1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 190g | Negligible difference in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 12 Pro is more compact. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2412 | iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly sharper display, but the difference may not be noticeable to all users. |
| PPI | 460 | 394 | iPhone 12 Pro offers finer details and sharper text. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 950 nits | iPhone 12 Pro is easier to view under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and complex apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 574,000 | iPhone 12 Pro will feel snappier and more responsive overall. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 710 | iPhone 12 Pro provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" | Realme 12 Pro captures more detail in bright light and may offer better dynamic range. iPhone 12 Pro may perform better in low light due to wider aperture and larger pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies. iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture may result in better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.0 | 32MP, f/2.0 | Realme 12 Pro offers more detailed zoomed-in photos. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro allows for wider field of view shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12 Pro allows for ultra-wide and macro shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro allows for higher frame rate video recording. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro provides significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, 15W wireless charging | 67W fast charging | Realme 12 Pro charges much faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 14 | Different user experience and ecosystem. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Realme 12 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version and supports more audio codecs (APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC). |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 Pro allows for digital carrier switching with eSIM. Realme 12 Pro allows for 2 physical sim cards. |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB/12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers better multitasking capabilities, especially with the 12GB option. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro has a slight edge in audio features offering enhanced spatial audio, higher quality audio playback, clearer calls, better audio separation and immersion, improved voice capture |
| Security | |||
| Security | Basic security features | Fingerprint Sensor | Realme 12 Pro has a physical fingerprint sensor for convenient unlocking |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly better processing power and graphics performance, leading to a smoother and faster experience, especially in demanding tasks.
- Higher Display Sharpness: Higher pixel density results in a sharper and more detailed display.
- Wider Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Better Video Recording: Offers 4K video recording at 60fps.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers an additional wide angle lens.
- Higher Display Brightness: Better outdoor visibility.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: The larger battery provides substantially more usage time.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging replenishes the battery much faster than the iPhone's 20W charging.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a smoother visual experience.
- More RAM: 8GB or 12GB of RAM improves multitasking capabilities.
- Telephoto Camera with Higher Resolution: Allows for more detailed zoomed-in shots.
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera: Offers ultra-wide and macro shots.
- Newer Bluetooth Version and Audio Codec Support: Enhanced wireless audio experience.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides additional security convenience.
- Dual Sim: Allows the user to have 2 physical sim cards at once.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life, display smoothness, and charging speed for superior performance and a more refined ecosystem experience.
- Choosing the Realme 12 Pro means sacrificing processing power and display sharpness for longer battery life, faster charging, and a smoother display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance for demanding apps, gaming, and video editing.
- Apple Ecosystem Enthusiasts: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration.
- Photography/Videography Enthusiasts: Users who value high quality video recording and a wide angle camera lens.
- Users needing higher display brightness: Users that are constantly outside and need a bright display.
Use Cases:
- Video Editing on the Go: The A14 Bionic chip allows for smooth editing of 4K videos.
- Gaming: Enjoying graphically intensive games with high frame rates.
- Seamless Integration with Mac and iPad: Easily transferring files and continuing tasks across devices.
Ideal Users for Realme 12 Pro:
- Everyday Users: Those who prioritize battery life, a smooth display, and fast charging for daily tasks.
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Seeking a feature-rich phone at a more affordable price point.
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a large, smooth display.
- Users needing the option of two physical sim cards: Users who travel often.
Use Cases:
- All-Day Battery Life: Lasting through a full day of heavy usage without needing to recharge.
- Smooth Gaming Experience: Enjoying a visually fluid gaming experience with the 120Hz refresh rate.
- Quick Charging: Rapidly replenishing the battery during short breaks.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions to make the best choice:
- What is your budget? (The Realme 12 Pro will likely be more affordable)
- How important is performance for demanding tasks? (iPhone 12 Pro excels in performance)
- How much do you value battery life and fast charging? (Realme 12 Pro provides a superior experience)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior processing power and graphics performance.
- Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Realme 12 Pro for its all-day battery life and fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Apple Ecosystem User: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious Buyer: Choose the Realme 12 Pro for its excellent value and feature set.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro.
While the iPhone 12 Pro offers a performance advantage, the Realme 12 Pro's longer battery life, faster charging, smoother display, and additional camera features (telephoto with higher resolution, macro) provide a more compelling overall experience for my daily usage. Additionally, the Realme 12 Pro is newer and would presumably have longer software support remaining.
The differences in performance are very important for people who use their phone for demanding tasks, but for normal every-day usage, the trade off for a longer lasting battery and better quality of life seems more important than the higher processing power of the iPhone 12 Pro.
