Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Asus ROG Phone 6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus ROG Phone 6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 173 x 77 x 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 6 is taller and thicker, making it less pocketable and potentially more cumbersome for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 228g | 239g | Both phones are heavy; the ROG Phone 6 is slightly heavier, which can contribute to fatigue during long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.78" | Very similar display sizes; the difference is negligible in everyday use. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2448 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a significantly sharper display due to higher resolution, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 395 | iPhone 12 Pro Max's higher PPI results in a noticeably sharper display, with smoother edges. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent contrast and deep blacks; differences are minimal in practice. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 6 offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience, especially for gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both displays are equally bright, suitable for outdoor visibility in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 6's newer chipset provides marginally better performance in benchmarks, potentially offering slight improvements in gaming and app performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,203,000 | ROG Phone 6 has a slightly higher benchmark score, suggesting slightly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Different GPUs; performance differences depend on specific workloads but both are capable of handling demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 6 has a much larger battery capacity, implying significantly longer battery life for general use and gaming. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 6 charges much faster than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, allowing for quicker refills during the day. |
| Features | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | Bypass, 10W Reverse | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers versatile wireless charging options, while ROG Phone 6 allows for bypass charging during gaming and can charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Res | 12MP | 50MP | ROG Phone 6's main camera has much higher resolution; however, real-world image quality is also impacted by sensor size, pixel size and processing. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.9 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a wider aperture that may result in better low light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, which ROG Phone 6 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | Yes | Both offer ultrawide capability; ROG has slightly wider apperture which is better for low light conditions |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | ROG Phone 6 offers macro lens for close-up photography, while iPhone 12 Pro Max lacks this feature. |
| Video Resolution | 4K@60fps with HDR | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | ROG Phone 6 can record higher resolution videos and smoother 4K videos; iPhone has wider HDR video capabilities |
| DxOMark Mobile | 131 | Not Available | iPhone 12 Pro Max's camera is well-regarded based on its DxOMark score. The ROG Phone 6 does not have a dxomark score for comparison. |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | Not Available | iPhone 12 Pro Max's selfie camera is well-regarded based on its DxOMark score. The ROG Phone 6 does not have a dxomark score for comparison. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 12 | Different operating systems; iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a streamlined experience, while ROG Phone 6 allows for greater customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Display | Both support fast Wi-Fi, with ROG Phone 6 offering additional capabilities for sharing content. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ROG Phone 6 has the latest Bluetooth for potentially faster and more reliable connections and better audio quality. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | More Systems | ROG Phone 6 has more comprehensive GPS support, offering potentially higher accuracy and reliability. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro Max allows for digital SIM switching; ROG Phone 6 requires physical SIMs. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both offer similar storage options, with no expandable storage. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 8/12/16 GB | ROG Phone 6 offers significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance for resource-intensive applications. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | DTS/DTS X, Hi-Res, Noise Cancel | ROG Phone 6 offers more advanced audio features, including noise cancellation and higher-quality audio playback, while the iPhone offers Dolby sound for more immersive audio |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | ROG Phone 6 offers an additional biometric security option with a fingerprint sensor, lacking on the iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Asus ROG Phone 6 offers superior screen protection for enhanced durability. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Hall, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | ROG Phone 6 includes fingerprint and hall sensors. iPhone 12 Pro Max includes barometer sensor. Both phones feature a comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density provide a noticeably sharper display, improving the viewing experience.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom capabilities for better close-up shots, unlike the ROG Phone 6.
- Wireless Charging: Supports convenient MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
- eSIM Support: Allows for digital SIM switching for flexibility and easy carrier management.
- Established Ecosystem: Benefits from the mature iOS ecosystem and seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: The 165Hz refresh rate offers significantly smoother visuals and animations, improving the gaming experience.
- Superior Battery Life: The large 6000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users and gamers.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging allows for much quicker battery refills.
- Better Performance: The newer chipset and higher RAM result in slightly better benchmark scores and better performance with demanding apps/games.
- Gaming Focused: Features bypass charging for gaming and additional audio features for more immersive audio.
- Advanced Video Recording: Supports higher video resolution up to 8K, potentially good for professional videography.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking and authentication.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The ROG Phone 6 is larger and heavier, which is less portable and can be less ergonomic compared to the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
- Software Ecosystem: The ROG Phone 6's Android experience might not be as seamless as the iOS experience.
- Camera Versatility: While the ROG Phone 6 has a higher-resolution main sensor and better video capabilities, it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Users invested in the Apple ecosystem
- Users who prioritize a sharp, high-quality display
- Users who value a streamlined, polished user experience.
- Users who need a versatile camera system with optical zoom.
Users who prefer wireless charging
Use Cases: Photography, video editing, content consumption, general productivity within the Apple ecosystem, and everyday use.
Asus ROG Phone 6 Ideal User:
- Mobile gamers who demand smooth visuals and long battery life.
- Users who prioritize high performance and multitasking
- Users who require a large battery and fast charging
- Users who value customization and advanced audio.
Users who want a phone with advanced video recording
Use Cases: Mobile gaming, heavy multitasking, video recording, streaming, and general use with a focus on demanding apps.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use, ecosystem)
- How important is battery life and charging speed to you?
- Do you prefer iOS or Android?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you are a heavy mobile gamer and need the best performance and battery life: The Asus ROG Phone 6 is the better choice due to its high refresh rate display, powerful chipset, larger battery, and gaming-centric features.
- If you are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and value a premium display, optical zoom, and wireless charging: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great option.
- If you want a balance of performance and camera capabilities in a familiar ecosystem: The iPhone 12 Pro Max could be the better choice for general use and photography.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 6. Here's why:
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a fantastic display, and great camera performance, the ROG Phone 6's focus on performance, battery life, and gaming-centric features aligns with my needs and preferences more. I often play demanding games, and the 165Hz refresh rate and larger battery are huge advantages for me. Additionally, the 8K video recording capabilities of the ROG Phone 6, is also a very appealing feature. While I appreciate the convenience of wireless charging on the iPhone, the 65W charging on the ROG phone is a very compelling alternative. The additional RAM and the slightly faster processor also give the ROG phone a slight edge when multitasking.
Although the iPhone 12 Pro Max has the advantage of a better DxOMark score, and having a telephoto lens, the ROG phone covers all the use cases I have, and gives the additional advantages I need. Ultimately the ROG Phone 6's benefits in areas that I prioritize, are what makes it the better choice for me.
