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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a phone with a larger screen and better overall camera quality, the iPhone 12 mini would be a suitable option. However, if you prefer a newer model with possibly better battery life and marginally better performance, consider the iPhone SE (2022). Keep in mind that although the iPhone SE (2022) has a newer processor, the iPhone 12 mini's processor is also quite powerful, and it offers better camera capabilities. The SE (2022) is slightly heavier than the 12 mini. Both phones have glass backs, do not have 3.5mm headphone jacks, and support wireless charging. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12 mini
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Apple iPhone SE (2022)
- The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12 mini.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.7
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) has poor overall camera quality.
The iPhone 12 mini features better overall camera performance, including higher photo resolution, more software capabilities, and superior dynamic range, low light performance, and selfie quality, compared to the iPhone SE (2022) which has limitations in these aspects, particularly noticeable in dynamic range and low light conditions. Additionally, the iPhone 12 mini offers more camera versatility, which may be beneficial for users who seek a wider range of photography options.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.5
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes poor photos.
The iPhone 12 mini takes good photos because it has a higher selfie quality score and more favorable ratings in software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility. In contrast, the iPhone SE (2022) has lower ratings in these areas except for software experience, which contributes to its fair photo quality, including a lower selfie quality score indicating less impressive front camera photos.
Video Quality
7.2
6.6
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Apple iPhone SE (2022) takes only fair videos.
The iPhone 12 mini provides a better video experience than the iPhone SE (2022) since it has the highest ratings for video resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, indicating smoother, more stable videos with better detail across various lighting conditions. On the other hand, the iPhone SE (2022) has lower ratings in these areas, meaning its video capabilities are more limited especially in challenging conditions.
Cost
$300
$429
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Apple iPhone SE (2022) costs $429.
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Key similarities
Battery
5.1 Hours
4.9 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone SE (2022) has 4.9 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Apple iPhone SE (2022) is 4.7 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Apple iPhone SE (2022) compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Apple iPhone SE (2022) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $429 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Apple | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | iOS | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | March 18, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 4.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 1334 x 750 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 326 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | LCD | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | A15 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 64 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 4.9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 2018 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 7.5 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 5.45" x 2.65" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 5.08 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Front | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Midnight, Starlight, Red | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Custom ROM Support | |||
Custom ROM Support | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12 mini
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | September 2022
"If you’re going to opt for an iPhone and you want a smaller device without buying up the latest iPhone 13 mini, this is the perfect option for you – and it’s one of the smallest 5G phones on the market too. The camera is versatile, the screen is fantastic, it comes with reams of power and the added benefits of 5G and MagSafe mean this is a phone that will last you for years to come."
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Samuel Axon | March 2022
"Thanks to the inclusion of the A15 chip, the SE is likely to be supported for years to come. That makes it the best deal in smartphones today for folks who just want something simple and don't care about the frills. The iPhone SE is a great deal if you're more interested in the basics than the latest flashy features.. It's also a great option for people who prefer to use their phones one-handed—a dying breed, we know."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Apple iPhone SE (2022)
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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