iPhone 12 mini vs. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G represent distinct philosophies in the smartphone market. Apple aimed for a powerful, pocketable flagship, while Samsung focused on delivering a feature-rich 5G experience at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is the more practical choice. Its significantly longer battery life (113h vs 69h) and brighter display outweigh the iPhone 12 mini’s performance advantage for everyday tasks. However, the iPhone 12 mini remains compelling for those prioritizing raw processing power in a truly compact form factor.

PHONES
Phone Names Apple iPhone 12 mini Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A21761, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - A21761, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 Sub6 - A2398, A2399, A2400-
Launch
Announced2020, October 132021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, November 13Available. Released 2021, September 01
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back
Dimensions131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm (5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29 in)159.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight135 g (4.76 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCeramic Shield glassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~476 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size5.4 inches, 71.9 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 625 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUHexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 642L
OSiOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 26.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 NVMe-
Main Camera
Dual12 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide), 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6"-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 30fps), stereo sound rec.4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBLightning, USB 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportVirtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
ChargingWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless (MagSafe) 15W wireless (Qi2) - requires iOS 17.4 update25W wired
TypeLi-Ion 2227 mAh (8.57 Wh)Li-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Red, Green, Blue, PurpleAwesome Black, Awesome White, Awesome Purple, Awesome Mint
ModelsA2399, A2176, A2398, A2400, A2399, iPhone13,1SM-A528B, SM-A528B/DS, SM-A528N
Price$ 165.79 / C$ 268.99 / £ 155.00 / € 178.00£ 112.98 / € 249.47
SAR-0.72 W/kg (head)
SAR EU0.99 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)0.88 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 69h Endurance rating 113h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.6 LUFS (Very good) -27.5 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 589616 (v8) GeekBench: 4174 (v5.1) GFXBench: 60fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 429675 (v8), 506432(v9) GeekBench: 11060 (v4.4), 2801 (v5.1) GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Apple iPhone 12 mini

  • Superior processing power with the A14 Bionic chip
  • Compact and pocketable design
  • Excellent video recording capabilities

  • Significantly shorter battery life
  • Lower peak display brightness
  • Higher price point

Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Brighter display for outdoor use
  • More affordable price

  • Less powerful processor compared to the A14 Bionic
  • Larger form factor may not suit all users
  • Image processing may be overly saturated for some tastes

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching 800 nits compared to the iPhone 12 mini’s 627 nits. This translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. While neither specification details refresh rate, the A52s 5G often features a 120Hz panel in other variants, suggesting a smoother experience is possible. The iPhone 12 mini’s smaller size (not specified in data, but known) makes it easier to handle one-handed, but the A52s 5G’s larger screen is better for media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable photo and video recording, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The A52s 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing expertise, often prioritizing vibrant colors and detail enhancement. The iPhone 12 mini is known for its natural color reproduction and excellent video stabilization. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner. However, the A52s 5G’s inclusion of multiple lenses (not specified in data, but typical for Samsung) offers greater versatility, while the iPhone 12 mini focuses on delivering high-quality results with its primary lenses.

Performance

Apple’s A14 Bionic (5nm) chip in the iPhone 12 mini delivers superior raw processing power compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm) in the Galaxy A52s 5G. The A14’s hexa-core configuration (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) is optimized for both peak performance and efficiency. The Snapdragon 778G’s octa-core setup (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) offers a more balanced approach. While the A14 will excel in demanding tasks like video editing and high-end gaming, the Snapdragon 778G provides smooth performance for everyday use and most popular games. The 6nm process of the Snapdragon 778G offers improved efficiency over older 7nm nodes, but the A14’s 5nm node still holds an advantage.

Battery Life

Battery life is where the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G truly shines. Its endurance rating of 113 hours significantly surpasses the iPhone 12 mini’s 69 hours. This difference is likely due to a combination of a larger battery capacity (not specified in data, but generally larger than the iPhone 12 mini) and the more efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset. The A52s 5G supports 25W wired charging, allowing for a quicker top-up compared to the iPhone 12 mini’s 50% charge in 30 minutes via PD2.0. The iPhone 12 mini offers 15W wireless charging with MagSafe and Qi2 (with iOS 17.4), while the A52s 5G’s wireless charging capabilities are not specified.

Buying Guide

Buy the Apple iPhone 12 mini if you absolutely need a small, premium phone with a fast processor for demanding apps and games, and are willing to compromise on battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more affordable price without sacrificing 5G connectivity and a capable camera system.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 778G in the Galaxy A52s 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While not as powerful as the A14 Bionic, the Snapdragon 778G is capable of running Genshin Impact at medium settings with acceptable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense combat scenarios, but the overall experience should be playable. Optimizing graphics settings is key.
❓ How does the iPhone 12 mini’s smaller size affect usability for users with larger hands?
The iPhone 12 mini’s compact size can be challenging for users with larger hands, potentially leading to accidental touches and difficulty reaching all areas of the screen. While it excels in one-handed operation, it may require more deliberate finger placement.
❓ Is the 25W charging on the Galaxy A52s 5G significantly faster in real-world use than the iPhone 12 mini's charging?
Yes, the 25W charging on the A52s 5G will generally result in a faster full charge compared to the iPhone 12 mini. While the iPhone 12 mini can reach 50% in 30 minutes, the A52s 5G will likely achieve a higher percentage in the same timeframe and complete a full charge more quickly.