Up next in 10
The Mighty Mini | iPhone 12 Mini review
Apr 30, 2024
The iPhone 12 mini might be the perfect iPhone! Pocketable, and price friendly, with all the best features of the rest of the iPhone 12 line-up. Honestly, it's just a smaller version of the others - so if you're sick of big phones, you need to try this one. Watch the iPhone 12 Pro Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEcplvc7ub8 Read our iPhone 12 Reviews 12 Mini: https://www.cultofmac.com/727908/iphone-12-mini-review/ 12 (the regular): https://www.cultofmac.com/726395/iphone-12-review/ 12 Pro: https://www.cultofmac.com/727004/iphone-12-pro-review-premium-in-your-pocket/ 12 Pro Max: https://www.cultofmac.com/728010/iphone-12-pro-max-review/ More Apple news: http://www.cultofmac.com Follow Ian! Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianfuchs Instagram: https://instagram.com/IanRedFox Follow us! Twitter: https://twitter.com/cultofmac Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cultofmac
View Video Transcript
0:00
What's going on everybody
0:07
Ian here for Cult of Mac. And a couple weeks ago, I reviewed the iPhone 12 Pro and I praised its ultra-premium design, its
0:13
triple camera system, and just the way it felt to use and hold in your hand
0:18
But for a lot of people, the $1,000 starting price tag, the three-camera system in that premium
0:23
stainless steel body might not be enough to sway you into the pro half of the iPhone 12 lineup
0:29
And if you're not going to go pro this year, I think the best iPhone to get is this one
0:33
the iPhone 12 Mini. But the iPhone 12 Mini
0:47
But the iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest iPhone that Apple has released since the original SE back in 2016
0:51
But unlike both the first and second generation iPhone SE, the iPhone 12 Mini doesn't have to
0:56
trade in specs for size. And in fact, offers almost all the exact same features as all the other iPhone 12 models at both this size and price that's better for your pocket
1:07
In fact, the only thing that really makes the iPhone 12 mini any different than the regular iPhone 12 this year is the physical size and therefore the battery inside of it
1:15
Now, compared to the 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, you do lose out on things like the telephoto camera, 60 frame a second Dolby Vision HDR, and you trade in that polished stainless steel body for aluminum bands on the outside of the device
1:29
Now aside from that, you get the same A14 by Onic Chip, the same impressive camera processing
1:34
including the improved ultra performance 30 frames a second WVision H the same 5G connectivity as all the other devices in the lineup and the same new flat design which I personally am a huge fan of On top of that
1:47
with the 12 Mini, it's all packed into a device that you can comfortably reach both sides of
1:51
or from top to bottom without overstretching your hand, meaning that no matter how big or small
1:54
your hands are, this is something that anyone can use. Now, using the iPhone 12 Mini when you're
2:00
out and about actually feels really great too. Now, for me personally, I came from an 11 Pro and
2:04
then briefly the 12 Pro. But using the 12 Mini when I've been out and about is absolutely fantastic
2:08
I'm able to reach across the screen or reach up to the top edges and interact with things
2:12
without having to stretch too hard or call on a second hand to come in and help. It's also really
2:16
easy to do things like type with one hand on the 12 Mini because that keyboard is just a little
2:20
bit more compact and it fits a little bit better in your hand. Nothing we've all just kind of gotten used to phones getting bigger and bigger so you don't really
2:26
notice that you're stretching more and more calling on a second hand more and more to use
2:30
your device. When it comes to actually using the 12 Mini, it's really hard. hard to express just how nice it is to use an iPhone that you can use one-handed that still offers
2:41
that modern, full edge-to-edge experience. Now, a lot of people think I don't care about the chin, I don't care about the forehead
2:47
but the interaction on the newer iPhones is also really, really good
2:51
And having that experience on something that can fit literally in one hand and you can use
2:56
in one hand is something you just cannot compare to any other device and something that's been
3:00
missing from iOS for a long time. Now when it comes to the overall physical size of the iPhone 12 Mini, it's actually smaller
3:07
than the second generation iPhone SE, which was the same size as the 6, 6S, 7, and 8
3:13
But instead of having the big chin and forehead of those devices now you left with just this small notch at the top and an otherwise all device which actually means you getting a larger screen in a smaller form factor The iPhone 12 Mini actually packs almost the same size screen
3:28
as a 6S plus or 7 plus or 8 plus, but in a device that you can actually use with one hand
3:37
The 12 mini does have a couple of tradeoffs, first of which is the fact that it has a smaller battery
3:41
than the other iPhone 12 devices. But that means that you're not gonna get the same battery life as you get with the iPhone 12
3:46
12 Pro or 12 Pro Max. Now, in my use, I've been able to get a full day out of the 12 Mini just fine
3:52
But if you're somebody who tends to burn through batteries a little bit more, you know, you're
3:56
on a lot of calls or doing a lot of video stuff on your device, you may want to have a spare
4:00
charger around or maybe pick up one of the bigger devices that has a little bit more battery life
4:05
Another concern with the battery life on the 12 Mini is the fact that on devices over time you
4:10
see a little bit less battery life. So my 11 Pro used to last a full day and still have 30 or 40
4:16
left at the end of the day and now I'm ending days with 10 to 15%. And if that same kind of wear happens on the 12 mini
4:22
I'll definitely need to be plugging in before the day is over. Now a second tradeoff with the 12 mini is the fact that it doesn't have that telephoto
4:31
camera like I mentioned before. And as somebody who went from, again, an 11 pro with the telephoto camera
4:37
it's hard to let go of that additional camera and that third perspective
4:42
Now actually doing some digging on my own personal photo library, What I did find is that I'm using the ultra wide camera about twice as often as I'm using the telephoto camera
4:51
Now ultimately for me personally it reinforces the fact that while I think that I need that third lens to really get the most out of my camera I not taking advantage of it as much as I thought I would And knowing that I can use the standard lens on here which is very good and just crop in to get more of a telephoto look is probably sufficient in most situations
5:10
So when it comes out of deciding which iPhone 12 model is right for you, there are a couple things to really consider
5:15
First of which is price point with the iPhone 12 mini starting at 729
5:19
Without carrier incentives, it's the cheapest of the iPhone 12 lineup. And you can upgrade storage from 64 gigs to 128 gigs for an additional 50 bucks
5:27
bucks. Second off is the size. If you really need a device that has the biggest screen and the
5:32
biggest battery life, obviously the iPhone 12 Pro Max is right for you. But if you want something that's
5:37
more comfortable, more pocketable, more enjoyable to hold on to and use one-handed, the iPhone 12 mini
5:43
is absolutely fantastic. There's also the cameras to consider. Like I said, the ultra-wide and
5:48
standard camera on here are the exact same as the iPhone 12 and the iPhone 12 pro. So you're really
5:54
not missing out on anything other than that telephoto lens, which, let's be real, you're probably
5:59
not using that much anyway. So basically, if you've been wanting a new iPhone but you didn't
6:03
want a giant device or you want the best device for the best price, the iPhone 12 mini is definitely
6:08
the one to get. Let me know what you guys think in the comments down below. While you're down there
6:12
be sure to give you the thumbs up. Subscribe to the channel if you're not already. Hit the notification mail so you don't miss any videos or when we go live for the cult cast. Until next time
6:19
I'm Ian for Cult of Mac. I'll catch you in the next one
#Consumer Electronics
#Gadgets & Portable Electronics
#Mini