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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a more compact size and a more affordable option, the iPhone 12 mini could suit you well. In contrast, if a larger screen, higher resolution, and more advanced camera system are important and you're okay with a higher price, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a strong choice. The S21 Ultra has a significant edge in battery size and offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling. Both phones have different ecosystems, with the iPhone 12 mini using iOS and the S21 Ultra using Android. Keep in mind the S21 Ultra's additional features like stylus support and better telephoto capabilities if photography is a priority. 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12 mini.
Key differences
Photo Quality
7.1
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 12 mini both have good photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes somewhat better photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is favored for selfies which is a significant priority, meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers greater camera versatility along with good performance in low light conditions. Both phones provide a robust photos software experience, but the Galaxy S21 Ultra might appeal more to photography enthusiasts due to its additional features and overall camera capability.
Battery
5.1 Hours
6.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$300
$423
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra costs $423.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Apple iPhone 12 mini both have good overall cameras quality.
The iPhone 12 mini boasts of good selfie quality along with a fair camera versatility, which means that while its selfie camera is strong, it might not offer as many different lens options as other phones. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra delivers in the versatility department with its exceptionally capable telephoto lens for long-distance shots and also offers good selfie performance; however, users looking for a more compact device might find the larger size a drawback.
Video Quality
7.2
7.1
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is well-regarded for its video capabilities due to its stable performance across various aspects like good image stabilization and dynamic range, along with solid performance in low light conditions and microphone quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra excels with higher resolution and frame rates for videos, providing a slightly better overall video software experience and exceptional stabilization, while also delivering impressive dynamic range and low light performance along with comparable microphone quality.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $423 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3200 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 515 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 6.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.5" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 8.01 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 | 5.2 | |
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)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 Navy, Phantom Titanium | |
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 S21 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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
68
Phones evaluated
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Phones stats compiled
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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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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