One month using "iPhone 12 mini", small is justice [when monokoto]-Impress Watch

Top is iPhone 12 mini, bottom is 8 Plus

The "iPhone 8 Plus" that I was using most recently is still active. I thought I could do my best for another 1-2 years, but I bought the "iPhone 12 mini". Moreover, on the day of release. In this article, I would like to tell you about the impression that I used the 12 mini for about a month after it arrived.

The capacity of the purchased iPhone 12 mini is 64GB, 82,280 yen (tax included). It's an excuse to think that if cloud services such as iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc. are enriched, the physical drive capacity may be small, and the budget is also "mini". I really wanted to.

Also, I think that it is more comfortable overall to use accessories such as AirPods for the difference from the large capacity.

The only complaint about the 8 Plus was the size of the body. Even if I am satisfied with the display size, the main body is big. I couldn't forgive this style for three years because I couldn't put it in my pocket and had to carry a bag. Even if you wanted to be small and high-performance, there was no such thing in the lineup of smartphones that are getting bigger year by year.

With the 12 mini, you can afford to have a mobile battery on hand

The second-generation "SE" released in the spring of 2020 has been forgotten. The price was attractive at 49,280 yen (tax included), but the camera, display, battery, etc. are specs like a low-priced version of "8". As an 8 Plus user, it is not a positive reason for replacement. It doesn't look good either.

It was worth the trouble for several years, so I arrived at the 12 mini. The display size is almost the same as the 8 Plus (minus 0.1 inch 5.4 inch), height: about 2 cm, width: about 1 cm downsize. With the latest CPU, the processing speed is fast and the camera is good, so there is no complaint.

It's best to put it in your pocket, not to mention how easily your fingers can reach it. I am enjoying the original phone size.

The battery is small along with the size of the main unit, but if you go out for a long time, you will carry a mobile battery with you no matter which model you buy, so I don't think it's a big minus.

I hate the poor fit of the 8 Plus, and the phone size was about this in the first place!

I also like the design that will not get tired of using it for many years. For those who used the "5S" (released in 2013) and the first "SE" (released in 2016) in the past, the design of the 12 series is exactly that. The edge was effective and it was characteristic. Many people recommend that the display protection film is easy to apply.

The flat design that goes around is nice. The contents have also evolved, and it is the style of a big brother of 5S / SE. It's not a mini, it's a 5S / SE Pro Max anymore.

From the left, iPhone 5S, 8 Plus, 12 mini. Height: plus 7.7 mm, width: plus 5.6 mm, thickness minus 0.2 mm from the size of 5S. IPhone 5S, 8 Plus, 12 mini from the left, which is clearly small when placed side by side with 8 Plus. The presence of the 12 mini lens is amazing on the sides of the 5S (left) and 12 mini (right).Nostalgic design

You can fully compare the differences between each model on the official Apple website (Compare iPhone models).

Compare iPhone Models-Apple Official Website

What you might think is now, but I was confused by the fact that the home button I was used to was gone. Of course I know. To exit the app, click from the bottom of the screen. Authentication is not a fingerprint, but a "face ID", isn't it?

Actually, for the first week or so, I used "AssitiveTouch" to display the pseudo home button. As I got used to the operation, this setting was immediately disappointing, but it is convenient because you can also register the application switcher and screenshot functions, so please try it if you are interested. It can also be set on the current iPhone.

Display a pseudo home button with "AssitiveTouch". You can move to any position Tap [Accessibility] → [Touch] from the [Settings] app. When the "AssitiveTouch" switch is turned on, a black circle (AssitiveTouch) is displayed on the screen. You can use it as a pseudo home button by changing the [Single tap] setting.

What I'm still unfamiliar with is double-clicking the side button when getting the app. It's a bit annoying to double-click and then follow Face ID authentication. Is it possible to change the settings?

There is something wrong with Face ID authentication from double-clicking the side button when getting the app

Also, when I took off my glasses, it was soberly frustrating that Face ID didn't work, so I set "Set up another appearance".

After tapping [Face ID and passcode] in the [Settings] app, enter the passcode. Tap [Set up another appearance] to set

The display size according to the specifications is 5.4 inches. Since it is the length of the diagonal line from the top to the bottom, it is a value that includes the part beyond the in-camera at the top. To be honest, it's about 5 inches. However, the amount of information does not change because it is displayed in a reduced size.

The author should feel that the "7", "8", and "SE (1st generation)" have become considerably wider, just because they are switching from the 8 Plus.

8 Plus (left) and 12 mini (right).The 5.4 inch on the specification is a reduced size display including the upper end of the display, and the amount of information does not change

The warm color development seems to be the specification of the organic EL newly adopted in the "12" series. When "True Tone" in [Screen Display and Brightness] of the [Settings] app is turned off, it becomes "white", but I feel that the standard setting is easier on the eyes.

As the best-selling camera in the world is said to be the iPhone, there is certainly an iPhone, so I almost never carry a dedicated "camera" with me. One of the fun things about camera-related functions is the 0.5x ultra-wide-angle lens. Fresh for 8 Plus users.

Tap the "1x" icon to switch to 0.5x. "Pull" without changing the shooting position Shoot with "1x" Shoot with "0.5x". The shooting position is the same as "1x"

Distortion in the surroundings is a concern, but it is useful when you want to "pull". I envy the 12 Pro / Pro Max with a telephoto lens, but when I want to magnify it, I put up with trimming. The ultra-wide-angle lens should be used more frequently.

Overall, cameras are evolving and I think it's hard to fail. You can take natural pictures even if you press the shutter properly. If you want to shoot according to your intention, we recommend you to play with the settings or use the photo app.

Taken at a time when you can't see your feet. Shoot in "portrait" mode, which will give you a good finish even if you shoot properly.I think a photo app is essential if you want to aim and shoot

Overall, I am very satisfied with the "iPhone 12 mini". Especially, I would highly recommend it to "8" and "7" users. It is rumored that the battery is ..., but please compare it on Apple's official website (compare iPhone models). The 12 mini is better than the iPhone 8 and 7.