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Other Who else is buying iPhone 12 Mini?

Picking one of these up at some point. I've been slowly transitioning back into using a smartphone (I ditched my SE and had a Nokia for awhile), and the 12 mini is a decent enough size.
 
LordeOurMother said:
Yes, but it's also bezel-less.
Click to expand...
It really is not (typing this on one).

Edit: By that I mean it is about 3 mm to the outer edge, which to my eyes is quite thick, barely less than the side bezels of my SE1, which are maybe 3.5 mm.
 
MarkX said:
The fact the aspect ratio isn’t the same with the 12 mini and the 8 plus means the difference in screen size is much bigger than 0.1 inch would suggest.

The 12 mini is considerably smaller in cm2.
Click to expand...
Yes, that’s the thing about the mini: the screen is indeed narrow. I was surprised that it is actually narrower than the iPhone SE (2020).
 
Apple_Robert said:
If I remember correctly, you were a staunch OG SE lover who wasn't going to upgrade to the mini right away. I take it you are very happy with your new mini ?

*I haven't read your latest posts on the mini.
Click to expand...

I switched to the mini for the time being, although I'm a bit torn. For context, I owned an iPhone 6 for ~15 months after 3GS/4S/5, and "reverted" to the SE1 shortly after it came out, because I was unhappy with the 6 size and rounded edges and side power button.

Cons:
  • The mini is a bit larger and heavier than I would like, compared to the SE1.
  • The camera bump isn't great. When lying on a flat surface, trying to use the touch screen one-handed makes the mini tilt and wobble.
  • I still prefer the aesthetics of the 5/SE (matte aluminum back). I was disappointed with the pinkish/creamy white color this year, and also didn't like its dark-light contrast between the black bezel and the light edge casing (it makes the front visually busier), so settled on the black mini, which at least makes for a simple uniform front.
  • I'm not happy with the warmer and slightly green-tinted OLED screen. It's still the best (least bad) screen of three minis I ordered from different sources (also measured them with an i1 Display Pro colorimeter), so I guess that's what I'll have to live with.
  • There's also the raised-blacks display issue, although so far it doesn't really affect my usage. Still disappointing for an OLED display.
  • The control center and top bar (e.g. Safari address bar) are inconvenient to reach one-handed. I'm using Reachability quite a bit, and switch to two-handed use more often than with the SE1 if I have both hands free.
  • I miss having the power button on the top. Using the volume buttons for photos in landscape mode is awkward due to the opposite power button, and when pressing the power button one-handed it's easy to also press a volume button at the same time by mistake. The side power button is also inconsist with the iPads (where it's still on the top), which is bad for muscle memory.
Neutral:
  • Face ID is less of a hassle than I would have expected, although the inability to go straight to the home screen without having to swipe up (i.e. as a Settings option) is still stupid. Face ID is sometimes more convenient than Touch ID, sometimes more invoncenient, so overall neutral. Maybe we will have both in one device one day.
  • I got used to the notch faster than expected. Still, it will be nice when Apple can reduce or eliminate it.
  • Battery life seems to be at least as good as with the SE1. Maybe even better, but due to having Exposure Notification activated, which drains the battery a bit, it's hard to tell.
  • I had high hopes for True Tone, but it turned out to be unusable for me as the effect is much too strong indoors. Neutral because it can be turned off and the SE1 didn't have it.
  • One more row for app icons. On the other hand, the top row is now less convenient to reach one-handed, in particular the two or three apps opposite the thumb.
  • I don't use 5G.
  • I don't notice the internal display scaling. (The screen is internally rendered at 2436x1125 — the iPhone X/XS/11Pro resolution — and then downscaled to the native 2340x1080 display resolution. Except for Full HD video and such which I assume is rendered natively.)
  • Faster CPU of course, but so far I don't notice much of a difference for my usage compared to the SE1 under iOS 13.
Pros:
  • The mini can overall still be passably operated with one hand (with the limitations noted above).
  • Flat edges, much more secure to hold than the rounded edges of the 6/X model lines. (I don't use cases.)
  • The display can go somewhat brighter then the SE1 (630 vs. 530 nits measured), although it's less striking than I would have expected.
  • The larger screen is useful, and it happens less often (than with the SE1) that an app is inadequatly designed for the screen size.
  • The bluetooth range (Airpods) is improved. When moving around the house the connection is never interrupted, which wasn't the case with the SE1.
  • Switching between wifi and mobile data works more seamlessly than with the SE1, e.g. when listening to a podcast or streaming music when leaving the house.
  • Mobile connection seems to drain the battery less (oberved this when travelling by train in regions with patchy coverage).
  • The camera is better, in particular in low-light situations. I don't take a lot of photos though.
  • "Hey Siri" seems to be a bit faster (not entirely sure, but it would make sense given the faster CPU.)
  • Longer iOS support and app support, of course.
Given that iOS 15 won't support the SE1 anymore, and that apps and web pages are becoming increasingly inadequate for the SE1's screen size, I decided in November to try the 12 mini. I currently still have a return period on Amazon until end of January, but I think I will stay with the mini, as unfortunately the SE1 won't be viable for much longer anyway. Besides the larger display, the connectivity improvements noted above are an important factor for me. I hope that at least some of the display issues will be fixed with the 12S/13 mini.

Despite all the cons, I'm glad that Apple decided to produce a smaller iPhone model again, because otherwise I probably would have been really unhappy in a year or two.
 
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klasma said:
I switched to the mini for the time being, although I'm a bit torn. For context, I owned an iPhone 6 for ~15 months after 3GS/4S/5, and "reverted" to the SE1 shortly after it came out, because I was unhappy with the 6 size and rounded edges and side power button.

Cons:
  • The mini is a bit larger and heavier than I would like, compared to the SE1.
  • The camera bump isn't great. When lying on a flat surface, trying to use the touch screen one-handed makes the mini tilt and wobble.
  • I still prefer the aesthetics of the 5/SE (matte aluminum back). I was disappointed with the pinkish/creamy white color this year, and also didn't like its dark-light contrast between the black bezel and the light edge casing (it makes the front visually busier), so settled on the black mini, which at least makes for a simple uniform front.
  • I'm not happy with the warmer and slightly green-tinted OLED screen. It's still the best (least bad) screen of three minis I ordered from different sources (also measured them with an i1 Display Pro colorimeter), so I guess that's what I'll have to live with.
  • There's also the raised-blacks display issue, although so far it doesn't really affect my usage. Still disappointing for an OLED display.
  • The control center and top bar (e.g. Safari address bar) are inconvenient to reach one-handed. I'm using Reachability quite a bit, and switch to two-handed use more often than with the SE1 if I have both hands free.
  • I miss having the power button on the top. Using the volume buttons for photos in landscape mode is awkward due to the opposite power button, and when pressing the power button one-handed it's easy to also press a volume button at the same time by mistake. The side power button is also inconsist with the iPads (where it's still on the top), which is bad for muscle memory.
Neutral:
  • Face ID is less of a hassle than I would have expected, although the inability to go straight to the home screen without having to swipe up (i.e. as a Settings option) is still stupid. Face ID is sometimes more convenient than Touch ID, sometimes more invoncenient, so overall neutral. Maybe we will have both in one device one day.
  • I got used to the notch faster than expected. Still, it will be nice when Apple can reduce or eliminate it.
  • Battery life seems to be at least as good as with the SE1. Maybe even better, but due to having Exposure Notification activated, which drains the battery a bit, it's hard to tell.
  • I had high hopes for True Tone, but it turned out to be unusable for me as the effect is much too strong indoors. Neutral because it can be turned off and the SE1 didn't have it.
  • One more row for app icons. On the other hand, the top row is now less convenient to reach one-handed, in particular the two or three apps opposite the thumb.
  • I don't use 5G.
  • I don't notice the internal display scaling. (The screen is internally rendered at 2436x1125 — the iPhone X/XS/11Pro resolution — and then downscaled to the native 2340x1080 display resolution. Except for Full HD video and such which I assume is rendered natively.)
  • Faster CPU of course, but so far I don't notice much of a difference for my usage compared to the SE1 under iOS 13.
Pros:
  • The mini can overall still be passably operated with one hand (with the limitations noted above).
  • Flat edges, much more secure to hold than the rounded edges of the 6/X model lines. (I don't use cases.)
  • The display can go somewhat brighter then the SE1 (630 vs. 530 nits measured), although it's less striking than I would have expected.
  • The larger screen is useful, and it happens less often (than with the SE1) that an app is inadequatly designed for the screen size.
  • The bluetooth range (Airpods) is improved. When moving around the house the connection is never interrupted, which wasn't the case with the SE1.
  • Switching between wifi and mobile data works more seamlessly than with the SE1, e.g. when listening to a podcast or streaming music when leaving the house.
  • Mobile connection seems to drain the battery less (oberved this when travelling by train in regions with patchy coverage).
  • The camera is better, in particular in low-light situations. I don't take a lot of photos though.
  • "Hey Siri" seems to be a bit faster (not entirely sure, but it would make sense given the faster CPU.)
  • Longer iOS support and app support, of course.
Given that iOS 15 won't support the SE1 anymore, and that apps and web pages are becoming increasingly inadequate for the SE1's screen size, I decided in November to try the 12 mini. I currently still have a return period on Amazon until end of January, but I think I will stay with the mini, as unfortunately the SE1 won't be viable for much longer anyway. Besides the larger display, the connectivity improvements noted above are an important factor for me. I hope that at least some of the display issues will be fixed by the 12S/13 mini.

Despite all the cons, I'm glad that Apple decided to produce a smaller iPhone model again, because otherwise I probably would have been really unhappy in a year or two.
Click to expand...
Read like a fairly objective albeit brief review.

I am using my old SE as player for Apple Music in the car via the BT outlet connection.
 
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MarkX said:
The fact the aspect ratio isn’t the same with the 12 mini and the 8 plus means the difference in screen size is much bigger than 0.1 inch would suggest.

The 12 mini is considerably smaller in cm2.
Click to expand...
This is exactly why you can't just go by diagonal numbers to compare screen real estate; the aspect ratio is different between the 6/7/8+ and 12 mini. And even screen resolution doesn't give a good sense of actual real estate. A better way to compare real estate is to use the logical resolution of each phone, the 6/7/8+ is 414x736 while the 12 mini is 375x812.
 
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klasma said:
It really is not (typing this on one).

Edit: By that I mean it is about 3 mm to the outer edge, which to my eyes is quite thick, barely less than the side bezels of my SE1, which are maybe 3.5 mm.
Click to expand...
That's hardly anything compared to eg an SE2 or 8.
 
Every post in this topic feed my monkey about 12 mini 😂 if you have to upgrade from a 64gb XS (54 gb full) you will choose 128 or 256 gb?
 
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