1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 172.8 x 77.3 x 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 5 is taller and thicker, might feel bulkier in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 228g | 238g | iPhone 12 Pro Max is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | ROG Phone 5 provides better protection against scratches and minor impacts. iPhone protection is unknown. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer large viewing areas. |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1080 x 2448 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and clearer text. |
| Pixel Density | 458 ppi | 395 ppi | iPhone 12 Pro Max display will look noticeably sharper. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display technologies with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ROG Phone 5 offers significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming visuals. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers dramatically better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. Asus Rog Phone 5 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) | Both offer flagship-level performance; Apple A14 Bionic has better single core performance; Snapdragon 888 provides excellent gaming capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 883,000 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a higher benchmark score, implying slightly faster overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 660 | Both provide excellent graphics performance for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 64MP, f/1.8 | ROG Phone 5 has higher megapixel count; iPhone 12 Pro Max has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 24MP, f/2.45 | ROG Phone 5 has higher megapixel count; iPhone 12 Pro Max has a wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2 | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides optical zoom capabilities; ROG Phone 5 lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.5 | Both offer wide-angle shots, with slight differences in resolution and aperture. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP, f/2.0 | ROG Phone 5 offers macro photography capabilities; iPhone 12 Pro Max lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ROG Phone 5 can record higher resolution videos; both support HDR and slow-motion recording. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 131 (Photo:131, Video: 130) | Not Tested | iPhone 12 Pro Max demonstrates strong overall camera performance based on DXOMark scores. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 (Photo:127, Video:140) | Not Tested | iPhone 12 Pro Max demonstrates strong overall selfie camera performance based on DXOMark scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687 mAh | 6000 mAh | ROG Phone 5 has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | MagSafe, Qi Wireless | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | ROG Phone 5 offers unique battery features for gaming; iPhone provides convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (up to 18) | Android 11 (up to 12) | Different operating systems: iOS is known for its user-friendliness and ecosystem; Android is known for customization and flexibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | ROG Phone 5 provides additional WiFi capabilities for direct device connections and display sharing. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.2 | ROG Phone 5 has a newer Bluetooth version with more features for audio and device control. |
| GPS | Standard + Galileo | Standard + (L1+L5), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | ROG Phone 5 offers more advanced satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | iPhone 12 Pro Max supports eSIM for digital SIM switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both phones have same storage options, but neither offer expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | ROG Phone 5 has substantially more RAM, beneficial for heavy multitasking and demanding games. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancelling mic | ROG Phone 5 offers superior audio features; iPhone supports Dolby technologies. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security | Fingerprint Sensor | ROG Phone 5 has biometric security; iPhone relies on less defined basic security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG Phone 5 offers additional sensors for better gaming performance and biometric security. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution and pixel density for a clearer viewing experience.
- Brighter Display: Much better outdoor visibility thanks to higher brightness levels.
- Stronger Benchmark Performance: Higher AnTuTu score indicates better overall performance, faster app loading.
- Excellent Camera System: Great overall camera performance and selfie capabilities based on DXOMark scores. Dedicated telephoto lens and optical zoom.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient MagSafe and Qi wireless charging options.
- eSIM Support: Offers the convenience of digital SIM switching
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 144Hz refresh rate for much smoother visuals, especially in gaming.
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity for extended usage.
- Faster Charging: Much faster 65W charging.
- Gaming Focused Features: Bypass charging, higher RAM options for better gaming performance.
- Superior Audio: DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, noise cancellation microphone.
- More RAM Options: Higher RAM for better multitasking and gaming performance.
- More Connectivity Options: WiFi Direct and WiFi Display.
- Advanced GPS: More satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Basic biometric security.
- 8K Video Recording: Offers higher video recording resolution.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Lower refresh rate, smaller battery capacity, slower charging, lacks a macro lens.
- Asus ROG Phone 5: Lower screen resolution and pixel density, unknown screen brightness, lacks a dedicated telephoto lens. No Wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ideal User: Professionals, content creators, general users who prioritize a premium build, high-quality display, excellent camera performance, and a seamless user experience within the Apple ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Editing photos and videos on the go.
- Everyday use with an emphasis on a fluid experience, web browsing, and social media.
- Users heavily invested in Apple ecosystem.
- Outdoor usage where high brightness is essential.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, power users who prioritize performance, long battery life, and advanced audio features.
- Use Cases:
- Intense mobile gaming.
- Extended use without needing to charge.
- Immersive multimedia consumption with high-quality audio.
- Users who need a lot of RAM for heavy multitasking and apps.
- Users who prioritize customization and flexibility offered by Android.
- Users who need high quality location accuracy.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is likely more expensive, while the Asus ROG Phone 5 offers similar performance in a different area at likely a slightly lower price, making it great value for the gaming and power user. The actual value depends on the user priorities and what they need from their mobile phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you prioritize in your mobile usage? (Display quality vs. refresh rate? Camera features vs. gaming performance?)
- What is your budget? (Are you willing to pay a premium for the features of the iPhone, or would you rather get good gaming features with the ROG Phone 5 at likely a lower price?)
- What operating system do you prefer? (iOS ecosystem vs. Android customization and features?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the Mobile Photographer/Videographer: If camera quality, editing capabilities, and high-quality display are your priority, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is likely the better choice.
For the Hardcore Mobile Gamer: If gaming performance, smooth visuals, long battery life, and low charging times are your primary need, the Asus ROG Phone 5 is likely the better choice.
For the Everyday User: If you need a balanced smartphone experience, then the decision will be based on operating system preference, ecosystem, and the weight placed on camera vs. smoothness of the display.
Personal Choice
If I were choosing, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a better screen in terms of resolution and brightness, the ROG Phone 5 offers advantages in areas that are more important to me. The higher refresh rate display would allow for a smoother experience, and the larger battery capacity with fast charging is crucial for a power user like me. The ability to record 8K video is also an important feature. Although the iPhone has a better tested camera, the ROG Phone 5 offers great still and video recording quality that would be more than enough for the vast majority of users. The ROG Phone 5 has also an amazing sound system, a fingerprint sensor, and advanced GPS features. As I prioritize gaming and media consumption, the ROG Phone 5 is the better overall choice for my needs.
