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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a higher quality camera system with more megapixels and better video recording capabilities, the Samsung Galaxy A53 stands out, but if you want a device with longer battery life and are comfortable with a smaller size and a lighter phone, then the iPhone 12 mini might suit you better. Keep in mind the iPhone is an iOS device with a glass back, while the A53 is an Android with a plastic back. The iPhone 12 mini has a smaller and slightly sharper screen compared to the Galaxy A53's larger screen with a higher refresh rate. The Galaxy A53 also offers more internal storage in its base model but doesn't support the same level of peak screen brightness as the iPhone 12 mini. 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
- Good performance
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy A53
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 has poor overall camera quality.
While the Apple iPhone 12 mini provides a top-tier experience for selfie photos, dynamic range, and low light performance, the Samsung Galaxy A53 stands out with its camera versatility and software experience, though its selfie photo capabilities are not as strong as the iPhone's.
Photo Quality
7.1
6.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes only fair photos.
The iPhone 12 mini takes good photos with its highly-rated software experience and its ability to capture a wide dynamic range, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes very good photos, outperforming in selfie quality despite having a lower rating in software experience and dynamic range.
Video Quality
7.2
5.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy A53 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers excellent video resolution and framerate, along with superior video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance. The Samsung Galaxy A53, while providing good video quality and microphone performance, may not match the iPhone 12 mini in stabilization and low light capabilities.
Battery
5.1 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy A53 has 8 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy A53 is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$300
$200
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy A53 costs $200.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy A53 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy A53 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $200 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | March 24, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 405 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | E1280 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6.3/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Macro | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 64 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 8 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" | 6.28" x 2.94" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 6.67 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 | 5.1 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 5 | |
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)2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Blue, White, Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
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."
Samsung Galaxy A53
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | May 2023
"Samsung’s quartet of rear cameras delivers the goods, both day and night, with the only blemish being the lack of 4K/60fps video recording. The large, 6.5-inch, 120Hz AMOLED display is crisp and smooth, making video streaming enjoyable. You should have no issues pushing the 5,000mAh battery to its limits and it’s not too slow to charge relative to its competitors in the US."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Samsung Galaxy A53
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 Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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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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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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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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