1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro+ is larger, may be less comfortable for one-handed use. |
| Weight | 189g | 196g | Negligible difference in weight. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2412 | iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly sharper display. |
| PPI | 460 | 394 | iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in finer details and crisper text. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar quality displays with vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro+ offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro is much better suited for outdoor use in bright sunlight. Realme 12 Pro+'s brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic offers significantly faster performance, better for demanding apps and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 603,400 | iPhone 12 Pro provides a smoother and more responsive experience in general use and resource-intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 710 | Apple GPU provides better graphics performance, suitable for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Realme 12 Pro+ may capture more detailed images in good lighting. iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture may perform better in low light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/2.6 | Realme 12 Pro+ offers a higher resolution telephoto lens for better zoomed-in photos, but with a narrower aperture. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone 12 Pro allows for wider angle shots, capturing more of the scene. |
| Macro Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 12 Pro+ can take close-up shots of small objects with the macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro+ can take higher resolution selfies, but with a narrower aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro offers smoother 4K video recording at 60fps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 12 Pro+ likely provides significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | None | iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 14 | Different user experiences. iOS is known for its simplicity and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. Android offers greater customization and open-source flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB or 12GB | Realme 12 Pro+ handles multitasking and demanding apps more smoothly, especially with the 12GB option. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Face ID | Fingerprint Sensor | iPhone 12 Pro uses Face ID for secure facial recognition. Realme 12 Pro+ uses a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smoother multitasking, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Display Sharpness: Higher pixel density display for sharper visuals and text.
- Brightness: Much brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Video Recording: 4k at 60fps
- Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
Practical Implications:
- iPhone 12 Pro excels in demanding tasks, providing a premium and fluid user experience. Its brighter display makes it easier to use outdoors. Apple's ecosystem integration simplifies tasks for users invested in their products.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Battery Life: Much larger battery capacity for extended usage.
- Charging Speed: Significantly faster charging, reducing downtime.
- Display Refresh Rate: 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Camera Versatility: Macro lens and higher resolution telephoto lens add more creative options.
- RAM: More RAM for multitasking and running more apps at once.
Practical Implications:
- Realme 12 Pro+ prioritizes battery life and fast charging, ideal for users who need all-day power. The 120Hz display enhances the user experience. The macro lens offers unique photographic possibilities.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Shorter battery life, slower charging, no macro lens.
- Realme 12 Pro+: Lower performance, lower display sharpness, unknown outdoor brightness.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Apple ecosystem users, professionals needing high performance, those who prioritize display sharpness and outdoor visibility.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, video editing, photography in bright conditions, seamless integration with macOS and other Apple services.
Realme 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life and fast charging, casual users who want a large, smooth display, users interested in mobile photography with macro capabilities.
- Use Cases: All-day usage without frequent charging, watching videos and browsing social media, taking close-up photos of small objects, general day to day use.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The iPhone 12 Pro is older, so its price might have decreased. The Realme 12 Pro+ may be a better value for users who prioritize features like battery life and fast charging over raw performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use, etc.)
- How important is battery life and charging speed to you?
- Are you invested in the Apple ecosystem?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Heavy Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior performance.
- Frequent Traveler: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+ for its long battery life and fast charging.
- Budget-Conscious User: Consider the Realme 12 Pro+ for its value, but compare current prices carefully.
- Apple Ecosystem User: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its seamless integration.
What I would choose and why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro.
Here's why:
- Performance: As someone who often multitasks and occasionally enjoys mobile gaming, the significantly faster performance of the A14 Bionic chip is a major advantage.
- Display Quality: Although the Realme 12 Pro+ has a larger display and a higher refresh rate, the iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density and brightness will make it better in outdoor situations.
- Ecosystem Integration: I use other Apple products, and the seamless integration between them is a significant convenience.
- Camera Quality: Even though the Realme 12 Pro+ offers higher megapixel counts on some of its cameras, the overall image quality and video capabilities of the iPhone 12 Pro are likely to be more consistent and reliable, especially considering the processing capabilities and software optimization. The iPhone 12 Pro takes the win because of the video quality at 4k 60fps.
While the Realme 12 Pro+ has its strengths, particularly in battery life and charging speed, these are not my highest priorities. I am willing to sacrifice some battery life for a better overall experience.
Ultimately, the iPhone 12 Pro aligns better with my needs.
