As smartphones continue to get larger, many consumers have felt frustrated by the lack of smaller alternatives. In response, Apple has released two compact phones this year. In this article, I'll compare the iPhone 12 Mini vs. the iPhone SE 2 to help you figure out which of these iPhones is best for you!
What's The Same?
While they occupy a similar role in their respective generations of iPhones, the iPhone 12 Mini is by no means an updated version of the iPhone SE 2. Below, we'll talk about the similarities of these two phones.
The Intention
It's relatively clear that Apple had the success of the iPhone SE 2 in mind when they came up with the concept of the iPhone 12 Mini.
Both now and upon its release, the iPhone SE 2 was a significantly more affordable product in comparison to the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. For this reason, the iPhone SE 2 gave lots of people the opportunity to experience the then-unprecedented processing power of the A13 chip. While it might not have the bells and whistles that come with an iPhone 11, it still packs a serious punch and continues to succeed in stores.
It makes sense that, with the iPhone 12 line, Apple would want to create a similar effect. Enter the iPhone 12 Mini: a compact, A14-powered iPhone that's nearly half the price of some of the more premium models in its line. While in many ways it's closer to the standard iPhone 12 than it is to the iPhone SE 2, the influence of the latter is as palpable.
Storage Capacity
Both the iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone SE 2 come in 64 GB, 128 GB and 256 GB storage variants. Naturally, the price of each of these phones increases incrementally as you increase the built-in storage.
Both of these devices are capable of recording video in 4K. If you plan on taking a large quantity of HD footage, you may want to opt for one of the larger storage models. 64 GB can fill up surprisingly quick when it's accommodating for high-quality video.
What's Different?
We could go on all day about the many contrasts between the iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone 12 Mini. Both are great options for a wide array of people, so here are just a few of the highlights:
5G
One of the most notable changes to the iPhone 12 line is its compatibility with 5G networks. Unlike previous models, the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max all have 5G capabilities.
While 5G is an exciting addition to the world of iPhones, it's not a necessary component for a positive user experience. In fact, unless you live in select major cities, it's unlikely that you will be able to access 5G networks at all.
If you're a casual tech user, or you're looking for a reliable and affordable cell phone for your child, you may want to look into the more affordable iPhone SE 2. At this point in cellular technology's evolution, most people just don't need 5G. Unless you're dead set on having the absolute fastest data connections possible, it will probably be worth saving the $300+ dollars and opting for the SE 2.
Size And Display
Another major point of distinction between the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone 12 Mini is the display. The iPhone 12 Mini has a 5.4 inch, Super Retina XDR display. The iPhone SE 2 has a 4.7 inch Retina HD Display.
Technically speaking, the resolution on the iPhone 12 Mini is almost twice the quality of the iPhone SE 2's display. However, most casual tech fans probably won't notice much of a difference. For many people, it really comes down to size preference in terms of which device is right or them.
If you're upgrading from a device like the iPhone X, you'll probably notice the difference in display size much less on the iPhone 12 Mini than you would on the iPhone SE 2. However, if you're looking for a phone with a minimal footprint, you probably won't find something as compact and functional as the SE 2.
That's not to say there aren't iPhone users out there with an eye for display resolution. Anyone who consumes a lot of media or games from their phone will probably appreciate the bigger screen and higher image quality the iPhone 12 Mini has to offer. If you take your visual media very seriously, it might just be worth the larger investment.
Price
Another major difference between these two iPhone models are their prices. The iPhone SE 2 starts at $399 for the 64 GB storage model, and maxes out around $549 for the 256 GB variant.
The most basic iPhone 12 Mini starts at $699, almost double the price of the iPhone SE 2. It's worth noting that in everything but size, the iPhone 12 Mini is essentially the same device as the iPhone 12. When you compare this fact to the gap between the iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone 11, the difference in price makes a lot of sense.
Other New iPhone 12 Features
At their October 2020 event, Apple highlighted a few new design components that we've never seen in an iPhone before.
The first was their new display glass, Ceramic Shield. Apple collaborated directly with Corning to design this new, maximum-strength glass for the most recent generation of iPhones. Drop testing shows that Ceramic Shield is four times more durable than any display material previously used by Apple, and it sets a new standard for smartphone screen strength.
The other big reveal was MagSafe. MagSafe is a magnetic structure built into every iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro model. While Apple underlined it as intended to maximize wireless charging efficiency, there are a number of practical capabilities that accompany this innovation as well. For example, MagSafe will allow for more solid connections to external accessories like cases, car chargers, and magnetic wallets.
Both MagSafe and Ceramic Shield come featured on the iPhone 12 Mini. Since they're such a recent addition to Apple's repertoire, no earlier iPhone models are compatible with these designs. If you're looking to experience the maximum smartphone innovation possible, both MagSafe and Ceramic Shield offer a point in the iPhone 12 Mini's favor.
Big Things Come In Small Packages
Both the iPhone SE 2 and iPhone 12 Mini have a lot to offer cell phone users of all varieties. There's a lot to consider before you commit to purchasing either of these models, but both have the potential for a great smartphone experience.
Do you have a preference between these compact iPhone models? Let us know in the comments!
