Nostalgia is a powerful force, and both the HTC One mini 2 and Apple iPhone 5c represent a simpler era of smartphones. These devices, while older, still hold appeal for those seeking affordability or a compact form factor. But which one offers the better experience today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iPhone 5c edges out the HTC One mini 2 thanks to its slightly better display contrast and the enduring appeal of the iOS ecosystem. While both offer decent battery life, the iPhone's overall polish and software support give it a slight advantage, despite their age.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - all versions |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EMEA version | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1900 / 2100 - A1532 (GSM), A1532 (CDMA), A1456 |
| 4G bands | 3, 7, 8, 20 - EMEA version | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25 - A1532 GSM, A1532 CDMA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 39, 40 - A1529 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2014, May. Released 2014, May | 2013, September 10. Released 2013, September 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 137.4 x 65 x 10.6 mm (5.41 x 2.56 x 0.42 in) | 124.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm (4.90 x 2.33 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 137 g (4.83 oz) | 132 g (4.66 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) | 640 x 1136 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~326 ppi density) |
| Size | 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~62.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~59.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super LCD2 | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 | Dual-core 1.3 GHz Swift (ARM v7-based) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 (28 nm) | Apple A6 (32 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | PowerVR SGX 543MP3 (triple-core graphics) |
| OS | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), Sense UI | iOS 7, upgradable to iOS 10.3.3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM, 32GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF | 8 MP, f/2.4, 33mm (standard), 1/3.2", 1.4µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, 720p@60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | face detection, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular |
| Single | 5 MP | 1.2 MP |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 16-bit/44.1kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP, aptX | 4.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | Lightning, USB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 556 h (3G) | Up to 250 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 16 h 10 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 2110 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 1510 mAh, non-removable (5.73 Wh) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gunmetal Gray, Glacial Silver Amber Gold | White, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink |
| Models | One mini 2 | A1456, A1507, A1516, A1529, A1532, iPhone5,3, iPhone5,4 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 1.17 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 0.96 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -94.8dB / Crosstalk -93.5dB |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -80.3dB |
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 50h
|
Endurance rating 52h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1196 (nominal), 1.940 (sunlight) |
Contrast ratio: 1233:1 (nominal) / 3.512:1 (sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 69dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 75dB
|
Voice 66dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 66dB
|
| Performance |
Basemark X: 1650 |
Basemark X: 2225 |
HTC One mini 2
- Compact size
- Clean Android experience
- Good value for money
- Decent battery life
- Older chipset, slower performance
- Lower display contrast
- Limited software updates
- Camera quality is dated
Apple iPhone 5c
- Slightly better display contrast
- iOS ecosystem
- More polished user experience
- Brand recognition
- Older chipset, slower performance
- Limited storage options
- Battery degradation likely
- No longer receiving software updates
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small displays by today's standards. The iPhone 5c boasts a contrast ratio of 1233:1 (nominal) and 3.512:1 in sunlight, slightly surpassing the HTC One mini 2's 1196:1 (nominal) and 1.940 (sunlight). This translates to marginally better image quality and visibility outdoors on the iPhone 5c. Both displays are LCD and lack the vibrancy of modern OLED panels.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is comparable on both devices. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities, but image quality is limited by their age and sensor technology. Expect decent shots in good lighting conditions, but noise and lack of detail in low light are common. The iPhone 5c's image processing might offer slightly more pleasing results for some users.
Performance
The iPhone 5c's Apple A6 chip, while dual-core, benefits from Apple's efficient software optimization. The HTC One mini 2's Qualcomm Snapdragon 400, a quad-core processor, might seem superior on paper, but real-world performance is often smoother on the iPhone due to iOS's tighter integration with the hardware. Expect both phones to handle basic tasks well, but struggle with demanding games or multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve a respectable endurance rating of 50-52 hours, indicating similar battery life for typical usage. However, battery degradation over time is a significant factor with these older devices. Expect reduced battery performance compared to when they were new.
Buying Guide
The HTC One mini 2 is a good choice for users prioritizing a compact size and a clean Android experience on a tight budget. The iPhone 5c is better suited for those who prefer iOS, value a slightly more premium feel, and appreciate the brand recognition of Apple, even in older devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still supported with software updates?
No, neither the HTC One mini 2 nor the iPhone 5c receive official software updates. They are running outdated operating systems, which poses security risks.
❓ Which phone is easier to find and repair?
Finding parts for both phones can be challenging due to their age. However, the iPhone 5c might have slightly more available aftermarket support due to Apple's larger user base.
