Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs. Realme C35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | iPhone 12 Pro is more compact and easier to handle with one hand. Realme C35 may be less pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 189g | Both feel similar in hand in terms of weight. |
| Build | Premium materials (Glass and Steel) | Plastic frame and back | iPhone 12 Pro offers a more premium feel and potentially better durability (though specifics on screen protection are missing for both). |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | Realme C35 offers a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2408 | iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper and more detailed display, noticeable in text and high-resolution images. |
| PPI | 460 | 401 | iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in clearer text, sharper images and better detail in general. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 Pro has superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, and better contrast. LCD on Realme C35 is less vibrant and has less impressive black levels. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both displays have standard smoothness. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. The Realme C35's readability in direct sunlight is likely to be compromised (brightness information missing). |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A14 Bionic is a flagship-level chip, while the T616 is an entry-level/midrange chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 230,726 | iPhone 12 Pro is dramatically faster in most tasks, including demanding games and video editing. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G57 MP1 | iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| RAM | 6GB | 4GB | iPhone 12 Pro can handle more apps running in the background without slowing down. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 50MP f/1.8 | iPhone 12 Pro likely offers better image quality, especially in low light, due to better optimization, despite lower megapixel count. The wider aperture will allow for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.0 | iPhone 12 Pro's selfie camera is likely to produce higher quality and detailed images. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better zoomed-in photos without significant quality loss. |
| Ultrawide Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro can capture wider scenes in a single shot. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | Realme C35 can take close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K 60fps | 1080p 30fps | iPhone 12 Pro can record much higher quality videos with better detail and dynamic range. |
| Camera Features | OIS, Night Mode, RAW | Digital Image Stabilization | iPhone 12 Pro has better stabilization for smoother videos and sharper photos, especially in low light. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | Realme C35 should offer significantly longer battery life on a single charge, which is important if you don't want to charge your phone often. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Both offer relatively similar charging speeds with a slight edge to the iPhone 12 Pro. |
| Wireless Charging | Yes (MagSafe & Qi) | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable) | Android 11 | iOS is known for its smooth performance, timely updates, and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. Android offers more customization options. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 | iPhone 12 Pro offers faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | Realme C35 can use two physical SIM cards simultaneously. iPhone 12 Pro offers the flexibility of using an eSIM. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128/256/512GB | 64/128GB | iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly more storage options. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, so choosing the right internal storage is essential. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Stereo Speakers, Dolby Atmos | Basic | iPhone 12 Pro offers a significantly better audio experience for music, videos, and gaming. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Face ID | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Face ID on the iPhone 12 Pro is generally considered secure and convenient. The fingerprint sensor on the Realme C35 provides a quick and reliable way to unlock the phone. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | No barometer | iPhone 12 Pro can measure atmospheric pressure. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster performance than the Unisoc Tiger T616, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming.
- Better Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and brightness provides a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent outdoor visibility.
- Better Camera System: The triple-camera system with telephoto and ultrawide lenses, combined with features like OIS, Night Mode, and 4K video recording, offers superior image and video quality and versatility.
- Premium Build Quality: The iPhone 12 Pro features a more premium design and materials, leading to better durability and a more luxurious feel.
- Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Better Audio: The Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos offer enhanced audio quality.
Realme C35 Advantages:
- Significantly Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery provides significantly longer battery life compared to the iPhone 12 Pro.
- Macro Lens: Allows for capturing detailed close-up shots.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers a convenient and reliable alternative to face unlock.
- Lower Price: Generally much more affordable, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Dual SIM: Supports two physical SIM cards.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life and paying a premium for significantly better performance, display, and camera capabilities.
- Choosing the Realme C35 means accepting significantly lower performance, display quality, and camera capabilities in exchange for much longer battery life and a lower price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Users who prioritize performance and want a smooth, responsive smartphone experience.
- Photography enthusiasts who want a versatile and high-quality camera system.
- Users who value display quality and want a vibrant and sharp screen for media consumption.
- Users who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who need higher storage options
Use Cases for iPhone 12 Pro:
- Gaming: The powerful A14 Bionic chip delivers a smooth and immersive gaming experience.
- Photography and Videography: The versatile camera system excels in various scenarios, including low-light photography and 4K video recording.
- Media Consumption: The OLED display provides a vibrant and immersive viewing experience for movies and videos.
- Productivity: The fast performance and smooth multitasking make it ideal for productivity tasks.
Ideal User for Realme C35:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life and affordability.
- Users who need a dual-SIM phone.
- Users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users who want a large screen for media consumption on a budget.
Use Cases for Realme C35:
- Daily Driver: Reliable for basic communication and everyday tasks.
- Travel Phone: Long battery life makes it suitable for travel where charging opportunities may be limited.
- Backup Phone: Affordable option to have as a backup device.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is a premium device, while the Realme C35 is a budget-friendly option.
- How important is performance and camera quality to you? The iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly better performance and camera capabilities.
- How important is battery life? The Realme C35 offers significantly longer battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: High Performance and Camera are Paramount: If you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or professional photography, and budget is not a major concern, the iPhone 12 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 2: Long Battery Life is Essential: If you need a phone that can last all day on a single charge, and you are willing to compromise on performance and camera quality, the Realme C35 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Approach: If you want a good balance of performance, camera quality, and battery life, you might want to consider other options in the market within a similar price range as these two phones or perhaps a phone that is more recent.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Realme C35's battery life is undeniably appealing, the overall user experience offered by the iPhone 12 Pro is far superior. The A14 Bionic chip provides a level of performance that the Realme C35 simply can't match, making everyday tasks smoother and more enjoyable. Moreover, the superior display and camera system would significantly enhance my media consumption and photography experiences. While the price difference is substantial, the iPhone 12 Pro's features justify the higher cost for my personal use case, where performance and camera quality are paramount.
