Galaxy S20+ 5G Vs iPhone 12 mini

Galaxy S20+ 5G
Galaxy S20+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:191.00

Versus €590.00 new

See options
iPhone 12 mini
iPhone 12 mini
Starting at

Refurbished price:159.00

Versus €689.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G, released in March 2020, and the iPhone 12 Mini, launched in October 2020, represent distinct approaches to flagship smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both offer 5G connectivity and premium experiences, the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G emphasizes a large, high-refresh-rate display and a versatile camera system, whereas the iPhone 12 Mini prioritizes a compact form factor and a streamlined user experience within the iOS ecosystem.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline and OS Support: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G launched in March 2020 with Android 10, typically receiving 3-4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates. The iPhone 12 Mini, released in October 2020 with iOS 14, generally receives 5-6 years of major iOS updates, potentially offering a longer period of software feature support.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features Corning Gorilla Glass 6 on both its front and back, along with an aluminum frame. It also carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 12 Mini introduced Apple's Ceramic Shield front cover, which is designed for improved drop performance, and also has an IP68 rating for water resistance.
  • Expected Practical Lifespan: Both devices are built with premium materials and offer robust protection against environmental elements. The primary differentiator in practical lifespan will likely be software support, with the iPhone 12 Mini potentially receiving new iOS features for a longer duration.

Year of Release

2020

2020

Compatible with latest Update

No

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to demanding games. Both devices offer capable internal components for smooth operation.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is equipped with a powerful octa-core processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications and multitasking efficiently. The iPhone 12 Mini features a high-performance hexa-core processor, known for its responsiveness and optimized performance within its operating system.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G typically comes with 12GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running numerous applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The iPhone 12 Mini, with 4GB of RAM, leverages its optimized software to deliver a fluid multitasking experience, though the larger RAM in the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G offers more headroom for very heavy usage.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations, starting from 64GB or 128GB. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G also includes a microSD card slot for expandable storage, a feature not present on the iPhone 12 Mini.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G houses a 4500 mAh battery, which, depending on usage and display settings (like 120Hz refresh rate), can provide a full day of moderate to heavy use. The iPhone 12 Mini has a smaller 2227 mAh battery, and while optimized, heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge before the end of a full day.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both models offer high-quality viewing experiences with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. The iPhone 12 Mini sports a 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also offering excellent color accuracy and contrast in a more compact form.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G has a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 525 pixels per inch (PPI). The iPhone 12 Mini offers a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, with a pixel density of about 476 PPI. Both provide sharp and clear visuals for text and images.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A key difference is the refresh rate; the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G supports a 120Hz refresh rate at FHD resolution, providing a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. The iPhone 12 Mini has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: Both displays offer high brightness levels, making them suitable for outdoor use. The OLED technology in both ensures good visibility and color reproduction even in varied lighting conditions.

Resolution

1440 x 3200

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though they differ in their configurations and features.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G boasts a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 12 MP wide lens, a 64 MP telephoto lens with 3x hybrid optical zoom, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a DepthVision camera for enhanced depth sensing. The iPhone 12 Mini features a dual-camera system with a 12 MP wide lens and a 12 MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G offers strong performance in various lighting conditions, with its larger sensor and telephoto lens providing flexibility for different shot types. The iPhone 12 Mini's cameras are noted for their excellent detail, color accuracy, and improved low-light performance, with Night mode available across all cameras.
  • Video Recording Quality: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video. The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G can record up to 8K resolution at 24fps, and 4K at 30/60fps. The iPhone 12 Mini supports 4K video recording at up to 60fps, including Dolby Vision HDR recording.
  • Front Camera: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G has a 10 MP front camera, while the iPhone 12 Mini features a 12 MP front camera, both capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting video calls.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity Options: Both the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G and iPhone 12 Mini support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring fast and reliable wireless communication.
  • Port Types and Expandability: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and includes a microSD card slot for storage expansion. The iPhone 12 Mini utilizes Apple's Lightning port and does not offer expandable storage. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 12 Mini relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S20 Plus 5G is a larger device, measuring 161.9 x 73.7 x 7.8 mm and weighing 186 grams. The iPhone 12 Mini is significantly more compact and lighter at 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm and 135 grams, making it easier for one-handed use and pocketability.

Weight

188 g

135 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

5.4

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G and the iPhone 12 Mini cater to different user preferences, each excelling in specific areas. Users often praise the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G for its expansive and fluid display, versatile camera system, and the flexibility offered by the Android operating system and expandable storage. Some common criticisms, however, include its battery life when the 120Hz display mode is consistently active, and the end of major OS updates.

The iPhone 12 Mini is frequently lauded for its remarkably compact size, premium build, and the consistent performance and long-term software support of iOS. Its camera quality, especially in low light, also receives positive remarks. The most common concern among users is its battery life, which can be a limiting factor for heavy users.

Users prioritizing a large, high-refresh-rate display, a comprehensive camera setup with a telephoto lens, and the flexibility of expandable storage may find the Galaxy S20 Plus 5G well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a highly portable device, a streamlined user experience, and extended software support will likely lean towards the iPhone 12 Mini. Both devices offer robust performance for everyday tasks and are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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