Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Realme Note 50 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 13, 2020 January 23, 2024
Release Year 2020 2024

Physical

Volume 92.93 cm³ 102.59 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.94 "/g 3.62 "/g
Weight 228 g 186 g
Height 160.8 mm 167.2 mm
Width 78.1 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Midnight Black
  • Sky Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.74 "
Resolution 1284 x 2778 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.8 % 85.5 %
Pixel Density 458 PPI 260 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 48.74 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

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12 Pro MaxRealme Note 50Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm167.2 × 76.7 × 8 mmRealme Note 50 is taller and slightly thicker, while iPhone is wider. Note 50 has larger overall volume.
Weight228g186gRealme Note 50 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
Display
Size6.7"6.74"Negligible difference in screen size, virtually identical in daily use.
Resolution1284x2778720x1600iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much sharper display, with significantly more detail for text and images.
PPI458260iPhone 12 Pro Max offers noticeably crisper and clearer visuals.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 Pro Max provides superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzRealme Note 50 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro Max has significantly better outdoor visibility and readability in sunlight. Realme Note 50 brightness is missing.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)iPhone 12 Pro Max has a vastly superior chipset, leading to faster app loading and smoother overall performance.
AnTuTu Score1,121,803248,000iPhone 12 Pro Max performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating a substantial advantage in real-world use such as gaming and multitasking.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Mali-G57iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a substantially better graphics performance.
Battery
Capacity3687mAh5000mAhRealme Note 50 has a larger capacity, potentially offering longer battery life.
Charging20W fast charging, Li-Ion10W fast charging, Li-PolymeriPhone 12 Pro Max charges faster, but battery tech is different.
FeaturesNon-removable, MagSafe wireless charging, Qi wireless chargingNon-removableiPhone offers wireless charging options, which is a convenience.
Camera
Standard Camera12MP, f/1.613MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 Pro Max's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.25MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much higher resolution selfie camera for more detailed images.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.2NoneiPhone 12 Pro Max offers optical zoom capabilities, missing from Realme Note 50.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.4NoneiPhone 12 Pro Max can capture more of a scene.
Black & white lensNone2MP, f/2.4Realme Note 50 has an additional black and white lens, for certain photography.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 Pro Max captures higher-quality video, offers stabilization and advanced features.
DxoMark Mobile131Not TestediPhone 12 Pro Max has an overall higher score.
DxoMark Selfie132Not TestediPhone 12 Pro Max has an overall higher score.
Camera Features4K video, Optical Zoom, OIS, RAW, Night ModeDigital Image Stabilization, Dual CameraiPhone 12 Pro Max offers a much more versatile and powerful photography experience.
Software
OSiOS 14.1, upgradable to 18Android 13iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a different experience using iOS ecosystem.
Connectivity
WiFiWi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band, Wi-Fi MiMO802.11ac, Dual band, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi DisplayiPhone 12 Pro Max supports the latest Wi-Fi standard, with better speed.
Bluetooth5.1, LE5.0, LE, EDR, HIDiPhone 12 Pro Max has a slightly newer version, but both are pretty similar.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, GalileoiPhone 12 Pro Max has better location accuracy with added satellite system support.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMDual Nano SIMiPhone 12 Pro Max provides an eSIM for additional flexibility.
Storage
Internal128/256/512 GB64/128/256 GBiPhone 12 Pro Max offers larger storage options for users with higher storage needs.
RAM6 GB3/4 GBiPhone 12 Pro Max offers better multitasking.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone has expandable storage.
Audio
QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo SpeakersBasic Audio FeaturesiPhone 12 Pro Max has significantly better audio quality and features.
Security
FeaturesBasic security featuresSide-mounted fingerprint sensorRealme Note 50 has a fingerprint sensor for easy access.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownBoth phones have unspecified screen protection technology.
Sensors
SensorsProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerFingerprint, Proximity, AccelerometeriPhone 12 Pro Max has more environmental sensors, Realme Note 50 has Fingerprint sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing speeds and better graphics performance. This means quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and more enjoyable gaming experiences.
  • High-Quality Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and pixel density results in a sharper, more vibrant, and visually superior viewing experience, especially for multimedia.
  • Advanced Camera System: The triple-lens camera system with optical zoom, optical image stabilization (OIS), 4K video recording, and RAW support offers a much more versatile and capable photography and videography experience.
  • Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a richer, more immersive audio experience, enhancing enjoyment of music and videos.
  • More connectivity features: Newer WiFi standard, Bluetooth version and more GPS satellites
  • Better Build Quality: The iPhone uses premium materials, which provides better build quality, although it's not detailed in the specifications.

Realme Note 50 Advantages:

  • Longer Battery Life: The larger 5000mAh battery should provide significantly longer usage between charges.
  • Lighter Design: The lighter weight makes the phone more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother visuals in daily use thanks to the 90 Hz display
  • Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor offers convenient biometric security for quick unlocks.
  • More Affordable: This phone will be cheaper than the iPhone.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: The trade-off is the higher price, heavier build, and potentially shorter battery life compared to the Realme Note 50.
  • Realme Note 50: The trade-offs are much lower performance, significantly poorer display quality, a basic camera system, and a lack of advanced features found in the iPhone.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:

  • Power User: Individuals who demand high performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
  • Photography Enthusiast: Users who want a versatile camera with advanced features for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
  • Multimedia Consumers: People who enjoy watching videos, streaming content, and want a premium display and audio experience.
  • Ecosystem User: Those who are invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS.
  • Budget-conscious users that still want a high performance phone: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a few years old, so its prices will be lower now, and the performance is still very good compared to budget phones.

Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12 Pro Max:

  • Professional photography and videography on-the-go
  • High-end gaming and mobile video editing
  • Watching HDR videos with rich colors
  • Smooth and responsive multitasking with resource-intensive apps

Ideal User for Realme Note 50:

  • Budget-Conscious User: Individuals who prioritize affordability and battery life above all else.
  • Casual User: People who use their phones for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and making calls.
  • Light Mobile Gamers: Users that only need to play lighter mobile games.
  • User looking for a long-lasting phone: This phone has a big battery and should be able to last a whole day for the majority of users.
  • Users who prefer a fingerprint sensor for security.

Specific Use Cases for Realme Note 50:

  • Day-to-day communication and browsing
  • Long hours of browsing on social media
  • General use with a great battery life.
  • Basic photography and casual mobile games

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case for a smartphone? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic communication, media consumption).
  2. What is your budget? (Are you willing to pay a premium for high performance and advanced features?)
  3. How important are display quality and camera performance to you?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Its superior camera system and advanced features are essential for high-quality content creation.
  • Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer/Power User: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Its high performance chipset and graphics processor will provide the best gaming experience.
  • Scenario 3: Basic User on a Tight Budget: Choose the Realme Note 50. It offers a more affordable option with adequate performance for daily use and a longer battery life.
  • Scenario 4: Multimedia Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The high-resolution OLED display and premium audio provide a better experience for watching movies and videos.
  • Scenario 5: User wanting a phone with a good battery: Choose the Realme Note 50, its big battery and lower power CPU will help it last longer.

My Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Here's why:

Although the Realme Note 50 boasts a longer battery life and a lighter design, which are appealing, the performance difference is too significant for me to ignore. I would rather choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max because:

  • Performance: I need a fast and responsive phone for multitasking, running various apps, and occasionally gaming. The A14 Bionic chip in the iPhone would satisfy this need.
  • Camera Quality: I often take photos and videos, so having a good camera system is a must, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a much more capable and versatile system, which will make capturing better images in different scenarios easier.
  • Display Quality: The display is a vital part of a phone, and the OLED display of the iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a crisper and more vivid viewing experience, enhancing my daily use.
  • Software and Ecosystem: I am already invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS.

While the Realme Note 50 might be a more cost-effective option for users with basic needs, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better choice for me, because it offers a much more comprehensive and premium experience.

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.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.