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iPhone 12 I can’t make up my mind.. the mini.

NM08SRT8

NM08SRT8

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 18, 2010
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Earf
Well when I saw the mini, I knew I wanted it. Purchase the screen protector and case right away.

I started to think man I like the build materials of the pro, but don’t want the 6.1” screen. But I do want the battery life for when I travel, and I like the 800 nits brightness on the pro. I can tell you that the screen brightness on my wife’s 12 is substantially brighter than my 11 pro max.. so I’ll be happy with that.
but my heart keeps going back to the mini, I just worry about battery life. I’m curious to see what apple does for the battery case this year, and if a mini with battery case will be sufficient.

what are your thoughts?
 
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If you are a heavy user throughout the day, I would go for a 12 or pro. It is a fact that mini will not last as long.

Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 9.33.01 PM.png
 
NM08SRT8 said:
Well when I saw the mini, I knew I wanted it. Purchase the screen protector and case right away.

I started to think man I like the build materials of the pro, but don’t want the 6.1” screen. But I do want the battery life for when I travel, and I like the 800 nits brightness on the pro. I can tell you that the screen brightness on my wife’s 12 is substantially brighter than my 11 pro max.. so I’ll be happy with that.
but my heart keeps going back to the mini, I just worry about battery life. I’m curious to see what apple does for the battery case this year, and if a mini with battery case will be sufficient.

what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Buy both. Use each for its specific use case. Pro or Pro Max for when you're travelling, and whip out your mini when you just want to use something small. iCloud will keep both devices in perfect sync all the time, so you can pick and go whichever you fancy at any point of time through the day.
 
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macintoshmac said:
Buy both. Use each for its specific use case. Pro or Pro Max for when you're travelling, and whip out your mini when you just want to use something small. iCloud will keep both devices in perfect sync all the time, so you can pick and go whichever you fancy at any point of time through the day.
Click to expand...
That's what I am doing!
My dilemma is I really like my blue 12 but should I get another blue mini or take the opportunity to buy a different color..
 
I was is in the same dilemma as you LOL. I’ve been wanting the mini since the rumors started.

But the more and more I kept seeing pics of the Pacific Blue Pro and my friend got hers, I tried to remain strong but I caved and got the 12 Pro in PB LOL.

I’m happy though cause I think this 6.1” is the perfect in between size.

I’ve really been wanting a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone too since the iPhone 7 days but man I just wasn’t a fan of this years red.
 
NM08SRT8 said:
Well when I saw the mini, I knew I wanted it. Purchase the screen protector and case right away.

I started to think man I like the build materials of the pro, but don’t want the 6.1” screen. But I do want the battery life for when I travel, and I like the 800 nits brightness on the pro. I can tell you that the screen brightness on my wife’s 12 is substantially brighter than my 11 pro max.. so I’ll be happy with that.
but my heart keeps going back to the mini, I just worry about battery life. I’m curious to see what apple does for the battery case this year, and if a mini with battery case will be sufficient.

what are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
That's your answer right there in bold.

As for battery life, it is listed as the same as for the Xs max, and everyone was pretty happy with that. Stop worrying about it, get the mini, and be happy.
 
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QCassidy352 said:
That's your answer right there in bold.

As for battery life, it is listed as the same as for the Xs max, and everyone was pretty happy with that. Stop worrying about it, get the mini, and be happy.
Click to expand...
Xs max didn’t have the X55 modem in it that sucks down power. I bet The mini battery will by far be the worst of any iPhone of last 2 years!
 
edhchoe said:
That's what I am doing!
My dilemma is I really like my blue 12 but should I get another blue mini or take the opportunity to buy a different color..
Click to expand...
If you have 2 iPhones logged into the same Apple ID/iCloud/iMessage, will both #s show up?
As in: iPhone 12 Pro (555-555-0001)
iPhone 12 mini (555-555-0002)

Settings > Messages > Send & Receive
: does it list both numbers on both devices?
In an ideal world, I would also get an iPhone mini if I can receive iMessage for either numbers...
 
Returned my 12 pro PB today and back with my 11 pro until mini is out. The 12 pro for me felt heavier than the 11 pro (I know it is but it actually also felt like it). I loved the PB color but phone is normally cased anyway so I don’t think it matters. Planning on trying the mini and if that is too small will go with the 12 which is lighter than the pro since for me the camera upgrade difference is not that meaningful
 
Buy the Mini, and buy a $25 wireless charger for the office, and a portable battery charger or a battery case for when traveling. If you get something else, you're probably going to regret it and always think 'what if?'

The battery on it probably won't be the best with it being smaller and 5G, but it should still be sufficient. Worst case scenario is you buy one, you hate the battery life, and you return it. Least that way you arent always wondering 'what if?'
 
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WhatTheCJ said:
If you have 2 iPhones logged into the same Apple ID/iCloud/iMessage, will both #s show up?
As in: iPhone 12 Pro (555-555-0001)
iPhone 12 mini (555-555-0002)

Settings > Messages > Send & Receive
: does it list both numbers on both devices?
In an ideal world, I would also get an iPhone mini if I can receive iMessage for either numbers...
Click to expand...
I have only one sim card so i dont know.
 
WhatTheCJ said:
If you have 2 iPhones logged into the same Apple ID/iCloud/iMessage, will both #s show up?
As in: iPhone 12 Pro (555-555-0001)
iPhone 12 mini (555-555-0002)

Settings > Messages > Send & Receive
: does it list both numbers on both devices?
In an ideal world, I would also get an iPhone mini if I can receive iMessage for either numbers...
Click to expand...
I have 2 iPhone om same Apple ID. And yes iMessage comes on both. If you want only to receive on one phone then you must have 2 account. Or pepople must send as sms instead.

Frank
 
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I don't understand how so many people are complaining or scared about battery life.
Are you all hanging on your phones all day?

I usually go to bed with at least 40% battery left... on a 3 year old X.
 
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edhchoe said:
If you are a heavy user throughout the day, I would go for a 12 or pro. It is a fact that mini will not last as long.

View attachment 976269
Click to expand...

Even 12 Pro/12 'heavy' users struggle with battery life; it doesn't last a full day. I have had the 12 Pro since launch day and using as my daily driver. I think it's going back to apple, and I will be getting a 12 Pro Max. It's not a choice I wanted to make due to the size and weight of 12 PM but I guess I have no choice if I want full-day battery life.
 
I wanted to buy the mini but now I am sure I don’t want the mini because, I gave my XS max to my wife and using my work iPhone 8, I understood I can’t live with the iPhone 8 screen size, I keep imagining the space occupied by the home button and the fore head as screen but it is still two small, second the battery life in iPhone 8 is bad, battery health is 100% but still it does not last a day for me. So waiting for me pro max
 
I really wanted an iPhone 12 mini.

BUT, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are a huge miss for Apple because of the OLED screen. What they should have done is use the same LCD screen as the iPhone 11 in both the 12 and 12 mini and the battery life would have been incredible given the new A14 chip efficiencies. BUT, that significant battery life would have been measurably better than the 12 pro series. Thus, Apple put all OLED screens on all iPhone 12s and forced us into a poorer battery life scenario, particularly if the device is using 5G. Both 12s have significantly worse battery life than the 11s they replaced. I'm sticking with the 11.
 
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In the exact same boat as you, I bought the case, screen protector and all in anticipation for the Mini. I used to have the 4S, 5S and then the XS. I've had the XS for a year and have hated the weight ever since. I also don't like how my thumb has to do a real good stretch to get to the top corners of the screen in one hand. This isn't a big deal though as I've got used to holding it in one hand and using the other, it is mostly the weight that bothers me. I loved the 5S as it was so light and sometimes I'd forget it was in my pocket. I also loved my iPad Mini 1 when I had it... so you can see a pattern developing here :)

All to say, I have dithered about between the 12 and Mini but I have to be true to myself. I love lightweight portable tech and don't want it to weigh me down, so Mini all the way for me!!! I am worried about the battery too as I hate charging things all the time, but I figured I will probably be using 4G most of the time anyway. I'm eagerly waiting for the iPad Mini 6 too, if and when it comes.
 
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JPH675 said:
I really wanted an iPhone 12 mini.

BUT, the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini are a huge miss for Apple because of the OLED screen. What they should have done is use the same LCD screen as the iPhone 11 in both the 12 and 12 mini and the battery life would have been incredible given the new A14 chip efficiencies. BUT, that significant battery life would have been measurably better than the 12 pro series. Thus, Apple put all OLED screens on all iPhone 12s and forced us into a poorer battery life scenario, particularly if the device is using 5G. Both 12s have significantly worse battery life than the 11s they replaced. I'm sticking with the 11.
Click to expand...

I somewhat agree with you regarding keeping LCD screens on the regular 12 and 12 mini, but increase the resolution to 1080p (401ppi) at the very least. The 326 ppi screens that we have had prior are ok, but its 2020 now and 1080p should be the bare minimum, but alas Apple decided to upgrade the screens to OLED on all their iphones this year which you cant really begrudge them for.
 
My advice is if you’re only concern is battery life, just find 15-30 minutes a day (maybe while in the shower or something) to plug it in and charge up. Doing that will get you likely on equal footing with the 12/12 Pro battery life. But unless you use your phone for more than 5 hours SOT a day, I really don’t think battery will be a huge issue for most.
 
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Cryates said:
My advice is if you’re only concern is battery life, just find 15-30 minutes a day (maybe while in the shower or something) to plug it in and charge up. Doing that will get you likely on equal footing with the 12/12 Pro battery life. But unless you use your phone for more than 5 hours SOT a day, I really don’t think battery will be a huge issue for most.
Click to expand...
Think this will have a Impact on battery health since you’ll be charging the mini more frequently?

my 11 pro Max is at 90% right now, and I’ve had it at launch.
My 12 pro is out for delivery today but I’m not sure if I’m keeping it or not. And of course, 2 weeks from today is the release of the mini.. and the end of my return window. 😕
 
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