iPhone 12 Mini & iPhone SE share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the iPhone 12 Mini rather than the iPhone SE.
Why Do I Recommend The iPhone 12 Mini?
- The iPhone 12 mini features 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display for sharper detail, richer contrast, and HDR viewing, whereas the iPhone SE has a 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD display with lower resolution and no HDR support.
- iPhone 12 mini comes with the A14 Bionic chip built on 5nm technology for faster performance and improved efficiency, whereas the iPhone SE uses the older A13 Bionic chip on 7nm technology.
- It supports Night Mode on both rear and front cameras for clear and bright low-light photos, whereas the iPhone SE does not support Night Mode at all.
- The iPhone 12 mini includes a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera capable of 4K recording for higher quality selfies and video calls, while the iPhone SE has a 7 MP front camera limited to 1080p recording.
- iPhone 12 mini has dual 12 MP rear cameras including Wide and Ultra Wide for versatile photography and wider field of view, while the iPhone SE uses a single 12 MP Wide camera with no secondary lens.
- It supports 5G connectivity for faster data speeds and future-ready network performance, while the iPhone SE uses only 4G LTE.
- The iPhone 12 mini has IP68 water resistance for up to 6 meters of depth for 30 minutes, whereas the iPhone SE is rated IP67 with protection limited to 1 meter of depth for 30 minutes.
- iPhone 12 mini supports MagSafe wireless charging and accessories for stronger alignment and accessory integration, while the iPhone SE supports only standard Qi wireless charging.
Maybe the iPhone SE price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the iPhone 12 Mini. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.
Side By Side Comparison
| Feature | iPhone 12 Mini | iPhone SE |
| Display Size | 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED | 4.7-inch Retina HD LCD |
| Resolution | 2340 × 1080 pixels (476 ppi) | 1334 × 750 pixels (326 ppi) |
| Display Technology | OLED with HDR10 and Dolby Vision | LCD without HDR |
| Peak Brightness | 1200 nits (HDR) | 625 nits (typical) |
| Bezels | Edge-to-edge with notch | Thick bezels with forehead and chin |
| Authentication | Face ID (TrueDepth camera) | Touch ID (Home button) |
| Rear Camera Setup | Dual 12 MP (Wide + Ultra Wide) | Single 12 MP (Wide) |
| Night Mode | Available on all lenses | Not available |
| Front Camera | 12 MP with 4K video | 7 MP with 1080p video |
| Processor | A14 Bionic (5nm) | A13 Bionic (7nm) |
| Network Support | 5G (sub-6GHz and mmWave) | 4G LTE only |
| MagSafe | Supported | Not supported |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe + Qi | Qi only |
| Portrait Mode | Works on people and objects | Works only on people |
| HDR Video Recording | Dolby Vision HDR up to 30fps | Standard HDR only |
| Weight | 135g | 148g |
| Water Resistance | IP68 (6m up to 30 mins) | IP67 (1m up to 30 mins) |
| Battery Life | Up to 15 hours video playback | Up to 13 hours video playback |
| Design Style | Flat-edge aluminum and glass | Rounded aluminum and glass |
| Price | Check iPhone 12 Mini Price | Check iPhone SE Price |
What Common Both Can Do?
- Operating System: Both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE run on iOS, giving users the same software experience with access to Apple’s updates, ecosystem features, and long-term support.
- Storage Options: Both devices come in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB variants, allowing users to choose a storage size that matches their app, photo, and video needs.
- Rear Camera Resolution: Each phone includes a 12 MP wide rear camera, ensuring detailed photo capture with consistent quality across both devices.
- Rear Camera Features: Both models support 4K video recording at up to 60fps, enabling smooth and sharp video capture for professional-like results.
- Video Recording Modes: Both devices feature 1080p slow-motion recording at up to 240fps, allowing users to capture high-speed moments in dramatic slow motion.
- Optical Image Stabilization: Each phone’s wide camera is equipped with OIS, which helps reduce blur and improve low-light photography by stabilizing lens movement.
- Portrait Lighting: Both models include Portrait Lighting with multiple effects, giving users creative options to adjust the look and feel of portraits.
- Smart HDR: Each device uses Smart HDR for photos, which enhances highlights, shadows, and details in challenging lighting conditions.
- Front Camera Features: Both phones support Portrait Mode on the front camera, letting users capture selfies with blurred backgrounds for a professional look.
- Audio Features: Each model supports stereo recording, providing clearer, more immersive sound quality in videos.
- SIM Support: Both devices include Dual SIM capability through one nano-SIM and one eSIM, allowing users to manage personal and work numbers on the same phone.
- Wireless Charging: Each phone supports Qi wireless charging, letting users charge on compatible pads without needing to plug in a cable.
Common Features
| Feature | iPhone 12 Mini | iPhone SE |
| Operating System | Runs iOS | Runs iOS |
| Storage Options | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB |
| Rear Camera Resolution | 12 MP main wide camera | 12 MP main wide camera |
| Rear Camera Features | 4K video up to 60fps | 4K video up to 60fps |
| Video Recording Modes | 1080p slow-motion up to 240fps | 1080p slow-motion up to 240fps |
| Optical Image Stabilization | Present on main wide camera | Present on main wide camera |
| Portrait Lighting | Supported with multiple effects | Supported with multiple effects |
| Smart HDR | Available for photos | Available for photos |
| Front Camera Features | Portrait Mode supported | Portrait Mode supported |
| Audio Features | Stereo recording | Stereo recording |
| SIM Support | Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (nano-SIM + eSIM) |
| Wireless Charging | Supports Qi charging | Supports Qi charging |
| Price | Check iPhone 12 Mini Price | Check iPhone SE Price |
FAQ
Is the iPhone 12 mini display better than the iPhone SE display? Do both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE run the same iOS version? Which phone is more compact between iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE? Does the iPhone 12 mini have better cameras than the iPhone SE? Can both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE record 4K video? Which iPhone has better water resistance, 12 mini or SE? Do both phones support wireless charging? Is there a difference in the front camera between iPhone 12 mini and SE? Do both iPhones support fast charging? Which iPhone is lighter, the 12 mini or SE? Does the iPhone SE support 5G like the iPhone 12 mini? Do both iPhones support Dual SIM? Are both phones made with premium materials? Is battery life longer on the iPhone 12 mini compared to the iPhone SE? Do both iPhones support Apple Pay through NFC? |
