What is the difference between iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone SE 2020? Which to choose and Why
Apple recently unveiled the new flagship iPhone 12 Mini, which became the second current compact smartphone in the company’s lineup. The first, I recall, is the iPhone SE (2020), which the company positions as an affordable model. Here below you can find the detailed difference between Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Apple iPhone SE 2020 features and characteristics to find out which model is better and why to buy it.
It is necessary to understand which model is worth buying in which case if your choice is a compact smartphone from Apple because the difference in price is quite significant and you should understand whether you will not overpay for unnecessary features.
Design
iPhone SE has a design that is almost no different from the iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and 8. It should be understood that the model came out, in fact, in an outdated design with a large frame, which may not appeal to many users. The iPhone 12 Mini, on the other hand, has a minimal frame and design, like the iPhone 12, which makes it much more attractive.
It should also be understood that the smaller frame allowed to accommodate a larger display in the iPhone 12 Mini, despite the fact that it is smaller and lighter than the iPhone. Sure, both models are incredibly compact and lightweight, but that doesn’t stop the iPhone 12 Mini from being much better for viewing multimedia content through a relatively large display.
iPhone SE is available in white, black, and red, and iPhone 12 Mini in blue, green, red, white, and black. If you like smartphones of unusual colors, you should take a look at the iPhone 12 Mini, which offers a green and trendy blue version.
Display
iPhone 12 Mini is equipped with a 5.4-inch OLED Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, PPI – 476. The iPhone SE, instead, has an IPS display with a resolution of 1334 x 750, the diagonal is 4.7 inches, PPI – 326.
Both models have a TrueTone feature. Of course, the displays here are of a completely different level – if the iPhone SE display is similar to the iPhone 8, which was released in 2017, then the iPhone 12 Mini is really the flagship level, as in the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max.
Productivity
The iPhone 12 Mini is no different from the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max in terms of the chipset – it is equipped with the top 5-nanometer Apple A14 Bionic chipset, while the iPhone SE uses last year’s flagship Apple A13 Bionic.
Of course, this can not be called a significant disadvantage of the latter, because both chipsets for these smartphones will be enough for many years of perfect performance, but if you take a smartphone in the long run, iPhone 12 Mini still looks better.
Also among the chips of the iPhone 12 Mini “for the future” it is worth mentioning the support of 5G networks, which is not in the iPhone SE. Of course, now it is not very correct to attribute this to the advantages of the iPhone 12 Mini, because in Ukraine 5G will appear only in a few years, but in the future, the chip will be really useful.
Chipsets
iPhone 12 Mini uses a modern Face ID system for authentication, while iPhone SE has support for older Touch ID. Both technologies are well known and time-tested, and the only question here is which one you personally prefer.
It should also be noted that the iPhone SE supports IP67, while the iPhone 12 Mini has a more reliable IP68 standard. Also, the new model is covered with a protective glass Ceramic Shield, which Apple calls the strongest of all that has ever been used in the iPhone.
It is also worth noting that the iPhone 12 Mini has support for magnetic charging MagSafe, which is not in the iPhone SE. The iPhone SE, on the other hand, still has a complete charger and EarPods, which will not be in the next batch of this smartphone (it is better to check the availability of all accessories from the seller). The iPhone 12 Mini has a single package that includes only the Lightning cable.
Autonomy
Apple does not officially disclose the battery capacity of its smartphones while indicating only the theoretical time to do so. iPhone 12 Mini, according to Apple, can work in video playback mode for 15 hours, while in iPhone SE this figure is lower by 2 hours.
However, thanks to insider information, we know that the iPhone SE is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 1821 mAh, and the iPhone 12 Mini has a battery with a capacity of 2227 mAh. It should be understood that the batteries in both models are quite small – this is the fate of Apple’s compact smartphones, but the iPhone 12 Mini really should show a little better.
Cameras
iPhone 12 Mini has received a flagship camera, which includes a main module of 12 MP f / 1.6 and a wide-angle 12 MP f / 2.4, ie it has two of the three sensors from the flagship iPhone 12 Pro. Meanwhile, the iPhone SE is equipped with a single wide-angle sensor 12 MP f / 1.8, which he inherited from the iPhone 8. iPhone SE is equipped with a front camera of 7 MP, and iPhone 12 Mini – 12 MP.
Of course, the difference between the cameras is not only in hardware but also in software. iPhone 12 Mini supports Deep Fusion, night mode and shoots HDR video, which iPhone SE cannot do.
Prices and conclusions
iPhone SE for the version with 64 GB of internal memory costs from about $500 and iPhone 12 Mini by pre-order and with the same amount of memory – from $850. However, after the official start of sales in a few weeks, the price may fall, and stores will offer discounts.
Of course, the gap is quite noticeable, and you should not consider the iPhone 12 Mini if your budget allows it only butt. In case you are ready to spend a larger amount, but get better performance in literally everything, you should obviously pay attention to the iPhone 12 Mini.
