2023 Author: Gordon Kinson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-06-04 23:58
Despite the clear increase in screen diagonals of modern smartphones, the demand for compact devices remains high and stable. Not everyone likes "shovels", and in their hands they sit much worse than babies. The success of the iPhone SE has given Apple more ground for thought. And now the mini model appeared in the iPhone 12 line, which can significantly affect the market and will certainly find its fans.
The manufacturer has become almost the first in recent years to try to fit the entire flagship set in a compact body. But the iPhone SE 2 hasn't gone anywhere. This device is sold much cheaper than the novelty, but there are many differences with it. Let's try to compare two compact smartphones from Apple and help the consumer in his difficult choice.
Comparison of the displays of iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2 (2020)
Both devices are of interest due to their size, respectively, and their screen diagonal is small. But the difference between the displays of the two devices is significant. The 2020 iPhone SE has a large bezel and medium-resolution screen, like the iPhone 6, and this model is still 2014. iPhone 12 mini has the most modern Super Retina XDR display for Apple smartphones.
Here are the main features:
iPhone SE 2020: Matrix type - IPS, diagonal 4.7 inches, resolution 1334 × 750 pixels, density 326 ppi, contrast ratio 1400: 1.
iPhone 12 mini: 5.4-inch OLED, 2340 x 1080, 476 ppi, 2,000,000: 1 contrast.
Obviously, the "minicom" received a larger display with better resolution and dot density. But at the same time, the iPhone 12 mini turned out to be even smaller than its brother. Some may be intimidated by the "bangs" cutout for TrueDepth cameras and sensors, but clear evolutionary changes are obvious. You can at least note the transition to energy efficient OLED matrices. Moreover, the pixel density of the iPhone 12 mini screen is higher than that of even the oldest model in the line, the iPhone 12 Pro Max with 458 PPI. True, in real life, hardly anyone will see the difference in point density even with the iPhone SE and will be able to rely on it as a criterion for choosing a device.
But the contrast differs noticeably in both devices. Thanks to this level, the iPhone 12 mini will have a much more pronounced black level. But the brightness of the screens of the "kids" is the same - up to 625 cd / m². It is quite enough for comfortable use of devices in the sun. But only the iPhone 12 mini can raise the brightness to 1200 cd / m² to display HDR content. But the True Tone technology, which is responsible for adjusting the white balance, is present in both smartphones. Thanks to her, working with the screen becomes much more comfortable.
Clearly, the iPhone 12 mini's screen is better in every way, representing a much newer generation.
Design iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2 (2020)
From the front, the 2020 iPhone SE looks like an old iPhone 6 from 2014, from the back - like an iPhone 8. Now this image can be attributed to retro, at least due to the thick frames around the screen.
Design iPhone SE 2 (2020)
But the new iPhone 12 mini received a much more modern design, with minimal frames and stylish sharp edges.
IPhone 12 mini design
But the main feature of these models is their size. They are the smallest of the current Apple smartphones:
iPhone SE 2020: 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3mm, Weight 148g
iPhone 12 mini: 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4mm, weight 133g.
iPhone 12 mini, which has a larger screen, is smaller in height and width, and also lighter. The thickness of the devices is almost the same. With this in mind, the iPhone 12 mini will be much more comfortable to use with one hand.
The rejection of the Home button has occurred a long time ago, users are used to doing without it and few people really care about it. But it is still present in the 2020 iPhone SE. And apparently, this is the last Apple smartphone equipped with a Home button.
There is no particular difference in the materials of the case. Front and rear glass panels are combined with an aluminum frame.
There are also differences in the color options of these smartphones. The iPhone SE comes in three color options: Black, White, and (PRODUCT) RED.
IPhone SE 2 colors
But the iPhone 2020 mini, in addition to them, is also available in colors: blue and green.
IPhone 12 mini colors
Interestingly, both design options evoke nostalgia in the user. If the iPhone SE exploits the image of the iPhone 6, without cutouts and with a Home button, then the iPhone 12 mini with its sharp edges resembles the legendary iPhone 4 in terms of design.
Durable, waterproof and safe
Speaking about the security of devices, first of all, we note the use of a new screen cover for the iPhone 12 mini called Ceramic Shield. According to the manufacturer, this technology allows you to 4 times reduce the risk of glass damage when the device falls. And the novelty is better protected from moisture and dust - it received certification according to the IP68 standard. The iPhone 12 mini can theoretically be immersed in water to a depth of 6 meters and kept there for half an hour. iPhone SE 2020 is IP67 certified, which can withstand half an hour in water at a depth of 1 meter.
There is also a difference in the approach to authentication. While the 2020 iPhone SE uses the classic Touch ID (fingerprint sensor), the iPhone 12 mini identifies the user with the much more advanced Face ID.
Performance, autonomy and memory
Both solutions received efficient chips. Actually, it is the A13 processor that makes the iPhone SE 2020 relevant for the current and several subsequent versions of iOS. Of course, the 5nm A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone 12 mini is faster than its predecessor, the 7nm A13 Bionic in the iPhone SE 2020, but the screen resolution is even lower. The new processor is up to 50% faster in compute and graphics, and has twice the number of Neural Engine cores, which allows machine learning to perform significantly better.
The amount of RAM also varies - 4 GB for the iPhone 12 mini versus 3 GB for the iPhone SE 2020. All this makes the iPhone 12 mini a little faster now, the difference will be barely noticeable to the eye. But over time, it will become more and more obvious.
Both smartphones can be classified as entry-level smartphones. Based on this, they received the same options for the volume of the built-in storage: 64, 128 and 256 GB. Apple believes that no more devices are needed for this class.
Comparison of autonomy and batteries iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2 (2020)
And although Apple traditionally does not disclose the battery capacity of its devices, even indirect indicators allow us to draw unambiguous conclusions - the iPhone 12 mini will last longer on a single charge than the iPhone SE 2. In video playback mode, it is 15 hours against 13, while watching streaming - 10 hours against 8, and when listening to audio - 50 hours versus 40. But the battery capacities are also known:
iPhone SE 2020: 1821mAh battery
iPhone 12 mini: 2227 mAh battery.
The possibilities of fast wired charging are identical for both devices: in half an hour you can replenish 50% of the battery capacity using a 20 W adapter or more. But iPhone 12 supports up to 15W MagSafe magnetic wireless charging. Both smartphones are compatible with Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W.
Cameras in iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2 (2020)
A pair of Phone 12 mini modules looks better than the single camera in the iPhone 2020 SE. All of them have a resolution of 12 MP, but it's not even the number of modules, but at least the improved aperture of the wide-angle camera of the iPhone 12 mini.
Main cameras characteristics:
iPhone SE 2020: 12MP wide angle with ƒ / 1.8.
Camera in iPhone SE 2020
iPhone 12 mini: 12MP / 1.6 wide-angle, 12MP ultra-wide ƒ / 2.4
Camera in iPhone 12 mini
Smart algorithms are actively helping cameras today. And although the iPhone SE 2020 has a rather powerful processor, the device has not received many features that are relevant for Apple mobile cameras, such as, for example, Night mode, Deep Fusion. Needless to say, they are all found in the iPhone 12 mini. The novelty shoots in Smart HDR 3 mode, while the competitor only shoots in Smart HDR. But both devices have optical stabilization and 5x optical zoom. True, the iPhone 12 mini received an additional 2x optical zoom reduction.
Video shooting capabilities are similar - 4K at 24, 30 or 60 frames per second and HD video at 30 or 60 frames per second, there is optical stabilization. But the iPhone 12 mini can shoot HDR in the Dolby Vision standard, received audio zoom and Timelapse in Night mode. Better in the latest model and the front camera TrueDepth, with a similar aperture ƒ / 2.2, it has a resolution of 12 MP versus 7 MP in the iPhone 2020 SE and new shooting opportunities when shooting in HDR, Night mode and Deep Fusion.
Networking
Both devices received a fairly modern set of interfaces: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, Gigabit LTE, GPS / GLONASS. And while the iPhone 12 mini's ability to work with Galileo, QZSS and BeiDou navigation seems like a minor advantage, 5G is a big bargaining chip. Of course, such networks will not be relevant for a long time, at least in Russia. But in other countries, the iPhone 12 mini will be chosen with this advanced feature in mind. Few doubt that 5G networks are the future, another question is, when will it come and is it worth getting a smartphone with such an opportunity today?
Delivery set and accessories
Initially, in addition to the smartphone itself, the iPhone SE 2020 package included a power adapter, cable and headphones. With the release of the iPhone 12 line, Apple announced that it will no longer bundle smartphones with charging and headphones. This innovation also affected the 2020 iPhone SE. So now both smartphones have an extremely ascetic package - a phone and a cable.
The buyer can only console himself that by doing so he is contributing to the reduction of harmful emissions into the Earth's atmosphere.
And although the new product cannot boast of a complete set, it has acquired an interesting series of MagSafe accessories (sold separately).
Using magnets, iPhone 12 mini can be used to attach chargers, cases, and additional accessories: pockets, docking stations. Undoubtedly, this technology will develop and expand its capabilities.
Alas, the 2020 iPhone SE lacks it.
Prices for iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2 (2020)
The cost of smartphones is twofold! This is due to the general technological level of the two gadgets:
2020 iPhone SE pricing
iPhone SE 2020, 64 GB: 33 700 rubles (buy)
iPhone SE 2020, 128 GB: 37,700 rubles (buy)
iPhone SE 2020, 256 GB: 43 700 rubles (buy)
Prices for iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini, 64 GB: 69,990 rubles (buy)
iPhone 12 mini, 128 GB: 74,990 rubles (buy)
iPhone 12 mini, 256 GB: 84,990 rubles (buy)
Detailed comparison of technical characteristics (specifications) iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2 (2020)
Conclusion
Actually, the cost of the devices is the determining criterion when choosing between the 2020 iPhone SE and the iPhone 12 mini. Both gadgets are quite compact, which is a rarity today. Thanks to current processors, smartphones still have a long life on the market. In addition to size, the iPhone SE has a plus in cost. You can choose this device if you want to get a compact and powerful iPhone for a reasonable price. But the iPhone 12 mini attracts with both its modern design and a full set of interesting technologies that will appeal to even discerning users. But it comes at a price.
See also:
- How to make and install a ringtone (ringtone) on any iPhone without a computer right on the device?
- How to check if you bought a new iPhone (activated or not)?
- How to enable built-in pop-up Shazam on iPhone without installing the app itself.
