Small smartphones may have fallen out of favour, but there are still options available - at least in the world of Apple. The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE are both on the smaller side when it comes to smartphones, and represent a welcome alternative to the massive displays that have become the norm. If you're tossing up between the pair, here's how to decide.
First, here are their specs:
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE
| iPhone 12 mini | iPhone SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.4-inch OLED | 4.7-inch LCD |
| Resolution | Super Retina | Retina |
| Rear Cameras | 2x 12MP | 12MP |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 7MP |
| Processor | A14 | A13 |
| Storage | 64GB - 256GB | 64GB - 256GB |
| Water-Resistance | IP68 | IP67 |
| 5G | Yes | No |
| Price | From $1,199 | From $679 |
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE: Price
Price is naturally a key difference between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone SE, with the latter phone being the more affordable. Outright pricing for the devices is as follows:
- iPhone 12 mini (64GB): $1,199
- iPhone 12 mini (128GB): $1,279
- iPhone 12 mini (256GB): $1,449
- iPhone SE (64GB): $679
- iPhone SE (128GB): $759
- iPhone SE (256GB): $929
This pricing is also reflected in phone plans. When you buy a phone on a plan, the outright price of the device is simply divided by 12, 24, or 36 (depending on how many months you'd like to pay your phone off over) and slapped on to the price of your base plan.
Every now and again, telcos offer discounts on handsets, but in short, the more expensive the outright price, the more expensive your phone plan will be. Sometimes promotions can skew the maths a little, but Apple devices rarely go on sale within their first year of availability.
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE: Camera
There's a large difference between camera quality when it comes to the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE. The iPhone 12 mini has the same primary and ultra-wide cameras that you'll find in the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, while the iPhone SE has the same camera as much older iPhone 8 (albeit backed by a better processor).
While the iPhone SE can do a good job in most circumstances, the iPhone 12 mini performs much better in lowlight, has additional software tricks like night mode, and is more versatile thanks to the secondary ultra-wide lens. The iPhone 12 mini also has a higher resolution selfie camera than the iPhone SE.
The iPhone SE is still respectable when it comes to taking high quality snaps, but if mobile photography is important to you, the iPhone 12 mini is a much better choice.
iPhone 12 mini Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the iPhone 12 mini. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
iPhone SE Camera Gallery
Check out these camera samples taken on the iPhone SE. Click or tap on any photo to see a larger version.
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE: Design
The iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE are very similar in size, but are completely different in appearance.
The iPhone 12 mini embodies the modern iPhone aesthetic, featuring an edge-to-edge display with a notch for facial recognition. This has allowed Apple to pack a 5.4-inch display into the same kind of body as iPhone 8.
On the other hand, the iPhone SE has a much more classic look. It's 4.7-inch display is flanked by top and bottom bezels, and it still features a home button.
The iPhone 12 mini has a squared off design a la the iPhone 5, whereas the iPhone SE has a more pillowy aesthetic to it.
In addition to size, there are also differences in resolution and technology type between the two phones. Firstly, the iPhone 12 mini has a higher resolution display, which makes it sharper. Individual pixels are harder to see. That being said, the iPhone SE display is still a really nice screen.
Secondly, the iPhone 12 mini has an OLED display while the iPhone SE has an LCD panel. OLED displays work by lighting up individual pixels as they're needed. The result of this is a screen with a higher contrast ratio that will give photos and videos a bit of extra pop. The iPhone SE still has a backlight behind the screen, which means it can't go as dark as an OLED display, and as such, doesn't achieve the same level of contrast.
In short, the iPhone 12 mini has the nicer display, but there aren't any red flags with the iPhone SE screen.
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE: Performance
On paper, the iPhone 12 mini thanks to a faster processor. While this can help with some more demanding apps, the iPhone SE is still powered by Apple's second best mobile processor - the same one that powered by the iPhone 11 family. In our testing, we found the iPhone SE more than capable of anything we threw at it. The difference in processor isn't something you need to consider when picking between the iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone SE.
It's worth noting that the iPhone 12 mini has 5G, while the iPhone SE is 4G-only. There's no reason to run out and buy a 5G phone right now - there's no real need for it yet - but it's a nice bit of futureproofing if you're leaning toward the iPhone 12 mini anyway.
Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE come in the same three storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB.
iPhone 12 mini vs. iPhone SE: Battery
Apple doesn't disclose the physical battery capacity of each iPhone, instead preferring to give estimates on activities. According to Apple, the iPhone 12 mini battery is enough for up to 10 hours of continuous streamed video playback, while the iPhone SE will give you eight.
In our own testing, we found the iPhone 12 mini battery could get you through a single day per charge with standard usage, and there were some days we needed to top up early. The iPhone SE was a little shakier, barely lasting a day. Less demanding users shouldn't have any issues, but more demanding users will find themselves in need of an evening recharge.
You can read more about iPhone battery life here.
Should I buy the iPhone 12 mini or iPhone SE?
Given the big difference in price between the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE, they're clearly very different devices. The iPhone SE is almost a throwback device, harkening back to the classic iPhone design. It's a great option for anyone who wants to upgrade from an iPhone 8 or older but would rather keep the classic iPhone form-factor rather than relearn how to use their phone. Despite the more affordable price, the iPhone SE is just as much an iPhone as any other iPhone. It still has a top-tier processor, and will get years of post-purchase support through software and security updates.
On the other hand, the iPhone 12 mini is a flagship phone in every sense of the word. It's just a little bit smaller. You get a premium display, modern design, and excellent cameras. You do, of course, have to pay for that privilege.
If you're looking for a new iPhone on a budget, the iPhone SE is the way to go. But if you want Apple's latest and greatest tech in a compact body, you'll want to go for the iPhone 12 mini.
Alex Choros
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