Frequent Traveler/Outdoor Enthusiast: The iPhone 12 mini is better due to its compact design, higher brightness and superior camera.
- Heavy Media Consumer/Gamer: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is preferable due to the larger screen and longer battery life.
- Budget-Conscious Shopper: The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro is a better value, offering a larger screen and a larger battery without breaking the bank.
- Content Creator/Photo Enthusiast: The iPhone 12 mini is the better choice because of its superior camera quality and additional recording features.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro has its merits, such as a larger screen and significantly larger battery, my needs lean more towards performance, camera quality, and portability. I appreciate the superior performance of the A14 Bionic chip, which ensures a smooth and responsive user experience. The higher pixel density of the display is also a significant factor, providing a crisper and more detailed visual experience. Finally, the compact size of the iPhone 12 mini makes it much more comfortable for daily use and pocketability. The smaller battery is a tradeoff but I value the performance and camera more than battery life and a big screen. While the price is higher, the value for a small, yet powerful smartphone is worth the investment for my specific needs.
