Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Locked AT&T vs iPhone 12 mini • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in January 2022, and the iPhone 12 Mini, launched in November 2020, offer distinct smartphone experiences. While the Galaxy S21 FE operates on the Android platform and features a larger display with a versatile camera system, the iPhone 12 Mini runs on iOS and stands out for its exceptionally compact form factor. These differences cater to varying user preferences, from operating system allegiance to device size and photographic capabilities.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its build quality, software support, and repairability. Both devices offer robust construction and receive extended software updates, contributing to a practical lifespan of several years.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G launched with Android 12 and is expected to receive major Android OS updates up to Android 16, with security updates guaranteed until January 2027. The iPhone 12 Mini, released earlier with iOS 14, is anticipated to receive iOS updates until 2027, offering a comparable duration of software relevance.
• Durability Features: Both phones feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus for its front display and an aluminum frame with a plastic back. The iPhone 12 Mini incorporates Apple's Ceramic Shield on the front, a glass back, and an aluminum frame, designed for enhanced drop performance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, suggesting that many components are accessible for repair. The iPhone 12 Mini received a repairability score of 6 out of 10, with modular components making display and battery replacements relatively straightforward, though specialized screws and waterproofing measures can add complexity.

Performance in daily use is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and how long the device lasts on a single charge. Both devices deliver capable performance for their respective ecosystems.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a current-generation processor, allowing it to handle demanding applications and multitasking with fluidity. The iPhone 12 Mini features a powerful chip that provides top-notch performance, ensuring smooth operation for gaming and intensive tasks without noticeable lag.
• Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G offers storage options of 128GB or 256GB, paired with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, which supports efficient multitasking and app management. The iPhone 12 Mini comes with 64GB, 128GB, or 256GB storage options and 4GB of RAM, which is optimized by iOS for effective background process handling.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G includes a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing good endurance for moderate usage, though heavy use, especially with a high refresh rate display and 5G connectivity, can lead to faster depletion. The iPhone 12 Mini, with its smaller 2227 mAh battery, often requires more frequent charging for users with high daily usage, though it can last a full day for lighter use.

The display is the primary interface for user interaction, and differences in technology, size, and refresh rate significantly affect the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 12 Mini sports a more compact 5.4-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also delivering rich colors and excellent contrast.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both devices offer sharp visuals with high resolutions. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G has a 1080 x 2400 pixel resolution, providing a clear picture. The iPhone 12 Mini's 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution on its smaller screen results in a high pixel density of 476 pixels per inch, contributing to its crispness.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. It also offers good outdoor visibility with a peak brightness that can reach over 1000 nits in certain conditions. The iPhone 12 Mini has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, providing a consistent visual experience, and its display offers impressive brightness for various lighting environments.

Camera capabilities are a significant factor for many users, and both smartphones offer distinct photographic strengths for capturing moments and recording videos.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is equipped with a triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 12MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, providing versatility for different shooting scenarios. The iPhone 12 Mini features a dual-camera system with a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultrawide lens, excelling in capturing detailed and well-exposed images.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 FE 5G produces detailed and vibrant photos, performing well across various lighting conditions, and includes an effective Night mode for low-light situations. The iPhone 12 Mini's main wide camera delivers excellent photos with improved detail and strong low-light performance, with Night mode available across all its cameras. The iPhone 12 Mini lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, meaning digital zoom is used for magnified shots.
• Video Recording and Audio: Both devices are capable of high-quality video recording. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G can record up to 4K at 60 frames per second, with stabilization features for smoother footage. The iPhone 12 Mini also records top-tier video, including Dolby Vision HDR in 4K, and offers good stereo speaker output for media consumption. Both have capable front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls, with the Galaxy S21 FE 5G featuring a 32MP sensor and the iPhone 12 Mini a 12MP sensor.