Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Nokia G42 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Nokia G42
Nokia G42
Nokia

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 June 28, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 107.56 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.38 "/g
Weight 189 g 193.8 g
Height 146.7 mm 165 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.6 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Red
  • Purple
  • Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.56 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1612
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 82.7 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 116.19 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 46.49 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 619

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 13
Maximum OS Version 18 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProNokia G42Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm165 x 75.8 x 8.6 mmiPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable and easier to handle one-handed. Nokia G42 has a larger footprint.
Weight189g193.8gNegligible difference in weight; both feel relatively similar in hand.
BuildPremium materials (likely steel and glass)Likely plastic frameiPhone 12 Pro likely feels more premium and durable.
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 3Nokia G42 offers known scratch and impact resistance.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProNokia G42Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.56"Nokia G42 provides a more immersive viewing experience for multimedia consumption.
Resolution1170x2532720x1612iPhone 12 Pro offers a significantly sharper and more detailed image. Text and images appear crisper.
Pixel Density (PPI)460269iPhone 12 Pro has noticeably sharper display.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 Pro has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzNokia G42 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, but the difference may not be noticeable to all users.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. Nokia G42's brightness specification is missing, but it will likely be substantially lower.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProNokia G42Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm)iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644380,000iPhone 12 Pro provides a much smoother and more responsive user experience.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Adreno 619iPhone 12 Pro provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProNokia G42Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.650MP, f/1.8Nokia G42 may capture more detail in good lighting conditions due to the higher megapixel count. iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance.
Ultrawide Lens12MP, f/2.4NoneiPhone 12 Pro allows for wider field-of-view shots, capturing more of the scene.
Telephoto Lens12MP, f/2.0NoneiPhone 12 Pro allows for optical zoom, enabling closer shots without loss of detail.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0iPhone 12 Pro captures more detailed selfies. Nokia G42's wider aperture allows for better low-light selfies.
Depth SensorNone2MP, f/2.4Nokia G42 can create a bokeh effect.
Macro LensNone2MP, f/2.4Nokia G42 can take close-up photos of small objects.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps HDRUp to 1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 Pro offers higher quality and more versatile video recording capabilities.
Video StabilizationYesNoiPhone 12 Pro allows for smooth videos.
DxOMark ScoreMobile: 127, Selfie: 132N/AiPhone 12 Pro has a better camera.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProNokia G42Practical Impact
Capacity2815 mAh5000 mAhNokia G42 offers significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more on a single charge.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging20W Fast ChargingBoth phones can charge quickly. iPhone 12 Pro supports wireless charging for added convenience.

Storage and RAM

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProNokia G42Practical Impact
Internal Storage128GB/256GB/512GB128GBiPhone 12 Pro offers more storage options for users with large media libraries.
RAM6GB4GB/6GBiPhone 12 Pro offers slightly better multitasking capabilities, especially with the 6 GB version.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for expanding storage with a microSD card.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster processing and graphics performance. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming experiences.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, resulting in a more visually appealing experience.
  • Better Camera System: The iPhone 12 Pro features a versatile triple-camera system with a telephoto lens and advanced features like 4K video recording, optical image stabilization, and night mode, leading to better image and video quality.
  • Premium Build Quality: High quality materials.
  • More Compact Form Factor: The smaller size makes it easier to handle and pocket.

Nokia G42 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery Capacity: The 5000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life, ideal for users who need their phone to last all day.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: The 90Hz display offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations.
  • More Recent Phone: The Nokia G42 is a more recent phone, which usually means getting software updates for longer.
  • Depth and Macro Lens: The Nokia G42 can take photos with a bokeh effect.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life and display size for performance, camera quality, and display technology.
  • Choosing the Nokia G42 means sacrificing performance and camera versatility for longer battery life and a slightly larger display with a higher refresh rate.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium user experience.
  • Use Cases:
    • Photography and Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
    • Gaming: Playing demanding mobile games with smooth frame rates and detailed graphics.
    • Productivity: Multitasking between apps and handling demanding tasks like video editing or photo processing.
    • Designers: Due to the color accuracy of the screen.
  • Price-to-Value: The iPhone 12 Pro offers excellent value for users who need top-tier performance and camera capabilities, but it comes at a higher price point.

Nokia G42:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, a large screen, and affordability.
  • Use Cases:
    • Everyday Use: Browsing the web, checking social media, and sending emails.
    • Multimedia Consumption: Watching videos and movies on the larger screen.
    • Long Travel Days: Users needing a phone that lasts all day without needing a charge.
  • Price-to-Value: The Nokia G42 offers excellent value for budget-conscious users who need a reliable phone with long battery life and a decent display.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is likely to be more expensive than the Nokia G42.
  2. How important is performance to you? If you need a phone for demanding tasks or gaming, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.
  3. How important is battery life to you? If you need a phone that lasts all day, the Nokia G42 is the better choice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior camera system and video recording capabilities.
  • Scenario 2: Student on a Budget: Choose the Nokia G42 for its affordability and long battery life.
  • Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its powerful processor and graphics.
  • Scenario 4: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Nokia G42 for its long battery life and reliable performance.

What I Would Choose and Why

If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Nokia G42 has appealing features like longer battery life and a more recent release date, the iPhone 12 Pro offers a significantly better overall user experience due to its:

  • Superior performance: The A14 Bionic chip is still very powerful and provides a smooth and responsive experience, even compared to many newer mid-range phones.
  • Excellent camera: The iPhone 12 Pro's camera system is significantly more versatile and capable, especially in low-light conditions.
  • High-quality display: The OLED display is much more vibrant and sharp than the LCD on the Nokia G42.
  • Premium build quality: The iPhone 12 Pro feels more solid and durable.

While the battery life of the iPhone 12 Pro is a concern, I can manage it with careful usage and occasional charging. The benefits in performance, camera quality, and display technology outweigh the battery disadvantage for my personal use case, which involves a lot of photography, video editing, and demanding mobile games.

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
  • Digital media communication
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  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.