1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 163.6 × 75.8 × 8.8 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and easier to handle with one hand, while the Redmi Note 11S 5G is larger and may be less comfortable for smaller hands. |
| Weight | 135g | 195g | The iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it more comfortable for long use and carrying around. |
| Build | Unconfirmed screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Xiaomi has better screen protection, more resistant to scratches and drops. |
| ### Display |
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 5.4" | 6.6" | The Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a much larger screen for more immersive viewing, gaming and media consumption. The iPhone 12 mini is ideal for those who prefer pocketability and one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both offer similar sharpness, but the difference is minor and not very noticeable in daily use. |
| Pixel Density | 476 ppi | 399 ppi | The iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The iPhone 12 mini's OLED screen offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the LCD screen of the Xiaomi. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Redmi Note 11S 5G has a smoother display with a 90Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and animations appear more fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 mini is much brighter and offers much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions, while the Xiaomi has an unconfirmed brightness. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | The A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful, providing a faster and smoother experience in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, while the Mediatek Dimensity 810 is more modest, suitable for everyday tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 438,700 | The iPhone 12 mini's benchmark score is much higher, indicating significantly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Apple GPU offers superior graphics performance, especially noticeable in gaming and other graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The iPhone 12 mini's main camera has larger pixels and a wider aperture, which tends to be better for low-light photography, despite the lower MP count. The Xiaomi has higher MP count which in good light conditions result in more detailed pictures. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | The iPhone 12 mini's wider aperture allows for better low-light selfie performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 8MP, f/2.2 | The iPhone 12 mini captures more detailed wide angle shots due to its higher MP and sensor size. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G has a macro lens allowing for close-up photography, the iPhone lacks that. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@60fps | The iPhone 12 mini provides higher-resolution video capabilities, capturing more detail and offers better overall video quality. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 117 (Photo 128, Video 129) | 65 (Photo 50, Video 83) | The iPhone 12 mini has a much higher camera performance score. |
| DxOMark Score (Selfie) | 132 (Photo 127, Video 140) | N/A | The iPhone 12 mini's selfie camera has a high score. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Optical Zoom, PDAF, RAW | Digital Stabilization, Triple Camera | The iPhone has Optical Stabilization and Zoom, while the Xiaomi features Digital Stabilization and has a triple camera system. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 mAh | The Redmi Note 11S 5G has a much larger battery and will likely last significantly longer on a single charge. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Redmi Note 11S 5G charges faster due to its higher charging wattage. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | None | The iPhone 12 mini has wireless charging capabilities, both MagSafe and Qi, offering convenient charging options. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 11 (no max version provided) | iOS generally offers a more polished experience with regular updates, while Android has more customization options. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MIMO | WiFi 5, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | The iPhone 12 mini supports the newer WiFi 6 standard, potentially offering faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE, A2DP | 5.1, LE, A2DP, APT-x, LDAC, AAC | Xiaomi supports higher quality Bluetooth audio codecs such as APT-x and LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Galileo | The iPhone 12 mini supports more satellite systems, potentially offering better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | The iPhone offers eSIM support. |
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256/512 GB | 64/128 GB | The iPhone 12 mini offers more storage options up to 512GB. |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB or 6GB | Xiaomi offers an option for 6GB of RAM, which is good for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Xiaomi offers Hi-Res audio and dual microphones, making it better for audiophiles and better voice capture. |
| Security | Basic security features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Xiaomi offers biometric security through its fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The iPhone offers additional environmental sensors, while the Xiaomi has a fingerprint sensor. |
| ## 2. Key Differences Analysis |
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip delivers significantly better performance than the Dimensity 810, excelling in gaming and heavy applications.
- Higher Quality Display: The OLED display has better contrast, color accuracy, and brightness, particularly noticeable in sunlight.
- Better Camera Quality: The iPhone 12 mini's camera system, with larger sensor, wider aperture and better video capabilities, offers superior overall photo and video quality, especially in low-light conditions, as reflected in the DxOMark scores.
- Wireless Charging: Supports both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, adding convenience.
- More Compact and Lightweight: The smaller size makes it ideal for one-handed use and easy portability.
- Better location accuracy: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM support, allowing for greater flexibility in carrier selection.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display with Smoother Refresh Rate: The 6.6" 90Hz screen provides a more immersive and fluid viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Significantly Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging allows for quicker top-ups, especially useful for long use cases.
- Expandable Storage: Offers a macro lens for close-up photography, which can be useful for creative shots.
- Hi-Res Audio: The inclusion of Hi-Res audio and dual microphones provides superior audio playback and voice capture for audiophiles.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers biometric security through its fingerprint sensor.
- Better screen protection: Offers corning gorilla glass 3, more scratch and drop resistant.
- Lower Price: Typically more budget-friendly.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Sacrifices battery life and screen size for a compact, more powerful, and premium experience.
- Redmi Note 11S 5G: Provides a larger display and longer battery life but compromises on raw performance, camera quality and screen sharpness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a compact and lightweight design for one-handed use and portability.
- Those who value raw performance for gaming, video editing, or other demanding tasks.
- Users who want a high-quality display with excellent color reproduction and brightness.
- Photography enthusiasts who prioritize a better camera and are willing to pay for quality.
- Individuals who prefer the iOS ecosystem and are willing to work with its limitations.
- Users who value consistent performance and software updates.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-performance gaming and mobile content creation.
- Outdoor photography in bright light conditions.
- One-handed phone use on a daily basis.
- Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem and services.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G Ideal User:
- Users who want a larger display for better media consumption and gaming.
- Individuals who need long battery life for extended usage.
- Budget-conscious buyers looking for good value for the price.
- Users who don't need top-tier performance, but still need decent performance for daily tasks and casual gaming.
- Those who prefer the customization and flexibility of Android.
- Users who want the ability to capture close up macro photos.
Specific Use Cases:
- Watching videos and movies for long periods.
- Casual gaming and social media browsing.
- Daily usage where a long-lasting battery is crucial.
- Users who prefer to use and be part of the Android ecosystem and services.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini offers premium features like a high-end processor and OLED display at a higher price point.
- The Redmi Note 11S 5G provides a more budget-friendly option, offering a larger display and longer battery life, but lacks in performance and screen quality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is more important: Display or portability? If you prioritize a large screen for media and gaming, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is better. If portability and ease of use are more crucial, the iPhone 12 mini is the better option.
- Is performance or battery life more critical? The iPhone 12 mini provides significantly better performance, but the Redmi Note 11S 5G has a much larger battery for longer use.
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 mini is a premium device and comes at a premium price, while the Redmi Note 11S 5G is more budget-friendly.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For the Power User: If you value performance and a high quality camera above all else and price is not a major concern, the iPhone 12 mini is the better choice. Its powerful processor and superior camera system make it a great choice for heavy users.
- For the Casual User: If battery life and a larger screen are more important, and you're on a budget, the Redmi Note 11S 5G is a great choice. It provides good value for its price, especially with the large battery and decent screen.
- For the Photographer: If you value image and video quality, including low light performance, then iPhone 12 mini is the better choice. If you value versatility the triple camera system of the Xiaomi is a better option.
My Choice
Personally, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 mini. While the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G offers a larger screen, longer battery life, and better affordability, the performance advantage, display quality, and camera capabilities of the iPhone 12 mini are more important to me. I prefer the compact form factor, and the superior ecosystem integration. Although, I might find myself needing to charge more often, the significantly better performance and higher quality display and camera outweighs the compromises in the battery and size of the screen for me.
