iPhone 12 mini X to 12 Mini or 12 Pro

[tinkerposts]

I've been stuck with this dilemma for the past week and I actually feel a tad embarrassed typing this out, but here goes.

I'm a case-less user who uses my phone for emails, texts, scrolling through forums, and as my primary camera when on holiday. Not a tech-y person and unfortunately can't hold out for the 13 as my current phone has 'green lines of death' and doesn't seem to work anymore. Looking to keep this phone for about 3 years or so.

Comments on the Mini:

• PERFECT size
• Not keen on the glossy back coming from my X especially during my daily dog walks as it gets that 'sticky' feeling from the exercise (I wipe it down daily but that's 90 minutes of discomfort)
• I wish it had a bigger battery
• Doesn't come in Graphite

Comments on the Pro:

• Love the telephoto lens over the ultra-wide
• A touch too big for my liking
• Graphite is probably my favourite colour of the lot
• Better battery life

Which would you go for? Thanks!

 

[Sir-Eat-a-Ton]

Honestly I would say a 12 Pro 100% just a matter if you can use to the size.

 

[Barbareren]

I went from the X(XS) to the Mini. For me the Mini is an upgraded X (in almost all ways) in a much smaller form factor, so for me personally it’s the perfect smartphone, but I know many people aren’t comfortable switching to a smaller screen.

As to the camera and the telephoto lens, I do wish the Mini had it, but from my experience I haven’t been able to see much difference between the digital zoom and the same full sized photo cropped to the same size. Also, the vastly superior low light abilities of the 12’s camera makes the camera upgrade worthwhile, imo.

Oh, btw., I got to check out all the 12-models in person at the Apple store yesterday. I particularly liked the 12 Pro, except for the sides being very prone to fingerprints (loved the colours, though), but the most important thing that turned me away from it was its weight... The physical size otherwise wasn’t as bad as I had thought, but I could never go from the Mini to the 12 Pro because of the weight difference.

 

[Lotuskid]

I owned both and upgraded from an 11 pro so similar size to the X. I voted 12 pro and it’s what I ended with in graphite also.
Each person has their own decision tree to follow but for me the larger size won out. Weight wasn’t much of a factor. Mini size was great until it became a little not great zooming into photos to edit etc.
If you have the option to buy and return I’d give both a shot. Owning and using for a week things come up that may not on a first impressions in store. And then enjoy your choice! Whichever one you decide will be great and you’ll get used to very quickly. And then the phone itself fades into the background of your life as you use it to be connected to your world

 

[7thson]

It’s worth pointing out that half of your comments on the mini were “negatives” and all were positive on the pro. You want the Pro but are tempted by the mini. @Lotuskid is correct, assuming your country of residence allows for this, that you can order both and return the one you prefer less. I’m certain if you had to order just one, you’ll be happy with the pro. Happy shopping!

 

[Htsi]

Caseless the 12Pro with the frosted back is the best bet. Plus drops won’t dent the steel

 

[LFC2020]

buy them both, then return the one you don't like, or keep them both. 😁

 

[tinkerposts]

Took the advice here and I've been trying out both the Mini and the Pro for the past day or so.

Some comments:

• I went through my 'favourites' album and noticed that a solid 20% of my photos were taken on the telephoto lens
• The Pro is more unwieldy than I thought it'd be — it doesn't fit into my pockets which isn't great considering I don't carry a bag around
• Graphite looks even better in person

I've never been indecisive when it comes to picking a phone but alas, here we are. I almost wish that there was a 12 Pro Mini — would make the decision so much easier!

 

[Barbareren]

Took the advice here and I've been trying out both the Mini and the Pro for the past day or so.

Some comments:

• I went through my 'favourites' album and noticed that a solid 20% of my photos were taken on the telephoto lens
• The Pro is more unwieldy than I thought it'd be — it doesn't fit into my pockets which isn't great considering I don't carry a bag around
• Graphite looks even better in person

I've never been indecisive when it comes to picking a phone but alas, here we are. I almost wish that there was a 12 Pro Mini — would make the decision so much easier!

I’d like a 12 Pro Mini (or Mini Pro) as well. I also prefer the telephoto lens over the wide angle one, but I can honestly not tell the difference between 2x zoom on the telephoto lens and 2x digital zoom on the Mini or 12 regular... maybe on a really high def computer screen perhaps... I dunno 🤷‍♂️

 

[DexBell]

I’d like a 12 Pro Mini (or Mini Pro) as well. I also prefer the telephoto lens over the wide angle one,

wait for the Mini 12s/13

 

[tinkerposts]

Thank you for all your replies.

Ultimately, I've decided to keep the Mini and return the Pro.

Here are the factors influencing my decision:

• Maybe I suck at photography or I just don't have an eye for detail but I took a couple of beach photos this morning and I can't quite tell the difference between the zoom from the telephoto lens and the zoom from the regular one
• As much as I love the Graphite, I've grown to hate how shiny the sides are on the Pro — way more than my dislike for the glass back on the Mini
• A large part of my phone usage happens 'on the go' and it is so nice to be able to hold my water bottle in one hand and do what I want to do on my phone without having to awkwardly manoeuvre everything around in order to send a text or take a photo

So I guess this is it then!

 

[secretk]

Thank you for all your replies.

Ultimately, I've decided to keep the Mini and return the Pro.

Here are the factors influencing my decision:

• Maybe I suck at photography or I just don't have an eye for detail but I took a couple of beach photos this morning and I can't quite tell the difference between the zoom from the telephoto lens and the zoom from the regular one

Not saying that you should change your mind but do have in mind that at night you might feel more difference. I have found the digital zoom to cause quite noisy photos. Maybe it is worth to test night photo and zoom?

Another test you can do is portraits. Telephoto is useful for close up photos and portraits. I have some concerns that with the digital zoom you won't have the background blur you could have with the telephoto.

I am not saying that is important to you but if it is, do consider those scenarios and test them.

 

[tinkerposts]

Hmm I didn't consider how it'd perform at night. Going through my photo library, it's mostly daytime scenery/nature stuff or shots of 'interesting' things I see around and there's only 1 night shot out of 100+. I'm also not interested in portraits or background blur so at least that's that. Thanks for bringing that up though — definitely something I haven't thought about!

 

[catean]

No telephoto lens can beat the comfort of taking a photo with the mini. It is a pleasure to take out the technological beauty that a 12 mini is, and take a one handed photo. The good things in life come in small packages! I love the mini.

 

[mac4good84]

I’ve currently got an X and while mine works perfectly fine, I consider what my next phone will be and have been looking ( my wife has the 7 and my mom the 1st gen SE) so they will both need to upgrade before me. I’ve decided while they will most likely go for a 12 mini, I myself would go the mini route or the Max for that awesome screen size alone. I’ve got time yet though so I won’t be deciding soon, but glad you are going with the mini as that would be my choice if I was dead set against the Max.