Is The iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 mini Better?

Is the iPhone 11 or the iPhone 12 mini better? Well, let’s start by saying that there are quite a few differences between these two models. I mean aside from the very obvious difference in size; you might be curious about whether or not the features of the 12 mini are worth the extra dollars. Let’s do a quick overview of the base models in the 11 and 12 generations.

guy holding iPhone

We can start by saying that if you’re looking for some of the most current smartphone features by Apple, the iPhone 12 mini comes in at a great price point. It’s also the most powerful compact smartphone that Apple has ever created. Here’s a comparison of some of the main specs on the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 11:

Size:

  • The iPhone 12 mini measures just 5.18 inches by 2.53 inches (HxW) and is 0.29 inches thick. (131.5mm by 64.2mm) and (7.4mm) thick.
  • The iPhone 11 measures 5.94 inches by 2.98 inches (HxW) and is 0.33 inches thick. (150.9mm by 75.7mm) and (8.3mm) thick.

Weight: 

  • iPhone 12 mini: 4.76 oz (135 g)
  • iPhone 11: 6.84 oz (194 g)


Display:

  • The iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch screen (Super Retina XDR)
  • The iPhone 11 has a 6.1-inch screen (Liquid Retina)

Note that the display on the iPhone 12 mini has a better resolution of 476 pixels per inch, over 326 pixels per inch on the iPhone 11.

Camera:

Both the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 11 have a 12 megapixel dual-camera set up that uses an ultra-wide and wide-angle camera. They offer a 5x digital zoom and a 2x optical zoom. (Keep in mind here that the Pro models have 3 cameras.)

The difference comes in on the iPhone 12 mini where it has a sensor change that offers an aperture of f/1.6 (instead of f/1.8). This just means that more light can be let through the camera sensor and that’s going to improve low-light photography. 

Colors:

While the color range for the 12 mini tends to be a little less flashy than the options for the iPhone 11, both models give you a lot of choice. The more vibrant selection on the iPhone 11 tends to hit the youthful market. But with both of these iPhone generations, It’s more than just the traditional space grey and silver:

  • iPhone 12 mini: white, black, green, blue, red
  • iPhone 11: red, yellow, green, black, purple, white

the iPhone 12 mini colors

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iPhone 11 colors

Battery: 

As far as battery goes on base models for an iPhone generation, the iPhone 11 performed extremely well for battery endurance. It can really hold a charge. On both of these models (purchased as new) you’re looking at about 15 hours of video playback on the iPhone 12 mini vs. about 17 hours on a new iPhone 11. The basic rule here is that the more mAh, the better the battery capacity because it can store more energy. Just keep in mind that if you leave on 5G connectivity it will significantly decrease battery performance. 

  • iPhone 12 mini: 2227mAh capacity 
  • iPhone 11: 3110 mAh capacity

Performance: 

  • iPhone 12 mini: A14 chip 
  • iPhone 11: A13 chip 

The A14 bionic chip is included in all of the iPhone 12 generation. The A14 was built to provide increased performance and claims to provide more power efficiency.

If you’re someone looking for one of the most durable and modern compact iPhones with a price tag you can get around, the iPhone 12 mini would be a great option for you. 

If you’re looking for a powerful smartphone with a larger display and strong battery performance, the iPhone 11 is a perfect choice (not to mention, it will keep a few extra dollars in your pocket). 

iPhone 11 Pro Max vs. iPhone 12 Pro Max

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Shop the refurbished iPhone 12 mini on Frank Mobile Australia

Shop the refurbished iPhone 11 on Frank Mobile Australia