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Updated January 10, 2024·
The iPhone 12 mini, being slightly less expensive, also offers a more compact size with its 5.4-inch screen versus the 6.7-inch screen of the Samsung Galaxy Note20, which could be a factor if you prefer a smaller phone. The Note20 has a higher battery life, which means it can last longer between charges. For the camera, both phones support HDR and offer quality photo and video capabilities; the iPhone 12 mini provides Dolby Vision for video, while the Note20 offers a larger variety of camera megapixels options and features like a telephoto lens with 3x zoom. The Note20 also comes with a stylus, provides wireless DeX for desktop-like experience, and offers more internal storage. On the other hand, the iPhone 12 mini runs iOS and the Note20 runs Android, which could be a deciding factor depending on your preferred ecosystem. 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 Samsung Galaxy Note20
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
6.6
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is known for its excellent photos software experience and very good selfie quality, which are significant for capturing high-quality images effortlessly and taking superior selfies. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 offers just a fair photos software experience and good selfie quality, meaning the users might notice less intuitive camera software and marginally lower quality in self-portraits.
Photo Quality
7.1
6.4
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini provides a superior photography experience due to its excellent photo software, which enhances dynamic range and low light performance. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20 falls short in these areas, most notably with a poor dynamic range and fair low light performance, while also offering just a fair selfie experience compared to the iPhone's good selfie quality.
Video Quality
7.2
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy Note20 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers a superlative video experience due to its highest marks in resolution and frame rate, alongside excellent stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring smooth and vivid videos. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy Note20, while offering a good software experience for video, falls short in both resolution/framerate and stabilization, leading to a less optimal video capturing experience.
Battery
5.1 Hours
8.2 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Note20 has 8.2 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 is 6.7 inches.
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Key similarities
Cost
$300
$286
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 costs $286.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy Note20 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy Note20 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $286 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | August 21, 2020 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.7" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 393 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD865+ | |
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 | 6.6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 8.2 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4300 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 6.36" x 2.96" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 6.77 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 | 5.0 | |
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/mmWave)2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 | |
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 | Mystic Gray, Mystic Bronze, Mystic Red, Mystic Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
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."
Samsung Galaxy Note20
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Mike Lowe | October 2020
"We think pretty much anyone picking up the Note 20 to take photos will be very happy with the sharpness and appearance of the shots. If you're looking for a phone with an integrated stylus then there's little better than the note-taking potential of this phone. Sure, its 'glasstic' rear and lack of higher refrsh-rate screen are little red marks against its specification, but you can buy the step-up Ultra model if you see that as a problem - although we prefer the smaller price and smaller camera lump of this 'entry' Note model."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Samsung Galaxy Note20
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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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.
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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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