The iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini are two of Apple’s most popular small-sized smartphones. While they may look similar on the surface, key differences between the two set them apart. These differences can have an impact on performance, design, and overall user experience.
Announced in September 2021, the iPhone 13 Mini has some notable improvements over its predecessor, the iPhone 12 Mini, which was released in October 2020. The iPhone 13 Mini boasts an A15 Bionic chip, which is faster and more efficient than the A14 Bionic chip found in the iPhone 12 Mini. Additionally, the iPhone 13 Mini has a larger battery and a better camera system. Thus, making it a strong contender for those looking for a compact smartphone with high-end features.
Despite the upgrades, the iPhone 12 Mini still has plenty to offer. Its A14 Bionic chip is still considered one of the best processors in the market, and its camera system can more than capture high-quality photos and videos. The iPhone 12 Mini is also slightly lighter and thinner than its successor, making it easier to hold and carry around.
Eventually, deciding between the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini comes down to personal preferences and needs. Both devices are packed with features that make them excellent choices for those who prefer a smaller phone.
iPhone 13 Mini vs. 12 Mini: Side by Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 13 Mini | iPhone 12 Mini |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021, September 14 | 2020, October 13 |
| Body Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm |
| Body Weight | 141g | 135g |
| Body Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM | Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM |
| Display Size | 5.4 inches, 71.9 cm2 | 5.4 inches, 71.9 cm2 |
| Display Protection | Ceramic Shield glass | Ceramic Shield glass |
| OS | iOS 15, upgradable to iOS 16.4.1 | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 16.4.1 |
- Screen: 5.4-inch
- Includes HDR with Dolby Vision
- Battery: 17hrs
- Features FaceID
iPhone 13 Mini vs. 12 Mini: What’s the Difference?
The iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini may seem identical at first glance, but there are a few differences between them. Apple announced the iPhone 13 Mini on September 14, 2021, while they announced the iPhone 12 Mini on October 13, 2020. Both devices are available in the market, with the iPhone 13 Mini released on September 24, 2021, and the iPhone 12 Mini released on November 13, 2020. Here are some of the differences between these two devices.
Camera System
Apple has significantly upgraded the camera system on the iPhone 13 Mini compared to the iPhone 12 Mini. The iPhone 13 Mini features a 12-megapixel dual-camera system that includes a wide and an ultra-wide lens. Both lenses have an aperture of f/1.6, which means that they can capture more light than the f/2.4 aperture lenses on the iPhone 12 Mini. Additionally, the iPhone 13 Mini features sensor-shift optical image stabilization (OIS) on the wide lens, which helps to stabilize images and videos even when the camera is moving. This feature was not present on the iPhone 12 Mini.
The ultra-wide lens on the iPhone 13 Mini also features an improved lens design that enables better low-light performance and reduced distortion. Further, the iPhone 13 Mini features Night mode on both the wide and ultra-wide lenses, whereas the iPhone 12 Mini only has Night mode on the wide lens. The front-facing camera on the iPhone 13 Mini is also an improvement from the iPhone 12 Mini, with a 12-megapixel lens that has an f/2.2 aperture and a 23mm wide lens. It also features a new Cinematic mode, which allows users to capture professional-looking videos with a shallow depth of field.
In contrast, the iPhone 12 Mini has a 12-megapixel dual-camera system consisting of a wide and an ultra-wide lens with an f/2.4 aperture. While it also has Night mode on the wide lens, the lack of sensor-shift optical image stabilization makes it less effective in low-light situations. The front-facing camera on the iPhone 12 Mini is also a 12-megapixel lens with an f/2.2 aperture and a 23mm wide lens, but it does not have the Cinematic mode feature.
Performance and Battery Life
Apple equipped the iPhone 13 Mini with the latest A15 Bionic chip, which is an improvement over the A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 Mini. The A15 Bionic chip has a six-core CPU with two high-performance cores and four high-efficiency cores, providing better performance than the four on the A14 Bionic chip. The A15 Bionic chip also has a new 16-core Neural Engine, which enables faster machine learning tasks, such as image and speech recognition.
The iPhone 13 Mini also has a larger battery than the iPhone 12 Mini, which translates to better battery life. To clarify, the iPhone 13 Mini can last up to 1.5 hours longer than the iPhone 12 Mini. This is partly due to the more power-efficient A15 Bionic chip and the optimized software that comes with iOS 15. The iPhone 13 Mini also supports 20W fast charging, which is faster than the 18W fast charging on the iPhone 12 Mini.
On the other hand, the iPhone 12 Mini features the A14 Bionic chip, which is still powerful but slower than the A15 Bionic chip. It has a four-core CPU with two high-performance cores, two high-efficiency cores, and an eight-core Neural Engine. The iPhone 12 Mini also has a smaller battery than the iPhone 13 Mini, which means that it has a shorter battery life. According to Apple, the iPhone 12 Mini can last up to 15 hours of internet use on a single charge, compared to the iPhone 13 Mini’s 17 hours of internet use. Additionally, the iPhone 12 Mini only supports 18W fast charging, which is slower than the iPhone 13 Mini’s 20W fast charging.
Display Technology
The display technology on the iPhone 13 Mini is an upgrade compared to the iPhone 12 Mini. The iPhone 13 Mini has a Super Retina XDR OLED display that supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. This means the display can produce a wider range of colors and has better contrast than the iPhone 12 Mini’s Super Retina XDR OLED display that only supports HDR10. The iPhone 13 Mini also has a peak brightness of 1200nits, which is higher than the 625nits peak brightness of the iPhone 12 Mini.
Another improvement on the iPhone 13 Mini’s display is the introduction of ProMotion technology, which enables a variable refresh rate of up to 120Hz. This means that the display can refresh up to 120 times per second, resulting in smoother animations and scrolling. The iPhone 12 Mini does not have this feature, and its display has a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz.
In terms of size and resolution, both the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini have the same 5.4-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a pixel density of 476ppi. However, the improved display technology on the iPhone 13 Mini makes a noticeable difference in overall image quality.
Storage Options
Compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 13 Mini offers a wider range of storage options, enabling users to select a capacity that aligns with their requirements. The iPhone 13 Mini provides storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, whereas the iPhone 12 Mini only offers 64GB, 128GB, and 256 GB. This increased flexibility in storage capacities enables users to accommodate their ever-growing digital needs effortlessly.
Additionally, the iPhone 13 Mini’s storage technology is quicker than that of the iPhone 12 Mini. The iPhone 13 Mini employs NVMe storage, which outperforms the UFS 2.1 storage used in the iPhone 12 Mini. This results in faster app launch times, file transfers, and overall system performance, giving users a seamless experience.
Both the iPhone 13 Mini and iPhone 12 Mini offer 4GB of RAM. Although the RAM capacity has stayed the same, the iPhone 13 Mini’s faster storage technology compensates for this and results in better overall performance.
Durability
Apple has made several enhancements to the iPhone 13 Mini, making it more durable than its predecessor, the iPhone 12 Mini. The front of the iPhone 13 Mini features Ceramic Shield glass, which is more resilient to scratches and cracks than the glass on the iPhone 12 Mini. The Ceramic Shield glass is infused with nano-ceramic crystals during manufacturing, boosting its durability and strength.
Moreover, the iPhone 13 Mini is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, enabling it to withstand immersion in water up to 6 meters deep for 30 minutes. Although the iPhone 12 Mini also boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, it can only endure immersion in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes.
In addition, the iPhone 13 Mini boasts a new design with flat edges, providing greater protection against drops and impacts. The iPhone 12 Mini’s design is comparable, but its edges are curved, making it more prone to damage from drops and impacts.
- Storage: 256GB, RAM 4GB
- Two cameras (front and back) for better photos
- Includes monthly wireless carrier subscription
- long battery life
![Apple iPhone 12 Mini (256GB, Black) [Locked] + Carrier Subscription](https://history-computer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/31348z5DSJL._SL500_.webp)
iPhone 13 Mini vs. 12 Mini: Must-Know Facts
- The iPhone 13 mini was announced on September 14, 2021, while the iPhone 12 mini was announced on October 13, 2020.
- The iPhone 13 mini is available now, having been released on September 24, 2021. The iPhone 12 mini was also available on its release date, which was November 13, 2020.
- The iPhone 13 mini is slightly heavier than the iPhone 12 mini, weighing 141g compared to the latter’s 135g.
- The iPhone 13 mini’s dimensions are slightly larger than the iPhone 12 mini’s, measuring 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.7 mm compared to the 12’s 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm.
- Both phones have a glass front and back with an aluminum frame, but Corning makes the iPhone 13 mini’s glass and is more durable.
- Both the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 12 mini can use a Nano-SIM and eSIM or dual SIM, and both are IP68 dust and water-resistant.
- The iPhone 13 mini has a Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, while the iPhone 12 mini has the same display size and resolution but a lower peak brightness of 625 nits.
- The iPhone 13 mini has a more advanced processor than the iPhone 12 mini, with an Apple A15 Bionic chip compared to the A14 Bionic.
- The iPhone 13 mini’s main camera has sensor-shift optical image stabilization, while the iPhone 12 mini’s does not.
- The iPhone 13 mini has a better battery life than the iPhone 12 mini, with a 75-hour endurance rating compared to 69 hours.
- The iPhone 13 mini comes in five new colors: Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink, and Red, while the iPhone 12 mini comes in six colors: Black, White, Red, Green, Blue, and Purple.
iPhone 13 Mini vs. 12 Mini: Which One Is Better? Which One Should You Use?
After a thorough analysis of the iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone 12 Mini, it is evident that the iPhone 13 Mini is the better choice. The iPhone 13 Mini offers several advantages over its predecessor. First, the iPhone 13 Mini has an improved battery life, which is a major concern for users. It has a 2438mAh non-removable battery that lasts up to 75 hours, while the iPhone 12 Mini has a 2227mAh non-removable battery that lasts up to 69 hours. This makes the iPhone 13 Mini the better option for users who need longer battery life.
Secondly, the iPhone 13 Mini has a better chipset and CPU than the iPhone 12 Mini. An Apple A15 Bionic chipset powers the iPhone 13 Mini, while the iPhone 12 Mini has an A14 Bionic chipset. The A15 Bionic chipset is more powerful and efficient than the A14 Bionic chipset, which results in faster and smoother performance. Moreover, the iPhone 13 Mini has a better GPU than its predecessor, which results in improved graphics performance.
However, the iPhone 12 Mini still has a few benefits. It is more affordable than the iPhone 13 Mini, making it a more budget-friendly option. Additionally, it is lighter than the iPhone 13 Mini, which could be an advantage for users who prefer lighter devices. The iPhone 12 Mini also has the same IP68 dust/water resistance rating as the iPhone 13 Mini, making it just as durable.
In conclusion, the iPhone 13 Mini is the winner between the two devices. It offers better battery life, a more powerful chipset, an improved GPU, a better camera system, and a new cinematic mode. However, if cost and weight are a major concern for you, the iPhone 12 Mini is still a great option.
- $498.60Buy Now on Amazon
- Screen: 5.4-inch
- Includes HDR with Dolby Vision
- Battery: 17hrs
- Features FaceID
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11/29/2023 04:26 am GMT - $870.21Buy Now on Amazon
- Storage: 256GB, RAM 4GB
- Two cameras (front and back) for better photos
- Includes monthly wireless carrier subscription
- long battery life
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11/29/2023 04:30 am GMT
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