My trusted iPhone 6S stopped working during the weekend and all of sudden I had no other option but to buy a new phone. I liked the old form factor, and settled on the 12 mini. I assume many people on this forum are updating the phones much more often, so I thought to write a few lines on what if feels like to fast-forward five years in the world of mobile phones.
My gut feeling is that the development has been surprisingly incremental. Feels like much smaller change than my last switch from iPhone 5 to 6s. Sure, this judgement comes from someone who mainly uses the phone for social media, messaging, occasional internet use and every now and then for some not-so-resource-hungy games. Sure, the viewpoint is very different than for someone who's playing more demanding games, doing video editing, or professional photography. On the other hand, I'm wondering who would be spending that much time on those activities on a phone, when computers, iPads and DSLRs are in many cases more convenient and better?
Anyway, here are some plusses and minuses when comparing 6S to 12 mini:
1) Screen size when compared to the size of the phone: the 12 mini screen is obviously bigger and better. However, in most of the time the difference is not really that significant. 12 mini is also more difficult to use with one hand, even with big hands. Overall: slight win to 12 mini.
2) Overall quality of the screen. Obviously better in 12 mini, but doesn't create any "wow" feelings.
3) UI. Slightly worse in 12 mini as there's no home button and the fingerprint sensor works in a higher number of situations than face ID (for example with a mask on). Although I'm pretty sure I'll get used to the new UI soon. Anyway, slight win to 6S.
4) Camera. Obviously by far the biggest improvement in 12 mini.
5) Processor. In normal social media etc. everything seems to be bit snappier, but 6S wasn't bad either in this regard. Slight win to 12 mini.
6) Sound quality. I can't spot any major improvements in everyday use, although didn't have a chance to test them side-by-side as the old phone broke down.
Overall, considering that I just spent almost 800 euros for a phone that's five years newer than my old one was, I'm surprised how incremental the evolution has been. Again, the comparison would sure have taken different direction if I would be using very resource-hungry apps or serious photography. But I'm not, and I assume most of the other users aren't either.
Despite of all the buzz in the annual product unveiling events, at least to me it seems that the industry has reached some kind of maturity, unless you're into specific use cases, such as resource-hungy apps, or for some reason use the phone for professional photography instead of a DSLR. What do you think?
p.s. Maybe I should add that I'm not disappointed in the change. I needed a new phone and generally the 12 mini either about equal or better in almost all respects. What surprised me was the incrementality of the change in normal use, except for the camera.
My gut feeling is that the development has been surprisingly incremental. Feels like much smaller change than my last switch from iPhone 5 to 6s. Sure, this judgement comes from someone who mainly uses the phone for social media, messaging, occasional internet use and every now and then for some not-so-resource-hungy games. Sure, the viewpoint is very different than for someone who's playing more demanding games, doing video editing, or professional photography. On the other hand, I'm wondering who would be spending that much time on those activities on a phone, when computers, iPads and DSLRs are in many cases more convenient and better?
Anyway, here are some plusses and minuses when comparing 6S to 12 mini:
1) Screen size when compared to the size of the phone: the 12 mini screen is obviously bigger and better. However, in most of the time the difference is not really that significant. 12 mini is also more difficult to use with one hand, even with big hands. Overall: slight win to 12 mini.
2) Overall quality of the screen. Obviously better in 12 mini, but doesn't create any "wow" feelings.
3) UI. Slightly worse in 12 mini as there's no home button and the fingerprint sensor works in a higher number of situations than face ID (for example with a mask on). Although I'm pretty sure I'll get used to the new UI soon. Anyway, slight win to 6S.
4) Camera. Obviously by far the biggest improvement in 12 mini.
5) Processor. In normal social media etc. everything seems to be bit snappier, but 6S wasn't bad either in this regard. Slight win to 12 mini.
6) Sound quality. I can't spot any major improvements in everyday use, although didn't have a chance to test them side-by-side as the old phone broke down.
Overall, considering that I just spent almost 800 euros for a phone that's five years newer than my old one was, I'm surprised how incremental the evolution has been. Again, the comparison would sure have taken different direction if I would be using very resource-hungry apps or serious photography. But I'm not, and I assume most of the other users aren't either.
Despite of all the buzz in the annual product unveiling events, at least to me it seems that the industry has reached some kind of maturity, unless you're into specific use cases, such as resource-hungy apps, or for some reason use the phone for professional photography instead of a DSLR. What do you think?
p.s. Maybe I should add that I'm not disappointed in the change. I needed a new phone and generally the 12 mini either about equal or better in almost all respects. What surprised me was the incrementality of the change in normal use, except for the camera.
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