iPhone 12 mini First Impression: Tiny Powerhouse

The iPhone 12 mini might be the best thing that has happened in consumer tech in the past 5 years. It’s the first iPhone to say “no” to modern conventional thinking of “bigger is better.” Countless people complaining about smartphone size inflation, holding on to their smaller smartphones and Apple finally got the message. They released a smaller iPhone. The iPhone 12 mini is the first “full-screen” iPhone below 5.7 inches. The 5.4-inch iPhone also comes with the new iPhone 12 design. That means flatter sides and a thinner form factor, along with smaller bezels. The end result is a device that is easy to hold and use with one hand. However, it’s still large enough for games, movies, and typing.

I’ve only been using the iPhone 12 mini for a few hours, but I can already say that this is the most excited I’ve been about an iPhone since the iPhone 5. The iPhone 6 was neat, but I quickly grew to dislike the form factor. The iPhone X was exciting, and slightly easier to hold than previous iPhones, but still was an unwieldy mess. This? This iPhone is perfect. I pick up my iPhone 11 now and think I must have been crazy to ever put up with something so large.

I’ll have a full review in a few weeks. I like to do thorough testing of the battery life and use every app I typically use through a few weeks to be sure about a review. Plus, I’ve got to spend some time testing the camera and comparing it to the iPhone 11. So expect the iPhone 12 mini full review in December. I just couldn’t go so long without sharing something about this iPhone.

My biggest issue with it? Why did Apple ditch their perfect red color for an orange-like hibiscus color? I don’t (yet) hate it enough to wish I had just gone for black. In certain lighting, it does still look mostly red. But I’m really disappointed in this lighter red color. Why can’t Apple ever stick with a color?

I write about tech and I use many smartphones, being a mobile developer. I am so excited to use this iPhone for at least the next year. Finally, I have a device that actually feels like it was made to be used, not just looked at. This is how every iPhone should feel, at home in your hand.

I hope this isn’t a honeymoon period, but if it is, I’ll be sure to contradict everything I’ve just said in a few weeks. I doubt it’ll come to that though. This thing rocks.