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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority for you, the Samsung Galaxy S21+ has a slight edge over the iPhone 12 mini, especially with its telephoto lens and higher megapixel count on certain cameras, enabling more detailed photos and a variety of shooting options. However, if you prefer a more compact device, the iPhone 12 mini is smaller, making for easier handling and pocketability. For battery life, the Galaxy S21+ significantly outperforms the iPhone 12 mini, which could be important if you need your phone to last all day without charging. The Galaxy S21+ also features a larger screen, which is better suited for media consumption, but be aware that its larger size does make it heavier. Both phones offer high-quality displays, but the Galaxy S21+ has a higher refresh rate, resulting in smoother visual experiences during navigation and gaming. The operating systems are different, with the iPhone 12 mini running iOS and the Galaxy S21+ on Android, which might influence your choice depending on your preferred ecosystem. Finally, the Galaxy S21+ offers more base storage, so if storage capacity is crucial for you and you want to avoid paying more, it might be the better pick. 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
- The Apple iPhone 12 mini has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21+
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Video Quality
7.2
6.6
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21+ takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini provides an excellent video stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring smooth and vibrant videos even in varying lighting conditions, while its microphone quality is good for clear audio capture. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ also offers good video resolution and framerate which aid in creating crisp, detailed footage, coupled with good microphone quality, but the overall video software experience is high, making it user-friendly for video recording.
Battery
5.1 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21+ 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 S21+ is 6.7 inches.
Cost
$300
$340
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
$450
$500
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ costs $340.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good overall cameras quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ both offer good selfie cameras, but they achieve this with different strengths; the iPhone 12 mini is praised for its excellent photo software experience, while the Galaxy S21+ excels in camera versatility and video software experience. While both perform well in dynamic range and low light photography, you'll find the Galaxy S21+ to be superior for video-related features, which might be important if you shoot a lot of videos.
Photo Quality
7.1
7.0
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy S21+ both have good photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers a superior software experience for photography and higher scores in selfie quality than the Samsung Galaxy S21+, making it a better choice if selfies are a priority for you. However, the Galaxy S21+ excels in camera versatility and dynamic range, so if those aspects are more important, you may find it to be the better option.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy S21+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S21+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $340 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | January 29, 2021 | |
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 | 394 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD888 | |
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 | 7.2/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6.6/10 | |
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 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4800 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 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 7.05 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
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, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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 | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Violet, Phantom Pink, Phantom Gold, Phantom Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12 mini
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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 S21+
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Tom's Guide
Jordan Palmer | May 2022
"All told, Samsung nailed it with the Galaxy S21 Plus. It has most of the strengths of the smaller S21 in a bigger package. It’s got a lot going for it. If you’re coming from an older device, like the Galaxy S10 series, this is a solid upgrade."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Samsung Galaxy S21+
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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Recommendations made
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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.
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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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