Impressive, this miniature iPhone.
Not only does the iPhone 12 mini mark a return to a compact form factor thought to be outdated with the popularity of 6-inch smartphones, but it manages to condense a host of technical features rarely seen on a device of this size.
In fact, after several days of testing, it is difficult to find competitors in terms of performance, equipment and finish.
A known look
Seen from the outside, the iPhone mini retains a familiar design: we find the rectilinear contours of the iPad Pro, inspired by those of the iPhone 5 and adopted today by the entire iPhone 12 family. , the small size of the object inevitably evokes the same iPhone 5, only slightly larger (6.4 x 13.1 cm for 0.74 cm thick).
Better: the iPhone mini is more compact than the iPhone SE (or the iPhone 7) and much less heavy (133 g against 148 g) ...
Funny feeling when you take the device in hand, especially for those who are used to larger and larger phones.
The advantage is obvious: this model is better suited to small hands and less bulky in a pocket, but also easier to handle with one hand.
You might also think that its small size would make it more difficult to enter text on the virtual keyboard, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
In fact, we remember that we used small screens for a long time, and we get used to them again.
Mini size but maxi screen
Moreover, while the iPhone mini is smaller than the iPhone SE, it has the luxury of offering a larger screen with a diagonal of 5.4 inches against 4.7 inches.
And the effect is spectacular, especially when watching movies in full screen.
The image is displayed on almost the entire surface surrounded by fine borders.
Only downside: we regret that the notch that houses the front camera and sensors remains so bulky.
It's the same size as the iPhone 12 and the same size as the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which has a 6.7-inch display, which means it looks even more visible (and annoying). on the little iPhone 12 mini.
Pity.
We note in passing that, like the other models in the range, the youngest has a facial recognition system that works wonderfully to unlock the device.
The Oled screen (Super Retina XDR) of this model does not have much to do with that, LED, of the iPhone SE.
Blacks are incredibly deep, images are more contrasting, brighter, and colors brighter.
And the much better resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels at 476 ppi), which brings more precision to photos and video games but also to texts.
Moreover, Apple could have taken the opportunity to adopt a refresh rate higher than the modest 60 Hz ...
Like that of the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 mini's screen is protected by a layer of nano-ceramic crystals which, according to Apple, offers four times the resistance to drops.
A guarantee of solidity, therefore, like the aluminum case of the phone, certified IP68, that is to say capable of withstanding splashes, water and dust and even dives in 6 meters of water for 30 minutes.
Surprising performances
What makes the iPhone 12 mini so original is that it is not a cheap smartphone, but rather a high-end device.
This is explained by the fact that it incorporates all the components of the iPhone 12, starting with the A14 Bionic processor, arguably the most powerful mobile chip currently.
And on this small model, the speed of the processor is even more bluffing than on other iPhones, probably because we do not expect such responsiveness on such a small product.
Not only are apps launched and navigated at high speed, the little phone handles more demanding operations, like 3D video games or augmented reality apps, without flinching.
In particular, we tested the adventure game
Pascal's Wager
, which requires a powerful configuration, and we were amazed by the excellent rendering of the backgrounds, the fluidity of the animations and the quality of the visual effects.
The iPhone 12 mini will have no trouble improvising a portable game console.
A high-end camera
This power is also widely used for shooting.
The iPhone 12 mini inherits the camera system of the iPhone 12 (ultra-wide-angle and wide-angle with ƒ / 1.6 aperture at the back), which produces remarkable results.
Detailed shots, rich in color and perfectly balanced.
There are also digital treatments which can advantageously improve the photos taken in low light.
The penumbra is no longer an obstacle to realize portraits at night or to highlight a monument hidden in the dark.
It only lacks a telephoto lens.
Also in video we find the qualities of the iPhone 12 that we had already mentioned.
The mini surprisingly produces very smooth sequences, even in very high 4K resolution and with technologies available from cinema such as HDR Dolby Vision.
The optical stabilization system is effective and all this together contributes to making the iPhone 12 mini a camera capable of competing with many specialized cameras.
We had fun shooting various footage indoors, outdoors, in direct sunlight or low light, then stitching it all together in iMovie, still on the phone.
The final cut turned out to be much better than what we sometimes see on Instagram and YouTube ...
Innovations for tomorrow
Like its big brothers, the iPhone 12 mini can receive magnetic accessories on the back: an adapter to charge the battery wirelessly, a card holder, a car holder, etc.
It is the MagSafe system which is somewhat reminiscent of that of the Apple Watch.
Finally, although this aspect may seem anecdotal for the moment, the iPhone 12 mini also presents itself as the smallest of the 5G phones.
Which can be an argument for some customers: unlike other competitors who consider 5G as a supplement reserved for large models, Apple has chosen to make its entire range compatible with the new communication standard.
We can therefore acquire an iPhone 5G large or small.
Which can influence the choice.
Balance sheet
The iPhone 12 mini can be considered the iPhone 12 in a reduced model.
Which is technically correct: we find the same components and the same camera equipment on both models.
But its small size and light weight create a place of its own, that of a compact smartphone that is easy to use for little hands and easy to slip into a pocket.
A compact smartphone that is not an iPhone, quite the contrary.
Particularly fast, gifted for photos and videos, remarkable for the quality of its screen and 5G compatible, it should easily appeal to a large clientele who have long been waiting for a high-end iPhone made to more reasonable dimensions.
Available in 5 colors (green, red, blue, white, black), it is sold from 809 euros and offered with 64 GB, 128 GB or 256 GB of memory.
