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Apple iPhone 12 mini
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024· Prices updated 24 hours ago
If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option with a smaller screen and you prefer iOS, the iPhone 12 mini is the way to go. However, if you value a larger screen, longer battery life, a more advanced camera system with higher megapixel counts and more versatility, and you're comfortable with Android, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a significant upgrade but it will cost you more. The Galaxy S24 Ultra also offers higher screen resolution and a smoother experience with a higher refresh rate, but it is larger and heavier. Keep in mind, the iPhone 12 Mini will be more compact and easier to handle with one hand. Give Feedback
At the time of writing the Apple iPhone 12 mini cost $276 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra cost $1,300.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12 mini
- The Apple iPhone 12 mini has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
9.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality.
The iPhone 12 mini boasts a strong selfie camera and consistent performance in key camera aspects like resolution, software, dynamic range, and low light capabilities, though it has slightly less camera versatility compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its higher photos resolution and advanced photos software experience, excels in overall camera versatility and selfie quality, but falls short in offering a competitive selfie camera experience.
Photo Quality
7.1
9.7
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos partly because it has a selfie camera that performs well in overall quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra's poor photo performance is a result of its significantly inferior selfie quality, in addition to less impressive software experience, dynamic range, low light capabilities, and camera versatility.
Video Quality
7.2
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers superior video quality due to its excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, despite having technological advancements, falls short in these aspects, leading to poorer video results. Additionally, the iPhone 12 mini's microphone quality contributes to better overall video capture, as opposed to the Galaxy S24 Ultra that, while excelling in mic quality, doesn't match up in the video aspects mentioned.
Battery
5.1 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$300
$1,300
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1,300.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to other phones
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Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $1,300 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 505 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 10.4 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" | 6.39" x 3.11" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 8.18 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 | 7 | |
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)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 276 | |
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 | Titanium Blue, Titanium Orange, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium 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."
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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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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.