Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs. Sony Xperia 5 IV
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 156 x 67 x 8.2 mm | Xperia 5 IV is taller and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use for some. iPhone 12 Pro is wider. |
| Weight | 189g | 172g | Xperia 5 IV is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Xperia 5 IV likely more resistant to scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | Identical screen size offers a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2520 | iPhone 12 Pro has slightly sharper image, though difficult to perceive for most users. |
| Pixel Density | 460 PPI | 449 PPI | Negligible difference in perceived sharpness. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Similar vibrant colors and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xperia 5 IV provides smoother scrolling, gaming, and animations. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 Pro has significantly better visibility in direct sunlight (Specification is missing for Sony, therefore I am concluding its worse). |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Both are powerful, but A14 Bionic is more powerfull, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 1,021,542 | iPhone 12 Pro likely offers slightly smoother overall performance, though both are fast for most tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Both are capable of running demanding games, but the Apple GPU is slightly better performing. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | Xperia 5 IV handles multitasking slightly better with more RAM. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 12MP, f/1.7, 1/1.7", 1.8µm | Xperia 5 IV larger sensor gathers more light, potentially better low-light performance. iPhone has slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.0µm | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.5", 1.0µm | iPhone 12 Pro has a wider aperture on the telephoto lens, though the Sony has a larger sensor. Both are comparable in real-world use |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | Xperia 5 IV has a wider aperture, potentially better low-light ultrawide shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.0, 1.25µm | Xperia 5 IV has a wider aperture for potentially better selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@120fps with HDR | Xperia 5 IV can shoot higher frame rate 4k videos with HDR. |
| Stabilization | OIS | OIS, EIS | Similar stabilization capabilities for smoother videos. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 127 | 119 | iPhone 12 Pro is rated higher overall. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 | N/A | iPhone 12 Pro is rated higher overall. |
| Camera Features | Night Mode, Manual Focus | Digital Image Stabilization | iPhone 12 Pro enables better control in low light conditions, Sony provides more stable digital pictures. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | Xperia 5 IV significantly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Xperia 5 IV charges faster. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5W) | Reverse Charging, Bypass Charging | iPhone 12 Pro offers more wireless charging standards. Sony enables charging other devices, and bypasses the battery. |
Software
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradeable) | Android 12 (upgradeable) | Different user experiences. iOS known for simplicity and integration, Android for customization and open-source nature. |
| Max OS Version | iOS 18 | Android 13 | iPhone will receive updates for longer. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, MIMO | Wi-Fi 6, Direct, Display | Similar Wi-Fi performance. Wi-Fi Direct and Display on the Sony are useful for direct connections to other devices/TVs. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Xperia 5 IV has a slightly newer version with more features and potentially better efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, (L1+L5), (E1+E5a) | Xperia 5 IV has better location accuracy with dual-band GPS. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (nano + eSIM) | Same SIM capabilities. |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | iPhone 12 Pro offers a higher maximum storage option. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Limited to internal storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Sony is better for audiophiles due to the Hi-Res Audio capability. |
Security
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Features | Face ID | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Face ID is more convenient, Fingerprint more secure. |
Sensors
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Sony Xperia 5 IV | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyro, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyro, Barometer, Fingerprint, Hall | Sony has the added security and convenience of a physical fingerprint reader. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Slightly better performance: Marginal performance lead in benchmarks.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- DxOMark scores: Superior camera performance according to DxOMark.
- Manual camera control: More flexible for advanced photography.
- Longer Software Support: Will receive updates for longer than the Sony.
- FaceID: More convenient biometric unlock.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 Pro provides a smoother, longer-lasting, and more reliable mobile experience.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Advantages:
- Significantly Larger Battery: Much longer battery life.
- 120Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother display experience.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio quality for audiophiles.
- More RAM: Better multitasking.
- Expandable Storage: More storage options.
- Wider Aperture for Ultrawide Lens: Better ultrawide photo quality.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: secure and Convenient biometric unlock.
- Reverse Charging and Bypass Charging: Charge other devices, or use the phone while plugged in without damaging the battery.
Practical Implications: The Xperia 5 IV offers superior multimedia consumption and battery life for intensive users.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro trades battery life and display smoothness for performance.
- Xperia 5 IV trades camera score and display brightness for multimedia and battery capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Users deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who prioritize camera performance (photos and video) and overall system speed.
- Users who want a pocketable iPhone with pro-level features.
- Users who want the device to last for as long as possible.
Use Cases:
- Professional photographers/videographers needing reliable image quality and software integration.
- Users heavily invested in Apple's services and apps.
- Users who value a premium, refined user experience.
Sony Xperia 5 IV Ideal User:
- Multimedia enthusiasts who consume a lot of video and audio content.
- Users who need long battery life for all-day use.
- Users who prefer Android's customization options.
- Users who value side-mounted fingerprint sensors for security.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
- Listening to high-quality music.
- Gamers who need a smooth display and long battery life.
- Travelers who need a phone that can last all day.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? (This comparison is made without considering pricing, which heavily influences value)
- How important is battery life to you? (The Xperia 5 IV has a much larger battery)
- Do you prefer iOS or Android? (This is a fundamental difference that impacts the entire user experience)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Pro Photographer/Videographer: iPhone 12 Pro due to superior DxOMark scores, more Manual camera settings, and seamless software integration.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: Sony Xperia 5 IV due to longer battery life, smoother 120Hz display, and more RAM.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User: Sony Xperia 5 IV because of its longer battery life, more RAM, and Hi-Res audio.
My Choice
I would choose the Sony Xperia 5 IV. While the iPhone 12 Pro has appealing aspects like its slightly better performance, I value the Xperia 5 IV's superior battery life, smoother 120Hz display, and high-res audio for media consumption, along with its convenient fingerprint sensor. The Android operating system also provides more customization options that I prefer. For my personal use case, which involves a lot of media consumption, gaming, and the need for a phone that lasts all day, the Xperia 5 IV is the better fit.
