A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a high-quality camera is important to you, then the Sony Xperia 1 III offers a more versatile camera system with a higher overall quality than the iPhone 12 mini. However, if you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, the iPhone 12 mini is significantly less expensive while still providing a good camera experience. For larger screen enthusiasts and those who prefer Android as an operating system, the Xperia 1 III has a 6.5-inch screen compared to the 5.4-inch screen on the iPhone 12 mini, which runs iOS. In terms of battery life, both phones offer a comparable amount of usage time. 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 12 mini
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 1 III
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
6.0
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 1 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The iPhone 12 mini boasts higher-rated photo capabilities with its better software experience and dynamic range, as well as strong low-light performance and camera versatility, resulting in good selfies, a key aspect for many users. In contrast, the Sony Xperia 1 III, while having a fair software experience and camera versatility, falls short with lower-rated dynamic range and low-light performance, which impacts its overall camera performance, including selfies, making it less optimal for users prioritizing camera quality.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers a better selfie experience and overall better photo software experience, which most likely contributes to its ability to take good photos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III offers satisfactory photos with a fair selfie experience and software handling. Despite its camera having more megapixels or higher resolutions, the Xperia’s photo quality is typically more influenced by its software and sensor performance than purely by hardware specs.
Video Quality
7.2
6.0
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 1 III takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini offers a superior video experience with best-in-class stabilization, which helps to keep footage smooth, and a very good dynamic range that enhances the video detail in different lighting conditions. Conversely, the Sony Xperia 1 III, while providing a very good video resolution and frame rate, falls short in stabilization and dynamic range, leading to fair video performance in situations requiring steady footage and balanced exposure across various light conditions.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Sony Xperia 1 III is 6.5 inches.
Cost
$300
$899
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Sony Xperia 1 III costs $899.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Battery
5.1 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 1 III has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Sony Xperia 1 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Sony Xperia 1 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $899 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | August 25, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.5" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 3840 x 1644 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 643 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 6/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.9/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 6/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 5.1 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 6.5" x 2.8" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 4.76 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Black | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12 mini
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | September 2022
"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."
Sony Xperia 1 III
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
James Peckham | August 2021
"For those who enjoy Sony’s Android phones, or who want a top-tier smartphone with a versatile camera, a beautiful screen and strong battery life, this is a great choice. If your budget can stretch to it, and you're a fan of its looks, it could be a great option."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Sony Xperia 1 III
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.
About Sony
Sony has had a long history in the mobile market, entering the scene all the way back in 1993 with its first commercially available phone, the CM-H333. Nowadays, their Xperia line of phones provide well-rounded and sometimes expensive devices with a focus on camera software that includes extensive support for manual tweaking of settings. Sony's dedication to audio quality is also evident in its smartphones, which often feature high-resolution audio support while also being one of the few remaining manufacturers that consistently provide headphone jacks in their phones. The company's version of Android is also considered to be close to stock, enabling a bloatware-free experience for its users.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola Moto G100
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy A25
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 12 mini vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2023)
VS
Compare Sony Xperia 1 III vs. Google Pixel 7 Pro
VS
Compare Sony Xperia 1 III vs. Apple iPhone 15 Pro
VS
Compare Sony Xperia 1 III vs. Apple iPhone 14 Pro
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
Why trust us
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
197,100
Recommendations made
111,690
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.
Featured in
