1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a comparison of the Apple iPhone 12 Pro and Honor 70, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Honor 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 161.4 × 73.3 × 7.9 mm | Honor 70 is larger, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 178g | iPhone 12 Pro is heavier, might feel more substantial in hand, while Honor 70 is lighter and easier to carry around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | Honor 70 offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. iPhone 12 Pro is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display, leading to crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 460 PPI | 395 PPI | iPhone 12 Pro's higher PPI results in finer details and less pixelation. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Honor 70 provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro excels in outdoor visibility, offering better readability under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic offers significantly faster processing speeds and superior overall performance, better for demanding apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 600,525 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro delivers smoother multitasking, quicker app launches, and superior gaming performance due to its higher benchmark score. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 642L | Apple GPU provides better graphics rendering, resulting in smoother visuals and higher frame rates in graphically intensive applications and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 54MP, f/1.9 | Honor 70 captures more detailed images in well-lit conditions due to its higher resolution. iPhone 12 Pro performs better in low light with its wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Honor 70 produces higher-resolution selfies. iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture might capture slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (12MP, f/2.0) | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for distant subjects without significant quality loss. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 50MP, f/2.2 | Honor 70 captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes (2MP, f/2.4) | Honor 70 allows for close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro offers higher frame rate recording at 4k and better video stabilization. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 127 | 115 | iPhone 12 Pro has a higher-rated camera system overall, indicating better image and video quality based on DxOMark's testing. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4800mAh | Honor 70 provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 20W | 66W | Honor 70 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi) | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes | Honor 70 can be used to charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 12 | Different operating systems cater to different user preferences. iOS is known for its user-friendliness and security, while Android offers greater customization. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Honor 70 has slightly more advanced Bluetooth features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | iPhone 12 Pro supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy in certain regions. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro offers eSIM support for easier switching between carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB | Honor 70 with more RAM allows for smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding apps. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | iPhone 12 Pro offers a more immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos. Honor 70 emphasizes high-resolution audio playback. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing speeds, better for demanding apps and gaming.
- Higher Resolution and Brighter Display: The sharper and brighter display offers better visual clarity and outdoor visibility.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers optical zoom for better photography at a distance.
- Better Video Recording: Records up to 4k@60fps with greater stabilisation.
- Wireless Charging: Supports MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for added convenience.
- Premium Build and Ecosystem: Integration with the Apple ecosystem and a reputation for premium build quality.
- Higher DxOMark Score: Better camera performance based on DxOMark benchmarks.
Honor 70 Advantages:
- Larger Display: More screen real estate for immersive media consumption and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Provides longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Higher Resolution Main and Ultrawide Cameras: Captures more detailed images in well-lit conditions.
- Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
- Reverse Charging: Can be used to charge other devices.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Supports newer Bluetooth standards and codecs.
- Potentially More RAM: 8GB or 12GB RAM options for smoother multitasking.
- Fingerprint Sensor For biometric security.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Smaller display, shorter battery life, slower charging, no macro lens.
- Honor 70: Lower performance chipset, lower display resolution and brightness, no telephoto lens, Android OS (preference-based).
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Ideal Users:
- Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Those who prioritize performance and responsiveness.
- Users who value camera quality and optical zoom capabilities.
- Those who need a bright display for outdoor use.
- Users who prefer a smaller, more pocketable phone.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming: Demanding games run smoother on the A14 Bionic.
- Professional photography: Telephoto lens and image processing capabilities are beneficial.
- Outdoor use: Brighter display ensures readability in sunlight.
- Video editing: Powerful processor handles video editing tasks efficiently.
Honor 70 Ideal Users:
- Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging.
- Those who prefer a larger display for media consumption.
- Users who want a versatile camera system with a macro lens.
- Users who prefer Android's customizability.
- Those looking for a more budget-friendly option.
Use Cases:
- Media consumption: Larger, smoother display enhances video watching and browsing.
- All-day use: Larger battery ensures the phone lasts through a full day of heavy usage.
- Macro photography: Capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Gaming: Though not as powerful as the iPhone, the 120Hz display provides a smoother gaming experience.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 Pro, being an older flagship, may offer good value depending on the current market price.
- The Honor 70 typically offers a strong price-to-performance ratio, providing many features at a more accessible price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, productivity)
- What is your budget? (Price is a significant factor in this comparison.)
- What operating system do you prefer? (iOS or Android)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High-Performance Gaming & Photography: If gaming performance and camera versatility (especially optical zoom) are critical, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery & Media Consumption: If battery life and a larger, smoother display for media consumption are priorities, the Honor 70 is more suitable.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Usage & Budget: If you want a well-rounded phone with a good balance of features and a potentially lower price, the Honor 70 offers a compelling package.
- Scenario 4: Ecosystem Integration: If you are heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro is the obvious choice for seamless integration.
My Choice
If I were making this decision, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Honor 70 has some compelling features like a larger battery and faster charging, the superior performance of the A14 Bionic chip and the better camera system (especially with the telephoto lens) are more important to me. I also prefer the iOS ecosystem and the smaller, more pocketable form factor of the iPhone 12 Pro. Even though it is the older phone, the iPhone 12 Pro's advantages in critical areas like performance and camera quality outweigh the benefits offered by the Honor 70.
