Of all the four new iPhones introduced in the fall, I was most excited to try the iPhone 12 mini.
Why not iPhone 12 Pro Max? Because it is prohibitively huge, and I’m not ready to use such a large phone, even with the most sophisticated camera. Everything was clear with the iPhone 12; this is the most versatile and balanced iPhone among the new products. At the same time, I didn’t understand the iPhone 12 Pro: its camera is not as cool as the 12 Pro Max, and if you hide the phone in a case, you can’t distinguish it from a regular iPhone 12.
It’s the same with the iPhone 12 mini: it’s a revival of the format of a small and convenient phone that doesn’t stick out of your pocket, weighs nothing, and even my two-year-old daughter can easily hold it with one hand. It seemed that there would be no such smartphones anymore, there was a general fashion for giants, but then Apple took it and made it wholesome.
First look at the iPhone 12 mini
Ilya Kichaev
11 November 2020
Is this a copy of iPhone 5?
I have seen reviews from people where Apple is criticized for lack of ideas and copying the design of the iPhone 5. I do not agree with them, because apart from flat sides there is nothing in common. But if the “five” had sharp edges, then in the iPhone 12 mini they are already rounded, in addition, the back surface is made of glass, not metal.
Compared to the old iPhone 7 Plus, the new iPhone 12 mini is just a crumb. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
In general, if you had or have an iPhone 5, 5s or SE, you can take it with you, go to the store and compare it with the new iPhone 12 mini. I think you won't get the feeling that Apple is trying to sell the same thing. This is not the story with the iPhone 8 and iPhone SE (2020), where more recent hardware was shoved into the shell of the old device.
Which iPhone is better to buy in 2022?
After the release of new iPhones, many people are looking towards buying older models, and given the pricing policy for new phones, they can be understood. To answer this question, you first need to decide whether you need a Touch ID fingerprint scanner or not.
If you need it, then without any options, the iPhone SE 2020 will be optimal in terms of price and quality ratio. However, if you are considering iPhones with Face ID only, I would even look towards the iPhone Xr . Although several years have passed since its release, it is a very good phone: 6.1-inch screen, good camera, good power reserves. It’s not for nothing that Apple still officially sells it; the company usually removes outdated models from shelves.
Which iPhone did you choose for yourself? Why? Share in the comments or in our chat on Telegram, it will be interesting.
Is it really comfortable?
Buying an iPhone 12 mini is a purely emotional act. Because not a single picture, not a single video conveys these forgotten sensations when you hold a small, convenient phone in the palm of your hand. At the same time, you can calmly and safely navigate through the menu and work with it with one hand.
How cool it is to use a small iPhone! Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The phone is also very light, very compact, it gets lost in the pocket of a winter down jacket, it is so weightless by modern standards. Perhaps old-timers remember the Sony Ericsson W880i phone; it was adored for its tiny size and minimal weight, while it was distinguished by decent characteristics and high-quality materials. Comparing it with the iPhone 12 mini is not entirely correct, but the idea is the same: to fit all the best in a compact format.
Even compared to the iPhone 11 Pro, the new iPhone 12 mini seems small. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
A screen you don't have to squint at
Thank you, Apple, for the OLED display in all four 2020 smartphones.
I picked up the iPhone 12 mini right after the 12 Pro Max and the first impression was “what a tiny screen with small letters!”, But after a few minutes everything fell into place: the small iPhone has a beautiful, clear screen that you instantly get used to and not you experience no discomfort.
The diagonal of the visible display area of the iPhone 12 mini is 5.4 inches versus 6.1 inches for the iPhone 12. Such a tiny difference is not noticeable, even if you put both gadgets next to each other.
As a last resort, if you are confused by the font size on the screen, do not forget about the image zoom function, which works great. See:
On the left is the standard desktop scale, on the right is the enlarged one. I'm comfortable either way.
By the end of the day, I still left the zoomed-in scale permanently. This mode is really more comfortable for your eyes, so if you are protecting your eyesight, try both modes at once and choose the one that suits your eyes the most.
The black color on the iPhone mini screen is gorgeous. It is without any extraneous gray shades, truly black. The pixel density is higher than that of the iPhone 12 and is 476 PPI. This is understandable - the screen diagonal is smaller. In practice, I was not able to notice the “grain”, but in the photos and videos you can see the smallest details.
In daylight, using the smartphone is comfortable, the screen does not dim: the brightness of 625 nits copes even with direct sunlight.
You can even watch videos on YouTube comfortably, especially if they are in 4K resolution. Complete delight and a solid A for the screen.
What's wrong with the battery?
I didn’t spend much time with the phone, I wanted to use it thoroughly and write a review, testing the battery thoroughly, but it didn’t work out: the iPhone was taken away from me for other tasks. Nevertheless, according to first impressions, the battery life of the small phone is good.
The battery graph is as expected.
I got 5 hours of active screen per day of use - for comparison, my iPhone 11 Pro gives an average of 5-5.5 hours, and the iPhone 12 gives about 5.5-6 hours.
The small and thin iPhone works all day. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Autonomy. How long will it last on one charge?
To answer this question as honestly and truthfully as possible, you need to walk around and use your smartphone for at least a week.
So now I will write my impressions of autonomy based on the results of two days, and later I will correct the conclusions if they seem incorrect to me after a longer time of using the iPhone 12 mini.
So, I took the smartphone out of the box, slightly charged it to 72% and did not touch the charge again for 8 hours.
During this time, I took photographs, surfed the Internet via Chrome, played Genshin Impact, and ran Geekbench and AnTuTu tests. As a result, after 8 hours the smartphone was discharged to 9%, mainly due to the game. On average, the heaviest Genshin Impact “ate” 2% of its charge every 4 minutes.
A picture is circulating on the RuNet with a test of the autonomy of several iPhones using a browser mode via the 4G mobile Internet. I was unable to find the original source of this data , so I ask you to take this table with a moderate degree of distrust.
However, according to personal impressions, the figures given in it for the battery life of the iPhone 12 mini are not far from the truth:
Again, it’s worth making a discount on the dimensions of the smartphone , into which, according to Apple, it is simply physically impossible to put a more capacious battery. If you want maximum battery life, choose iPhone 12 Pro Max.
In general, I think that if you constantly use only the dark theme and do not play with toys for hours on end, the iPhone 12 mini will easily live without an outlet from morning until late evening, or even until the next morning.
Is the screen too small?
Reading the text, you may get the impression that this is a phone with a tiny display, how can you live with it? In my opinion, this is a fairly comfortable size: you can edit photos and write notes on the road.
iPhone 12 mini. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
It’s clear that if you plan to mainly watch videos on your phone, then it’s better to look towards the iPhone 12 or the old 11 Pro Max with large screens. But if you need a convenient pocket-sized phone, then the iPhone 12 mini is unbeatable.
Once again: in 2022 you need a big screen
A smartphone is the main device for accessing the Internet. People access the network from it more often than from a desktop. 35% of the RuNet audience do not use a computer for the Internet at all. And among users 18-29 years old the figure is 41%.
Even if you think that you don't use your smartphone as a multimedia device, that's not true. News on the road, short videos, long correspondence in the messenger - 10 years ago, in the era of the iPhone 4, such a flow of information did not penetrate through a mobile device, but now it is par for the course. We began to receive more data from their screens, and logically, the diagonal is also increasing.
In the future, loyalty to big screens will only grow and strengthen. What is the value of augmented reality, which is actively penetrating into devices? At WWDC, Apple itself showed how maps can be made more convenient by showing arrows in the camera viewfinder in which direction you need to go.
Which color should I choose?
Everyone has their own preferences; in general, everyone perceives colors differently, as does sound. For example, I don’t like the glossy black body of the phone; the stained surface requires constant cleaning; I can say the same about the blue color: I’m not impressed.
The blue iPhone XR is still just as beautiful. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
The special version of (PRODUCT)RED, for my taste, is not juicy and red enough, it turned out to be more of a coral color. In the end, I would choose between a pastel shade of green and classic white. But since I am indifferent to green, I chose white.
It’s a pity, of course, that the generation of juicy, bright and colorful iPhone XR was not continued, but who am I to argue with Apple designers.
About accessories: case + magnetic wallet = perfect
I have always disliked cases and tried to use iPhones without any covers, glass or cases. Yes, from time to time I tried to dress my smartphone in leather or silicone, but I always gave up on these accessories after some time.
Same thing with the iPhone 12 mini: I used it for half a day without a case, which was thrown into my backpack and forgotten. But at some point I remembered about it, took it out and put it on.
And a miracle happened.
The iPhone 12 mini itself fits perfectly in the hand. But surprisingly, being dressed in silicone “armor”, it became even more comfortable both in terms of tactile sensations and thickness.
It’s not that the case greatly increases the size of the mini, and it’s not necessary. But these millimeter edges above the screen make the smartphone just the perfect size.
Everything is learned by comparison, so I took off the case and listened to the sensations. No, something’s wrong: it’s much more convenient to hold the iPhone mini in the case, hold it to your ear when making a call, and take pictures.
It seems that this is the first Apple smartphone in my memory that actually comes with covers, complementing its tactile properties.
And then another revelation awaited me: I decided to test the Leather Wallet Case magnetic wallet on the Mini, which Nikita Goryainov recently talked about.
The revelation is that of all the iPhone 12s, this accessory fits best with the 12 mini.
And I'm talking about the purely technical aspect now: the wallet is attached to the back of the smartphone using magnets. In the case of the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, the accessory can move out of its place, because its dimensions are smaller than the area of the back panel of smartphones.
In the case of the iPhone 12 mini, the wallet exactly matches the width of the gadget, so there is simply nowhere for it to move. It seems that because of this it holds even better, at least for the rest of the day I never adjusted it.
Leather Wallet Case also perfectly attaches to the iPhone mini through the case. This “sandwich” makes the compact flagship thicker, which may be convenient for some users.
That is, accessories for the iPhone 12 can change the tactile perception of using the gadget . If you want a thin and light smartphone, don’t put on a case or wallet. If you want to feel new sensations, put on the case. If you want other new sensations, add the Leather Wallet Case.
Quite a brilliant idea.
How much memory do you need?
The same volumes have been prepared for the iPhone 12 mini as for the “large” iPhone 12: 64, 128 or 256 GB. The rule of choice is simple: if you plan to shoot a lot of video often, you need at least 128 GB, and it’s better to take the maximum amount, because 4K video eats up space very quickly. In other cases, using the iCloud cloud wisely, you can live happily with 64 GB. But the difference in price is small and I would not regret 5,000 rubles, take 128 GB and live without suffering.
It’s difficult to estimate the actual dimensions of the phone. Just the colors of fading autumn. Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Software
The Apple iPhone 12 mini smartphone runs on the iOS 14 operating system. As is customary with Apple, the smartphone will receive updates for five years – up to iOS 19.
For many years, iOS has been criticized for being closed and limited in functionality. But Apple has done a great job with their mobile OS. We finally have widgets - although they are now going out of style - and the long-awaited picture-in-picture mode has been added.
An application drawer has appeared, which is called “Application Gallery”. Now you don’t have to hide all your important applications on the right screen; on your home screen you can leave only what you need or remove it altogether. Moreover, we now have the ability to choose our default browser or email client. If you don't like Safari or the standard Mail application, you can install any other one from the App Store.
And yes, Siri will still play your music through Apple Music. And connecting to a Wear OS or Tizen smartwatch is still a difficult, tedious process. But iOS is open like never before, making it worth giving even the most ardent Android fans a try.
What is the price?
Recommended official retail prices are:
- 64 GB - 69,990 rubles;
- 128 GB - 74,990 rubles;
- 256 GB - 84,990 rubles.
I don’t see any point in discussing the price, because if you don’t like an iPhone with a small screen, you can buy an iPhone with a large screen, since the choice is huge.
Photo: Alexander Pobyvanets / Wylsacom Media
Would I buy an iPhone 12 mini?
If I talked a lot on the phone, then yes, it is ideal as a means of making calls. All the delights of iCloud and the Apple ecosystem in such a small and convenient format. A great option as a second phone for the XS Max or 11 Pro Max. And how great the combination of iPad Air or Pro + iPhone 12 mini looks, as if you are returning again to those times when the phone could not replace the tablet. Now, it’s clear that for the tik-toker generation there is nothing better than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The camera takes juicy shots, it is the same as in the iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 mini gets excellent hardware hidden in a small and compact case. Do you miss small flagships? Now there is no more headache with finding a phone, you just buy an iPhone 12 mini - and here it is, small, but such an attractive happiness.
Unusually perfect size
I admit honestly, during all the time I worked at iPhones.ru and tested dozens of different devices, there was not a single case where I lost, broke or damaged test gadgets. That's how responsible I am.
Having grabbed the iPhone 12 mini, I went with it to the urban jungle to take sample photos, and for the first few hours I periodically frantically grabbed my pocket with the thought: WHERE IS THE SMARTPHONE?!
After the weighty older iPhone models of this year, you literally can’t feel the “mini” in jeans. You don’t get used to it right away, but only after some time. No matter what smartphone you upgrade from to the iPhone 12 mini, you will also sometimes search your pockets for it, just accept it.
Just look at the dimensions and you will understand everything (length/width/thickness):
✘ iPhone SE (2020): 138.4 mm, 67.3 mm, 7.3 mm, weight 148 g ✘ iPhone 12: 146.7 mm, 71.5 mm, 7.4 mm, weight 163.3 g ✘ iPhone 12 Pro: 146.7 mm, 71.5 mm, 7.4 mm, weight 192.2 g
✓ iPhone 12 mini: 131.5 mm, 64.2 mm, 7.4 mm, weight 134.9 g
Yes, this is a very light smartphone.
The size and weight of the iPhone mini will definitely play a decisive role when choosing a flagship: the filling and design of the case are no different from the heavier and larger iPhone 12. So before buying, be sure to take the mini in your hand, listen to yourself, is it comfortable for you? Comfortable? Or are you not ready to give up the habit that a smartphone should be heavy?
If you are not ready for such an “airy” gadget, take the iPhone 12.
This smartphone is beautiful from any angle. I would take pictures and take pictures.
By the way, I noticed that the iPhone 12 mini is liked by those people who have large hands and wide palms with long fingers. Even in our editorial office, gadgets are distributed according to this principle: Nikita Goryainov and I have small hands, so we are both fans of Pro Max; Pasha Teleshevsky and Artyom Bausov have larger palms and longer fingers, they simply fell in love with the iPhone 12 mini.
Watch your friends with iPhones and see if this theory works.
Having gotten used to the size of the mini-iPhone, I walked around the center and took several photos in different modes. There is something to talk about and something to see.
