We compare these two popular phones to help you decide which one fits your needs and budget better.
Metric | Apple iPhone 12 mini | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
---|---|---|
Connectivity | #65 Winner | #349 |
Design | #13 | #6 Winner |
Display | #704 | #157 Winner |
Performance | #224 Winner | #239 |
Battery | #684 | #587 Winner |
Camera | #763 | #246 Winner |
item_phones_categoryId | #1 Tie | #1 Tie |
Note: Lower rank number indicates a better position in category.
Note: Highlighted specifications show differences between the two devices.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini is a compact flagship that delivers an impressive range of features despite its small size. The device boasts a durable build quality, making it perfect for those who want a phone they can carry with them everywhere. One of the standout features of the iPhone 12 mini is its excellent OLED screen, which provides crisp and vibrant visuals. Additionally, the phone's lightning-fast chipset ensures seamless performance, making it ideal for everyday use. The inclusion of stereo speakers adds to the overall experience, providing clear and immersive audio playback. The camera system on the iPhone 12 mini is also impressive, with the 12MP main camera taking excellent photos in a variety of lighting conditions. Portrait mode shots are particularly good, with true-to-life colors and superb contrast. Low-light photography is also handled well, thanks to the phone's ability to automatically switch to night mode when needed. Video capture is similarly impressive, with 4K footage looking great on both the main camera and ultra-wide lens. Electronic stabilization is available on all cameras, making it easy to record smooth video footage. One potential drawback of the iPhone 12 mini is its smaller battery size, which may not be ideal for heavy users. Furthermore, the phone's thermals can get warm during intense gaming sessions, which may limit its suitability for this type of activity. Overall, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is a great option for those who want a compact phone with flagship features and plenty of software support down the road. While it may not be perfect for heavy gamers or users who need more battery life, it's an excellent choice for anyone looking for a pocket-friendly device that delivers on performance and camera capabilities. Rating: 4.5/5 Recommendation: For those who want a compact phone with flagship features, the iPhone 12 mini is definitely worth considering.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a solid but not exceptional smartphone that falls short in terms of battery life and camera capabilities, especially compared to the Google Pixel 6. While it's enjoyable to use as a daily driver, its limitations make it hard to recommend at this price point. One of the biggest issues with the Galaxy S21 FE 5G is its subpar battery life. It consistently falls short of delivering a full day's worth of power, making it unreliable for heavy users or those who rely on their phone throughout the day. The camera system is another area where the phone disappoints, particularly in still photography, although it excels in video capture and selfie mode. The camera features are well-rounded, with a 12-megapixel primary sensor, 8-megapixel telephoto lens with three times optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. However, the lack of pixel binning means that low-light photos can be noisy, and colors may not be as accurate as those from competing devices. While the Android 12-based One UI 4 experience is excellent, it's not enough to make up for the phone's shortcomings. The addition of a 15-watt wireless charging feature and a 25-watt wired charger are welcome but hardly make an impact on the overall user experience. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a good but not great smartphone that struggles to compete with its contemporaries in key areas like battery life and camera performance. If you're looking for a reliable daily driver at this price point, consider alternatives like the Google Pixel 6 or other options from competing manufacturers.
Read our detailed reviews to understand which device is better for your specific needs and budget.
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