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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prefer a smaller, more lightweight phone that is easier to handle, the Apple iPhone 12 mini would be a better fit with its 5.4-inch screen and glass back. However, if battery life is a priority, the Motorola Edge (2021) offers a significantly longer battery life. The Motorola Edge also has a larger 6.8-inch screen and a higher refresh rate, which could be better for gaming and video, but it has a plastic back which may not feel as premium. For photography enthusiasts, the iPhone 12 mini provides better still photo and video quality overall. The Motorola Edge has more RAM, which can be beneficial for multitasking and performance. Remember, the iPhone 12 mini runs on iOS, while the Motorola Edge uses Android, which may affect your choice depending on the ecosystem you prefer. 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 Motorola Edge (2021)
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Motorola Edge (2021) has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers better selfie photo quality and overall camera performance because it scores higher in key camera aspects such as the selfie camera quality, photos resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. On the other hand, the Motorola Edge (2021) has lower scores in these areas, offering poorer camera versatility and weaker performance in both photo and video quality, including low light conditions.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.3
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor photos.
The iPhone 12 mini delivers better selfie quality and overall better photo performance due to its higher scores in selfies, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance. In contrast, the Motorola Edge (2021) falls behind in these aspects, resulting in poorer photo quality, particularly in its selfie capabilities and camera versatility.
Video Quality
7.2
4.7
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Motorola Edge (2021) takes poor videos.
The iPhone 12 mini captures high-quality videos due to its excellent resolution/framerate, software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, alongside good microphone quality. Contrastingly, the Motorola Edge (2021) falls short in video performance, particularly suffering from poor stabilization, dynamic range, and low light ability, while also having fair microphone quality.
Battery
5.1 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Motorola Edge (2021) has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Motorola Edge (2021) is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$300
$165
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Motorola Edge (2021) costs $165.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Motorola Edge (2021) compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Motorola Edge (2021) |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $165 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Motorola | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | September 2, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2460 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 395 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | LCD | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD778G | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 4.7/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.65" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Plastic | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
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)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Nebula 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."
Motorola Edge (2021)
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Philip Michaels | October 2021
"If you've overlooked Motorola's higher-end phones in the past, the Motorola Edge 5G UW does a very good job at trying to regain your attention. Improvements to the main camera impress. I'm also impressed by how quickly the phone recharges. It's the affordability that ultimately wins the day for the Motorola Edge. this phone offers enough premium features to put it at the forefront of midrange options."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Motorola Edge (2021)
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 Motorola
Motorola, a well-known name in the smartphone world, has a long-standing legacy in the industry, with a history dating back to the early days of mobile phones. The brand is mostly known for striking a balance between affordability and functionality, as well as providing a clean and straightforward interface with their software skin on top of Android. While they have traditionally been prominent in the budget and midrange categories, Motorola has also occasionally ventured into the high-end category for smartphones.
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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
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.
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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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