If you prioritize having a larger screen and slightly longer battery life, go for the iPhone 11, understanding that it is slightly larger and heavier. However, if you prefer a newer model with higher screen quality and are comfortable with a smaller and lighter device, the iPhone 12 mini might suit you better, though keep in mind it has a shorter battery life compared to the iPhone 11. Both phones have similar camera capabilities and neither has a headphone jack, but the iPhone 12 mini supports 5G if that is important for your needs. The difference in cost is for features such as screen quality, size, and 5G support with the iPhone 12 mini being a bit more expensive. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 11
The Apple iPhone 11 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12 mini.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12 mini
Good for taking photos
Good for recording videos
Very good display quality
Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
6.6/10
7.3/10
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 11 has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers a stronger overall camera experience than the Apple iPhone 11, highlighted by its high selfie quality and a range of factors like better photo resolution, software, dynamic range, and low light performance. While both phones have camera versatility, the iPhone 12 mini's improvements in video capabilities, including resolution, software, stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, paired with superior microphone quality, make it better suited for both photo and video enthusiasts looking for high performance in a compact form.
Photo Quality
6.2/10
7.1/10
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes better selfies than the iPhone 11 due to a higher selfie quality, which is very important for overall photo satisfaction. Additionally, the iPhone 12 mini provides a better photos software experience, which improves photo resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance.
Battery
7.1 Hours
5.1 Hours
The Apple iPhone 11 has 7.1 hours of battery life. The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 11 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Apple iPhone 12 mini is 5.4 inches.
Cost
$271
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The Apple iPhone 11 has a price of $271 and the Apple iPhone 12 mini costs $300.
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple iPhone 12 mini to have good videos, while the Apple iPhone 11 takes only fair videos.
The iPhone 12 mini delivers better video quality than the iPhone 11 due to improved software that enhances the overall video experience, more effective stabilization, and superior performance in both dynamic range and low light conditions. Both phones have the same microphone quality, but the enhancements in the iPhone 12 mini's video capabilities make a noticeable difference, especially when recording in challenging lighting situations or when capturing fast-moving subjects.
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How the Apple iPhone 11 and the Apple iPhone 12 mini compare to other phones
"The iPhone 11 delivers superb cameras, fast performance and excellent battery life, making it the iPhone to buy for many people. The cameras are very good, thanks to an ultra-wide lens and a Night mode for better low-light performance. This device also has IP68-rated water resistance, which means that it can withstand 2 meters of water for 30 minutes, and is one of the best waterproof phones out there."
"If you’re going to opt for an iPhone and you want a smaller device without buying up the latest iPhone 13 mini, this is the perfect option for you – and it’s one of the smallest 5G phones on the market too. The camera is versatile, the screen is fantastic, it comes with reams of power and the added benefits of 5G and MagSafe mean this is a phone that will last you for years to come."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 11 or the Apple iPhone 12 mini
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
129,900
Recommendations made
73,610
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.