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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a priority and you're willing to invest in that, the Sony Xperia 5 III offers better camera performance with more versatility, including a dedicated telephoto lens. However, if you prefer iOS, and are looking for a more affordable option with still good camera capabilities, the iPhone 12 mini would suit you. It's also more compact and lighter, which might be beneficial if you prefer a phone that's easy to handle. On the other hand, if you value battery life, the Sony has a longer battery life and also provides a higher screen refresh rate, which makes for smoother scrolling and better gaming. Keep in mind the iPhone 12 mini has wireless charging, which the Sony does not, and is lighter, so if convenience is key, this might influence your choice. Both phones offer high-quality displays, but the Sony's is larger, which could be preferable if you often watch videos or play games. 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
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Sony Xperia 5 III
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
6.0
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has good overall camera quality, while the Sony Xperia 5 III has only fair overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini boasts a better selfie camera compared to the Sony Xperia 5 III, as selfies are noted to be of higher quality in the iPhone 12 mini. The overall photo and video experiences are superior for the iPhone, with better software for photo-taking, greater dynamic range, and better performance in low light, whereas the Xperia 5 III has lower photo quality across these factors.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.9
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good photos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a high selfie score and performs well in dynamic range and low light, while the Sony Xperia 5 III's photos have less resolution, and its selfie score, dynamic range, and low light performance are not as strong. The iPhone offers a smoother software experience for photos compared to the Xperia, and its camera is more versatile, but if a customer prioritizes high-resolution photos over selfie quality or other features, they might prefer the Xperia.
Video Quality
7.2
6.0
The Apple iPhone 12 mini takes good videos, while the Sony Xperia 5 III takes only fair videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 mini delivers high-quality video captures due to its superior video stabilization and dynamic range, which enhances video performance across various lighting conditions and movement scenarios. On the other hand, the Sony Xperia 5 III, while offering a very good resolution and framerate, falls short in terms of video dynamic range and stabilization, resulting in a fair overall video experience.
Battery
5.1 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has 5.1 hours of battery life. The Sony Xperia 5 III has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a screen size of 5.4 inches and the Sony Xperia 5 III is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$300
$450
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Apple iPhone 12 mini has a price of $300 and the Sony Xperia 5 III costs $450.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 mini and the Sony Xperia 5 III compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 mini | Sony Xperia 5 III |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$300 | $450 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sony | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | November 13, 2020 | October 8, 2021 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 5.4" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 | 2520 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 476 | 449 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD888 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 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 | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | No | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 12 W | 0 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | No | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.18" x 2.53" | 6.18" x 2.68" | |
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 | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Side | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Black, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12 mini
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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 5 III
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Robert Triggs | October 2022
"The Sony Xperia 5 III excels when it comes to rear camera photography, its display and multi-media features, and all-day battery life. Buy the Xperia 5 III if you’re looking for a fun but imperfect camera setup, customizable gaming features, all-day battery life, and all the best multimedia capabilities that Sony has to offer"
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 mini or the Sony Xperia 5 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.
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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
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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
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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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.
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