Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Sony Xperia 5 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | iPhone is taller and wider, making it less pocketable. Xperia is thicker, but significantly narrower, making it easier to hold and handle with one hand. |
| Weight | 228g | 172g | Xperia is substantially lighter, which can be a major factor for extended use and comfort. iPhone is noticeably heavier and might feel less convenient. |
| Build Material | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Sony Xperia has superior screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus, offering better resistance to scratches and impacts. The iPhone's screen protection is unspecified. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.1" | iPhone has a larger display, better for media consumption and multitasking. Xperia is more compact, better for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1080x2520 | iPhone's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, which enhances the visual experience, especially with higher pixel density. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 449 | Both have very similar pixel density, meaning that pixel sharpness will appear almost identical in both. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both use OLED, offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. No difference in display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xperia's higher refresh rate results in much smoother animations and scrolling. This is noticeable in gaming and general UI usage. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone has superior brightness, making it significantly more readable in bright sunlight. The Xperia's brightness specification is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) | Both are high-performance processors. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s A14 was leading when it launched, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is more modern and powerful, particularly in Android tasks and games, but the differences are minor. |
| Antutu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,021,542 | The iPhone 12 Pro Max achieves a slightly higher benchmark score, suggesting marginally better performance. However, both are high-performing for most apps. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 | Different GPU architectures. Both offer strong graphics performance, but they are not directly comparable. The Adreno 730 is optimized for Android gaming. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.70µm, Sony IMX603 | 12MP, f/1.7, 1.80µm, 1/1.7", Sony IMX557 | Xperia has a slightly smaller aperture but larger pixels, potentially better low-light. iPhone's slightly wider aperture could result in better shallow depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514 | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm, Sony Exmor RS | Xperia has a wider aperture, resulting in slightly better low-light performance in selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm, 1/3.4", Sony IMX590 | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm, 1/3.5", Sony IMX650 | iPhone has a slightly wider aperture and a marginally larger sensor, potentially resulting in slightly better zoom quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.40µm, 1/2.55", Sony IMX372 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.40µm, 1/2.55", Sony IMX363 | Xperia has a slightly wider aperture, which could result in better low-light wide angle photos. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 4K@120fps HDR with OIS/EIS | Xperia offers more video recording options (4K@120fps), plus both OIS/EIS. iPhone’s video quality is also exceptional and it records video with HDR. |
| DXOMARK Mobile Score | 131 | 119 | iPhone has better main camera performance according to DXOMARK. |
| DXOMARK Selfie Score | 132 | No Data | iPhone has a good selfie camera according to DXOMARK, but Xperia is unrated |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | Both phones offer excellent camera features. The iPhone has the addition of a night mode. The Sony Xperia has Digital Image Stabilisation. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia has a significantly larger battery, likely translating to better battery life under similar usage scenarios. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xperia supports faster charging, allowing for quicker replenishment of the larger battery. |
| Features | Non-removable, MagSafe/Qi Wireless Charging | Non-removable, Bypass Charging, Reverse charging | The iPhone provides MagSafe and Qi wireless charging, while the Xperia offers bypass charging to minimize battery wear during gaming and reverse charging for other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: Offers a bigger, higher-resolution screen, ideal for media and productivity.
- Higher Brightness: The higher screen brightness makes it better in direct sunlight, which is important for outdoor visibility.
- Superior Camera Scores: The iPhone 12 Pro Max has higher DXOMARK scores for both main and selfie cameras, indicating better overall image and video quality (although this does not cover all situations).
- Mature Ecosystem: iOS offers a smooth, user-friendly experience with tight integration of Apple services.
- MagSafe Wireless Charging: Offers a convenient and secure wireless charging option.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Significantly lighter and more comfortable for one-handed use.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother and more responsive user experience.
- More Powerful Chipset: The Sony uses a newer and more performant chip, which is particularly beneficial for gaming and more demanding tasks
- Significantly Larger Battery: Offers much better potential battery life, allowing for extended usage without needing to recharge.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging reduces downtime spent plugged in.
- More Video Options: The Xperia offers 4k@120fps recording with OIS and EIS.
- Advanced Audio: High-Res Audio support is beneficial for audiophiles.
- More Biometric Security: The Sony features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and easy unlocking
- Better Screen Protection: Gorilla Glass Victus screen offers better protection against scratches and impacts.
- GPS: Supports more precise location accuracy with GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a)
Significant Trade-Offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Heavier, bulkier, may not be ideal for single-handed use, and has lower refresh rate and lower battery capacity compared to the Sony Xperia 5 IV.
- Sony Xperia 5 IV: Smaller screen and lower screen brightness could be less ideal for media consumption in bright outdoor environments, may have marginally lower camera scores in some situations according to DXOMARK.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Media Consumers: Individuals who prioritize large screens, high resolution, and excellent color accuracy for watching videos and movies.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who value image quality and prefer a mature camera ecosystem and seamless operation.
- Apple Ecosystem Users: Those heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, valuing continuity and integration with other Apple devices.
- Users Needing High Screen Brightness: Users who frequently use their phone outdoors, in sunlight, and require high screen visibility.
Ideal Users for Sony Xperia 5 IV:
- One-Handed Phone Users: Those who want a lighter, more manageable phone for everyday tasks.
- Mobile Gamers: Users who need a high refresh rate screen, better battery life and high performance for gaming.
- Battery Life Prioritizers: Users who need a long-lasting battery for extended use throughout the day without needing to recharge.
- Audiophiles: Users who appreciate High-Res audio and more audio features.
- Video Creators: Users who want more video recording options.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Screen Size and Hand Comfort: Do you prefer a larger screen for media or a more compact device for single-handed use?
- Battery Life: Do you prioritize longer battery life or is faster charging enough to compensate?
- Ecosystem: Are you heavily invested in the Apple or Android ecosystem?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Media Enthusiasts and Outdoor Users: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max for its larger, higher resolution, brighter display.
- For Gamers, Battery-Conscious, and Single-Handed Phone Users: Choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV for its smoother 120Hz display, smaller form, lighter weight, longer battery life, and High-Res audio.
- For Users who want the best camera experience choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which has higher DXOMARK scores.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a larger, brighter screen and higher-scoring cameras, the Xperia 5 IV appeals more to my personal preferences and use cases. I prefer lighter, more compact phones, so the Xperia's significantly lighter weight and smaller size are attractive. Also, the 120Hz refresh rate and larger battery are significant pluses for my daily use, since I value smoother operation and I do not like to worry about recharging my phone frequently. While both phones have excellent specs, the Xperia 5 IV better fits my desired profile for a phone.
