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InnoReviews

iPhone 12 mini vs iPhone SE (3rd gen)

WINNER
iPhone 12 mini
40.2Inno Score
VS
A
38.3Inno Score
43.9Performance44
33.6Display21.3
33.5Camera31.9
23.7Battery27.7
89.3Features89.3
8 spec wins — iPhone 12 mini3 spec wins — iPhone SE (3rd gen)

InnoReviews verdict

iPhone 12 mini wins this phone face-off, 40.2 to 38.3, pulling ahead mainly in display (+12) and camera (+2). iPhone SE (3rd gen) still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.

Which would you pick?

Key differences

Reasons to pick the iPhone 12 mini

  • Stronger display score: 34 vs 21
  • 92% higher Peak brightness: 1,200 nits vs 625 nits
  • 71% higher Front camera: 12 MP vs 7 MP
  • 60% higher Wireless charging: 12 W vs 8 W
  • 46% higher Pixel density: 476 ppi vs 326 ppi

Reasons to pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen)

  • Stronger battery score: 28 vs 24
  • Lower launch price: $429 vs $699

Display

Display comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Screen size5.4 ″+15%4.7 ″
Panel typeOLEDRetina IPS LCD
Resolution2340x1080750x1334
Pixel density476 ppi+46%326 ppi
Refresh rate60 Hz60 Hz
Peak brightness1,200 nits+92%625 nits
Screen-to-body—65.4 %

Performance

Performance comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
ChipsetApple A14 BionicApple A15 Bionic
AnTuTu 10950,000+7%Top 51%890,000Top 59%
Geekbench 6 (single)2,080Top 28%2,100+1%Top 27%
Geekbench 6 (multi)4,900Top 35%5,200+6%Top 32%
RAM (max)4 GB4 GB
Storage options64GB / 128GB / 256GB64/128/256GB
Storage typeNVMeNVMe

Camera

Camera comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Main camera12 MP12 MP
Main aperturef/1.6f/1.8
Ultra-wide12 MP—
Optical zoom—1 x
Max video4K@60fps4K@60fps
Front camera12 MP+71%7 MP
OISYesYes

Battery

Battery comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Capacity2,227 mAh+10%2,018 mAh
Wired charging20 W20 W
Wireless charging12 W+60%8 W
Active use endurance—7 h

Design

Design comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Weight135 g+6%144 g
Thickness7.4 mm7.3 mm+1%
IP ratingIP68IP67
Frame materialAluminumAluminum

Connectivity

Connectivity comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
5GYesYes
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.05.0
NFCYesYes
USBLightningLightning
eSIMYesYes

Software

Software comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
OS at launchiOS 14iOS 15
OS update pledge6 years6 years

Audio

Audio comparison: iPhone 12 mini versus iPhone SE (3rd gen)
SpeciPhone 12 miniiPhone SE (3rd gen)
Stereo speakersYesYes
3.5mm jackNoNo

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