Balmuda Phone vs. iPhone 12 Mini, Galaxy S21 & Xperia 5 IV: Which Compact Smartphone is Best?

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Overview of the Balmuda Phone and its Key Features
• Design and Build
• Display
• Performance
• Camera
• Software and User Experience
• Balmuda Phone vs Competitors Comparison
• Apple iPhone 12 Mini vs. Balmuda Phone
• Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Balmuda Phone
• Sony Xperia 5 IV vs. Balmuda Phone
• Which Phone is Right for You?

Introduction

This is a look at the Balmuda Phone in comparison to devices it positions itself with: small, stylish alternatives to bulkier mainstream phones.

Introduction

While I think it's awesome to see a new player making headway in the market; there are mainly three dominant manufacturers out now (Apple, Samsung, and Sony), so somebody innovative is always refreshingly welcomed. The Balmuda phone is a brand-new entrant that has managed to garner the attention of many tech enthusiasts out there. The Balmuda phone has a unique design and focuses on the user while standing in stark contrast to an increasingly homogenized sea of mobile phones. So how does it compare to other small smartphones such as the Apple iPhone 12 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S21, or Sony Xperia 5 IV? The article will do a more careful comparison to see the advantages and disadvantages of solving an ACC Balmuda compared with more traditional favorite brands.

Overview of the Balmuda Phone and its Key Features

The Balmuda phone is the first smartphone from the Japanese company of that name, which has been more famous for its stylish and innovative household gadgets. You can see this industrial designing background from the aesthetics of the phone, which appears simple and fairly ergonomic. And unlike the increasing number of smartphones trying to cram bigger screens and larger feature sets into an increasingly more compact space, Balmuda is reveling in its pocketability- it might not be for everyone, but if your primary concern when using a smartphone doesn't involve playing high-power games or watching videos that just have to fill up every inch, then this device tops all others.

Design and Build

The first thing to notice about the Balmuda phone should be its size. The display measures a mere 4.9 inches, making it far smaller than nearly any phone on the market today and evoking memories of compact handsets from yesteryear in the early-2010s. The back also has a subtle curve that makes the phone rest comfortably in your palm. The matte finish and minimal design make it feel more premium than the name suggests, although its small size should mean using one hand is mostly a pain-free experience – something that's increasingly rare in today's smartphone world.

It's IPX4 water-resistant, well-built for a tiny phone. User-First, y se nota, claro están que este diseño es en favor de la comodidad al uso diario. That's quite different from many of its rivals, such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 and Sony Xperia 5 IV, which have larger gabestures.

Display

The Balmuda phone has a 4.9-inch Full HD+ display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. This might be on the low end compared to its rivals, but that smaller diagonal makes for a 453 ppi density, which will keep your visuals sharp and vibrant. This display is an OLED panel that provides deep blacks and also touch vivid colors, making the visual experience even better.

This is the right size of a screen for anyone who wishes to go with a compact device and carry it around easily. Although, people who watch videos or play games on big screens, it may not be appealing to them; therefore, in this category, Apple iPhone 12 Mini and Samsung Galaxy S21 could have an edge.

Performance

The Balmuda Phone is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 SoC, coupled with up to 6GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 128GB internal storage. That said, the system does fall somewhat behind in terms of performance from chipsets used by phones such as Samsung Galaxy S21 and Sony Xperia 5 IV, but it's still more than enough for your everyday stuff—getting some browsing done, messaging people, or chilling on social media.

Although the Snapdragon 765 would suffice for most mid-range work, higher-end tasks such as gaming or intensive multitasking may prove difficult for it. A Balmuda phone would be a mid-tier device that is not as affordable or cheap, and aimed at customers who care more about design and usability than just having the best specifications.

Camera

The Balmuda phone comes with a 48-megapixel single rear camera and an 8MP front-facing shooter. Today, most smartphones come with multiple lenses for wide angle, telephoto or macro photography. Yet Balmuda keeps things simple. The one camera does pretty add up in good lightweight, shooting careful daytime photos with correct colors. Still, it falls short of the flexibility found in multi-camera setups on phones such as Samsung's Galaxy S21 or Sony's Xperia 5 IV.

The Balmuda phone camera is enough for those who use their mobile only to take occasional pictures or upload photos on social networks. However, anyone in need of more niche photography functions might find the camera system a bit prohibitive.

Software and User Experience

It is powered by a custom UI based on Android to make the Balmuda phone smarter and easier to use. This year, Balmuda has come up with a design philosophy for software, and we simplify system suitable use this viewpoint to achieve the internal command details. What you'll notice first about using the Xperia M dual is its home screen -- a no-fuss grid of apps, with broad and easy to navigate icons. The stripped-down simplicity of the phone appears to be suited for those who are intimidated by more complicated smartphones.

That said, the custom UI could also mean that Balmuda phone users will potentially take longer to receive Android updates as compared to other phones running stock Android. So, depending upon the point of view, it may turn out as a disadvantage for users who wish to have the latest software features and security updates.

Balmuda Phone vs Competitors Comparison

Apple iPhone 12 Mini vs. Balmuda Phone

The Balmuda phone is probably the smallest smartphone to hit East Asian markets, so if you aren't from that region or have never heard of them just think Apple iPhone 12 Mini. There are, nonetheless, big differences between the two.

These phones emphasize the one-handed experience: Both are compact and friendly for people who prefer a phone they can use with just…

Design

But where Balmuda's is rounded, ergonomic design all around, created to feel warm in your hand; Iphone 12 Mini sports its angular style with flat edges. It is also a tad smaller than the iPhone 12 Mini so more pocket-friendly.

Screen

The iPhone 12 Mini gets a super Retina XDR display that is 5.4-inch which seems to be slightly larger than the Balmuda; Color gradients are good, and details are sharp on both displays but while the iPhone 12 Mini offers support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision making colors pop out more when watching video content.

Performance

While the Balmuda phone is powered by a Snapdragon 765, capable of handling day-to-day tasks smoothly, it's nowhere near as potent as Apple A14 Bionic inside iPhone 12 Mini. That obviously puts the iPhone 12 Mini head and shoulders above any of its rivals in terms of raw processing power, which translates to better performance when gaming or attempting multiple tasks concurrently.

Camera

Despite that, the Balmuda does have a very capable camera, well technically two cameras since it has an 8 MP sensor and another with various sensors for depth-sensing without anyone knowing exactly how aromatic those are, just like its organic flower-certified perforated aluminum enclosure but unlike iPhone 12 Mini which sports dual-camera (a wide lens and ultrawide), providing more flexibility in daily shooting situations. The camera system of the iPhone also offers greater versatility for anyone who wishes to take photos in difficult conditions, such as low-light situations or when you want the bokeh effect to stand out.

Software

When it comes to software, it's down to personal preference, as the Balmuda phone runs a stripped-down version of Android. However, there is no denying that the iPhone 12 Mini's iOS 14 brings more features to the table. While, Balmuda phone will be more attractive to people who find iOS difficult to operate, iOS is the go-to option for folks wanting an easy experience right out of the box. A consideration would be about how much you care about software updates too, as Apple offers them for far longer than other brands like Balmuda.

Price

The price will also play an important factor when choosing between the two devices; Balmuda phone could be more budget-friendly (but only marginally so). On the other hand, Apple’s products always demand higher prices, but come packed with more cutting-edge features and hardware, backed up by a reliable support system.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs. Balmuda Phone

Samsung Galaxy S21 should be the next option to look at if we talk about the competition. Unlike Balmuda’s very small screen and distinctive aesthetic, Samsung Galaxy S21 comes with more screen real estate and a super AMOLED panel that stretches up to 6.2 inches.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset and 8GB RAM on the Galaxy S21 are also a considerable step up over Balmuda’s 765G, meaning that the Galaxy S21 will perform more smoothly when running power-hungry apps or multitasking. That said, the Balmuda still gets the job done for daily tasks and general app usage, so it might come down to what you prefer from the user experience.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy S21 also comes with a triple camera system – including wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. This makes it far more versatile for photography than the Balmuda phone. The Galaxy S21 also gets the benefit of being more widely supported with updates and more reliable customer service.

Battery

The Galaxy S21 has a bigger battery (4,000 mAh), which naturally supports the higher demands of its bigger display and more powerful chipset, whereas the Balmuda phone’s smaller battery capacity might be one of its few drawbacks compared to the competition.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S21 has an advantage if you prefer larger screens, greater processing power, and a more robust camera system. However, the Balmuda phone might still appeal to those who prioritize design and a smaller, more unique form factor.

Sony Xperia 5 IV 5G vs. Balmuda Phone

Finally, Sony Xperia 5 IV is yet another small phone competitor that has managed to gain favor among users who prefer compact smartphones. Like the Balmuda phone, the Xperia 5 IV also provides a smaller, more ergonomic experience, although it’s still bigger at 6.1 inches. The key advantage of Sony Xperia 5 IV is that it has greater horsepower than the Balmuda phone.

Design

While both phones are designed to be sleek and compact, the Xperia 5 IV has a more familiar rectangular form, contrasting with the more rounded design of the Balmuda phone. It’s also more water-resistant (IP65/68), compared to the Balmuda’s IPX4 rating.

Camera

Another notable difference is the camera setup – the Xperia 5 IV features a triple camera system with a variable telephoto lens that offers 2x and 4.4x optical zoom, whereas the Balmuda phone has only one primary lens.

If you care more about having a compact device with a focus on style and simplicity, the Balmuda phone will appeal more to you. On the other hand, if you want something with a bit more power under the hood and a better camera system, the Xperia 5 IV might be the better choice.

Which Phone is Right for You?

The Balmuda phone brings a refreshing breath of fresh air into the tech world with its focus on a unique, user-centric design. That said, it may not suit everyone. If you're in the market for a small smartphone with top-notch specifications, you might want to consider alternatives like the iPhone 12 Mini, Samsung Galaxy S21, or Sony Xperia 5 IV. However, if your priority is a distinct design, simplicity, and a user-friendly experience, the Balmuda phone might just be the perfect fit for you.