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Apple introduced all four new iPhone 12 models, including the unprecedented iPhone 12 mini. As the name already suggests, it is the smallest and most affordable smartphone of the new generation, but it has all the main innovations of the more powerful versions, including support for 5G networks, the Apple A14 Bionic chipset and improved cameras.
With a suggested price of US $ 699 (R $ 3.8 thousand in direct conversion), the new iPhone 12 mini is ideal for those looking for a cell phone with an updated design and new generation power, but with a “small” screen. with less than 6 inches. However, Apple already sells the iPhone SE (2020), which offers exemplary performance and a small body, and for almost half the price of the new device.
So which compact iPhone to choose? Below, check out the main differences between iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE (2020) to understand if the latest device is worth spending more or if the smartphone released in April still meets your needs.
Design and build
Perhaps the main difference between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone SE (2020) is in the design. This is because the SE line (acronym for “Special edition”) focuses on offering cutting-edge settings and a more “simple” look and the 2020 version brings an identical look to the iPhone 8, that is, with significantly larger borders and the old Touch ID built into the Home button.
The iPhone 12 mini, in turn, features Apple’s latest design innovation: notch in “mustache” format to house the Face ID sensors and the front camera, a photographic set in the style “domino piece” (or “Stove”) and very few edges on the sides. A novelty of the smartphone is the straight frame used in the iPhone 4 and 5.
If you are looking for an iPhone resistant to splashes, water and dust, don’t worry, both are IP certified. The difference is in the details: the iPhone 12 mini can withstand up to 6 meters under fresh water for up to 30 minutes (IP68), while the iPhone SE (2020) is capable of submerging to a depth of one meter, also for the same duration (IP67).
An advantage of the new iPhone 12 mini over its brother is the screen protection, since it has new technology Ceramic shield – According to Apple, the promise is four times more resistance to falls compared to the previous generation.
In terms of design and construction, both promise to offer a compact device. Although the iPhone SE (2020) seems to have much smaller dimensions compared to the iPhone 12 mini, make no mistake: the latest model has a similar body, but offers much greater use if the screen.
Only if you miss the older look and don’t like it notches The iPhone SE (2020) is worth taking home with you, because the mini version of the iPhone 12 wins out on beauty, durability, and build quality.
screen
- iPhone 12 mini: 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display, 2,340 x 1080 pixel resolution, OLED technology, 60 Hz frequency;
- iPhone SE (2020): 4.7-inch Retina HD display, 750 x 1334 pixel resolution, IPS LCD technology, 60 Hz frequency.
The most compact model of the new generation, the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch screen and Full HD resolution (2,340 x 1,080 pixels), an extremely rare size in the smartphone market today. The iPhone SE (2020) is even smaller, at 4.7 inches, the same amount as the iPhone 8, which pleased users who missed a small phone.
In addition to the difference in size, the technical aspects are much more superior on the iPhone 12 mini, which is natural, since the iPhone SE (2020) is made for Apple’s “entry” audience. Unlike the LCD panel, the OLED of the new model offers more vivid colors and a more intense black. Unfortunately, the new iPhone doesn’t have a higher refresh rate, but it does support HDR and an oil and fingerprint resistant coating.
Although theoretically inferior in all respects to the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone SE (2020) screen is also compatible with the technology. True tone and HD, plus the same oil and digital coating.
It is also worth mentioning the front use of the iPhone 12 mini, which is far superior to that of the iPhone SE (2020). That is, by choosing the newest smartphone, you get more viewing area without compromising the size of the device, which is ideal for watching movies and series.
Cameras
- iPhone 12 mini: 12 MP main + 12 MP ultra wide angle + 12 MP front;
- iPhone SE (2020): 12 MP main + 7 MP front.
Typical of the main line of iPhones, the “cheapest” model of the iPhone 12 features two rear cameras, the main 12 MP and the other ultra-wide, also 12 MP. According to Apple, night mode now works on both lenses, capturing up to 27% more light compared to the previous generation photo set.
In addition, the smartphone has the function Deep fusion, which analyzes multiple exposures to increase detail in low-light or low-light scenarios, not to mention smart HDR 3 and portrait mode. The same technologies are present in the 12 MP front camera.
Unprecedented in the line of iPhones, 10-bit video recording with 4K resolution and Dolby Vision is available on the iPhone 12 mini, with the possibility of editing in Photos, iMovie or Clips. In this mode, according to Apple, the iPhone 12 mini records up to 30 fps.
The iPhone SE (2020), in turn, has the same 12 MP main sensor as the iPhone 8, but with the promise of offering an image quality equivalent to the iPhone 11 camera, thanks to the A13 Bionic chipset. Despite having only one sensor, the smartphone takes pictures in portrait mode, in addition to low light, the latter combines multiple photos in post-processing.
Like the iPhone 12 mini, the iPhone SE (2020) is capable of 4K recording at 60 frames per second, but without all the features of its little brother. Due to the smarter chip, it provides Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), smarter HDR for photos, and autofocus.
Processor and memory
- iPhone 12 mini: Apple A14 Bionic
- iPhone SE (2020): Apple A13 Bionic
IPhone 12 is equipped with the A14 Bionic chip, the world’s first manufactured in the 5 nanometer (nm) process. Although it has not detailed the frequencies, Apple says that the new iPhone 12 is 50% faster than its predecessor, in addition to bringing 50% faster graphics performance and 80% faster neural mechanism.
Despite being naturally inferior to its successor, the iPhone SE (2020) is not far behind and remains one of the fastest smartphones on the market thanks to the A13 Bionic chip, the same one present in the powerful iPhone 11 Pro Max. to say that, like its little brother, all the applications available in the App Store will run without any choking, in addition to being more efficient in artificial intelligence tasks.
In terms of internal storage, both the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone SE (2020) have the same capacity options: 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB.
Drums
Apple doesn’t usually disclose the exact capacity of its releases, but the promise is up to 15 hours of offline video playback or 10 hours online on the iPhone 12 mini. The new smartphone’s power consumption is expected to be considerably lower compared to the previous generation, much of this thanks to the 5-nanometer A14 Bionic chip.
Going back to the (negative) roots of the old iPhones, the iPhone SE (2020) has just 1,821 mAh of battery, which will barely last a full day of use. In official numbers, the smartphone can handle up to 13 hours of video playback, but only 8 hours if the content is online.
Extra resources
In addition to the IP68 certification and the camera features already mentioned above, the iPhone 12 mini stands out as the first Apple smartphone to support 5G networks. The company promised network compatibility mmWave (millimeter wave) and sub-6GHz, but only in regions that support both bands; Brazil, for example, should keep the 4G version of the line.
The iPhone 12 mini also features Face ID facial unlocking with Apple Pay support, as well as Siri support. The smartphone already leaves the factory equipped with the iOS 14 operating system and all its new features, including widgets and mode Picture in Picture (PiP) – Check out all iOS 14 features.
Regarding the charging functions, the iPhone 12 mini supports wireless charging of up to 15 W MagSafe, which is recharged through a set of magnets present in the smartphone. With cable, Apple guarantees a fast recharge of 20 W or more, although it has not given an exact number.
Since the iPhone SE (2020) has an older chip, there is no support for 5G networks or support for MagSafe wireless charging. Apple guarantees fast charging with a cable of 18 W or more (charger sold separately), as well as wireless charging without the specified power.
The device is unlocked using the biometric sensor built into the Home button, which can also be used for payments through Apple Pay. The latest generation of Siri and iOS 14 are available on the smartphone.
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE (2020): which one is worth more?
Apple did not skimp on the production of the new iPhone 12 mini and this is clear from the build and display quality, cutting edge specifications, improved cameras, and 5G compatibility. However, all these improvements have a price: from US $ 699 (about R $ 3.8 thousand in direct conversion). Whether it’s worth it or not depends on your handbag user profile.
With the exception of performance, which in practice shouldn’t make much of a difference for those using the A14 Bionic or A13 chip, for about $ 300 more you get an iPhone 12 mini the size of the iPhone SE (2020), but with significant usage. Larger screen, OLED display, ultra-wide camera with all the features of the new generation, larger battery and magnetic wireless charging.
On the other hand, if money is an obstacle for you, the iPhone SE (2020) is still a great “gateway” for those who want to venture into the Apple ecosystem. Despite the antique look, both the software How much hardware They will not be left behind for the next four years.
Full iPhone SE (2020) review
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE (2020): technical form
| iPhone 12 mini | iPhone SE (2020) | |
| screen | 5.4 ” OLED, Full HD, 60 Hz | 4.7 ” LCD, HD, 60 Hz |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic, 5 nm | Apple A13 Bionic, 7 nm |
| RAM | n / A | 3 GB |
| ROM | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear camera | 12 MP (main) + 12 MP (ultrawide) | 12 MP |
| Frontal camera | 12 MP | 7 MP |
| Drums | n / A | 1,821 mAh |
| Additional features | Face ID, IP68, 5G, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, wireless charging | Touch ID, IP67, 4G, Bluetooth, wireless charging |
| THE | iOS 14 | iOS 14 |
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