Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 5 III
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 III | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 157 x 68 x 8.2 mm | The Xperia 5 III is taller and thicker but narrower. The iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable due to its smaller overall size, though the Xperia 5 III is lighter. |
| Weight | 189g | 168g | The Xperia 5 III is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | Both offer the same screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2520 | The iPhone 12 Pro has a slightly sharper display, although the difference is barely noticeable in everyday use. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Xperia 5 III provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 Pro's higher brightness makes it significantly easier to view the screen in direct sunlight. The Sony Xperia 5 III has a brightness of 0 nits which does not seem right. Assuming that it is lower, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better option |
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | The Xperia 5 III offers better protection against scratches and cracks. The iPhone 12 Pro screen protection is not specified. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Both are high-performance chips. The A14 Bionic generally edges out the Snapdragon 888 in benchmarks, indicating slightly faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 660 | Both offer excellent graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | The Xperia 5 III has more RAM, which can improve multitasking and prevent apps from being closed in the background. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 12MP, f/1.7 | The iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The iPhone 12 Pro has higher resolution, potentially resulting in more detailed selfies. The Xperia 5 III has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.0 | 12MP, f/2.2 | The iPhone 12 Pro has a wider aperture, potentially improving zoom image quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.3 | The Sony Xperia 5 III has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps HDR | Up to 4K@120fps HDR | The Xperia 5 III offers higher frame rate 4k recording. Both offer excellent video quality and stabilization. |
| Features | Night Mode, Manual Focus | Digital Image Stabilization | The iPhone 12 Pro's Night Mode excels in low-light photography. The Xperia 5 III offers Digital Image Stabilization |
| DXOMark | 127 (Mobile), 132 (Selfie) | N/A | The iPhone 12 Pro has a rated score, the Xperia 5 III does not. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4500mAh | The Xperia 5 III has a much larger battery, likely resulting in significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | The Xperia 5 III charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | MagSafe, Qi Wireless Charging | Bypass Charging | The iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. The Xperia 5 III can bypass the battery during charging while gaming, reducing heat. |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 11 (upgradable to Android 13) | iOS is known for its ease of use and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. Android offers more customization options. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | The Xperia 5 III has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with more codec support. |
| GPS | Standard | L1+L5, E1+E5a | The Xperia 5 III offers more accurate GPS tracking, especially in urban environments. |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | The iPhone 12 Pro supports eSIM for easy carrier switching. The Xperia 5 III allows for two physical SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | The iPhone 12 Pro offers a larger maximum storage option. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio | The Xperia 5 III supports Hi-Res Audio for audiophiles. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Basic Security Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | The Xperia 5 III offers a convenient and secure biometric authentication method. |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Barometer | Fingerprint, Hall | The Xperia 5 III offers the most comprehensive sensor suite. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Brighter Display: Significantly better outdoor visibility.
- Potentially Faster Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is incredibly fast and efficient.
- iOS Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Higher DXOMark Score: Indicates better camera performance.
- MagSafe & Wireless Charging: Convenient charging options.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 Pro is ideal for users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, those who prioritize a bright display for outdoor use, and want a great out-of-the-box camera experience.
Sony Xperia 5 III Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended use.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Reduces downtime.
- Hi-Res Audio Support: Appeals to audiophiles.
- More Accurate GPS: Better for navigation and location-based services.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient and secure biometric authentication.
- Corning Gorilla Glass 6: Superior scratch and impact protection for the screen.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM allows for increased multi-tasking capabilities.
- Higher Frame Rate 4k Recording: Ability to record at higher frame rates.
Practical Implications: The Xperia 5 III is best for users who value battery life, a smooth display, excellent audio quality, and a more open and customizable Android experience.
Trade-offs:
- The iPhone 12 Pro has a higher benchmark score and a brighter display, but a smaller battery and no expandable storage.
- The Xperia 5 III offers a higher refresh rate and longer battery life, but it is physically taller and runs Android.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Individuals deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem, photographers who prefer iOS image processing, and those who need excellent outdoor screen visibility.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video editing on the go, users relying heavily on Apple services (iCloud, Apple Pay), and gaming with optimized iOS performance.
- Sony Xperia 5 III:
- Ideal User: Android enthusiasts, audiophiles, users who prioritize battery life and a smoother display, and those who prefer a compact phone with advanced features.
- Use Cases: Long gaming sessions, listening to high-quality audio, GPS navigation, and users who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Which operating system do I prefer (iOS or Android)? This is a fundamental choice that impacts the entire user experience.
- How important is battery life and display smoothness to me? The Xperia 5 III excels in these areas.
- Am I heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem? If so, the iPhone 12 Pro offers seamless integration.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its brighter display, making it easier to view maps and take photos in direct sunlight.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: Choose the Xperia 5 III for its higher refresh rate display, larger battery, and bypass charging.
- Scenario 3: Audiophile: Choose the Xperia 5 III for its Hi-Res Audio support and Bluetooth 5.2 with advanced codecs.
My Choice
I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 III. While the iPhone 12 Pro has its strengths, the Xperia 5 III offers a more compelling package for my personal needs. The larger battery, 120Hz display, better GPS accuracy, and the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor are all significant advantages. Although the iPhone 12 Pro might have a slightly faster chipset, the real-world performance difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most everyday tasks. I am also not heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, so I am happy with the Android OS. The most important factor in my choice is the battery life.
