1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei nova 8i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 161.9 × 74.7 × 8.6 mm | iPhone 12 Pro is more compact and pocketable. Nova 8i is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | Nova 8i offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 12 Pro is more manageable in smaller hands. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2376 | iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display with finer detail, noticeable when reading small text or viewing high-resolution images. |
| Pixel Density | 460 PPI | 391 PPI | iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in a noticeably sharper and clearer image. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 Pro's OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Nova 8i's LCD. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro's significantly higher brightness makes it much more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rate, not ideal for smooth gaming experience |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro's A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. The Nova 8i's Snapdragon 662 is suitable for basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 201,000 | The iPhone 12 Pro has much better performance for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 610 | iPhone 12 Pro provides a vastly superior gaming experience with higher frame rates and smoother graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 64MP f/1.9 | iPhone 12 Pro has a larger sensor (1/2.55") and larger pixels (1.4µm), resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range. Nova 8i has a higher megapixel count, but pixel size is more important than megapixels. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.2 | iPhone 12 Pro has a higher megapixel count for its ultrawide, whereas the Nova 8i has a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.0 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without sacrificing image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.0 | Nova 8i's selfie camera has slightly higher resolution and a slightly wider aperture, potentially resulting in slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Nova 8i has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which can improve subject separation. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Nova 8i has a dedicated macro lens for taking extreme close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro supports significantly higher video quality, offering more detail and smoother motion. |
| Stabilization | Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) | Digital Image Stabilization (DIS) | iPhone 12 Pro's OIS provides superior stabilization for smoother videos and sharper photos in low light. |
| DxOMark Score (Mobile) | 127 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro has been professionally tested and scored, indicating excellent camera performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4300mAh | Nova 8i has a significantly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life, though this depends on usage patterns and software optimization. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging | 66W Fast Charging | Nova 8i charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (Upgradable) | Android 10 | iOS offers a different user experience with a focus on simplicity and security. Android is more customizable and open-source. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | iPhone 12 Pro supports the latest Wi-Fi standard for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version for improved connectivity. |
| 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 |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro offers the flexibility of using an eSIM, while Nova 8i supports two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128 GB | iPhone 12 Pro offers more storage options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Face ID | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | iPhone 12 Pro has Face ID for biometric unlocking whereas the Nova 8i has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing speeds, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Practical Implication: Apps launch faster, demanding games run smoothly, and the phone remains responsive even under heavy load.
- Better Display: The OLED display offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and brightness, making it ideal for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Practical Implication: Movies and photos look more vibrant, and the screen remains visible even in direct sunlight.
- Higher Quality Camera: The camera system captures better photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions, and offers optical zoom capabilities.
- Practical Implication: Photos and videos look sharper, more detailed, and more vibrant, even in challenging lighting conditions.
- Premium Build Quality & Software Experience: Apple products are known for their durable builds and seamless software integration.
- Practical Implication: The phone feels more premium in hand, and the software is intuitive and easy to use.
- Better connectivity: Newer WiFi and bluetooth standards, including support for more GPS satellites.
- Water resistance: While not listed, iPhone 12 Pro features IP68 water resistance.
Huawei nova 8i Advantages:
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: The larger battery capacity and faster charging speeds provide longer battery life and reduced charging times.
- Practical Implication: The phone can last longer on a single charge, and when the battery is low, it can be quickly charged up.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: The presence of a macro lens allows for capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Practical Implication: Users can take detailed photos of small objects.
- Fingerprint Sensor: A physical fingerprint sensor allows for a different form of biometric authentication.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Higher price, smaller battery, and no expandable storage.
- Huawei nova 8i: Significantly lower performance, inferior display, and lower quality camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, photographers, videographers, and users who value performance, display quality, and a premium user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography
- Gaming and other demanding tasks
- Media consumption in bright environments
- Users deeply embedded in Apple's ecosystem.
Huawei nova 8i:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life and fast charging, and those who need a larger screen for media consumption.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication
- Long hours of media consumption on the go
- Users who prefer physical fingerprint sensor for unlocking.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is significantly more expensive than the Huawei nova 8i.
- How important is performance? If you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, the iPhone 12 Pro is the clear choice.
- How important is battery life? If you prioritize long battery life and fast charging, the Huawei nova 8i may be a better option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer - Choose iPhone 12 Pro for its superior camera, performance, and video recording capabilities.
- Scenario 2: Casual User on a Budget - Choose Huawei nova 8i for its larger screen, decent battery life, and affordable price.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer - Choose iPhone 12 Pro for its powerful processor and GPU, ensuring smooth and immersive gaming experiences.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. Here's why:
- Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is a game-changer. I value a phone that can handle anything I throw at it without lag or stuttering.
- Camera Quality: As someone who enjoys taking photos and videos, the iPhone 12 Pro's camera system is far superior, especially in low-light conditions. The optical zoom is also a big plus.
- Display: The OLED display is more enjoyable for everyday use because of the richer colors and better outdoor visibility.
- Ecosystem: I have multiple Apple devices, so the smooth integration between devices is very beneficial for me.
While the Huawei nova 8i has a larger battery and faster charging, those benefits don't outweigh the significant advantages of the iPhone 12 Pro in performance, camera quality, and display technology. While cost is a factor, for my specific needs, the iPhone 12 Pro provides better long-term value due to its superior performance and features.
