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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you prioritize a lower price and smaller form factor, the iPhone 12 mini makes sense as it is more budget-friendly and compact. However, if a better camera, larger screen, and updated hardware are important to you, the Galaxy S23 FE, despite being pricier, offers these enhancements along with a significantly larger battery. Keep in mind that the iPhone runs on iOS, while the Galaxy uses Android, which could affect your choice depending on the ecosystem you're invested in or 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
- The Apple iPhone 12 mini has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12 mini.
Key differences
Photo Quality
7.1
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Apple iPhone 12 mini both have good photos, though the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE takes somewhat better photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a lower selfie camera resolution compared to the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, and it also has a lower overall selfie quality score, which contributes to its good photos, while the Galaxy S23 FE's higher selfie camera resolution and better selfie quality score contribute to its very good photo capabilities.
Battery
5.1 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
Cost
$300
$600
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Apple iPhone 12 mini both have good overall cameras quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good selfie capabilities but the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE edges it out with very good selfie performance, which can be attributed to its enhanced camera software and overall camera versatility that substantially enhance photo-taking experiences, especially in challenging conditions like low light. While both the iPhone 12 mini and Galaxy S23 FE offer high-quality camera experiences, if you prioritize selfie quality, the newer Galaxy S23 FE offers a slight advantage, although you may consider the iPhone 12 mini if looking for a more cost-effective option.
Video Quality
7.2
7.2
The Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE both have good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a very good video stabilization and dynamic range, making it reliable for stable and visually appealing videos, though with standard mic quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, while also providing very good video stabilization and dynamic range, has a slightly better video software experience, making it a strong competitor if the ease of use and software features in video recording are a priority.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD8G1 | |
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 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4500 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" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 7.37 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 | 5.3 | |
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)1, 2, 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 | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
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 S23 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Iyaz Akhtar | October 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is easily one of the best midrange Android phones on the market. The S23 FE has some appealing features you won't find on the Pixel 8 like a dedicated telephoto camera, a bigger screen, and the ability to use it like a computer via Samsung's Dex mode. So if productivity is more important to you than camera tricks, you won't find a better phone than the Galaxy S23 FE."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
86,020
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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