1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 163.8 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm | ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly larger, making it less pocketable and harder to use one-handed. iPhone 12 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 164g | 225g | iPhone 12 is much lighter, improving comfort during extended use. ROG Phone 8 Pro feels more substantial but can cause fatigue. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers superior scratch and drop resistance for the display. The iPhone 12 screen protection is unknown, but a screen protector is recommended for both. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for gaming and media consumption. iPhone 12 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 12 has a slightly sharper display, but the difference is not very noticeable at normal viewing distances. |
| Pixel Density | 460 PPI | 388 PPI | iPhone 12's higher pixel density results in slightly crisper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 8 Pro provides significantly smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming. iPhone 12's 60Hz display appears less fluid. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 2500 nits | ROG Phone 8 Pro is much easier to see in direct sunlight, offering superior outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly faster performance, handling demanding tasks and games with ease. A14 Bionic is still capable but shows its age. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,083,947 | 2,020,000 | ROG Phone 8 Pro scores significantly higher, indicating superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 750 | ROG Phone 8 Pro delivers a much better gaming experience with higher frame rates and smoother graphics. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 16 GB or 24 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro handles multitasking more efficiently, allowing more apps to run in the background without slowdowns. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 50MP, f/1.9 | ROG Phone 8 Pro captures more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. iPhone 12 has a slightly wider aperture, which should theoretically perform better in low light but the bigger sensor and newer chipset of the ROG phone will compensate for that. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 32MP, f/2.4 | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for better close-up shots. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | 13MP, f/2.2 (Wide Angle + Macro) | iPhone 12 has an ultrawide lens, while ROG Phone 8 Pro uses a wide angle lens that also functions as a macro lens. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP | ROG Phone 8 Pro captures more detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers higher resolution video recording for professional-grade content creation. |
| DxOMark Score | 117 (Mobile), 132 (Selfie) | N/A | iPhone 12's camera performance is well-regarded, but the ROG Phone 8 Pro's hardware suggests it will perform better. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5500mAh | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly longer battery life, easily lasting a full day or more. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | None | iPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging options. |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 512/1024 GB | ROG Phone 8 Pro offers significantly more storage for apps, games, and media. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry.
- Wireless Charging: Offers convenient charging options.
- Established Camera Performance: DxOMark scores and Apple's image processing are reliable.
Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 is a good option for users who prefer a smaller, lighter phone with a reliable camera system and the convenience of wireless charging.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Handles demanding games and applications with ease.
- Larger and Smoother Display (165Hz): Provides a more immersive and fluid viewing experience.
- Much Larger Battery: Offers significantly longer battery life.
- Faster Charging: Reduces downtime with rapid charging.
- More RAM and Storage: Better for multitasking and storing large files.
- More Advanced Camera System: Versatile camera system with 8K video recording.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: Support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3.
Practical Implications: The ROG Phone 8 Pro is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who values performance, battery life, and a large, high-refresh-rate display.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12: Older hardware, smaller battery, slower charging, less storage, but more compact and has wireless charging.
- ROG Phone 8 Pro: Larger and heavier, no wireless charging, less established camera reputation, potentially lower max software updates.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Apple iPhone 12:
- Ideal User: General users who prefer a compact, lightweight phone with a reliable camera and iOS ecosystem.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, social media, photography, users who want a smaller phone.
- Price-to-Value: Good if purchased at a discount, but newer models offer better value.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Ideal User: Gamers, power users, content creators, and anyone who values performance, battery life, and a large display.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, content creation, multitasking, users who need extended battery life.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent for users who prioritize performance and features over compactness.
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions before making a decision:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, everyday use)
- Do you prioritize portability or screen size and battery life?
- What is your budget? (Factor in accessories, cases, and screen protectors)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-conscious user needing a compact phone: iPhone 12 (if found at a significant discount).
- Gamer/Power User needing top performance and battery life: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
- User prioritizing camera versatility and high-resolution video: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
My Choice
I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Why:
As someone who values performance and battery life, the ROG Phone 8 Pro aligns perfectly with my needs. The significantly more powerful processor, larger battery, and high-refresh-rate display would greatly enhance my gaming and overall user experience. While I appreciate the iPhone 12's compact size and wireless charging, these benefits are outweighed by the ROG Phone 8 Pro's superior performance and features. Additionally, the versatile camera system and larger storage capacity make it a more appealing option for my use cases. The iPhone 12 is also old now and likely won't be receiving updates for much longer.
