Apple iPhone 12 vs Oppo A16 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Oppo A16
Oppo A16
Oppo

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 July 17, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 104.02 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.43 "/g
Weight 164 g 190 g
Height 146.7 mm 163.8 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.6 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Space Silver
  • Pearl Blue
  • Crystal Black

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.52 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 82.9 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 269 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 480 nits
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 117.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 48.07 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 11
Maximum OS Version 18 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Here's a comparison of the Apple iPhone 12 and Oppo A16, focusing on practical implications:

FeatureApple iPhone 12Oppo A16Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm163.8 × 75.6 × 8.4 mmiPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. A16 is larger.
Weight164g190giPhone 12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
BuildPremium Materials, details unspecifiedPlastic buildiPhone 12 likely feels more premium and durable, while A16 is more budget-friendly
Display
Size6.1"6.52"A16 offers a larger viewing area for media consumption.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600iPhone 12 has a significantly sharper and clearer display, better for detail-oriented tasks and visual enjoyment.
Pixel Density460 ppi269 ppiiPhone 12's text and images appear much crisper, enhancing readability.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 boasts superior color accuracy, contrast, and deeper blacks, resulting in a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight (Oppo A16 brightness is unknown).
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth offer standard smoothness for everyday use.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G35 (12 nm)iPhone 12 delivers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. A16 is suitable for basic usage.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947110,490Indicates the iPhone 12 has vastly superior performance capabilities compared to the Oppo A16.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)PowerVR GE8320iPhone 12 offers much better graphics performance, enabling smoother gameplay and faster rendering of visual content.
RAM4GB3GB or 4GBiPhone 12's RAM, combined with its processor, allows for smoother multitasking and app switching.
Camera
Main Camera12MP (f/1.6)13MP (f/2.2)iPhone 12's wider aperture captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance.
Ultrawide Lens12MPNoneiPhone 12 offers a wider field of view for landscape and group photos.
Macro LensNone2MPOppo A16 can capture close-up details of small objects.
Selfie Camera12MP (f/2.2)8MP (f/2.0)iPhone 12 captures more detailed selfies, while A16 may perform slightly better in low light due to the wider aperture.
Video RecordingUp to 4K 60fpsUp to 1080p 30fpsiPhone 12 records higher-quality, more detailed videos.
Optical Image Stabilization (OIS)YesNoiPhone 12 produces smoother and more stable videos, especially in shaky conditions.
Battery
Capacity2815 mAh5000 mAhOppo A16 likely offers significantly longer battery life on a single charge.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless ChargingStandard ChargingiPhone 12 charges faster and supports convenient wireless charging. Adapter sold separately
Other
Operating SystemiOS 14.1 (Upgradable)Android 11 (Upgradable)iOS is known for its user-friendliness, security, and optimized performance. Android offers more customization options.
Storage64/128/256 GB32/64 GBiPhone 12 offers more storage options for users with large media libraries.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither phone supports microSD card expansion.
SecurityFace IDFingerprint Sensor (Side-mounted)iPhone 12 offers secure and convenient facial recognition. A16 provides fingerprint security.
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5iPhone 12 has a more modern and faster Wi-Fi

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers a significantly faster and smoother user experience, especially for demanding applications.
  • Better Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and brightness provides a much more visually appealing experience.
  • Advanced Camera System: The iPhone 12's camera excels in image quality, video recording, and low-light performance.
  • Premium Build Quality: Likely features better materials.
  • Faster Wi-Fi: More modern Wi-Fi

Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 is ideal for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for tasks like gaming, content creation, and media consumption.

Oppo A16 Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Offers significantly longer battery life.
  • Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Some users prefer fingerprint security over facial recognition.
  • Reverse Charging: Allows the phone to act as a power bank for other devices.

Practical Implications: The Oppo A16 is well-suited for users who value battery life and need a reliable device for everyday tasks and casual photography.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and expandable storage for superior performance and camera quality.
  • Choosing the Oppo A16 means accepting lower performance and display quality in exchange for longer battery life and a lower price point.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal Users for Apple iPhone 12:

  • Content Creators: Benefit from the high-quality camera and powerful processor for video editing and photography.
  • Gamers: Appreciate the smooth performance and immersive display.
  • Power Users: Need a fast and responsive device for multitasking and demanding applications.
  • Eco-System Users: Users already in the Apple eco-system can make use of familiar software and ease of use.

Specific Use Cases for iPhone 12:

  • Shooting high-quality videos for vlogging or social media.
  • Playing graphically intensive mobile games.
  • Running professional applications like video editing software.
  • Enjoying streaming high-definition content.

Ideal Users for Oppo A16:

  • Budget-Conscious Consumers: Seek a functional smartphone at an affordable price.
  • Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Need a device that can last through a full day of heavy usage.
  • Casual Users: Primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and social media browsing.

Specific Use Cases for Oppo A16:

  • Long days away from a power source (e.g., camping, travel).
  • Basic photography and video recording for social media.
  • Everyday communication and entertainment.

4. Decision Framework

Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:

  1. What is your budget? The iPhone 12 is significantly more expensive than the Oppo A16.
  2. How important is performance and camera quality? If you need a powerful device for demanding tasks and high-quality photography, the iPhone 12 is the better choice.
  3. How much do you value battery life? If long battery life is a top priority, the Oppo A16 is the better option.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: You are a student on a tight budget who needs a phone for basic communication and browsing. Recommendation: Oppo A16.
  • Scenario 2: You are a social media influencer who needs a phone with a great camera and video recording capabilities. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12.
  • Scenario 3: You are a frequent traveler who needs a phone with long battery life. Recommendation: Oppo A16.
  • Scenario 4: You want a phone for gaming and content creation, and you're willing to pay a premium. Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12.

My Choice

If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12. My primary use case involves photography, videography, and occasional gaming. The superior camera quality, processing power, and display offered by the iPhone 12 outweigh the longer battery life of the Oppo A16. The higher price is justified by the significantly enhanced user experience and overall capabilities, as well as how well it integrates within the Apple ecosystem. I value performance and display quality over long battery life for my usage.

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
  • Digital media communication
  • Technical storytelling
  • User-centric technology insights

Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.