Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Asus Zenfone 10
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Asus Zenfone 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-07-10 | The Zenfone 10 is significantly newer, meaning it will have longer software support and potentially better components. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 146.5 x 68.1 x 9.4 mm | The iPhone 12 Pro Max is larger and less pocketable; the Zenfone 10 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 228g | 172g | The Zenfone 10 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Glass front/back, stainless steel frame | Glass front/back, aluminum frame | Both offer premium feel; the stainless steel frame may be more durable than aluminum. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 5.92" | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger screen, better for media consumption. The Zenfone 10 has a more compact display, better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1080 x 2400 | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a sharper display, resulting in crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 445 PPI | Both phones have very sharp displays, with a negligible difference in clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent color accuracy and deep blacks; minor differences in panel calibration. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Zenfone 10 offers a much smoother visual experience, especially in animations and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1100 nits | The iPhone 12 Pro Max is slightly brighter, offering better outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Zenfone 10 is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading and overall smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,532,000 | The Zenfone 10 demonstrates significantly faster overall performance for demanding tasks such as gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 740 | The Adreno 740 in the Zenfone 10 offers superior graphical performance, especially for gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.6 (1.70µm) | 50MP f/1.9 (1.00µm) | The Zenfone 10's main sensor captures more detail in good lighting; the iPhone has a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.5 | The Zenfone 10 has a higher resolution front-facing camera, good for detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.2 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers optical zoom, useful for getting closer to subjects without digital distortion. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro Max captures a wider field of view, useful for landscape photos. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP f/2.2 | The Zenfone 10 offers close-up photography capabilities, useful for detailed shots of small objects. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 24fps | The Zenfone 10 has 8K video capture, better for those needing higher resolution video. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 131, Selfie: 132 | N/A | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a well-established camera performance based on DxOMark scores. The Zenfone 10 has not been tested by DXOMark, making comparisons difficult. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 4300mAh | The Zenfone 10 has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W wired, 15W wireless (MagSafe), 7.5W wireless (Qi) | 30W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wired | The Zenfone 10 charges faster and can wirelessly charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 13 (upgradable to Android 15) | Different ecosystems, preference dependent on user familiarity and need. iOS tends to get longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 | The Zenfone 10 has the latest Wi-Fi technology offering faster speeds and better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Zenfone 10 has a newer Bluetooth standard for better connectivity. |
| GPS | Multiple systems | Multiple systems (including L1+L5) | The Zenfone 10 supports more GPS frequencies, resulting in better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports eSIM, allowing for easier digital switching of carriers; the Zenfone 10 allows for two physical SIMs. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256/512GB | Both offer the same storage options. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8/16GB | The Zenfone 10 offers more RAM, providing better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Stereo speakers, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic | Both offer high-quality audio; Zenfone 10 has better audio recording capabilities while the iPhone has a better surround sound experience with Dolby enhancements. |
| Security & Build | |||
| Security Features | Basic security features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | The Zenfone 10 offers biometric security for easy and quick unlocking; the iPhone is limited to passcode security. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Zenfone 10 provides superior screen protection against scratches and drops. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: The 6.7-inch screen with higher resolution is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Optical Zoom and Wide-Angle Lenses: Offers more flexibility with triple-lens camera system for varied photo needs.
- Dolby Atmos: Provides a more immersive audio experience for watching movies and listening to music.
- Established Camera Performance: Backed by DxOMark scores, showing its strengths in photo and video quality.
- eSIM Support: Offers the convenience of a digital SIM for easy carrier switching.
Asus Zenfone 10 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides superior performance.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display (144Hz): Offers much smoother scrolling and animations for a more enjoyable user experience.
- More Compact and Lighter: The Zenfone 10 is easier to handle and carry, suitable for users who prefer smaller phones.
- Faster Charging and Larger Battery: Charges quickly and has a larger battery for extended use.
- Higher Resolution Cameras: The 50MP main and 32MP front cameras capture more detail.
- Advanced Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Offers the latest connectivity standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the device.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provide superior protection.
- 8K Video Recording: Provides higher video resolution than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Older processor and lower refresh rate may be noticeable to those seeking maximum performance. Lacks fast charging compared to the Zenfone 10.
- Zenfone 10: Smaller screen might not be ideal for heavy media consumption. The camera system lacks telephoto and wide-angle lenses. Lacks any established professional camera testing benchmarks.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal User:
- Media Enthusiasts: Those who consume a lot of video content and need a large, high-quality screen.
- Users in the Apple Ecosystem: Those already invested in Apple's services and devices.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who value the flexibility of optical zoom and wide-angle lenses for different shooting styles.
- Users who value established performance and a "known quantity": Users who value a predictable, stable performance and can rely on professional scores.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows, especially in HDR.
- Editing photos with a variety of lenses.
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Video calls with the 12MP front camera.
Asus Zenfone 10 Ideal User:
- Performance-Focused Users: Those who need a fast and smooth experience for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Users Seeking Compactness and Portability: Those who prefer a smaller phone that is easy to carry and use one-handed.
- Users who want the latest tech: Those who value the latest standards in wireless connectivity and performance.
- Users who value customization: The Zenfone 10's Android system offers more customization options.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphic-intensive games at high refresh rates.
- Multitasking between several apps seamlessly with more RAM.
- Taking high resolution photos with the 50MP and 32MP sensors.
- Recording videos in 8K for professional-grade content.
- Everyday carry, due to its lightweight and compact form factor.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Screen Size Preference: Do you prefer a larger display for media consumption or a smaller, more compact form factor?
- Performance Needs: Is peak performance for gaming and multitasking a priority, or is a balanced, established performance more suitable?
- Camera System Flexibility: Do you need optical zoom and a wide-angle lens, or are high resolution photos and macro capabilities more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media and Ecosystem: If you prioritize a large screen, optical zoom, ecosystem integration, and you don't mind an older chip, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is better suited.
- For Performance and Portability: If you prioritize high performance, a compact form factor, the latest tech, and faster charging, the Asus Zenfone 10 is the stronger option.
- For a Balanced Choice: If you are on a budget and would like some features from both phones, look at the specifications and the key trade-offs to identify what you value the most and make the choice based on that.
Final Decision
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus Zenfone 10.
Reasoning:
My personal priorities lean towards performance and practicality. The Asus Zenfone 10's significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, combined with its high refresh rate display, would provide a much smoother and more responsive user experience for daily tasks, gaming, and productivity. The compact size and lighter weight also make it much more convenient to carry and use.
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a beautiful display and good camera, its older chipset, slower refresh rate, and larger size are less appealing to me. The Asus' newer technologies, such as Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, are also appealing for future-proofing. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is also a practical feature that is preferred over Apple's Face ID for quick access.
The Zenfone 10 might be missing some camera lens options, but for my everyday use case it offers superior performance, latest technology, portability, a newer design and superior charging, which are much more important factors to me. While the iPhone camera system is well established, the Zenfone's offers enough of an all-rounder experience. In short, I value usability and performance over the larger screen and the ecosystem lock in of the iPhone.
