What are the differences between these small iPhones?

Twenty years ago, phones and computers were getting smaller, but in recent years, phones have actually increased in size. In addition to the standard model, Apple even offers a Plus or Pro Max version, which are slightly larger. But if you're looking for a smaller model and don’t necessarily need the latest of the latest, there are still other options. The refurbished iPhone 8, refurbished iPhone SE 2020, and refurbished iPhone 12 mini are good contenders for you. These iPhones have many differences, but there are also many similarities. So how do you know which small iPhone to choose? We’re here to help. We’ve listed the most important features of the iPhone 8, iPhone SE 2020, and iPhone 12 mini and compared these small iPhones.

Design

First, of course, are the dimensions, since you’re specifically choosing a small iPhone. The iPhone 8 and iPhone SE 2020 look exactly the same on the outside. Just like with the iPhone SE from 2016, the casing of an older model is used, while the inside matches the latest devices. Both the iPhone 8 and the SE 2020 have the same 4.7-inch screen with a home button and Touch ID underneath. So, there is no difference in dimensions. The iPhone 12 mini, on the other hand, looks very different. Although the device is slightly smaller in size, the iPhone 12 mini does have a 5.4-inch screen. Since this phone no longer has a home button with Touch ID, it uses Face ID.

Screen

Without the home button, the iPhone 12 mini has a much larger screen than the other two phones. Additionally, the material of the screen is different. The iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone 8 have a glass screen and back, while the iPhone 12 mini’s screen is made of Ceramic Shield. This is a ceramic-reinforced glass, making the device more resistant to drops. With a good case, the iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone 8 are also well protected and just as drop-resistant. The iPhone 12 mini also has an OLED display, while the other two still have an LCD widescreen display.

Camera

The camera is, of course, an aspect that Apple has focused heavily on in recent years. With the introduction of the iPhone 13 Pro, you can take photos that rival those from a DSLR camera. So, you can assume that the more recent the model, the better the camera. All three iPhones have a 12-megapixel camera and a wide-angle lens, but the iPhone 12 mini also has an ultra-wide-angle lens. If you want to take beautiful portraits, the iPhone SE or iPhone 12 mini are ideal, as they have portrait mode and lighting. Only the iPhone 12 mini can be used in night mode.

Processor

The three iPhones have different processors. Of course, the iPhone 8 has the oldest chip, the A11, as it has been on the market since 2017. In the meantime, Apple’s chips have become much better and faster. There is far less difference between the iPhone SE (2020) (A13) and the iPhone 12 mini (A14), which you as an average user will hardly notice in practice.

Extras

In terms of extras, the iPhone 8 is clearly the oldest model: it has the fewest technical features. For example, both the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone SE 2020 allow you to link two SIM cards to the phone via an eSIM, while the iPhone 8 cannot.

When it comes to water resistance, the iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone 8 are on par. Both devices can last 30 minutes at a depth of 1 meter. However, the iPhone 12 mini can last 30 minutes at a depth of 6 meters.

All three iPhones can be charged wirelessly. However, there are some differences. The iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone 8 do not have an internal magnet and are therefore not compatible with MagSafe. The iPhone 12 mini, on the other hand, does have this magnet, ensuring the charger always stays in place and the phone charges much faster.

When we compare the storage options of the three models, there are certainly similarities: they all start at 64GB. The iPhone 8 is also available in 128GB, while the iPhone SE 2020 and iPhone 12 mini are available in both 128GB and 256GB.

Conclusion

What becomes very clear in this comparison is that the iPhone 12 mini is the fastest and most innovative phone of the three. On the other hand, it is also the most expensive device. The refurbished iPhone 12 mini costs about €200 more than the refurbished iPhone SE 2020, and even €400 more than the refurbished iPhone 8.

While the iPhone 8 is somewhat outdated, it’s still a good option if you’re looking for a budget iPhone and plan to primarily use the phone for emailing, browsing, and texting. If you want to take a lot of photos with your iPhone, the iPhone 12 mini is the best choice. It has the best camera with the most features. The iPhone SE (2020) is a suitable model if you’re looking for a small phone that falls somewhere in between. The iPhone SE (2020) is a powerful model that is more advanced than the iPhone 8 but lacks some of the technical features that the iPhone 12 mini has.