With the iPhone 12 mini and the Pixel 5, Apple and Google are delighting avid users of compact smartphones that have become so rare on the market. Here is a point-by-point comparison of these two models to find out which one suits you best.
Apple and Google are two of the most iconic companies in the tech world. We’re going to compare the iPhone 12 mini and the Pixel 5.
Today’s two opponents go against the trend of ever-higher smartphones. The iPhone 12 mini and the Google Pixel 5 want to please your little hands with a compact size. The table is set, it would now be a question of which one is the most suitable for you. Here is our point by point comparison.
Key Specification
| iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| Display Size | 5.4 inch | 6.0 inch |
| Memory | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB | 128-512 GB |
| Camera | 12 +12 MP | 12.2 MP + 16 MP |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | Face ID | Rear |
The phones we’re looking at today don’t care about the trend that has been around for a very long time in the market. Gone are the formats that are difficult to use with one hand, heavy, difficult to store in a tight pocket, the iPhone 12 mini and the Google Pixel 5 sign the return of the adjective “compact”. We hadn’t come across this term much since Sony abandoned this format.
Judge for yourself, with the iPhone 12 mini first. Apple’s baby has not stolen its suffix, it is indeed rickety with a height of only 131.5 mm. Same story for its featherweight of 133 grams. Opposite, Pixel 5 is considerably larger, reaching 144.7mm. In comparison, it would seem almost excessive, but understand that this smartphone is still very easy to use with one hand. Its weight is also quite contained with 151 grams when the vast majority of devices today vary from 180 to 210 grams.
In short, Pixel 5 is a small smartphone, the iPhone 12 mini is a VERY small smartphone.
Aesthetically, the two smartphones do not have the same approach. Like the other versions of its series, the iPhone 12 mini adopts a design very inspired by the iPhone 5 with flat edges that can surprise during the first manipulations, but you get used to it quite quickly. The writing of Frandroid considers it a real crush. However, do not expect to escape the large notch at the top of the screen.
The Google Pixel 5, for its part, has more rounded edges to better fit the palm of the hand. On the front, he opts for a hole in the screen housing the front photosensor. At the rear too, the differences are obvious.
When the iPhone 12 mini is adorned with a glass back “Ceramic Shield” – very resistant to shocks, fewer scratches – the Pixel 5 makes the choice of a very successful matte recycled aluminium coating. In addition, the slightly grainy feel is out of the ordinary.
Design
| iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 | |
| Dimensions | 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm | 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm |
| Weight | 135 grams | 151 grams |
| Screen Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels | 1080 x 2340 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 476 ppi | 432 ppi |
| Color | Black, White, Red, Green, Blue | Green, Black |
| Display Type | XDR OLED | OLED Display |
Performance
| iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 | |
| Processor | Hexa-core 2×3.1 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| GPU | Apple GPU | Adreno 620 |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Internal storage | 64 / 1258 GB | 128-512 GB |
| Storage expansion | No | No |
| OS | IOS 14 | Android v10 (Q) |
In terms of performance, Google Pixel 5 is doing very well on everyday tasks and almost without problems on a game like Fortnite, its Snapdragon 765G remains behind compared to the Apple A14 Bionic which the iPhone 12 mini is adorned with.
The apple chip is indeed particularly powerful which makes the device ultra-responsive and fast to run. However, it is impossible to see what that gives on Fortnite because the game from Epic Games is currently banned from the App Store.
Remember also that at this level of performance, the differences between the two smartphones will not be obvious to the user at the slightest opportunity.
iOS 14 vs Android 11. The two operating systems have been compared, confronted, opposed since the dawn of time. Overall, on iOS, Apple still strongly regulates the user experience to offer great ecosystem cohesion, enhanced security and very long software monitoring.
For its part, Android rather highlights its open side and conducive to many customizations. In addition, for Google-branded devices, you can also count on regular updates and quite spread out over time.
Although: we can highlight the fact that the iPhone 12 mini, in its basic version, only offers 64 GB of storage, against 128 GB for the Pixel 5.
Camera
| iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 | |
| Rear | 12 MP + 12 MP | 12.2 MP + 16 MP |
| Front | 12 MP | 8 MP |
| Video recording | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 30fps) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps |
For the photo, the iPhone 12 mini and the Google Pixel 5 each have a main sensor of 12 megapixels and an ultra-wide angle of 12 and 16 megapixels respectively. No overbidding, no superfluous multiplication of sensors and that has something refreshing.
The battle on the field of the photo is really interesting. Indeed, the Pixel 5 lives up to its lineage and has already established itself as one of the benchmarks in the field, but it cannot really claim the title of king of photography this year as the competition has refined its weapons. And as much to say that the iPhone 12 mini has enough to oppose it a beautiful competition.
The two smartphones thus offer excellent images when the light conditions are good, including well-balanced colors. At night, they lose quality – less fine details, less well-managed light sources – but the overall rendering is still very effective and pleasant.
Multimedia
| iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 | |
| Headphone jack | No | Yes 3.5 mm |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Audio Features | Dolby Atmos | – |
| FM Radio | No | No |
Battery Life
| iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 | |
| Capacity | 2227 mAh | 4080 mAh |
| Type | Li-ion | Li-ion |
| Quick Charging | Up to 50% charge in 30 Min | Yes |
| Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes |
| User Replaceable | No | No |
Without being an incredible champion in the matter, Google Pixel 5 manages to easily last a day and a half, or even two full days, with just a little care. In other words, it’s a pretty serene device at this level, but don’t expect incredible stamina either. In itself, we especially appreciate the progress made in this area compared to the previous generation, really weak at this level. The arrival of Android 11 has also helped a lot.
Battery life is the main weakness of the iPhone 12 mini, however. The latter, however, is not up for grabs either. Let’s say it will be more difficult to exceed 24 hours on battery, but a full day with heavy use is still very much within reach. To put it another way, we don’t buy this small smartphone for its autonomy, far from it, but for the intended users – who only have moderate use of their phone – it should not be a prohibitive element.
Don’t rely on super-fast charging on both smartphones. The iPhone 12 mini needs 1h 15 to reach 100% with a 20 W charger (no AC adapter is supplied with the product). Considering the size of the smartphone, it is quite long. The Pixel 5’s 18W charger is also very slow: 1h 40 to recover a full battery.
Connectivity
|  | iPhone 12 mini | Google Pixel 5 |
| SIM | Dual SIM (1 sim slot + 1 esim) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| Network Support | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G | 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | v5.0 |
| Wifi | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspot |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
Both devices are IP68 certified. Among the common points, let’s also mention the lack of jack and microSD drawer. On the other hand, when the Pixel 5 makes the choice of universal USB-C, the iPhone 12 mini remains faithful to the proprietary Lightning connection.
Conclusion!
Whatever your choice, if you like small smartphones, you will be perfectly served with these two models. Easy to the pocket with their cute size, they are perfect for one-handed use. Granted, the iPhone 12 mini is definitely the more compact and lightweight of the two, but the grip of the Pixel 5 is clearly worth its weight in peanuts.
You will especially have to ask yourself which operating system you want to turn to. iOS or Android? Beyond that, the difference is mainly in small details. For a fluid screen and a fairly solid battery life, prefer the Pixel 5. For high performance (but not Fortnite), choose the iPhone 12 mini instead. Also, Google’s smartphone has a fingerprint reader, Apple’s has the Face ID solution.
