Apple iPhone 12 mini vs Samsung Galaxy A26

Our Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy A26 has a dramatically higher-resolution main camera, 50MP against the Apple iPhone 12 mini's 12MP, and the A26 has the bigger battery of the two, 5000mAh against 2227mAh, though iOS and Android manage power differently, so more mAh doesn't always mean longer battery life. The A26 has the bigger screen at 6.7" against 5.4", while the iPhone 12 Mini has the sharper one at 477 PPI, and the iPhone 12 Mini is the lighter phone at 135g against 200g. Get the A26 if those extras are worth it to you; otherwise the iPhone 12 Mini covers the basics for less.

Buying outright, the iPhone 12 Mini starts at £127 SIM-free.

Expert Rating
4.2
10 reviews
3.6
10 reviews
Screen
5.4" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch
477 385
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) 5nm Exynos 1280
Battery
2,227 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS
iOS 14.1 Android
SIM Type
Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions
131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm 164 x 77.5 x 7.7 mm
Weight
135 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts
- £12.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£127.00 £239.00

Prices updated 27 July 2026

Apple iPhone 12 mini Apple iPhone 12 mini Samsung Galaxy A26 Samsung Galaxy A26
Expert Rating 4.2
10 reviews
3.6
10 reviews
Screen 5.4" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Super AMOLED
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1080 x 2340
Pixels Per Inch 477 385
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 13 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) 5nm Exynos 1280
Battery 2,227 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB
OS iOS 14.1 Android
SIM Type Nano SIM Nano SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3 with A2DP, LE
Dimensions 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm 164 x 77.5 x 7.7 mm
Weight 135 grams 200 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Contracts - £12.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £127.00 £239.00
Prices updated 27 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12 mini
Apple iPhone 12 mini

64GB

Blue

Refurbished

From £127

Samsung Galaxy A26
Samsung Galaxy A26

24 Months

128GB

Black

10GB

Data

£12.29 per month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 mini or Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Samsung Galaxy A26 has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 12 mini's 5.4", the Apple iPhone 12 mini has the sharper display at 477 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Apple iPhone 12 mini uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy A26 has a Super AMOLED.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 mini or Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy A26 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 mini or Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £127.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy A26 comes in 128GB, 256GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy A26 use?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy A26 uses the 5nm Exynos 1280 .

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 mini or Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini is the more portable of the two: it's 65g lighter at 135 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 131.5 x 64.2 x 7.4 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 mini or Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy A26 is rated IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 mini and Samsung Galaxy A26 run?

The Apple iPhone 12 mini runs iOS 14.1 and the Samsung Galaxy A26 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.