Alright, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Apple iPhone 13 mini and the Motorola ThinkPhone. Both are intriguing devices, but they cater to very different needs and preferences. As a tech journalist with an engineering background, my goal here is to dissect these devices and give you the insights you need to make an informed choice.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of key technical specs, along with their real-world implications:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 13 mini | Motorola ThinkPhone | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-09-24 | 2023-01-29 | The ThinkPhone is newer, benefitting from more recent tech. |
| Size | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm | 158.8 x 74.4 x 8.3 mm | iPhone 13 mini is significantly more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 141g | 188.5g | The iPhone 13 mini is much lighter, great for one-handed use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 5.4" | 6.6" | ThinkPhone offers a larger display for better media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 1080x2400 | Both have sharp displays; differences are minimal. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 476 | 399 | The iPhone 13 mini has a noticeably sharper display due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | P-OLED | Both offer excellent contrast and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ThinkPhone provides smoother animations, ideal for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both offer excellent visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm) | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Both are flagship-level performers, but with different architectures. |
| Antutu Score | 1,250,240 | 1,232,700 | Performance is practically identical for typical tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Different GPUs optimized for their respective platforms. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 2438mAh | 5000mAh | ThinkPhone has a significantly larger battery, likely offering much better endurance. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 68W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | ThinkPhone charges much faster. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe 15W, Qi 7.5W | 15W | The iPhone has more wireless charging options including MagSafe. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens Res | 12MP | 50MP | ThinkPhone's main sensor is higher resolution for more detailed photos. |
| Standard Lens Ap | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 13 mini's wider aperture performs slightly better in low-light. |
| Selfie Lens Res | 12MP | 32MP | ThinkPhone has much higher-resolution selfie camera. |
| Selfie Lens Ap | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | iPhone 13 mini’s wider aperture performs slightly better in low-light for selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | None | iPhone 13 mini has a dedicated wide-angle lens, ThinkPhone combines it with Macro |
| Portrait Mode | None | 2MP Depth Sensor | Motorola has dedicated portrait mode lens, not on the iPhone 13 mini |
| Wide Angle+Macro | None | 13MP Wide Angle + Macro | ThinkPhone combines the wide-angle and macro into one lens for added versatility. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 30fps | ThinkPhone offers higher resolution video for professional-level capture. |
| DXOMARK Score (Main) | 125 | Not Available | iPhone 13 mini has been scored, whereas the ThinkPhone has not. |
| DXOMARK Score (Selfie) | 134 | Not Available | iPhone 13 mini has been scored, whereas the ThinkPhone has not. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 15 (upgradable to 18) | Android 13 | Different ecosystems and user interfaces. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6, MiMO | WiFi 6, MiMO, Direct, Display | ThinkPhone offers more WiFi options, including direct display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE, AAC | 5.2 LE | ThinkPhone has a newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Both have great GPS tracking, with additional systems on each phone. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | iPhone 13 mini offers an eSIM for easier carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 256 GB | iPhone 13 mini has up to 512GB of storage, compared to 256GB for ThinkPhone. |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB | ThinkPhone offers more RAM for better multitasking and app management. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS / DTS X, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | iPhone 13 mini has more audio features like Digital Plus, DTS and 3 microphones, compared to Thinkphone that only has 2. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Motorola has a basic fingerprint sensor for biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The iPhone has additional environmental sensors, the ThinkPhone has biometric fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Insights
Apple iPhone 13 mini:
- Strengths: Compact size, exceptionally sharp display, excellent low-light camera performance, wide angle lens, smooth iOS experience, MagSafe charging, strong software ecosystem with long-term support. It is also extremely light and pocketable.
- Competitive Advantages: Ideal for users who prioritize portability and one-handed use. Its higher pixel density and better low-light camera performance offer a clear advantage for users who want the best possible screen and photos under any condition.
- Trade-offs: Smaller battery capacity and slower charging compared to the ThinkPhone. Lack of expandability and only 4GB of RAM. The screen is also smaller and doesn't have the high refresh rate for a smooth experience.
- Limitations: The iPhone 13 mini is an older device and will likely lose software support sooner.
Motorola ThinkPhone:
- Strengths: Large display, higher refresh rate for smoother visuals, massive battery, significantly faster charging, higher-resolution cameras, newer hardware, more RAM and support for a fingerprint sensor. The device is geared towards a business and productivity focused user.
- Competitive Advantages: Great for users who consume a lot of media, multitask frequently, and need long battery life. Its higher resolution video capture is better for creative work.
- Trade-offs: Larger size and weight, making it less convenient for one-handed use. Lack of a dedicated wide angle lens and no ecosystem support. Its lower PPI affects the display sharpness.
- Limitations: The ThinkPhone's camera performance is untested. No DXOmark score.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
- iPhone 13 mini: Best suited for users who prioritize portability, one-handed use, and a premium camera experience, even with the smaller battery life, and also have been ingrained in the iOS Ecosystem.
- Use Case: Perfect for users who want a phone that fits easily in a pocket, take a lot of photos, and appreciate the software ecosystem.
- Motorola ThinkPhone: Ideal for users who need a big screen, long battery life, better multitasking, and a smoother viewing experience. The device is geared toward a business user.
- Use Case: Great for professionals who need a reliable device for long days, media enthusiasts, and gamers who enjoy a high refresh rate.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, ask yourself these three questions:
- Do I prioritize portability and one-handed use, or do I need a large screen?
- If portability: iPhone 13 mini. If a big screen: Motorola ThinkPhone.
- Is battery life crucial, or can I manage with more frequent charging?
- For the best battery life: Motorola ThinkPhone. If you manage frequent charging: iPhone 13 mini.
- Am I deeply ingrained in the iOS Ecosystem?
- If you are in iOS: iPhone 13 mini. If you want an Android: Motorola ThinkPhone.
Scenario-based Recommendations:
- Frequent Traveler: The iPhone 13 mini, due to the smaller form factor, is easy to carry.
- Creative Professional: The Motorola ThinkPhone, thanks to its higher-resolution video recording capabilities, is the right choice.
- Power User: Motorola ThinkPhone, with its large screen, extended battery, and fast charging capabilities.
- Casual User: Both are good options, it depends on if you want iOS or Android, and if you prefer a smaller or larger phone.
- Business User: The ThinkPhone, due to the build and the security of the device.
Conclusion
Both phones are compelling but cater to very different needs. The iPhone 13 mini is for those who want a compact and premium phone. The Motorola ThinkPhone is better suited for users who want a bigger display, better battery and a smoother experience, as well as a device built with the business user in mind.
My Choice:
If I were choosing between these two for myself, I would pick the Motorola ThinkPhone. While I appreciate the compact size and premium feel of the iPhone 13 mini, my daily use case leans towards the ThinkPhone's strengths. I value the larger, smoother display for media consumption and multitasking, and the longer battery life would easily get me through my day without worrying about running out of juice. I also really appreciate the higher-resolution main camera for better image quality. While I'm an iOS user, I'm not afraid to be in Android, and that would be a good learning experience for me as well!
