Apple launched the iPhone 12 mini with the proposal to bring again a compact device in the style of iPhone SE of the first generation. That's because, despite having launched the iPhone SE 2, it is not exactly small, but packed with resources. But is it better to buy the iPhone 12 mini or the iPhone 11?
First of all, it is important to point out that the iPhone 11 costs about R$ 1000 less than the iPhone 12 mini. However, it is the closest value we have, given that the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max are no longer being sold by Apple.
The main news of iOS 15
iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
First, let's take a look at the specifications of each device:
Apple iPhone 12 MiniApple iPhone 11 GERALStatusApple iPhone 12 MiniLançamentoApple iPhone 11VerificadoData lançamentoApple iPhone 12 Mini13/10/2020Apple iPhone 1110/09/2019Preço de lançamentoApple iPhone 12 MiniR$ 6.999,00Apple iPhone 11R$ 4.999,00Menor preço históricoApple iPhone 12 MiniR$ 4.199,00Apple iPhone 11R$ 2.149,50Preço atualApple iPhone 12 MiniR$ 4.814,10Apple iPhone 11R$ 3.699,00 CorpoDimensõesApple iPhone 12 Mini131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mmApple iPhone 11150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3 mmPesoApple iPhone 12 Mini135 gApple iPhone 11194 gConstruçãoApple iPhone 12 MiniVidro traseiro, Vidro Frontal e Frame de aço inoxidávelApple iPhone 11Vidro Frontal , Vidro Traseiro (Gorilla Glass) e Frame de alumínioChipApple iPhone 12 MiniDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)Apple iPhone 11-Proteção IP68Apple iPhone 12 MiniIP68Apple iPhone 11IP68 PlataformaProcessadorApple iPhone 12 MiniApple A14 Bionic (5nm)Apple iPhone 11Apple A13 BionicCPUApple iPhone 12 MiniHexa-coreApple iPhone 11Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)GPUApple iPhone 12 MiniApple GPUApple iPhone 11Apple GPUSistema operacionalApple iPhone 12 MiniiOS 14Apple iPhone 11iOS 14 e iOS 13 MemóriasMemória RAMApple iPhone 12 Mini-Apple iPhone 114 GBArmazenamento InternoApple iPhone 12 Mini64 GB, 128 GB e 256 GBApple iPhone 1164 GB, 128 GB e 256 GBArmazenamento ExtraApple iPhone 12 MiniNão PossuiApple iPhone 11Não Possui TelaTela - TipoApple iPhone 12 MiniSuper Retina XDR OLEDApple iPhone 11Liquid Retina IPSTela - TamanhoApple iPhone 12 Mini5,4Apple iPhone 116,1Tela - ResoluçãoApple iPhone 12 Mini2340 x 1080Apple iPhone 111792 x 828Tela - DensidadeApple iPhone 12 Mini476 ppiApple iPhone 11326 ppiTela - ProteçãoApple iPhone 12 Mini-Apple iPhone 11Scratch-resistant glassTela - ExtrasApple iPhone 12 MiniDolby Vision, True-tone, Wide color gamut e HDR 10 PlusApple iPhone 11Wide color gamut e True-tone Câmera principalCâmera principalApple iPhone 12 Mini12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm e Dual Pixel PDAFApple iPhone 1112 MP, f/1.82ª câmeraApple iPhone 12 Mini12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)Apple iPhone 1112 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide)VídeoApple iPhone 12 Mini4K - 60fpsApple iPhone 114K - 60fps Câmera frontalCâmera FrontalApple iPhone 12 MiniSL 3D (profundidade) e 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide)Apple iPhone 11TOF 3D camera e 12 MPCâmera Frontal - ExtrasApple iPhone 12 MiniHDRApple iPhone 11-VídeoApple iPhone 12 Mini4K - 60fpsApple iPhone 114K - 60fps BateriaBateriaApple iPhone 12 Mini-Apple iPhone 113110 mAh Redes de dados3GApple iPhone 12 MiniSimApple iPhone 11Sim4GApple iPhone 12 MiniSimApple iPhone 11Sim5GApple iPhone 12 MiniSimApple iPhone 11NãoWi-FiApple iPhone 12 MiniWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6Apple iPhone 11SimBluetoothApple iPhone 12 MiniLE, A2DP e 5.0Apple iPhone 11SimGPSApple iPhone 12 MiniA-GPS, QZSS, GLONASS e GALILEOApple iPhone 11SimNFCApple iPhone 12 MiniSimApple iPhone 11Sim SomSomApple iPhone 12 MiniEstéreoApple iPhone 11Estéreo3.5mm jackApple iPhone 12 MiniNãoApple iPhone 11Não OutrosRádio FMApple iPhone 12 MiniNãoApple iPhone 11NãoInfravermelhoApple iPhone 12 MiniNãoApple iPhone 11NãoUSBApple iPhone 12 MiniLightning e 2.0Apple iPhone 11Lightning e 2.0SensoresApple iPhone 12 MiniAcelerômetro, Giroscópio, Bússola, Barômetro e Face IDApple iPhone 11Face ID, Acelerômetro, Giroscópio, Bússola e BarômetroSize: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
One of the main differences between the two models analyzed here is the size. And this is a very personal choice for each user.
For those who like a small smartphone, the iPhone 12 mini is quite nice for being compact, light and easy to carry, while being very easy to use with one hand.
The iPhone 11 is the size we're more used to seeing on new iPhones, with a bigger screen and a little heavier too.
In this regard we have to consider a tie, because it is a matter of taste.
Tela: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
Being smaller, the iPhone 12 mini would naturally be richer in screen resolution. But in addition to the compact screen, it has a higher number of pixels overall. It's 2.340 x 1.080 against 1.792 x 828 on the iPhone 11, and the density is 476ppi on the iPhone 12 mini against 326ppi on the iPhone 11. In terms of resolution, the iPhone 12 mini wins by leaps and bounds.
However, if size matters to you, then the iPhone 12 mini leaves something to be desired. As we mentioned earlier, it is a compact smartphone, and its screen is only 5,4 inches, against the 6,1 inches of the iPhone 11.
Finally, when it comes to screen material, the iPhone 12 mini is superior, bringing a Super Retina XDR display against the iPhone 11's Liquid Retina technology.
Another key highlight of the iPhone mini is that it comes with a Ceramic Shield front, which is said to have four times the crack resistance of regular glass on the iPhone 11.
All in all, the iPhone 12 mini's screen is superior to that of the iPhone 11, so point to it here.
Connectivity: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
One of the biggest highlights of the new iPhone 12 mini is that it offers users a 5G connection, which will allow for super-fast downloads and high-quality video streaming.
As much as we still don't have 5G internet in Spain, knowing that your smartphone is beyond current technology is comforting.
The iPhone 12 mini beats the iPhone 11 in terms of connectivity.
Processamento: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
The iPhone 12 mini is powered by the powerful A14 Bionic chipset, which Apple claims is about 15% faster but using 30% less power. Both the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 11 have 4GB of RAM.
The iPhone 12 mini beats the iPhone 11 in processing.
Bateria: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
The upgrade in chipset and OLED display technology could be the reason why Apple downgraded the battery capacity on the iPhone 12. With a more flexible battery design it offsets the costs of 5G components inside the new iPhones, and the iPhone 12 mini can safely hold the 2.227 mAh battery.
However, this battery lasts a little more than 12 hours of hard use, which is not enough considering today's smartphones. Also, 5G connectivity or gaming sessions hit battery life significantly.
The iPhone 11, on the other hand, is a record holder among the most affordable devices from Apple, with its 3011 mAh.
The iPhone 11 beats the iPhone 12 mini in terms of battery.
Cameras: iPhone 11 vs iPhone 12 Mini
The iPhone 12 mini sports two cameras, just like the iPhone 11 - it spares the telephoto camera and adds a LiDAR to the pricier Pro version. We have larger 12MP sensors and pixels, though, with the ability to absorb more light, and improved image stabilization on the iPhone 12 compared to the iPhone 11.
Regarding cameras, the iPhone 12 line has brought a great improvement over the previous generation. Until the iPhone 11, five-layer lenses, or the so-called 5P, were used even on the iPhone Pro models. In line 12, even the cheapest model, which is the iPhone 12 mini, has seven-layer lenses (7P).
When comparing cameras between the iPhone 11 and the iPhone 12 mini, the differences are subtle, but in favor of the iPhone 12 mini:
- Sharper details and more contrast
- Smart HDR 3 makes for brighter still images without overexposed highlights, especially at night
- Warmer, more saturated colors
The iPhone 12 mini beats the iPhone 11 in terms of cameras.
Conclusion
Overall, the iPhone 12 mini is superior to the iPhone 11. The only issues that the previous version wins are in size and battery. In addition, the iPhone 12 is better, being the processing, cameras, connectivity and display.
