1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 168.2 × 75.5 × 8.1 mm | TCL 50 SE is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 189g | 195g | Negligible difference. Both feel relatively similar in hand |
| Build | Premium materials (likely glass and stainless steel, unspecified) | Plastic build (unspecified) | iPhone 12 Pro feels more premium and durable. TCL 50 SE likely more prone to scratches. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | TCL 50 SE offers a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming. iPhone 12 Pro is more manageable for smaller hands. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2460 | iPhone 12 Pro displays sharper images and text. |
| PPI | 460 | 396 | iPhone 12 Pro's higher pixel density results in noticeably crisper visuals. |
| Technology | OLED | IPS LCD | iPhone 12 Pro has better contrast, black levels, and color accuracy, leading to a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | TCL 50 SE offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive, though the difference may not be noticeable to all users. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 900 nits | iPhone 12 Pro is much easier to view in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12 nm) | iPhone 12 Pro is significantly faster and more responsive in all tasks, from launching apps to playing demanding games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 250,000 | Confirms the substantial performance difference. iPhone 12 Pro handles demanding tasks with ease, while TCL 50 SE may struggle with intensive applications. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G52 MC2 | iPhone 12 Pro offers superior graphics performance for gaming and video editing. |
| RAM | 6 GB | 4 GB or 6 GB | iPhone 12 Pro maintains more apps in memory for smoother multitasking. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.8 | iPhone 12 Pro captures better low-light images and videos due to larger sensor and wider aperture. The higher megapixel count on the TCL 50 SE could lead to more detail in well-lit conditions, but likely falls short due to the sensor size and processing capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Apple iPhone 12 Pro provides higher resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro allows for optical zoom without loss of detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro can capture a wider field of view in photos and videos. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes | TCL 50 SE allows for close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 1080p@30fps | iPhone 12 Pro records higher quality, more detailed videos with better stabilization and dynamic range. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 127, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | iPhone 12 Pro has a significantly better camera overall. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5010mAh | TCL 50 SE likely offers significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more on a single charge. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | TCL 50 SE charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | MagSafe (15W), Qi (7.5W) | No | iPhone 12 Pro offers convenient wireless charging options. |
Software
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | TCL 50 SE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable to iOS 18) | Android 14 | iPhone 12 Pro offers a different user experience with a focus on simplicity and integration with Apple's ecosystem. TCL 50 SE provides a more customizable experience. |
| Updates | Regular, Long-term | Unclear, likely shorter-term | iPhone 12 Pro receives guaranteed software updates and security patches for many years, prolonging its lifespan. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for smoother performance in all tasks.
- Display: Superior OLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness.
- Camera: More versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, better image quality, and 4K video recording.
- Software: Guaranteed long-term software updates and access to the Apple ecosystem.
- Build Quality: More premium design and materials.
Practical Implications: iPhone 12 Pro provides a smoother, more enjoyable user experience, especially for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and photography. It will also remain usable for longer due to software support.
TCL 50 SE Advantages:
- Battery Life: Much larger battery capacity for longer usage between charges.
- Charging Speed: Faster wired charging.
- Display Size: Larger screen for immersive media consumption.
- Macro Lens: Ability to take close-up photos.
- Price: Significantly lower cost.
Practical Implications: TCL 50 SE is ideal for users who prioritize battery life, larger screen size, and budget-friendliness. It's a good option for everyday tasks, media consumption, and casual photography.
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Significantly higher price, shorter battery life.
- TCL 50 SE: Significantly lower performance, inferior display and camera quality, uncertain software support.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Users who value performance, camera quality, and display technology.
- Users who are invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who want guaranteed software updates and long-term support.
- Users who are willing to pay a premium for a high-end smartphone.
Use Cases:
- Professional photography and videography.
- Mobile gaming and video editing.
- Demanding productivity tasks.
- Seamless integration with other Apple devices.
Ideal Users for TCL 50 SE:
- Users who prioritize battery life and a large display on a budget.
- Users who need a reliable device for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and communication.
- Users who are not demanding in terms of performance or camera quality.
Use Cases:
- Extended media consumption (movies, TV shows, YouTube).
- Basic photography and video recording.
- Everyday communication and social media.
- As a secondary device or travel phone.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The iPhone 12 Pro is significantly more expensive.
- How important is performance and camera quality? iPhone 12 Pro excels in these areas.
- How important is battery life? TCL 50 SE offers significantly longer battery life.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is not a concern, and you need a high-performing phone with an excellent camera. Choose the iPhone 12 Pro.
- Scenario 2: You need a phone primarily for media consumption and want long battery life on a limited budget. Choose the TCL 50 SE.
- Scenario 3: You need a reliable phone for everyday tasks and occasional photography, and battery life is more important than top-tier performance. Choose the TCL 50 SE.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, despite its age. The performance difference is simply too massive to ignore. The A14 Bionic is still a very capable chip and the combination of a premium display, a versatile camera system and guaranteed software updates for a few more years makes it the better option. Although the battery life is significantly better on the TCL 50 SE, I can live with charging the iPhone 12 Pro more often for the huge performance and camera benefits.
