Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs HTC U23 Pro - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 May 18, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 114.32 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.27 "/g
Weight 189 g 205 g
Height 146.7 mm 166.6 mm
Width 71.5 mm 77.1 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Snow White
  • Coffee Black

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 84.4 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 393 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 102.47 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 40.24 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 4600 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 644

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 3.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProHTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm166.6 × 77.1 × 8.9 mmHTC U23 Pro is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable.
Weight189g205giPhone 12 Pro is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
Build Quality (Screen Protection)UnknownCorning Gorilla Glass VictusHTC U23 Pro has a much more durable screen, less prone to scratches and cracks.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProHTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.7"HTC U23 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 Pro has slightly sharper text and images, but the difference may not be noticeable to everyone.
Pixel Density460 PPI393 PPIiPhone 12 Pro has a noticeably sharper display.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzHTC U23 Pro offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight (missing brightness spec on HTC U23 Pro makes this comparison speculative).
TechnologyOLEDOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProHTC U23 ProPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644699,600iPhone 12 Pro is considerably faster in benchmarks.
RAM6 GB8 GB or 12 GBHTC U23 Pro with 8/12 GB RAM handles multitasking slightly better.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProHTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.6108MP, f/1.7HTC U23 Pro captures more detail in well-lit conditions. iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture may perform better in low light.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.0NoneiPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom for better quality zoomed-in photos.
Ultrawide Lens12MP, f/2.48MP, f/2.4iPhone 12 Pro's ultrawide lens captures more detail.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.232MP, f/2.45HTC U23 Pro captures more detailed selfies.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4HTC U23 Pro can take close-up photos of small objects.
Portrait Mode (depth)None5MP, f/2.2HTC U23 Pro can take portrait mode photos.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 4K@30fpsiPhone 12 Pro offers higher frame rate 4K video recording for smoother footage.
DXOMark (Mobile)127N/AiPhone 12 Pro is a superior camera (according to DXOMark).
DXOMark (Selfie)132N/AiPhone 12 Pro has a superior selfie camera (according to DXOMark).

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProHTC U23 ProPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh4600mAhHTC U23 Pro likely offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W wired, 15W wireless (MagSafe), 7.5W wireless (Qi)30W wired, 15W wireless, 5W reverse wirelessHTC U23 Pro charges faster and can wirelessly charge other devices.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing speeds for demanding tasks and gaming.
  • Better Camera System: Telephoto lens for optical zoom, better video recording capabilities, and higher DXOMark scores.
  • Higher Display Brightness: Easier to see the screen outdoors (speculative due to missing data).
  • Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a more immersive audio experience.

HTC U23 Pro Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Larger Battery: Likely provides significantly longer battery life.
  • Faster Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Charges faster and can charge other devices wirelessly.
  • More RAM (Up to 12GB): Better multitasking capabilities, particularly for demanding apps.
  • Expandable Storage: Provides more flexibility for storing large files.
  • More Modern: Newer device.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life and a larger, smoother display for superior performance and camera quality.
  • Choosing the HTC U23 Pro means accepting slower performance and a less capable camera system for longer battery life, a larger display, and reverse wireless charging.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Ideal User: Professionals and enthusiasts who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a compact form factor.
  • Use Cases:
    • Mobile gaming: Demanding games run smoother.
    • Photography/Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos.
    • Video editing: Faster processing for editing on the go.

HTC U23 Pro:

  • Ideal User: Users who value a large display, long battery life, and a modern Android experience.
  • Use Cases:
    • Media consumption: Watching videos and browsing the web.
    • All-day use: Need a phone that lasts through a full day of heavy use.
    • Photography: A good option if you are looking for a higher-resolution main and selfie camera.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, media consumption, everyday use)
  2. How important is battery life to you? (Do you need all-day battery or are you okay with charging more frequently?)
  3. What is your preferred operating system? (iOS or Android)

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: iPhone 12 Pro - superior performance is crucial for smooth gameplay.
  • Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: HTC U23 Pro - longer battery life and reverse wireless charging are more valuable on the go.
  • Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: iPhone 12 Pro - better overall camera system with more features (telephoto zoom).
  • Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious User: The HTC U23 Pro likely offers a better price-to-value ratio given its modern features, though pricing isn't provided in the specs.

Personal Choice

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the HTC U23 Pro.

Reasoning:

  • While the iPhone 12 Pro offers undeniably better performance and a more polished camera, the HTC U23 Pro addresses my priorities more effectively. A larger, high-refresh-rate display is preferable for media consumption and general use.
  • The larger battery is also extremely important.
  • I'm also more comfortable with Android than iOS.
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
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.