1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 158.8 x 72.8 x 8.5 mm | P50 Pro is larger, potentially less comfortable in smaller hands/pockets. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 195g | Minimal difference; both feel relatively premium. |
| Build | Unknown screen protection on both. Consider screen protector investment. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | P50 Pro offers more screen real estate for media consumption, gaming. 12 Pro more compact. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1228x2700 | Negligible difference in sharpness due to similar PPI. |
| PPI | 460 | 450 | Essentially identical visual clarity. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Similar vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | P50 Pro provides smoother scrolling, animations, and potentially a more responsive gaming experience. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro should be much better under direct sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | A14 Bionic offers superior performance in benchmarks. Expect faster app loading and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 697,566 | Confirms A14's significant performance advantage for demanding tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G78 MP24 (Adreno 660) | A14 offers more graphically demanding games |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55" | P50 Pro captures more detail and performs better in low light, owing to larger sensor size. 12 Pro's wider aperture (f/1.6) helps for low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Similar selfie quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/3.4 | P50 Pro provides far greater zoom capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro offers wider field of view for landscape/group shots without perspective distortion. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2 | P50 Pro can take macro shots and wide angle photos. |
| Black & White Camera | N/A | 40MP, f/1.6 | P50 Pro has improved B&W photography performance. |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps | Similar video recording capabilities, though P50 Pro may benefit from EIS. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 127 | 143 | P50 Pro is rated significantly higher in camera performance (photo and video). |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 | 144 | P50 Pro is rated significantly higher in selfie camera performance (photo and video). |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4360mAh | P50 Pro should offer considerably longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W wired, 15W wireless | 66W wired, 50W wireless | P50 Pro charges much faster, both wired and wirelessly. |
| Features | MagSafe, Qi wireless charging | Reverse wireless charging | P50 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly. iPhone uses MagSafe ecosystem. |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| RAM | 6GB | 8/12GB | Huawei P50 Pro has more RAM (12GB), excellent for heavy multitasking and demanding games |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Performance: Superior processing power for demanding apps and gaming.
- Display Brightness: Much higher brightness for better outdoor visibility.
- Software Ecosystem: Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem.
- Wider Ecosystem: Wireless charging up to 15W with MagSafe
- Wide Angle Lens: Dedicated wide-angle lens.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Camera Versatility: More camera lenses (including B&W, Macro) for greater flexibility.
- Zoom Capabilities: Superior telephoto lens for long-distance shots.
- Battery Life: Larger battery for extended usage.
- Charging Speed: Significantly faster wired and wireless charging.
- Display Smoothness: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother visuals.
- GPS: More satellite systems for better location accuracy
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Lower battery capacity, slower charging, less versatile camera system.
- Huawei P50 Pro: Lower processing power, no Google services.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, valuing seamless integration and prioritizing performance for demanding tasks.
- Use Cases: Professional video editing on-the-go, graphic-intensive gaming, users requiring maximum app performance.
Huawei P50 Pro:
- Ideal User: Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile camera system with excellent zoom capabilities and long battery life.
- Use Cases: Travel photography, capturing detailed close-up shots, users needing all-day battery and quick charging.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case for the phone? (e.g., Photography, Gaming, Productivity)
- How important is battery life and charging speed?
- Am I heavily invested in the Apple or Android ecosystem?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Photography Focused: Huawei P50 Pro for its versatile camera system and zoom capabilities.
- Performance & Ecosystem: Apple iPhone 12 Pro if raw power and Apple ecosystem integration are paramount.
- Balanced User: This depends on ecosystem preference, but if both are equal, the Huawei P50 Pro offers a more modern experience with a better display and longer battery.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei P50 Pro. While the iPhone 12 Pro has its strengths in processing power and ecosystem integration, the P50 Pro excels in areas that are more important to me:
- Superior Camera System: The P50 Pro's camera versatility, especially its zoom capabilities and low-light performance, is a major draw.
- Better Battery Life and Charging: The larger battery and significantly faster charging speeds would be invaluable for my daily use.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate offers a noticeable improvement in user experience.
Although the iPhone 12 Pro is more powerful, the Huawei P50 Pro offers a more well-rounded package that aligns better with my priorities.
