1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 5 is significantly larger and bulkier, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. |
| Weight | 164g | 238g | iPhone 12 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | ROG Phone 5 offers better screen protection against scratches and drops. We do not know what protection the iPhone 12 has. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both phones are standard smartphones |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 5 provides a more immersive viewing experience, better for gaming and media consumption. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2448 | iPhone 12 offers slightly sharper text and images, but the difference is not drastically noticeable in most use cases. |
| PPI | 460 | 395 | iPhone 12 has noticeably sharper screen |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; the difference is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | ROG Phone 5 provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | iPhone 12 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Both are flagship-level chipsets, offering excellent performance. A14 Bionic has better single core performance whereas the Snapdragon 888 is great for gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,083,947 | 883,000 | iPhone 12 is faster in benchmarks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 660 | Both provide excellent graphics performance for gaming and other demanding tasks. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12/16/18 GB | ROG Phone 5 offers significantly more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better handling of memory-intensive applications, particularly noticeable for heavy gamers and power users. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 64MP, f/1.8 | ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions. iPhone 12 performs better in low light with the wider aperture. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.5 | Similar performance, slight advantage to ROG Phone 5 due to higher resolution |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.0 | ROG Phone 5 allows for close-up photography, a feature missing on the iPhone 12. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 24MP, f/2.45 | ROG Phone 5 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@30fps | ROG Phone 5 offers higher resolution video recording for professional use. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 117 | N/A | iPhone 12's camera has been professionally rated, indicating solid performance. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 5 offers significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users and gamers. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | N/A | iPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging options. |
| Battery Features | N/A | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | ROG Phone 5 offers features that extend battery lifespan and allow it to be used as a power bank. |
Software & Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 11 | Different user experience and app ecosystems. iOS is known for simplicity and ease of use, while Android offers more customization. |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display | ROG Phone 5 allows you to connect to other devices directly via Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | ROG Phone 5 supports more advanced Bluetooth features |
| SIM | Nano SIM + eSIM | Dual Nano SIM | iPhone 12 offers eSIM for flexible carrier options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos | DTS:X, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Mic | ROG Phone 5 offers more enhanced audio playback and voice recording. |
| Security | Basic | Fingerprint Sensor | ROG Phone 5 offers biometric security for quick and secure unlocking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to carry and use one-handed.
- Higher Benchmark Scores: Offers smooth app performance
- Wireless Charging: Convenient charging option.
- eSIM Support: Flexibility in choosing carriers.
- Higher PPI: Slightly sharper display
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Larger Display with 144Hz Refresh Rate: Smoother and more immersive gaming and media consumption.
- Massive Battery: Significantly longer battery life for heavy users.
- Faster Charging: Quick replenishment of battery.
- More RAM: Better multitasking and gaming performance.
- Macro Lens: Captures close-up photos.
- Superior Audio: better audio quality.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Biometric security.
- Screen Protection: Has Corning Gorilla Glass 6
- Bypass Charging and Reverse Charging Extends battery lifespan and allows it to be used as a power bank
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 sacrifices battery life and screen size for portability.
- ROG Phone 5 sacrifices portability for gaming performance and battery life.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12:
- Ideal User: General users who value portability, ease of use, and a premium brand experience.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, email).
- Casual photography and social media.
- Streaming videos and browsing the web on the go.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal User: Mobile gamers, power users, and media enthusiasts who prioritize performance and battery life over portability.
- Use Cases:
- Intensive mobile gaming.
- Watching movies and videos on a large, smooth display.
- Using multiple apps simultaneously.
Price-to-Value:
- The iPhone 12 generally holds its value well and offers a premium experience.
- The ROG Phone 5 offers exceptional value for gamers and power users due to its superior performance and battery life.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Portability vs. Performance: Do you prioritize a compact and lightweight phone, or a larger phone with top-tier performance and battery life?
- Gaming Needs: Are you a serious mobile gamer who needs a high refresh rate display, long battery life, and advanced gaming features?
- Ecosystem Preference: Are you invested in the Apple ecosystem (iCloud, iMessage, etc.) or do you prefer the customization and openness of Android?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks and value portability, the iPhone 12 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: If you are a serious mobile gamer, the ROG Phone 5 is the clear winner due to its superior performance, battery life, and gaming-specific features.
- Scenario 3: Media Enthusiast: If you watch a lot of videos on your phone, the ROG Phone 5's larger, high refresh rate display provides a more immersive experience.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. My primary use case for a smartphone revolves around media consumption (YouTube, Twitch, Movies) and gaming. The ROG Phone 5's larger, high-refresh-rate display, coupled with its significantly larger battery, makes it a far more suitable device for my needs. While the iPhone 12 has a slightly better camera rating and is more pocketable, these advantages do not outweigh the ROG Phone 5's strengths in the areas that I value most. The improved audio and extra RAM also contribute to an overall enhanced experience for the tasks I perform most often.
