Smartphone loyalty often walks a fine line between genuine preference and emotional attachment. The iPhone 12 mini and Galaxy S9 Plus represent two different philosophies in mobile design—one embracing compactness in a modern era, the other offering expansive hardware with flagship flair from its time. But when placed side by side today, is the perceived superiority of either device rooted in actual performance, or are we simply romanticizing older tech?
This isn’t just a specs showdown. It’s about usability, longevity, software support, and whether these phones still make sense in 2024. Let’s cut through sentimentality and assess what each device truly delivers now.
Design and Build: Form Meets Function
The iPhone 12 mini and Galaxy S9 Plus couldn’t be more different in physical philosophy. Apple’s 5.4-inch mini is one of the last true pocket-friendly smartphones, built with flat aluminum edges and Ceramic Shield glass. Its weight—135 grams—and compact footprint make it effortless to use one-handed, a rarity among modern flagships.
In contrast, the Galaxy S9 Plus stretches across 6.2 inches with curved AMOLED glass on both front and back, framed by aluminum. At 189 grams, it demands two hands for comfortable navigation. While undeniably sleek and premium in feel, its size makes it less agile in daily handling.
Both devices feature IP68 water resistance, though the S9 Plus was ahead of its time in 2018 by including this at launch. However, build quality alone doesn’t guarantee longevity—software updates do.
Performance and Real-World Speed
Under the hood, the gap is stark. The iPhone 12 mini runs on Apple’s A14 Bionic chip—an architecture that still outperforms many mid-range Androids in 2024. Paired with iOS optimization, it handles multitasking, gaming, and camera processing with ease. Even as iOS evolves, the A14 continues to receive full system updates, expected through at least 2025.
The Galaxy S9 Plus, powered by the Snapdragon 845 (or Exynos 9810 depending on region), was a powerhouse in 2018. But five years later, even routine tasks like switching between apps or loading high-res web pages can feel sluggish. It maxed out at Android 10 with One UI 2.5—meaning no security patches since early 2021. That raises serious concerns about app compatibility and data safety.
“Hardware age is inevitable, but lack of software support cuts a phone’s functional life short—often before its battery does.” — David Lin, Mobile Systems Analyst
Benchmarks tell part of the story: the A14 scores nearly double the S9 Plus in Geekbench 5 CPU tests. But real-world usage tells the full tale. Opening Instagram, editing photos, or using AR features feels instantaneous on the 12 mini, while the S9 Plus stutters under similar loads.
Display and Audio Experience
The S9 Plus shines in display technology. Its 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED panel with HDR10 support offers deeper blacks, richer colors, and higher peak brightness than the iPhone 12 mini’s 1080p OLED. For media lovers, especially those watching locally stored HDR content, the visual difference is noticeable.
It also has dual front-facing speakers tuned by AKG, delivering stereo sound with surprising depth. The iPhone 12 mini, while featuring excellent speaker balance and clarity, lacks the spatial width of the S9 Plus setup.
However, the 12 mini compensates with superior color accuracy and True Tone technology, adjusting white balance based on ambient light—a subtle but meaningful advantage for photographers and designers.
Screen & Sound Comparison Table
| Feature | iPhone 12 mini | Galaxy S9 Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 5.4 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 (OLED) | 1440 x 2960 (AMOLED) |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Speakers | Stereo (bottom + earpiece) | Dual front-facing stereo (AKG-tuned) |
| HDR Support | HDR10, Dolby Vision | HDR10 |
While the S9 Plus wins on screen resolution and audio presence, neither device offers adaptive refresh rates—a standard now even on budget phones.
Camera Capabilities: Then vs Now
The S9 Plus launched with a dual 12MP rear system: standard and telephoto, both with optical image stabilization. Its low-light mode (“Super Slow-mo” and variable aperture f/1.5–f/2.4) impressed critics at the time. In controlled conditions, it still captures detailed, warm-toned images.
The iPhone 12 mini improves upon this with computational photography. Despite having only two 12MP cameras (wide and ultra-wide), Deep Fusion, Night mode on all lenses, and Smart HDR 3 produce more consistent results. Video recording is where it pulls far ahead—supporting Dolby Vision HDR at 4K/60fps, something the S9 Plus never could.
Real Example: Travel Photography Test
A freelance photographer used both devices during a weekend trip to Chicago. In daylight, the S9 Plus produced vibrant, slightly oversaturated shots favored by some Instagram users. But in dimly lit restaurants or evening cityscapes, the iPhone 12 mini captured cleaner exposures with better dynamic range. Videos shot along the riverwalk showed noticeable stabilization differences—the S9 footage wobbled, while the 12 mini remained smooth even without a gimbal.
Battery Life and Long-Term Usability
This is where the iPhone 12 mini faces criticism. Apple advertised up to 17 hours of video playback, but real-world mixed usage rarely exceeds 8–9 hours of screen-on time. With aging batteries, many units now struggle to last a full day.
The S9 Plus, equipped with a 3,500mAh battery, offered stronger endurance at launch. However, after thousands of charge cycles, most surviving units have degraded significantly. Replacement batteries are available, but third-party options vary in quality.
- iPhone 12 mini: Efficient processor helps extend usable life despite small capacity.
- Galaxy S9 Plus: Larger battery offset by inefficient SoC and outdated power management.
Checklist: Is Your Older Phone Still Viable?
- Does it receive regular security updates? (S9 Plus: No / 12 mini: Yes)
- Can it run essential apps smoothly? (e.g., banking, messaging, maps)
- Is the battery holding at least 80% of original capacity?
- Do major services (Google, WhatsApp, Instagram) still support the OS version?
- Is repair or replacement cost-effective compared to upgrading?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Galaxy S9 Plus run WhatsApp in 2024?
Yes, but with limitations. WhatsApp officially supports Android 5.0+, so the S9 Plus meets minimum requirements. However, newer features may not work reliably, and future updates could drop support for Android 9 or 10.
Is the iPhone 12 mini worth buying used today?
For users seeking a compact iOS experience, yes—provided the battery health is verified. It supports iOS 17 and will likely get iOS 18. Just expect shorter battery life than larger iPhones.
Why do people still praise the S9 Plus?
Nostalgia plays a big role. At launch, it had top-tier materials, headphone jack, expandable storage, and IP68—all rare today. Fans miss Samsung’s willingness to include user-centric features without compromise.
The Verdict: Hype or Substance?
The admiration for the Galaxy S9 Plus today is largely nostalgic. It symbolizes a time when flagship phones balanced innovation with user freedom—microSD slots, 3.5mm jacks, and replaceable parts. But objectively, its hardware and software are obsolete.
The iPhone 12 mini, meanwhile, remains functionally relevant. Its compact size defies current trends, yet its processing power, camera system, and software support keep it competitive. It proves that thoughtful engineering can extend a device’s useful life far beyond marketing cycles.
So, is the hype real? For the S9 Plus, it’s mostly memory. For the 12 mini, the excitement is justified—not because it’s perfect, but because it still performs like a modern smartphone should.
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