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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a compact and lightweight phone, the iPhone 12 mini is a great choice, and its camera delivers good photo and video quality. However, if you prefer a device with longer battery life and a slightly bigger screen, the Pixel 6a would be more suitable. The Pixel 6a's camera also provides slightly higher photo quality. Both phones have OLED displays for vibrant colors, but neither has a high refresh rate. The iPhone 12 mini has an iOS operating system, while the Pixel 6a runs on Android, which could be a deciding factor depending on your ecosystem preference. 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
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good battery life
Key differences
Battery
5.1 Hours
7.6 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Google Pixel 6a is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$300
$400
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Google Pixel 6a costs $400.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.6
The Google Pixel 6a and Apple iPhone 12 mini both have good overall cameras quality.
The iPhone 12 mini has good selfie and overall camera performance, supported by strong software processing and stabilization across photo and video, with an edge in photos due to its dynamic range and low light capabilities. The Pixel 6a, on the other hand, has very good selfie capabilities and its camera benefits from excellent software experience, matching the iPhone in video stabilization and dynamic range, while offering slightly better versatility and low light performance in video.
Photo Quality
7.1
7.4
The Google Pixel 6a and Apple iPhone 12 mini both have good photos.
While the Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good selfies, the Google Pixel 6a's selfie quality is rated as very good, which suggests the Pixel 6a may produce better results for front-facing photos. This difference could stem from variations in camera software optimization, sensor quality, or image processing capabilities between the two devices.
Video Quality
7.2
7.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and Google Pixel 6a both have good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and Google Pixel 6a both take good videos, each standing out in different areas. The iPhone 12 mini has superior video stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring smooth, well-balanced footage across varied lighting conditions, while the Pixel 6a excels in video software experience and microphone quality, offering intuitive video recording features and clear audio capture.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Google Pixel 6a compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 6a |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $400 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | July 21, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 429 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | Tensor | |
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 | 7.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 7.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4410 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" | 5.99" x 2.83" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 6.28 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/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | |
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."
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Google Pixel 6a
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 Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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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
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
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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