With the introduction of the iPhone 12 mini, Apple has solidified its reputation as a leading manufacturer of compact cell phones. This year alone, Apple has released two compact models, the iPhone SE and now the iPhone 12 mini, proving that a phone does not have to be huge to offer great value.

Smartphone buyers may prefer phablets these days - there is a reason why phone screen sizes are getting bigger, and it has everything to do with customer demand. However, many people still prefer phones that can be easily held and operated with one hand, and Apple has mastered the art of putting more features in less space.

As good as the iPhone SE is - we raved about it when it debuted earlier this year - it is the iPhone 12 mini that currently occupies the top spot on our list of best small phones. Here's how the iPhone 12 sets the standard for other 6-inch and smaller devices.

Some phone makers are tempted to treat their entry-level flagship models differently than other flagship models. This is not the case with Apple, at least when it comes to processing power.

All iPhone 12 models are powered by Apple's A14 Bionic processor, including the iPhone 12 mini. This means that the least expensive new device in Apple's lineup is powered by the same 5-nanometer chip found in the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

As such, the iPhone 12 mini is one of the best performing phones you can buy today. In fact, by some benchmarks, it is the most powerful phone. iPhone 12 mini scored 4,123 on the Geekbench 5 multi-core test, the highest of any iPhone. (The iPhone 12 Pro Max was close behind with a result of 4,111.) The iPhone 12 mini may be a small phone, but it is a very powerful device indeed.

Despite its small size, the iPhone 12 mini has a 5.4-inch screen area. This is larger than the 4.7-inch iPhone SE. However, even with the larger screen, the iPhone 12 mini is smaller than the iPhone SE.

The iPhone 12 mini measures 5.18 x 2.53 x 0.29. The iPhone SE is taller (5.45") and wider (2.65") than the mini. It is also heavier, weighing 5.22 ounces versus the mini's 4.76 ounces. These are slight differences, to be sure, but if you value a phone that is easy to carry and fits in your pocket, the iPhone 12 mini's slender frame is a match made in heaven.

While there is no such thing as an indestructible phone, Apple seems to have taken every possible step to at least mitigate damage from an accidental drop. iPhone 12 mini has the same IP68 rating as the rest of the iPhone 12 lineup, with a maximum 20 feet of water and can be dropped for 30 minutes.

Apple has also reportedly included a Ceramic Shield screen in the new models, making iPhone 12 models four times more likely to be free from damage from drops, although it is unlikely that drop tests will be conducted until the iPhone 12 mini hits store shelves, Initial drop tests of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro suggest that these models are quite durable.

In the case of the iPhone 12 mini, this would be quite an accomplishment. Not long ago, making a phone more durable meant adding bulk. iPhone 12 mini promises to withstand falls while maintaining a slim form factor.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the best camera phone we've seen, thanks to its multitude of lenses. But the iPhone 12 mini's dual rear cameras are not far behind. The smallest iPhone benefits from the same Computational Photography that Apple includes in all its flagships, so even with only two lenses, it benefits from features such as Deep Fusion, Night Mode, and Smart HDR 3, which allows for detailed low-light shots.

This is limited to still photography. The iPhone 12 mini can also shoot 4K HDR video at up to 60 frames per second, or 30 frames per second with Dolby Vision processing enabled.

If you really need a telephoto lens, the iPhone 12 Pro model is a better choice. But otherwise, mobile photographers have few compromises to make with the iPhone 12 mini.

There are certainly cheaper models available than the iPhone 12 mini, including Apple's own lineup. (In addition to the aforementioned iPhone SE, the iPhone 11 and iPhone XR are also available now at discounted prices.) But you won't find many phones that offer the features of the iPhone 12 mini for less than $700.

I have recently reviewed a string of $699 smartphones, from the LG Velvet to the Nokia 8 V 5G UW. In addition to the fact that most of these phones have huge screens, especially the Nokia 8 V with its 6.81-inch display, there is little that these phones can do that the iPhone 12 mini cannot do better.

There are reasons why small phone fans might not embrace the iPhone 12 mini. Its compact form factor leaves little room for a battery, and the mini's lackluster results in iPhone 12 battery life tests reflect that. Additionally, Apple did not include a charger with this phone, which could be costly if you don't want to use a charger you already have.

However, if you choose your favorite phone with a 6-inch or smaller display, the iPhone 12 mini is likely to win in important areas. Therefore, for those who like compact phones, this phone is the first choice.