1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2022-11-01 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is a newer device, potentially with more modern features and longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 131.5 × 64.2 × 7.4 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly smaller and more pocketable; the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a larger screen area but is bulkier. |
| Weight | 135g | 208.4g | The iPhone 12 mini is much lighter, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and extended periods of handling. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.67" | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides a significantly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking, while the iPhone 12 mini is better for users preferring small, pocketable devices. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both offer sharp displays, but the difference in resolution is negligible for practical use. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 395 | The iPhone 12 mini has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use vibrant OLED panels, offering deep blacks and rich colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers smoother scrolling and animations with its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 900 nits | The iPhone 12 mini is significantly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | The A14 Bionic is significantly more powerful in benchmarks, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,072,354 | 573,100 | The iPhone 12 mini demonstrates considerably higher performance in benchmarks, suggesting it is more suitable for demanding tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G68 MC4 | The A14's GPU provides better performance, especially in demanding graphics applications and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2227mAh | 5000mAh | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a much larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 120W fast charging | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ charges dramatically faster, going from 0-100% in a fraction of the time of the iPhone 12 mini. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable, MagSafe wireless charging (15W), Qi wireless charging (7.5W) | Non-removable | The iPhone 12 mini offers wireless charging, including the convenience of MagSafe, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ does not have wireless capabilities but does have significantly faster wired charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 200MP | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers much higher resolution images. However, resolution is only one aspect of picture quality, and other elements such as sensor size and image processing algorithms can make a big difference. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.65 | Both phones have very similar main camera apertures. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/1.4" | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a significantly larger sensor, which can potentially result in better low light performance and dynamic range. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 1.40 µm | 0.56 µm | The iPhone 12 Mini has larger pixel size. Pixel size affects light gathering capability on each pixel. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 16MP | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a slightly higher resolution front camera. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | The iPhone 12 Mini has a wider aperture for the front camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 12MP | 8MP | The iPhone 12 mini has a higher resolution wide-angle camera. |
| Wide Angle Lens Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.2 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a wider aperture wide-angle lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/2.8" | The iPhone 12 mini has a larger wide-angle sensor. |
| Macro Lens | No | 2MP | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ features a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots, which the iPhone 12 mini lacks. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR and stereo sound, slow-motion 240fps | 4K@30fps, slow-motion 960fps | Both phones offer 4K video recording capabilities. The iPhone 12 mini is able to record in 4K up to 60FPS vs 30fps on the Redmi. The Redmi supports a higher slow-motion frame rate. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 117 | 113 | The iPhone 12 mini demonstrates superior camera performance in DxOMark tests with higher overall scores. |
| DxOMark Selfie Score | 132 | NA | The iPhone 12 mini's selfie camera performance is superior according to DxOMark. |
| Camera Features | Optical zoom, dual camera | Triple Camera, Digital image stabilization | The iPhone 12 mini has optical zoom and a dual camera setup, whereas the Redmi has a triple camera setup. Both have stabilization. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 12 (Upgradable to Android 14) | iOS offers a different user experience with a more streamlined approach, whereas Android is more open and customizable. Both have long-term support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual Band, MiMO | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual Band, MiMO, Direct, Display | Both support modern Wi-Fi standards, but the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers additional features like Wi-Fi Direct and Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP | 5.2 LE, A2DP, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a newer Bluetooth version and supports additional audio codecs for higher-quality wireless audio. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1) | Both offer comprehensive GPS support. The iPhone includes QZSS and the Redmi includes GLONASS (L1) and BeiDou (B1). |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM/eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The iPhone 12 mini has an eSIM for additional flexibility with digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512GB | 128 GB, 256 GB | The iPhone 12 mini offers larger maximum storage capacity. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB, 12GB | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers significantly more RAM for better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Both have stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos; the iPhone 12 mini offers Dolby Digital Plus, and the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers Hi-Res Audio. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a fingerprint sensor for biometric security, which the iPhone 12 mini lacks. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers better screen protection with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The iPhone does not have a specified protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both have common sensors. The iPhone 12 mini features Barometer, and the Redmi features a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 mini Advantages:
- Significantly Smaller & Lighter: Easier to handle and more pocketable, ideal for one-handed use.
- Higher Pixel Density: Sharper display, better for text and detailed graphics.
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight.
- Higher DxOMark Scores: Superior camera quality according to DxOMark benchmarks.
- eSIM support: More flexible connectivity options.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging support.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Larger Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate (120Hz): Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Much Larger Battery: Longer battery life, reducing the need to recharge.
- Significantly Faster Charging (120W): Much quicker charging time, minimizing downtime.
- Higher Main Camera Resolution (200MP): More detailed images.
- Macro Camera: Offers a dedicated camera for close-up shots.
- More RAM: Superior for multi-tasking and demanding applications.
- Fingerprint sensor: Quick unlock and security features.
- Screen protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers superior protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 mini: Smaller screen, lower battery capacity and slower charging.
- Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Bulkier design, lower pixel density, weaker processor performance and camera performance according to tests.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 mini Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize compact size and portability.
- Users who value performance and smooth user experience.
- Users who prefer the iOS ecosystem and its simplicity.
- Users who frequently use their phone in bright outdoor settings.
- Users that are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who prefer a premium build and feel.
- Users who take lots of selfies and like to record videos with their phone.
Use Cases:
- Comfortable one-handed use for messaging, browsing, and calls.
- Smooth and fast performance for everyday tasks and demanding games.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging.
- Users who enjoy a larger screen for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking.
- Users who prefer Android's flexibility and customization options.
- Users who want the flexibility of a macro camera for close-up photography.
- Users who use their phone heavily throughout the day.
- Users who consume a lot of media on their devices.
- Users who prefer a smooth experience with high refresh rates.
- Users who need a large amount of RAM for heavy multitasking and demanding games.
Use Cases:
- Binge-watching videos or gaming without frequent charging.
- Multitasking between multiple apps and documents.
- Taking high-resolution photos and close-up macro shots.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 mini likely costs more but offers a premium experience, build quality, and performance, making it a better option for those willing to invest more in a flagship device and its ecosystem.
- The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is likely priced lower while offering a large screen, long battery life, fast charging, and a good camera. This makes it a better value option for users who prioritize these features over raw processing power or camera performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Size and Portability: How important is a compact, pocketable device versus a larger screen for media consumption?
- Battery Life and Charging: How important is long battery life and fast charging compared to wireless charging convenience?
- Performance and Ecosystem: How much do I need a high-performance chip vs a good camera and display? Do I prefer iOS or Android?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler or Commuter:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ due to its large battery and fast charging capabilities. The larger display is also advantageous for enjoying media on-the-go.
- Scenario 2: Power User and Gamer:
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini due to its superior processing power and performance in demanding tasks and games.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with Preference for Small Device:
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 mini due to its compact size, comfortable one-handed use, and reliable performance.
- Scenario 4: Media Consumer on a Budget:
- Recommendation: Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ due to its large, smooth display, long battery life, and good camera, providing excellent value for price.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally opt for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+. Here's why:
- Battery Life: For my usage patterns, which involve a lot of media consumption and general browsing throughout the day, battery life is critical. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+'s larger battery provides more comfort and less need to worry about finding a charger.
- Screen Size: I prefer a larger display for media consumption and multitasking. The Redmi's 6.67-inch screen is perfect for this purpose.
- Fast Charging: The 120W fast charging is a significant convenience. I value the ability to quickly recharge my phone in a short amount of time.
- Value: The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a compelling set of features, including good display, battery and camera at an affordable price point.
While the iPhone 12 mini has a smaller form factor and more powerful processing power, these are secondary features for my needs when compared to a long lasting battery life, large display and fast charging speeds.
