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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with solid performance and a good camera, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is a compelling choice. However, if a larger screen, longer battery life, and updated specifications are important to you, and you're willing to spend more, the Asus Zenfone 9 could be the better option. The iPhone runs on iOS and has a high-quality OLED screen, while the Zenfone 9 operates on Android, comes with a plastic back compared to the iPhone's glass, and offers a higher screen refresh rate, which can provide a smoother experience when scrolling through content or playing games. Both phones have good camera systems, but the Zenfone 9 might have a slight edge in camera technology considering its newer release date. Keep in mind the iPhone has a smaller, lighter form factor that some users might find more comfortable for daily use. 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 Asus Zenfone 9
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
6.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Asus Zenfone 9 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini boasts a better camera experience primarily due to its superior selfie camera quality, effective software that enhances photo resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside more versatile camera features compared to the Asus Zenfone 9. Furthermore, the iPhone 12 mini outperforms in video capturing aspects such as resolution, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light capability, culminating in a more comprehensive and polished multimedia package.
Photo Quality
7.1
6.0
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers good selfie photos with a quality rated as 'good' in this respect. In contrast, the Asus Zenfone 9's selfie photo performance is rated as 'fair', making it a less preferable choice if selfie quality is a high priority for you.
Video Quality
7.2
6.4
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Asus Zenfone 9 takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers an outstanding video recording experience supported by excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, paired with a very good microphone quality. On the other hand, the Asus Zenfone 9, while still delivering a good video experience with commendable stabilization and microphone quality, falls short in video dynamic range and low light performance, making its videos less polished in comparison.
Battery
5.1 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Asus Zenfone 9 has 7.8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$300
$700
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Asus Zenfone 9 costs $700.
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Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Asus Zenfone 9 is 5.9 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Asus Zenfone 9 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Asus Zenfone 9 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $700 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Asus | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | September 15, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 5.9" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 445 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD8+G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 5.77" x 2.68" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 5.96 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
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, 89 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Sunset Red, Starry Blue | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | 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."
Asus Zenfone 9
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | March 2023
"The Asus Zenfone 9 is a compact device that still packs more than enough power under the hood. It's compact size, Bluetooth and audio features (including a headphone jack!), and hardware gestures combine to offer a package that does enough differently to warrant your attention."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Asus Zenfone 9
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.
About ASUS
Asus is a well-known player in the mobile world, and in the past few years it has been known for covering specific niches in the smartphone market. Their Zenfone line of devices appeal to small phone enthusiasts, by providing very well-rounded and capable phones at a package that is not too large to operate with one hand – something hard to find in modern Android smartphones. Conversely, their ROG line of devices cater to mobile gamers, by providing a slew of hardware and software features, specifically tailored to enhance the mobile gaming experience. Additionally, Asus is one of the only manufacturers left that continues to include headphone jacks in their lineup of phones, a feature that has become exceedingly rare in today's market.
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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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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
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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
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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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