1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Realme 9 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 160.2 × 73.3 × 8 mm | iPhone is wider, Realme is thicker. Impact: iPhone feels larger in hand, Realme is potentially more comfortable in narrow hands. |
| Weight | 228g | 178g | Realme 9 is significantly lighter, better for one-handed use and long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.4" | iPhone has a larger screen, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2400 | iPhone's higher resolution provides sharper visuals, better text clarity and overall image quality. |
| Pixel Density | 458 PPI | 411 PPI | iPhone has slightly sharper display, though both are high enough for most users. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar quality tech, expect vibrant colours and deep blacks from both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Realme 9 offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1000 nits | iPhone screen is brighter, better for outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | iPhone has a significantly more powerful processor, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 216,850 | iPhone is much faster, better for demanding tasks. Realme 9 will be slower and less smooth for intensive applications. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 610 | iPhone's GPU provides superior graphics performance, better for gaming and video editing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 9 has a larger battery, suggesting longer battery life, though real-world endurance varies. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | Realme 9 charges faster. |
| Features | 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W, Non-removable battery, *Unconfirmed capacity | Reverse charging, Non-removable battery | iPhone offers wireless charging, Realme can charge other devices (reverse charging). |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Rear Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70 µm pixel | 108MP, f/1.75, 0.64 µm pixel | Realme 9 has much higher resolution, iPhone has wider aperture and larger pixel size for better low light performance, although the sensor is much smaller. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45, 1.00 µm pixel | Realme 9 has a higher resolution, iPhone has slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm pixel | None | iPhone has an optical zoom lens, ideal for portrait and zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40 µm pixel | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel | iPhone has a higher resolution and larger sensor, and wider aperture for better wide shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel | Realme 9 offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps, HDR, OIS | 1080p@30fps | iPhone offers higher quality video recording, including 4K and HDR and better stabilization. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 131 | Not tested | iPhone's camera performs well based on DxOMark score, Realme not tested. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 | Not tested | iPhone's selfie camera performs well based on DxOMark score, Realme not tested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, upgradable to 18 | Android 12 | Different OS experiences, iOS is known for simplicity and security, Android for customisation. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | iPhone supports the latest WiFi standard for better speeds and latency. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, LE | 5.1, aptX, SBC, AAC | Realme supports more Bluetooth audio codecs, ideal for audiophiles |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | iPhone has slightly more accurate GPS with QZSS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone can use an eSIM for additional flexibility with carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | iPhone has more storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 6/8 GB | Realme offers a configuration with 8GB of RAM |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, 2 microphones | iPhone has better audio quality with its speakers, Realme better audio capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | basic fingerprint sensor | Realme 9 provides biometric fingerprint security, while iPhone relies on face unlock and PIN/password. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Realme has known protection, while iPhone's protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Both have a wide range of sensors, with iPhone having a barometer, and Realme a fingerprint sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster performance in all areas, making the iPhone better for intensive tasks like video editing, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Display: The higher resolution and brightness offer sharper, more vibrant visuals, better for viewing photos and videos.
- Better Camera System: Offers a more versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens, superior low-light performance, 4K video recording, and OIS (optical image stabilization) for better photos and video quality.
- Premium Build & Features: Supports wireless charging (MagSafe & Qi), better audio quality with Dolby Atmos, and a more accurate GPS system.
- More Storage Options: Comes with more internal storage (up to 512GB) giving more flexibility for apps, photos, and videos.
Realme 9 Advantages:
- Significantly Lighter: Much lighter, leading to better comfort for extended use and one-handed operation.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery and efficient chipset translates to potentially better battery life than the iPhone.
- Faster Charging: Comes with 33W fast charging, which allows the device to be quickly charged compared to the 20W on the iPhone.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate, leads to smoother scrolling and animations.
- Macro Lens: Includes a macro lens for detailed close-up shots.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Includes a fingerprint sensor for security which is preferred by some users.
- Reverse Charging: Can act as a power bank to charge other devices, which is a useful feature for some users.
- More RAM: Option to have 8GB RAM, better for multitasking.
- Screen Protection: The screen protection is better with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone: Significantly more expensive, bulkier and heavier, potentially more fragile without known screen protection, and charges slower than Realme.
- Realme: Significantly less powerful processor and GPU, less versatile camera system, lower quality display with less brightness and resolution.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Power Users: Users who demand top-tier performance for tasks like video editing, heavy gaming, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality, a variety of lens options, and high-quality video recording, particularly in low-light conditions.
- Ecosystem Loyalists: Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer the iOS interface and its seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Users with need for High-Quality Display: Users who consume a lot of visual content and need the highest resolution and brightness for outdoor visibility.
- Users Needing Lots of Storage: Users who need a lot of internal storage for apps, photos, and videos.
Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Professional videography and photography: Shooting 4K video and high-resolution photos for commercial use.
- Mobile gaming: Playing graphic-intensive games with high frame rates.
- Video Editing: Editing 4K video on the go.
- Heavy Multitasking: Quickly switching between resource-intensive apps.
Ideal User for Realme 9:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Users looking for a good value smartphone with a focus on essential features and a lighter weight.
- Casual Gamers: Users who play casual games and don't need the highest graphical performance.
- Battery-Life Prioritizers: Users who prioritize long battery life and faster charging.
- Users Who Want a Fingerprint Scanner: Users who prefer fingerprint sensors for unlocking the phone.
- Users who want more RAM: Users that need more RAM for multitasking.
Specific Use Cases for Realme 9:
- Social Media Browsing: Light and smooth scrolling through social media feeds.
- Everyday Tasks: Managing emails, browsing the web, and using productivity apps.
- Longer Periods Away From Charger: Users who want a phone to last for a full day without needing to recharge.
- Macro Photography: Users who like to take close up photos and detail.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Realme 9 offers a much higher price-to-value ratio. For a fraction of the cost of an iPhone 12 Pro Max, the Realme 9 delivers good all-around performance, excellent battery life, and a very fast charge rate.
- The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a premium device with a high price tag. Its value is in its high-end performance, camera quality, and overall user experience. It is not as price-friendly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (Performance, photography, or battery?)
- How important is price, and what is your budget?
- How important are brand and ecosystem? (Do you want to be invested in the Apple ecosystem?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Prioritizing performance and camera quality, and budget is less of an issue.
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. Its superior performance, better camera system, and better quality display will excel in this scenario.
- Scenario 2: Prioritizing a lighter, longer-lasting phone with good everyday performance and want to save money.
- Recommendation: Realme 9. Its better battery, faster charging, and more ergonomic form factor make it ideal for casual use while saving money.
- Scenario 3: A mix of performance, camera, but on a limited budget.
- Recommendation: Neither is an ideal option for a balanced mix of these features at a low price. Further research will be needed if this is the case. Consider searching for other phones in this area.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would personally pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Here's why:
- Performance: As someone who frequently uses their phone for resource-intensive tasks such as editing photos and videos and mobile gaming, the performance offered by the A14 Bionic chip is a huge advantage. The iPhone 12 Pro Max would offer a smoother and more enjoyable experience compared to the Realme 9, where lag and slowdowns would be expected.
- Camera: The versatility of the camera system on the iPhone 12 Pro Max is also a significant factor for me. Having a telephoto lens, more powerful low light capture and 4k video is important, especially for travel photography where I need to capture a variety of situations. The fact that the DxOMark scores are very high also plays a role.
- Ecosystem: Having used Apple products for a long time, I am more comfortable with the iOS interface, and enjoy the seamless integration between Apple products.
- Longevity: iPhones tend to receive longer software support, making it a more future-proof investment. This will ensure that the phone works well over the long-term.
While the Realme 9 has a superior battery life, lighter form factor, better charging speed and is significantly cheaper, the performance and camera on the iPhone 12 Pro Max are crucial for me, and justify the higher price. For my use-case scenario, the benefits of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, outweigh the benefits of the Realme 9, therefore I would choose the former.
