iPhone 12 Mini Review

In October 2020, Apple released the eagerly awaited iPhone 12 series, composed of 4 distinct handsets, each with its own unique benefits. The most compact handset in the line up – and the most budget-friendly – is iPhone 12 Mini. Small but mighty, this smartphone is packed with powerful tech, whilst remaining pleasingly small scale and lightweight; keep reading as we take a closer look at this device and what it has to offer.

iPhone 12 Mini Design & Display

While this may be the smallest device in the series, iPhone 12 Mini doesn’t compromise on style or specs. Sporting the same aerospace-grade aluminium edges as its bigger siblings, this handset is comfortable to hold, and the 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR display means it can fit comfortably in a pocket

Despite this device’s petite proportions, users will still enjoy an immersive viewing experience. iPhone 12 mini is equipped with True Tone technology – which means it can strike the perfect colour balance in any environment, and with a screen-to-body ratio of 85.1%, bezels are barely noticeable.

This advanced display is protected by Apple’s own Ceramic Shield – made from nano ceramic crystals which are more durable than most metals. On top of this, iPhone 12 mini has been awarded an IP68 water resistance rating, meaning it can withstand submersion in up to 6m of water for 30 minutes.

iPhone 12 Mini Camera

Kitted out with the same high-spec camera system as the larger iPhone 12, this device features an stylish dual-lens setup, fitted into a square mount on the rear of the phone. There’s one main 12MP wide lens, for all your day-to-day photography needs, and a second 12MP ultra wide lens, with a 120-degree field of view, so you can nail those panoramic shots every time.

As well as hardware, there’s a selection of cutting-edge photography software to peruse on board this handset. Dim lighting is no longer an obstacle – you can take stunning shots in the twilight with Night Mode, or switch on Potrait Mode to capture your friends and family at their best. Portrait Mode also comes with 6 different lighting effects to choose from – including Studio, Contour, and Natural.

Budding videographers will be pleased to learn that iPhone 12 Mini can record in 4K with Dolby Vision, so professional-grade footage is now achievable any time and anywhere, as long as you’ve got your smartphone with you. Once you’re done recording, you can easily edit your film in iMovies, or over in the Photos app; you can even extract 8MP stills from your footage if you find the perfect frame.

iPhone 12 Mini Power

In terms of power, the Mini doesn’t pull any punches. Equipped with an A14 Bionic chip – the fastest chip in a smartphone yet – as well as a next-generation neural engine, you can expect speedy, seamless operation, even when you’re using the most advanced apps on the market, or recording in 4K.

The A14 Bionic also ensures that iPhone 12 mini can easily handle a 5G connection, so whenever you’re in a 5G-supported location, you’ll have access to the smooth downloads, crystal clear connection and lag-free gaming experience that 5G delivers.

As well as being a powerful 5G-ready handset, this phone comes with iOS 14 installed and ready to set up, so you can enjoy all the benefits of Apple’s latest operating system from the moment you hit the power button. This most recent iteration includes a handful of new features, such as the revolutionary App Library: a new method of categorising your apps more intuitively, so your most-used are always in reach. There’s also the handy Picture in Picture mode, which allows you to keep a FaceTime call open in the corner of your screen while you check an email or reply to a text.

iPhone 12 Mini Battery

As well as being a convenient size, this handset is fitted with a 2,227 mAh Li-Ion battery, which can achieve up to 15 hours video and 50 hours audio playback on a single charge, so you’ll never be caught short with a dead battery.

Forget plugging your phone in to power up overnight – fast charging is available using any compatible charger of 20W or higher (sold separately), so you can get up to 50% charged in just 30 minutes. However, if you’d rather skip power cables altogether, you can also charge the iPhone 12 Mini wirelessly, using any Qi-certified charger, or Apple’s own MagSafe charging tech.

If this iPhone 12 Mini review has got you tempted to upgrade, head over to Mobiles.co.uk and discover a range of brilliant SIM-free and contract deals on the latest handsets from Apple.