1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 163.6 x 74.7 x 9.1 mm | The Honor Magic4 Pro is larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use and pocket carry. |
| Weight | 164g | 209g | The iPhone 12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown Screen Protection | Unknown Screen Protection | Without specific screen protection details, it's hard to assess durability differences. User should seek 3rd party tests. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.81" | The Magic4 Pro offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1312x2848 | The Magic4 Pro has a sharper display due to the higher resolution, resulting in finer details and crisper text. |
| PPI | 460 | 460 | Identical pixel density means similar sharpness per inch despite different resolutions and sizes. |
| Technology | OLED | OLED | Both offer vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast ratios characteristic of OLED technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Magic4 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall fluidity of the user interface. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1000 nits | The iPhone 12 is likely easier to view in direct sunlight, providing better outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Both are high-performance chipsets. The A14 Bionic excels in optimized iOS performance, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 offers strong Android capabilities. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,083,947 | 945,832 | The iPhone 12 has a higher benchmark score, which translates to a snappier feel in some tasks, but real-world difference might be minor. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 730 | Both are capable GPUs for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. Performance may vary depending on the specific game or application. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP f/1.9, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The Magic4 Pro has higher resolution for more detailed photos. The iPhone 12's wider aperture may perform better in low light. The larger sensor size of the Magic4 Pro can result in better light gathering as well. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 64MP f/2.0, 1/2", 0.7µm | The Magic4 Pro offers dedicated telephoto capabilities for zoomed-in shots and portrait mode, providing more versatility. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | N/A | The iPhone 12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP f/2.2 | The Magic4 Pro has a ultrawide lens that can also function as a macro camera for capturing close-up details. |
| ToF 3D sensor | N/A | 0.3MP | The Magic4 Pro uses a ToF 3D sensor, primarily for depth sensing in portrait mode and potentially for AR applications. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.4 | The iPhone 12's wider aperture might result in slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@60fps | Both offer high-quality video recording capabilities, but specific video features (stabilization, HDR) may differ slightly. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 117 | 126 | The Magic4 Pro has a higher overall DxOMark score, indicating better image quality in general. Individual scores might vary for different categories (photo vs. video). |
| DxOMark Selfie | 132 | N/A | Only the iPhone 12 has been tested for its Selfie camera. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4600mAh | The Magic4 Pro has a significantly larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life, especially with the 120Hz display. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging | 100W fast charging | The Magic4 Pro charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime spent plugged in. |
| Wireless Charging | 7.5W (Qi), 15W (MagSafe) | 100W Wireless Charging | The Magic4 Pro has much faster wireless charging speed. |
| Features | MagSafe | Reverse Charging | MagSafe offers convenient magnetic attachment for accessories on the iPhone 12. Reverse charging on the Magic4 Pro allows it to charge other devices wirelessly. |
Storage and Memory
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 256/512 GB | The Magic4 Pro offers more storage capacity for users with large media libraries or app collections. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8/12 GB | The Magic4 Pro's higher RAM allows for smoother multitasking and improved performance with demanding applications and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so users must choose a storage option that meets their needs at the time of purchase. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Honor Magic4 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 | Both support the latest Wi-Fi standards for fast and reliable wireless connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.2 | The Magic4 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version, potentially offering improved efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | The Magic4 Pro supports a wider range of satellite systems, potentially leading to more accurate and reliable location tracking, especially in urban environments. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The iPhone 12 supports eSIM, offering flexibility for users who want to switch carriers digitally or use multiple numbers. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle and carry.
- Brighter Display: Better outdoor visibility.
- Slightly Better Performance: Higher AnTuTu score suggests marginally better performance in some tasks.
- eSIM Support: Offers flexibility in managing SIM cards.
- MagSafe: Convenient magnetic accessory attachment.
- Dolby Atmos Support better sound.
Honor Magic4 Pro Advantages:
- Larger, Higher Resolution Display: More immersive viewing experience.
- Higher Refresh Rate (120Hz): Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Longer battery life.
- Much Faster Charging (100W Wired and Wireless): Significantly reduces charging time.
- More Versatile Camera System: Telephoto lens, Wide Angle + Macro, and ToF sensor offer more shooting options.
- More RAM: Better multitasking capabilities.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Can charge other devices wirelessly.
- Better GPS
Trade-offs:
- The Honor Magic4 Pro is larger and heavier, which might be a drawback for some users.
- The iPhone 12's display is brighter, but smaller and with lower refresh rate.
- The iPhone 12 has slightly better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Ideal User:
- Users who value portability and one-handed usability.
- Those heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
- Users who prioritize a brighter screen for outdoor use.
- Those who value optimized software and consistent performance.
- Those who need eSIM support.
Use Cases:
- Everyday carry and use, especially in situations where one-handed operation is necessary.
- Users who heavily rely on iMessage, FaceTime, and other Apple services.
- Taking photos and videos in bright sunlight.
Honor Magic4 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a large, immersive display for media consumption and gaming.
- Those who need long battery life and fast charging.
- Photographers who want a versatile camera system with telephoto and macro capabilities.
- Users who multitask heavily and require more RAM.
- Android enthusiasts.
Use Cases:
- Watching movies and playing games on the go.
- All-day use without needing to frequently recharge.
- Capturing a variety of photos and videos in different scenarios.
- Running multiple apps simultaneously.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Size and Weight: Do you prefer a compact and lightweight phone or a larger phone with a bigger screen and battery?
- Battery Life and Charging: How important are long battery life and fast charging to you?
- Camera Versatility: Do you need a telephoto lens and macro capabilities, or is a standard dual-camera system sufficient?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Frequent Traveler: The Honor Magic4 Pro is better due to its longer battery life, fast charging, and versatile camera system.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer: The Honor Magic4 Pro's larger, higher refresh rate screen and ample RAM make it the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User in Bright Environments: The iPhone 12's brighter display makes it easier to use in direct sunlight.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Honor Magic4 Pro.
Here's why:
- Immersive Display: I prioritize the larger, higher-resolution, and 120Hz display for media consumption and gaming.
- Battery Life and Charging: The significantly larger battery and 100W fast charging are huge advantages for my usage patterns. I don't like being tethered to a charger.
- Camera Versatility: I enjoy having the flexibility of a telephoto lens and macro capabilities for capturing diverse shots.
While the iPhone 12 has some advantages like its lighter weight and brighter display, the benefits offered by the Honor Magic4 Pro in terms of display, battery, charging speed, and camera versatility outweigh those advantages for my specific needs. Additionally, a higher Antutu score does not always translate into a better real world experience for me.
