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The “iPhone 12 mini” with a 64.2mm wide body and 5.4-inch screen will be released on November 13.
Photo: Atsushi Ishikawa
I’ve been testing the “iPhone 12 mini” and the “iPhone 12 Pro Max”, which will be released on November 13, for less than a week. The iPhone 12 mini, which has a compact body and is turning heads, is particularly satisfying.
The size of the iPhone 12 mini, which is 5.4 inches, does not seem to match the Japanese market, which likes the little things.
I actually carry the iPhone 12 mini with me, but this compactness creates a nostalgic atmosphere and I feel attached to it. The “cute” feel has even emerged for the iPhone.
From cashless to engraved, mini is perfect
The iPhone 12 mini, which claims to be the world’s smallest 5G smartphone.
Source: Apple
In daily life, the use of smartphones in various situations is increasing.
Purchases in convenience stores and supermarkets are made using QR code, and trains and buses are paid for by Suica and PASMO. Neighborhood janitorial stores and meat bun stores also support smartphone payments.
At the daycare my 4-year-old son attends, the time of attendance is recorded by stamping the smartphone screen when he goes to the daycare.
Therefore, a smartphone is a must when you bring your child in the morning. After registering your time to go to the park, eat a morning menu at the Yoshino family, pay with a smartphone payment, place a mobile order from the Starbucks app in front of the Yoshino family, and by the time you arrive at Starbucks, you will have a Starbucks latte.
The iPhone mini is a small smartphone that is perfect for everyday use (iPhone 12 mini on the right of the photo).
Source: Apple
When you go out into the neighborhood empty-handed, the iPhone 12 mini is a nice size that you can put in the back pocket of your pants. It’s okay to take a child and ride a bike. Even with the 6.1-inch “iPhone 12”, I am concerned that it will fall into my back pocket.
Sometimes I come to work in a suit, but with the iPhone 12 mini it is not strange to put it in my breast pocket.
I used to use the 6.5-inch “iPhone 11 Pro Max” as the primary terminal, but when I switched to the 5.4-inch iPhone 12 mini, I didn’t notice the small screen.
The resolution is 2688 x 1242 dots for iPhone 11 Pro Max and 2340 x 1080 dots for iPhone 12 mini, but I don’t feel any dissatisfaction when reading emails, watching social media or watching videos.
Strong rival to the “second generation iPhone SE”
From the left of the photo, iPhone SE (second generation) and iPhone 12 mini.
Photo: Atsushi Ishikawa
Until now, the iPhone SE has been a perennial favorite among people who say “the iPhone should be smaller.” The “iPhone SE (2nd Gen)” released in March 2020 seems to be selling like a fly, as it can be purchased from 49,280 yen (direct sale price, tax included).
The iPhone 12 mini will be a strong rival to the iPhone SE (second generation).
The direct selling price of the iPhone 12 mini is slightly higher at 82,280 yen (including tax). 5G can be used and the screen size is 5.4 inches, which is larger than the 4.7 inches of the iPhone SE. Also, in terms of size, the iPhone 12 mini is smaller.
From the left of the photo, iPhone SE (2nd generation) and iPhone 12 mini. The mini has a larger screen but a smaller body.
Photo: Atsushi Ishikawa
Considering that the 5G area will expand dramatically from now on, and that 5G smartphones will be the top sales going forward, it seems that the debut of 5G is fine now. Looking at that, I think the iPhone 12 mini is better than the iPhone SE (2nd gen), which has a design taste from a few years ago.
While masking has become a daily routine and the iPhone 12 mini has the hassle of facial recognition, the iPhone SE (2nd gen) has the advantage of being able to unlock with a fingerprint.
However, if you have a lot of money on your wall and you want a small iPhone, I would recommend the iPhone 12 mini.
There is no big difference in the battery, but is it a bit awkward?
Battery specifications for iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro Max (12 Pro battery specifications equal 12).
Source: Apple
However, one thing that makes me curious is having a battery.
After all, probably because the size of the main body is small, if you use it in the morning, the battery seems to drain quickly, and around the afternoon you will be worried that it will last for a day.
In fact, I’m actively using it for jobs like browsing the web, emailing, and social media, and running apps for payments frequently as well, so it feels a bit awkward compared to a big-screen iPhone.
I tried playing the same YouTube video for about 3 hours on the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 at maximum brightness, but the iPhone 12 mini charged from 100% to 70%, while the iPhone 12 was 72%. There was not much difference.
People who actively use the iPhone during the day will need to prepare an environment where they can charge it frequently even during the day, so that it is possible to charge it not only at home but also at work.
The iPhone 12 mini seems to be one that many people will be satisfied with once the battery anxiety is resolved.
(Sentence, shots, Atsushi Ishikawa)
Atsushi Ishikawa: Smartphone journalist. She covers the mobile phone industry in Japan and abroad, focusing on mobile phones and writes extensively in general magazines, trade magazines, women’s magazines, etc. He appeared on Radio NIKKEI every Thursday starting at 10:00 pm on the program “Smartphone No. 1 Media”. His recent book is “Future IT Illustrated Future 5G Business” (MdN).
