Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Realme C53 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme C53
Realme C53
Realme

General

Launch Date November 13, 2020 May 31, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 92.93 cm³ 96.24 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.94 "/g 3.7 "/g
Weight 228 g 182 g
Height 160.8 mm 167.3 mm
Width 78.1 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 7.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Champion Gold
  • Mighty Black

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.74 "
Resolution 1284 x 2778 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.8 % 85.5 %
Pixel Density 458 PPI 390 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 82.13 mAh/in² 110.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.67 mAh/cm³ 51.95 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3687 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G57

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Realme C53

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12 Pro MaxRealme C53Practical Impact
Design
Launch Date2020-11-132023-05-31Realme C53 is a newer model, potentially having more up-to-date software and features out of the box.
Dimensions160.8x78.1x7.4 mm167.3x76.7x7.5 mmSimilar thickness; Realme C53 is taller, Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is wider. Affects hand feel and pocketability.
Weight228g182gRealme C53 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.7"6.74"Negligible size difference.
Resolution1284x27781080x2400Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max has a noticeably sharper display with more detail.
Pixel Density458 PPI390 PPIApple iPhone 12 Pro Max's display will appear crisper.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDApple iPhone 12 Pro Max has superior contrast, color accuracy and black levels.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzRealme C53 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsApple iPhone 12 Pro Max has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight. The Realme C53's brightness spec is missing and likely lower, reducing visibility in sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5nm)Unisoc T612 (12nm)Apple A14 Bionic is considerably more powerful; Expect much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
AnTuTu Score1,121,803220,000Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max offers significantly better overall performance in demanding tasks and future proofing.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G57Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much more capable graphics processor for gaming and GPU intensive apps.
Battery
Capacity3687mAh5000mAhRealme C53 likely offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W fast33W fastRealme C53 charges faster.
Wireless Charging15W MagSafe, 7.5W QiNoApple iPhone 12 Pro Max offers convenient wireless charging capabilities.
Camera
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.650MP, f/1.8Realme C53 has a higher resolution main sensor, but the iPhone has a wider aperture for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max has a higher resolution front camera and better low light performance.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.2NoApple iPhone 12 Pro Max allows for optical zoom for better zoomed images.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.4NoApple iPhone 12 Pro Max allows for a wider field of view in images.
Portrait ModeNo2MP, f/2.4Realme C53 has a depth sensor for better portrait mode.
VideoUp to 4K@60fps1080p@30fpsApple iPhone 12 Pro Max offers significantly better video recording capabilities.
DXOMark (Main)131Not testedApple iPhone 12 Pro Max has been independently rated with a better camera in terms of video and photos.
DXOMark (Selfie)132Not testedApple iPhone 12 Pro Max has been independently rated with a better selfie camera in terms of video and photos.
Software
OSiOS 14.1, up to iOS 18Android 13Different operating systems; iOS is generally considered more polished, while Android offers more customization options.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max supports the latest Wi-Fi standard.
Bluetooth5.15.0Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly newer Bluetooth version.
GPSMultiple systemsMultiple systemsApple iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly better location tracking capabilities.
SIMNano + eSIMDual NanoApple iPhone 12 Pro Max provides eSIM functionality.
Storage
Internal Storage128/256/512GB128/256GBApple iPhone 12 Pro Max provides option for more storage.
RAM6GB4/6/8GBRealme C53 has an 8GB option, which allows for more apps to stay in memory at the same time.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither offers expandable storage, which means the built in storage needs to be enough for the users needs.
Audio
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersBasicApple iPhone 12 Pro Max will provide a much more immersive audio experience.
Security
Security FeaturesBasicside-mounted fingerprint sensorRealme C53 provides convenient biometric security.
Other
SensorsProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerFingerprint, Proximity, AccelerometerApple iPhone 12 Pro Max has a full suite of sensors for apps requiring movement and environmental input; Realme C53's fingerprint sensor is a good convenience feature.

Note: Some specifications are missing for the Realme C53, such as screen protection and brightness, which is an important factor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:

  • Superior Display: OLED technology, higher resolution, and pixel density offer significantly better visual quality.
  • Much Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides vastly superior processing power, leading to faster performance and better gaming.
  • Advanced Camera System: Telephoto, ultrawide lenses, and high-quality video recording offer more versatility and quality.
  • Better Build Quality: While protection is not defined, iPhone's generally have great build qualities.
  • Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi charging options add convenience.
  • Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a superior audio experience.
  • More Robust Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple products and services
  • More Sensors: Barometer, Compass, and Gyroscope provide more app and feature options.
  • Higher DXOMark scores: The camera has been independently tested and is known to be better in terms of video and photo performance.

Realme C53 Advantages:

  • Lower Cost: The Realme C53 is more budget-friendly.
  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life due to the higher capacity.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging gets you back up and running faster.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz refresh rate for slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric security

Trade-offs:

  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max: Significantly more expensive and slightly heavier, but has much higher quality display and performance.
  • Realme C53: Significantly weaker performance and camera but has lower cost, bigger battery, and faster charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:

  • Power Users: Those who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or intensive multitasking.
  • Content Creators: Professionals or enthusiasts who need a top-tier camera for photos and videos.
  • Apple Ecosystem Users: People who already have other Apple devices.
  • Users who value high display quality: Those who spend a lot of time consuming video or want the best visual experience.
  • Users who value top-tier camera performance: People who want to capture the best quality photos and videos in all environments.
  • Users who value the best audio: People who spend time listening to music and watching videos.

Ideal Users for Realme C53:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for an affordable smartphone with a good-sized battery.
  • Everyday Users: People who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
  • Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need their phone to last all day without needing a charge.
  • Users who need a fingerprint sensor: Those who value convenient biometric security.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
    • Professional video recording.
    • Playing graphically intensive games.
    • Viewing high-resolution media.
    • Working with large spreadsheets or complex documents.
    • Frequent travel where reliability is essential.
  • Realme C53:
    • Casual web browsing.
    • Social media and messaging.
    • Basic photography.
    • Longer battery life without needing to charge often.
    • First smartphone users.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The price difference is significant.
  2. How important is performance? Do you need a phone for demanding tasks, or is a basic experience enough?
  3. What are your photography needs? Do you need the best camera system, or is something more basic sufficient?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User needing long battery: Choose the Realme C53. It provides a better battery and is much more cost-effective. The performance will still be good for daily usage such as web browsing and social media.
  • Scenario 2: User who wants the best quality photos and video recordings: Choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. It offers higher-quality videos and photos, with versatile lenses and better low-light performance. It will also perform better in demanding tasks.
  • Scenario 3: User who values display quality: Choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. The OLED technology provides superior contrast, color accuracy, and brightness for a better display viewing experience.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. While the Realme C53 has some strengths, like a larger battery and faster charging, the iPhone offers a superior experience in nearly every aspect that matters to me.

Specifically, the vastly superior performance provided by the A14 Bionic chip is something I would greatly benefit from, especially as I use my phone for a variety of tasks, including gaming. The OLED display is a major selling point with much better resolution, pixel density, and overall visual quality. The camera is much better, with multiple lens options and better low-light performance. In addition, the audio performance is also much better with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.

The higher price is a trade-off, but considering the build quality, superior user experience, and advanced features I think it is worth it. For my use case, the Realme C53's benefits would not outweigh these advantages.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.