Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Samsung Galaxy S20+
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 12 mini targets users prioritizing compact design and efficiency, weighing just 133g with a punchy 5.4-inch display.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 mini targets users prioritizing compact design and efficiency, weighing just 133g with a punchy 5.4-inch display. Its A14 Bionic chip delivers exceptional performance per watt, while the 12MP camera system captures excellent stills and 4K video at 60fps with Dolby Vision. However, the 2227mAh battery struggles with daily endurance, and the 60Hz display feels dated compared to modern standards. Samsung's Galaxy S20+ commands $500 more but justifies it through a larger 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen with superior color accuracy and brightness. The 4500mAh battery lasts significantly longer, and the camera setup includes a 3x telephoto lens and 8K video capability at 24fps, offering more versatility. With 12GB RAM versus 4GB, the S20+ handles multitasking more smoothly. The iPhone wins for one-handed usability, consistent software support, and overall efficiency, while the S20+ excels in screen quality, battery life, and zoom photography. Choose the 12 mini if you value portability and simplicity; select the S20+ if you need all-day battery, a larger display, and advanced camera features.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 mini if…
- →Lightest 5G iPhone at just 133 g
- →Compact form factor perfect for one-handed use
- →Same A14 Bionic as larger iPhone 12 models
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20+ if…
- →QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display
- →5G connectivity
- →microSD card slot retained
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12 mini
Pros
- Lightest 5G iPhone at just 133 g
- Compact form factor perfect for one-handed use
- Same A14 Bionic as larger iPhone 12 models
- Beautiful OLED display despite small size
- MagSafe accessory support
Cons
- Very small 2227 mAh battery with poor endurance
- No telephoto camera
- 60Hz display refresh rate
- 5G usage drains battery quickly
- Discontinued after poor sales
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Pros
- QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display
- 5G connectivity
- microSD card slot retained
- 12 GB RAM for multitasking
- Good triple camera system
Cons
- 120Hz locked to FHD+ at launch
- $1199 starting price was high
- Slow 25W charging
- DepthVision ToF sensor rarely useful
- Fingerprint sensor sometimes slow
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S20+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 10, One UI 2.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 133 g | 186 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 6 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 5.4 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1200 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 650 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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