Apple launches the new iPhone 12 mini. The smartphone is noticeably smaller than the competition. Does it keep up technically?
The trend for smartphones from all well-known manufacturers has been crystal clear in recent years: bigger, faster, further. Everyone could make friends with faster and farther, but with bigger ones some had their dearest need. The screen diagonals have been growing for years, which is increasingly displeasing to many users: Although films can now also be enjoyed wonderfully on smartphones, what to do with the huge block, normal trouser pockets have been reaching their limits for a long time.
The problem with the alternatives was in the detail: All the smaller devices on the market are not really equipped with the latest technology. Sometimes there are even older versions that are still just sold and maybe even got a new coat of paint. Apple is apparently addressing this dilemma and is launching the new iPhone 12 mini on Friday. The news agency spot on news already had the opportunity to test the little brother of the iPhone 12.
Just as powerful as the iPhone 12
For everyone who is not quite at home with Apple's product range: the iPhone 12 and the high-end version iPhone 12 Pro have been around for a few weeks. Both mobile phones are identical in size with their 6.1-inch screens, but differ in principle only due to slightly different technical parameters. Now Apple is adding an even larger version, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, but also a smaller version, the iPhone 12 mini, for the said pocket.
The iPhone 12 mini in particular is surprising, also because it has been the smallest iPhone for some time with a 5.4-inch screen. With this the manufacturer from Cupertino closes a gap in its offer. Anyone who recently wanted one of the high-performance flagships from Apple had to get one of the larger variants. But this time the smaller and lighter version is not a slimmed-down smartphone: Technically, the iPhone 12 mini is identical to the conventional iPhone 12 and is also 5G-capable.
Both rely on the Super Retina XDR display with an identical contrast ratio. Both cell phones are powered by the new A14 Bionic Chip and each have a two-camera system with an ultra-wide-angle and a wide-angle lens. The iPhone 12 mini is also available in four colors (black, white, red, green, blue) and with storage capacities of 64, 128 and 256 gigabytes. The iPhone 12 mini starts at 778.85 euros and increases to a maximum of 944.55 euros.
Conclusion:
As with almost all Apple products, the strong workmanship of the iPhone 12 mini immediately catches the eye. Due to its size, the mobile phone lies very comfortably in the hand and is easy to use, especially for people with smaller hands due to its small size. Even if the smaller version at 133 grams is only around 30 grams lighter than the normal version, the iPhone 12 mini looks almost feather-light, perhaps even almost too light for some.
What is negative for most of the Apple products is the high price. But in this case even this is still high, but justified in comparison. On the one hand, there is currently no competition in the "small premium smartphone" segment, on the other hand the iPhone 12 mini with 778.85 euros in the cheapest variant, despite the identical technology, is well below the iPhone 12 (from 876.30 euros) .
For comparison: The Pro versions are not available for less than 1,120 euros (normal) or 1217.50 euros (max). For anyone who finds a conventional smartphone too big but doesn't want to forego performance, the new Apple cell phone should take a closer look.