Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Xiaomi Poco C65
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Xiaomi Poco C65 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2023-11-06 | The Poco C65 is a significantly newer device, meaning potentially better software support. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 168 x 78 x 8.1 mm | The Poco C65 is slightly taller and thicker, making the iPhone 12 Pro Max slightly more pocketable and easier to handle |
| Weight | 228g | 192g | The Poco C65 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and reduces fatigue. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.74" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer a large viewing area |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 720x1600 | The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers significantly sharper text, images, and videos. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 260 | iPhone 12 Pro Max display will look much crisper with noticeably more detail |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | The iPhone 12 Pro Max's OLED offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Poco C65 screen will appear slightly smoother for scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro Max has significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, with the Xiaomi brightness not being specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | The A14 Bionic offers drastically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 237,768 | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers much better overall performance, more future-proof. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G52 MC2 | The iPhone 12 Pro Max delivers much higher graphics performance in games and intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 12MP | 50MP | The Poco C65 captures higher resolution images, useful for cropping and detail, but not necessarily higher quality. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | The iPhone 12 Pro Max lets in more light, improving low-light photography performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max allows optical zoom without loss of quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP | None | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has better versatility for capturing wide scenes. |
| Front Camera Resolution | 12MP | 8MP | The iPhone 12 Pro Max captures more detailed selfies. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | None | 2MP | Poco C65 can take portrait shots using depth sensing. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | Poco C65 can capture macro photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers much better video recording capabilities, including higher resolution and frame rate. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 131 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro Max camera is significantly more capable based on test scores. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | The Poco C65 has a larger battery capacity, potentially resulting in longer battery life (though real usage is variable). |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly faster wired charging, and includes Wireless charging (MagSafe) |
| Battery Features | Wireless Charging, MagSafe | Reverse Charging | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers convenient wireless charging, while Poco C65 can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 13 | Different ecosystems with different user interfaces, app stores and update schedules. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | WiFi 5 (802.11ac) | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a newer Wi-Fi standard for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 | Poco C65 uses a newer Bluetooth version with improved efficiency. |
| GPS | QZSS, GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports additional satellite systems for potentially improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports eSIM, useful for traveling, the Poco does not have this ability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128, 256 or 512GB | 128 or 256GB | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger storage option, for users who need to store a larger amount of data. |
| RAM | 6GB | 4, 6 or 8GB | The Poco C65 can be configured with more RAM for multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, so users need to choose a version with enough internal storage for all their data. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Basic Audio | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has far superior audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Face ID | Side-mounted Fingerprint | The Poco C65 offers biometric security through fingerprint recognition, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro Max uses Face ID. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The iPhone 12 Pro Max includes an environmental sensor (barometer) while the Poco has a biometric sensor (fingerprint) |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and OLED technology lead to a much sharper and more vibrant visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers dramatically better performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Enhanced Camera System: Includes telephoto and wide-angle lenses, superior video recording capabilities, and better image quality in low light.
- Superior Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and Stereo speakers provide an immersive and high-quality audio experience.
- Premium Build Quality & Features: Features like MagSafe charging and eSIM, and better build quality.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 90Hz display results in slightly smoother animations and scrolling.
- Lighter Design: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
- Newer Device: Potentially longer software support from the manufacturer.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Easier to unlock in certain situations than face ID.
- Lower Price: Significantly cheaper than the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
- Expandable Storage: Whilst it does not allow for an SD card, it does come in 128GB and 256GB configurations.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Higher price, heavier, older model.
- Poco C65: Lower resolution display, significantly weaker performance, lower quality camera and audio, lacks wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who require top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, or demanding professional apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, and demand versatility in their camera system.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who value a high-quality display and audio for immersive experiences.
- Ecosystem Adopters: Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
- Users that need eSIM Users who travel may find this useful to easily switch SIM cards.
Xiaomi Poco C65 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability over top-tier specifications.
- Casual Users: People who primarily use their phones for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and communication.
- Battery Life Focused: Users who prioritize long battery life and the ability to charge other devices through reverse charging.
- Users Seeking a Lightweight Phone: Those who want a phone that's comfortable to carry around for long periods.
Specific Use Cases:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Professional photography, mobile gaming at high settings, content creation with 4K video editing, business users requiring reliable performance, watching movies on a large, high-quality display.
- Poco C65: Everyday social media, browsing, casual gaming, travel with a reliable secondary phone, students on a budget, media consumption such as podcasts or audio books.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro Max is significantly more expensive.
- What is your primary use for the phone? Gaming, photography, or basic tasks?
- How important is display quality and performance? The iPhone excels in both while the Poco prioritizes battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance and Quality are Paramount: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Its superior processing power, display, and camera system will satisfy those with high performance needs.
- Scenario 2: Budget is the Primary Concern: Choose the Xiaomi Poco C65. It offers a decent experience for everyday tasks at a much lower price.
- Scenario 3: Balanced approach focusing on long battery life, with some multimedia use: Choose the Xiaomi Poco C65. The battery and large display will be useful for longer use without having to reach for a charger.
- Scenario 4: Casual daily user, with low expectations for performance or photography: Choose the Xiaomi Poco C65. The price point is beneficial, and performance is sufficient for casual daily use.
My Choice and Why:
If I were choosing between these two devices for myself, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. While the Poco C65 presents a compelling option for the budget-conscious user, my main priorities revolve around having the best possible display, processing power, and camera performance. I value high-quality visuals, seamless multitasking, and excellent photo/video capabilities more than I value battery life and a lower price.
I prioritize things such as a great display for media consumption, which makes the OLED display of the iPhone 12 Pro Max a huge draw. I often use the phone to take photos and record videos, so the advanced camera system and recording functionality of the iPhone 12 Pro Max is important to me. I am also deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, which makes the iPhone a seamless experience for me. While I acknowledge that this comes at a much higher cost than the Poco C65, for my particular needs, the features are worth it.
