iPhone 12 iPhone Mini First Impressions

[heyyoudvd]

My Mini arrived.

I couldn’t decide on a color, so I bought two of them. lol.

Now I need to decide whether to keep the black or the blue. Both colors are very nice but for entirely different reasons.

The blue is unique, it has a sort of complexity and depth to it, and it changes drastically based on the lighting it’s in.

The black, on the other hand, isn’t as showy or unique, but it’s so timeless and classy. It’s a really sleek, sexy color, and it really suits the small phone.

If I were getting a normal size 12, I’d go blue, but because it’s a Mini, I’m leaning black.

I’ve polled 3 friends already and they all say blue because it’s unique, but something about the black is just appealing to me, perhaps because of the nostalgia factor of owning a small, black phone again for the first time in years.

I’m also trying to decide between the Saddle Brown and Black leather case, both of which I ordered. I think the Saddle Brown would suit the blue and the black case would suit the black phone.

 

[nikster0029]

My Mini arrived.

I couldn’t decide on a color, so I bought two of them. lol.

Now I need to decide whether to keep the black or the blue. Both colors are very nice but for entirely different reasons.

The blue is unique, is has a sort of complexity and depth to it, and it changes drastically based on the lighting it’s in.

The black, in the other hand, isn’t has showy or unique, but it’s so timeless and classy. It’s a really sleek, sexy color, and it really suits the small phone.

If I were getting a normal size 12, I’d go blue, but because it’s a Mini, I’m leaning black.

I’ve polled 3 friends already and they all say blue because it’s unique, but something about the black is just appealing to me, perhaps because of the nostalgia factor of owning a small, black phone again for the first time in years.

I’m also trying to decide between the Saddle Brown and Black leather case, both of which I ordered. I think the Saddle Brown would suit the blue and the black would suit the black.

I agree black looks better on the smaller form cause it makes it more sleek and stealth, that’s what I have. Brown leather case +1 too

 

[kepler20b]

Following up on my original post: I've been using the Mini for a day now, and just compared it again to the original SE I upgraded from. A couple of new thoughts:

- I still think the Mini is a bit too large and prefer the size of the old SE.
- I think the Mini feels cheaper overall. The way the sides look, and something about the one-color back with no "iPhone" text, just doesn't feel as premium to me as the old SE in my hand.

Still enjoying it overall -- but the truth is that at this moment, I still like my old SE better from a "feel" and design standpoint.

do the people that write this stuff actually believe it themselves?

 

[grillface]

This might be my favorite iPhone yet. Or perhaps my favorite since the iPhone 5 at least.

I concur. I always used to say that my favourite iPhone experience was an iPhone 5 running the iOS 6 that it came with. It was snappy and the skeumorphic design meant it was super easy to use.

However, I think this new mini gives it a serious run for its money. Only time will tell!

 

[Phil1975]

Love the Mini. So happy with it. Switching from 11 Pro.

Same as me I had iPhone 11 pro, only thing I would change would be the battery, 20% more capacity would make it perfect for my usage.

 

[vipergts2207]

So I guess none of you are using a case and gsp then?

Nope, just an Apple leather case.

 

[LongWayHome]

One thing I'm definitely sure of is that the aluminum models feel better in the hand to hold than the Pro Models. The aluminum sides and glass back of the mini I have has much more grip to it than the sides and back of my 12 Pro Max. I usually don't use a case and there is a definite advantage in grip to the non Pro models.

 

[yticolev]

That's a show stopper for me; particularly if the 5G sim won't be swap-able back with the 4G only phone. I've always used at least 2 phones by simply swapping sims. Please let me know if you can use the new SIM in your old phone.

Tom

So final update about service: finally got my Mini synched to my number this morning. Had to run out mid-phone call to borrow a neighbor's phone. Then the process was easy, about four more steps required the rep didn't tell me about yesterday.

One other Verizon peculiarity discovered. For 5G service, our old family plan has to be updated. Paying $40 a month per line for unlimited everything, but hotspot speed limited to 600 kbs (sufficient as most of us have home wifi). The choices are $35 a month unlimited with no hotspot (a deal breaker), or $45 unlimited including no limits on hotspot speed (other than congestion).

Not going to force everyone to pay $5 a month extra for very little benefit just for me. I do have a sister in a remote area of Montana who depends on hotspots for internet service, but she is happy enough with current speed.

The phone has said 5G since I got it yesterday, so apparently our local towers have been upgraded. Kind of annoying to say that, and it doesn't change to LTE when I'm online. So I'm not entirely convinced I'm not on 5G, but doing SpeedTest at home did have the identical speed to my last LTE test: 65 down. However other reviewers have mentioned no speed increase from 5G as well (on lower bands of course).

 

[FranApple]

One thing I'm definitely sure of is that the aluminum models feel better in the hand to hold than the Pro Models. The aluminum sides and glass back of the mini I have has much more grip to it than the sides and back of my 12 Pro Max. I usually don't use a case and there is a definite advantage in grip to the non Pro models.

I agree with that. But I would love an all matte phone. I think the etched glass on the Pro models looks very premium.

 

[yticolev]

Speaking of automation. I created two battery automations. One audibly alerts me when the battery reaches 100% and the other audibly alerts when the battery drops below 35%.

Wow, any chance you can post a step by step? I'd love that feature.

 

[Davelfc]

Wow, any chance you can post a step by step? I'd love that feature.

How to Create Automations on an iPhone or iPad

The built-in Shortcuts app in iOS 13 and iPadOS 13 finally supports real automations! Check out our guide to discover all the nuances of this new feature.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[rldunn]

That is very good battery the first full day.

Speaking of automation. I created two battery automations. One audibly alerts me when the battery reaches 100% and the other audibly alerts when the battery drops below 35%.

These are great automations - thanks for sharing!

 

[Apple_Robert]

Following up on my original post: I've been using the Mini for a day now, and just compared it again to the original SE I upgraded from. A couple of new thoughts:

- I still think the Mini is a bit too large and prefer the size of the old SE.
- I think the Mini feels cheaper overall. The way the sides look, and something about the one-color back with no "iPhone" text, just doesn't feel as premium to me as the old SE in my hand.

Still enjoying it overall -- but the truth is that at this moment, I still like my old SE better from a "feel" and design standpoint.

If the phone is doing all you need it to do, what does it really matter how the sides look, it’s not as if the aluminum side is causing the mini to not be able to open Safari, send and receive email, or other functions etc. The same for the back.

Are you wanting to impress others with your new phone? That is exactly what your comments indicate. If not, why do you need the word “iPhone” across the back of the phone, when you know its an iPhone already? I doubt most people really care what phone you are holding in your hand.

 

[Jett0516]

I don’t know if I should put AC on this mini. Its so small & light that if I drop it, it wouldn’t break? But then $8 monthly care isn’t too much either.

 

[klasma]

I don’t know if I should put AC on this mini. Its so small & light that if I drop it, it wouldn’t break?

It seems pretty robust:

 

[aakshey]

I don't doubt the build. It would be great I am sure.

 

[Jacobi]

If the phone is doing all you need it to do, what does it really matter how the sides look, it’s not as if the aluminum side is causing the mini to not be able to open Safari, send and receive email, or other functions etc. The same for the back.

Are you wanting to impress others with your new phone? That is exactly what your comments indicate. If not, why do you need the word “iPhone” across the back of the phone, when you know its an iPhone already? I doubt most people really care what phone you are holding in your hand.

Of course the phone does everything I need it to do; this is a forum of people who enjoy Apple products and obsessing over every little design detail.

 

[DumbPhone]

Of course the phone does everything I need it to do; this is a forum of people who enjoy Apple products and obsessing over every little design detail.

you speak truth...kaa

 

[Apple_Robert]

Of course the phone does everything I need it to do; this is a forum of people who enjoy Apple products and obsessing over every little design detail.

That is true about a lot of people on the forum. Take away the concern about what other people think about your purchase, if they consider you at all, and life becomes that much easier to live and enjoy.

Think about this for a moment. Expensive vehicles are often made with fiberglass bodies. That doesn’t make them any less premium than other cars made primarily of steel.

The bottom line is there isn’t much design difference between the SE and the mini. I have both. The SE served me well during its time in my life. It is time to move on. Buy and use what you like, and don’t concern yourself with trying to show status with an Phone. Show status with your character. That is much more noticeable and inviting to others.

I hope you enjoy your mini. I am so glad I got mine.

 

[rldunn]

I don’t know if I should put AC on this mini. Its so small & light that if I drop it, it wouldn’t break? But then $8 monthly care isn’t too much either.

View attachment 1668031

Watch the drop video from earlier in this thread. The mini had small denting on the sides from a waist-high drop and the back glass cracked from a head-high drop

 

[Apple_Robert]

I don’t know if I should put AC on this mini. Its so small & light that if I drop it, it wouldn’t break? But then $8 monthly care isn’t too much either.

View attachment 1668031

If you buy the two years at once, it is a lot cheaper ($6.20). If you buy monthly, the coverage is not transferable, should you ever wish to sell the device.

 

[aakshey]

If you buy the two years at once, it is a lot cheaper ($6.20). If you buy monthly, the coverage is not transferable, should you ever wish to sell the device.

Correct.

 

[Jacobi]

How do people like the blue and black minis? I went with white but am still slightly on the fence about it because I liked those other two colors as well.

 

[taneff]

So first REAL stress test here. I travel for work and today had a 12h day on the road, through areas with low to bad signal, but also cities with LTE (no 5G contract atm). I did a call a few times and did some surfing. The usual stuff I also did with my iPhone 11 6.1 before.

At the end of the day I have about 40% battery left, when my iPhone 11 had around 50-60% battery left with similar usage. That is more than I expected. I had signal on all the time and battery life really suffers from traveling through low signal areas instead of staying at home in the city with always good LTE signal. I am very happy. I expected around 20-25% left at the end of the day but it is around 40%. 10-20% less than the iPhone 11. And the battery is new and still needs some time for it's whole potential. Really, really nice atm.

Reception is much better than my iPhone 11 when it comes to holding a signal and using internet in low signal areas. The signal was most of the time displayed similar to my iPhone 11. But I never had much of those no service zones ever with my iPhone 11 thank god so no big change here. But when my 11 couldn't connect to the internet with 2G or 3G reception, my 12 Mini could. I had 4 bars 2G Edge and could load light webpages. The 11 didn't do that or it took way longer to load. Nice!

Call quality is ok, nothing special, but good enough. Had trouble with one call dropped after going from LTE to 3g, but otherwise good but normal call quality.

The device itself on the road is really, really nice. Typing with one hand without a problem, not needing to balance the phone just right to get to the top and not let it slip out of the hand... Very nice. I just have to get used to the small display mode. The larger one is just too large for normal usage. The standard display mode a little too small.

First impressions are very good. Now if they could only do a SW update that fixes those issues with black pixels not turning off. Then it would be amazing.

 

[aakshey]

So first REAL stress test here. I travel for work and today had a 12h day on the road, through areas with low to bad signal, but also cities with LTE (no 5G contract atm). I did a call a few times and did some surfing. The usual stuff I also did with my iPhone 11 6.1 before.

At the end of the day I have about 40% battery left, when my iPhone 11 had around 50-60% battery left with similar usage. That is more than I expected. I had signal on all the time and battery life really suffers from traveling through low signal areas instead of staying at home in the city with always good LTE signal. I am very happy. I expected around 20-25% left at the end of the day but it is around 40%. 10-20% less than the iPhone 11. And the battery is new and still needs some time for it's whole potential. Really, really nice atm.

Reception is much better than my iPhone 11 when it comes to holding a signal and using internet in low signal areas. The signal was most of the time displayed similar to my iPhone 11. But I never had much of those no service zones ever with my iPhone 11 thank god so no big change here. But when my 11 couldn't connect to the internet with 2G or 3G reception, my 12 Mini could. I had 4 bars 2G Edge and could load light webpages. The 11 didn't do that or it took way longer to load. Nice!

Call quality is ok, nothing special, but good enough. Had trouble with one call dropped after going from LTE to 3g, but otherwise good but normal call quality.

The device itself on the road is really, really nice. Typing with one hand without a problem, not needing to balance the phone just right to get to the top and not let it slip out of the hand... Very nice. I just have to get used to the small display mode. The larger one is just too large for normal usage. The standard display mode a little too small.

First impressions are very good. Now if they could only do a SW update that fixes those issues with black pixels not turning off. Then it would be amazing.

This sounds very promising.