Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 vs. Realme 11 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 161.7 x 73.9 x 8.2 mm | iPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle one-handed. Realme 11 Pro is larger, which can improve media consumption and readability but may be less convenient for portability. |
| Weight | 164g | 183g | iPhone 12 is lighter, reducing fatigue during extended use. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | Impact on durability and premium feel is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | Realme 11 Pro provides a more immersive viewing experience for videos, games, and reading. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2412 | iPhone 12 has a sharper image, resulting in more detailed visuals and crisper text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 394 | iPhone 12 delivers finer details and sharper text. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Similar display quality with vibrant colors and deep blacks on both. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 11 Pro offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming, enhancing responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 950 nits | iPhone 12 is more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | iPhone 12 offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,083,947 | 540,800 | iPhone 12 handles demanding tasks and games with greater ease. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G68 MC4 | iPhone 12 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 100MP, f/1.75 | Realme 11 Pro captures more detailed images, especially in good lighting. iPhone 12's wider aperture allows better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Realme 11 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies. iPhone 12's wider aperture allows better low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | iPhone 12 allows for wider field-of-view shots, capturing more of the scene. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 11 Pro allows for close-up shots of small objects. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 12 offers smoother 4k video recording. |
| Features | OIS, Night Mode, 4K Video, Optical Zoom, RAW | OIS, Night Mode, 4K Video | iPhone 12 offers optical zoom and RAW image capture. Realme 11 Pro offers digital stabilization features. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | Realme 11 Pro provides significantly longer battery life, potentially lasting a full day or more. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Realme 11 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | No significant practical difference. |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 64/128/256GB | 128/256/512GB | Realme 11 Pro offers more storage options, especially beneficial for users with large media libraries. |
| Expandable | No | No | Users need to choose storage option carefully at purchase. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A14 Bionic chipset offers significantly faster processing speeds, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density provides a crisper and more detailed visual experience.
- Better Camera Features: Optical zoom, RAW image capture and slightly better video capabilities.
- Wireless Charging: Offers MagSafe and Qi wireless charging for added convenience.
Realme 11 Pro Advantages:
- Larger Display: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother.
- Longer Battery Life: Significantly larger battery capacity provides extended usage time.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging rapidly replenishes the battery.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: Better for capturing detailed photos in good lighting.
- More RAM: Provides a smoother overall user experience, especially with multitasking.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 trades battery life and charging speed for superior performance and a sharper display.
- Realme 11 Pro sacrifices processing power and camera features for longer battery life, faster charging, and larger display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, a compact design, and a premium camera experience. Users who are already invested in the Apple ecosystem will find this seamless integration appealing.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming
- Video editing and other processor-intensive tasks
- Photography where image quality and post-processing flexibility are crucial
Realme 11 Pro:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, a larger display for media consumption, and fast charging.
- Use Cases:
- Watching movies and videos on the go
- Playing games for extended periods
- Users who need their phone to last all day without needing to charge.
Price-to-Value:
The price-to-value ratio depends on individual priorities. If performance and camera quality are paramount, the iPhone 12 offers a compelling package. If battery life and a larger display are more important, the Realme 11 Pro provides excellent value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life to you? If you need your phone to last all day, the Realme 11 Pro is the better choice.
- Do you prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing? The iPhone 12 offers significantly better performance.
- How important is a premium camera experience with features like optical zoom and RAW image capture? The iPhone 12 offers these features, while the Realme 11 Pro focuses on high-resolution images.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Mobile Gamer: iPhone 12 due to its superior processing power and GPU.
- Frequent Traveler: Realme 11 Pro due to its longer battery life and fast charging.
- Photography Enthusiast: iPhone 12 due to its better camera features and image processing capabilities.
- Media Consumer: Realme 11 Pro due to its larger display and long battery life.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Apple iPhone 12. While the Realme 11 Pro offers a larger display and significantly better battery life, the iPhone 12's superior performance is more important to me. As someone who uses their phone for a variety of tasks, including some light mobile gaming and photo editing, the A14 Bionic chip and the better camera of the iPhone 12 are preferable. The compact design and better screen sharpness are additional benefits that add to my preference. While battery life is a concern, I would be willing to carry a power bank to offset the difference in battery capacity, since performance is not something that can be easily compensated for.
