Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Xiaomi Redmi A3 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 February 23, 2024
Release Year 2020 2024

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 106.58 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 189 g 193 g
Height 146.7 mm 168.3 mm
Width 71.5 mm 76.3 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Midnight Black
  • Forest Green (Olive Green)
  • Star Blue (Lake Blue)

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.71 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1650
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 82.9 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 268 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits 500 nits
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 111.05 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 46.91 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 14
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProXiaomi Redmi A3Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm168.3 x 76.3 x 8.3 mmiPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable. Redmi A3 is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use.
Weight189g193gNegligible difference. Both phones are similarly weighted.
BuildPremium (Glass/Metal)Plastic FrameiPhone 12 Pro has a more premium feel and likely better durability.
Display
Size6.1"6.71"Redmi A3 offers a larger viewing area for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170 x 2532720 x 1650iPhone 12 Pro has a significantly sharper and more detailed display.
Pixel Density460 PPI268 PPIiPhone 12 Pro's text and images will appear much crisper.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 Pro has better contrast, color accuracy, and deeper blacks, resulting in a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzRedmi A3 will feel slightly smoother in everyday use, but the difference may not be noticeable to all users.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro is much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 BionicMediatek Helio G36iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. More future-proof.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644127,000iPhone 12 Pro is drastically faster, suitable for demanding tasks. Redmi A3 is suitable for basic tasks.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)PowerVR GE8320iPhone 12 Pro offers superior graphics performance for gaming and other visually intensive applications.
Camera
Main Camera12MP, f/1.68MP, f/2.0iPhone 12 Pro captures more detailed and brighter images, especially in low light.
Telephoto LensYesNoiPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom for closer shots without losing quality.
Ultrawide LensYesNoiPhone 12 Pro allows for capturing wider scenes in a single shot.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.25MP, f/2.2iPhone 12 Pro takes higher-resolution and potentially more detailed selfies.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 Pro records higher-quality, more detailed videos.
DxOMark (Mobile)12745The iPhone 12 Pro has a significantly better camera system.
Battery
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhRedmi A3 potentially offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W Fast Charging10W Fast ChargingiPhone 12 Pro charges faster.
Wireless ChargingYesNoiPhone 12 Pro supports convenient wireless charging.
Software
OSiOS 14.1 (upgradable)Android 14Different user experiences. iOS is known for its simplicity and tight ecosystem. Android offers more customization.
Connectivity
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5iPhone 12 Pro supports faster and more efficient Wi-Fi.
Bluetooth5.15.3Redmi A3 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version.
GPSYes (More Systems)YesiPhone 12 Pro offers potentially more accurate location tracking.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMDual Nano SIMiPhone 12 Pro offers the flexibility of using an eSIM.
Storage
Internal Storage128/256/512GB64/128GBiPhone 12 Pro offers more storage options for users with large media libraries.
RAM6GB3/4/6GBiPhone 12 Pro offers smooth multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone allows for expanding storage with a microSD card.
Audio
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Stereo SpeakersBasic AudioiPhone 12 Pro offers a superior audio experience with immersive sound.
Security
Security FeaturesFace IDFingerprint SensoriPhone 12 Pro uses Face ID for secure facial recognition. Redmi A3 uses a fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
Durability
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 3Xiaomi Redmi A3 has Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection.
SensorsProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerAccelerometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtualiPhone 12 Pro includes additional environmental sensors; Apple iPhone 12 Pro additionally features: Proximity, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer; Xiaomi Redmi A3 additionally features: Ultrasonic proximity virtual; Good sensor configuration for most applications
## 2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers drastically better performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. Practical Impact: Apps load faster, the phone feels more responsive, and it will handle future software updates more smoothly.
  • Significantly Better Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and brightness provides a much sharper, more vibrant, and usable viewing experience, especially outdoors. Practical Impact: Enjoying media, browsing the web, and using apps are all significantly enhanced.
  • Professional-Grade Camera System: The triple-lens camera system with advanced features like optical zoom, OIS, and 4K video recording delivers significantly better photo and video quality. Practical Impact: Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various situations, including low light.
  • Premium Build Quality: The combination of glass and metal provides a more luxurious feel and likely better durability. Practical Impact: The phone feels more substantial and is likely to withstand everyday wear and tear better.
  • Ecosystem Integration: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services. Practical Impact: Easy file sharing, syncing, and backups within the Apple ecosystem.

Xiaomi Redmi A3 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially much longer battery life. Practical Impact: Less frequent charging, ideal for users who need their phone to last all day.
  • Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, offering good value for basic smartphone functionality. Practical Impact: A budget-friendly option for users who prioritize affordability.
  • 90Hz Refresh Rate: offers slightly smoother animations for better visual experiences. Practical Impact: the screen will appear and feel snappier.

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 Pro: Higher price, smaller battery capacity, requires dongles and accessories to realize full capabilities.
  • Xiaomi Redmi A3: Significantly lower performance, inferior display and camera quality, less premium build.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Ideal User: Professionals, photography enthusiasts, users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, and anyone who values performance, display quality, and camera capabilities above all else.
  • Use Cases:
    • Professional photography and videography
    • Mobile gaming
    • Demanding productivity tasks (video editing, graphic design)
    • Seamless integration with other Apple devices
    • Outdoor use in bright sunlight

Xiaomi Redmi A3:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, students, or those who primarily need a phone for basic communication, social media, and light browsing.
  • Use Cases:
    • Making calls and sending texts
    • Basic social media browsing
    • Light web browsing
    • Long battery life for extended use
    • Users who don't require high performance or advanced features

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your budget? The price difference is substantial.
  2. What are your primary use cases? Do you need a powerful camera, high performance, or just basic functionality?
  3. How important is battery life? Are you okay with charging daily, or do you need a phone that lasts all day?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior camera system and image quality.
  • Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Student: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi A3 for its affordability and decent battery life for everyday tasks.
  • Scenario 3: Power User Needing Performance: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its significantly faster processor and smoother multitasking capabilities.
  • Scenario 4: Long Battery Life is Key: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi A3 for its large battery that ensures all-day usage.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Redmi A3 offers an appealing price and great battery life, the iPhone 12 Pro's superior performance, display quality, and camera capabilities offer a significantly better user experience for my needs. I use my phone for a variety of tasks, including photography, video editing, and gaming, all of which would benefit greatly from the iPhone 12 Pro's advanced features. The seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem is also a major plus for me, as I already use other Apple devices. The higher price is a worthwhile investment for the enhanced functionality and overall experience.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.