Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Xiaomi Redmi A3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Xiaomi Redmi A3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-11-13 | 2024-02-23 | Redmi A3 is significantly newer, potentially having newer software features. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 168.3 × 76.3 × 8.3 mm | Redmi A3 is taller and thicker, while iPhone 12 Pro Max is wider. Redmi A3 has larger overall volume |
| Weight | 228g | 193g | Redmi A3 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.71" | Virtually identical screen sizes. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 720x1650 | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a significantly sharper and more detailed display. |
| PPI | 458 | 268 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has much higher pixel density, resulting in sharper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and deeper blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Redmi A3 has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides vastly superior outdoor visibility, especially under direct sunlight. Xiaomi's brightness is not given. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 127,000 | iPhone 12 Pro Max will handle demanding apps and games with much better fluidity and is significantly more future-proof |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | PowerVR GE8320 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much more powerful GPU for graphic-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | Redmi A3 has a much larger battery, potentially offering much longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 10W fast charging | iPhone 12 Pro Max charges faster. |
| Features | Non-removable, * Unconfirmed capacity, 20W adapter sold separately, MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W10, Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W | Non-removable | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers additional charging features, including wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, Sony IMX603, 1.70 µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.0, pixel size | iPhone 12 Pro Max captures higher resolution images with better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2, Sony IMX514 | 5MP, f/2.2, | iPhone 12 Pro Max captures significantly higher resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/3.4", Sony IMX590, 1.00 µm pixel size | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers additional optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/2.55", Sony IMX372, 1.40 µm pixel size | None | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a dedicated wide-angle lens for more versatile shooting options. |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers vastly superior video recording capabilities with HDR, 4K support, and better stabilization options. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 131, Photo: 131, Video: 130 | Main: 45, Photo: 53, Video: 37 | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers dramatically better image and video quality. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 132, Photo: 127, Video: 140 | Not Tested | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers dramatically better selfie performance. |
| Camera Features | 4K Video, 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 | Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides more advanced camera features and greater flexibility. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1, Max version: 18 | Android 14 | Different ecosystem and user experience, with different app availability. iPhone 12 Pro Max has better software longevity. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax), Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi MiMO | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides faster speeds, lower latency, better performance in crowded networks with more advanced features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE | Bluetooth 5.3 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE, SBC, AAC | Redmi A3 has a newer Bluetooth version offering better audio quality and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | iPhone 12 Pro Max supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone 12 Pro Max has eSIM support for digital carrier switching and supports two SIMs simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB | 64 GB or 128 GB | iPhone 12 Pro Max has more storage options. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 3 GB, 4 GB, or 6 GB | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers better multitasking capabilities across the board, the redmi a3 would struggle in comparison |
| Expandable | No | No | Both phones lack expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Basic audio features | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers an enhanced audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic Security features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Redmi A3 has a fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi A3 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | Motion: Accelerometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides additional sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution and pixel density, OLED technology for better visuals.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Apple A14 Bionic offers drastically better CPU and GPU performance for smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Much Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, wider apertures, a telephoto lens, and wide-angle lens, with superior image and video quality (confirmed by DxOMark).
- Enhanced Video Capabilities: Supports 4K recording with HDR, stabilization, and advanced slow-motion.
- Advanced Features: Wireless charging, more advanced WiFi standards, and better GPS accuracy.
- Better Software Ecosystem: Longer Software Updates, and more optimized apps for the phone.
- Premium Build and Features: Better audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
Xiaomi Redmi A3 Advantages:
- Newer Device: Launched more recently, potentially having better battery longevity and software features (though limited by hardware constraints).
- Lighter Design: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Larger Battery: Offers potentially longer battery life than the iPhone.
- Slightly Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate vs 60Hz makes scrolling look a little smoother.
- Fingerprint Sensor: A physical fingerprint sensor for security.
- Screen Protection: Has the gorilla glass 3, offering better scratch resistance.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Significantly more expensive, and lacks a fingerprint sensor.
- Redmi A3: Significantly inferior performance, camera quality, display resolution, and brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Content Creators & Photographers: Those who require a high-quality camera and video system for professional or personal use.
- Power Users & Gamers: Individuals who need a high-performing device for demanding applications, multitasking, and mobile gaming.
- Users who want a premium display experience: People who prioritize a sharp, vibrant display with great color accuracy for media consumption.
- Ecosystem Users: Those deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and prefer iOS.
- Users who desire a future-proof phone: The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers longer software support and its hardware still performs well.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi A3:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Individuals looking for the most affordable smartphone option, especially if they want a newer device.
- Light Users: Those who mainly use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls and want it to last longer.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: People who want the longest possible battery life and can trade off performance.
- Those who prefer android as their OS.
Use Cases:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Professional photography/videography, gaming, heavy multitasking, media editing, streaming.
- Redmi A3: Everyday calls, basic browsing, social media, media consumption on a budget, users who need a battery that will last a long time.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro Max will be considerably more expensive.
- How important are performance and camera quality? If these are crucial, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better choice.
- What are your main use cases? If only basic tasks are needed, the Redmi A3 is sufficient; if you need something more, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is more suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: If you need the best performance, camera quality, and display, and budget is not a primary concern, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the clear winner.
- Scenario 2: If you are on a tight budget and primarily need a device for basic tasks with long battery life, the Redmi A3 is more suitable.
- Scenario 3: If you fall in between and want the best balance between value, software and performance, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is still better overall, but if budget is a strict constraint, the Xiaomi is suitable.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. While the Xiaomi Redmi A3 has the advantage of being newer and having a larger battery, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities makes the iPhone 12 Pro Max a far superior device overall. The performance difference is substantial, as shown by the AnTuTu scores, and is apparent in daily use. The superior camera system of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, with its multiple lenses, optical stabilization, and better video recording, makes it a much more versatile and capable device for content creation and general photography needs.
Even though it is an older phone, the performance of the A14 Bionic chip is still incredibly powerful and will provide a smoother experience. It will also receive more software updates than the Xiaomi phone. The quality of the screen, while being 60hz, is superior to the redmi a3. The superior build quality, more premium features and greater versatility is why I would choose the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
