1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | The iPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. The Realme 12 Pro+ is larger, which might be preferable for media consumption but less convenient for portability. |
| Weight | 164g | 196g | The iPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Build | Not specified | Not specified | Build materials affect durability and perceived premium feel. Without specifics, a direct comparison is impossible. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.7" | The Realme 12 Pro+ provides a more immersive viewing experience for videos, games, and reading. The iPhone 12 is more compact and easier to manage with one hand. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2412 | The iPhone 12 has a slightly sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images, though the difference may not be noticeable to all users. |
| PPI | 460 | 394 | Higher PPI on the iPhone 12 means finer details are rendered more clearly, especially noticeable when viewing high-resolution images or videos. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer excellent color reproduction and deep blacks. Differences are subtle and depend on calibration. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Realme 12 Pro+ offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences due to its higher refresh rate. This makes the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 display will be much more visible in direct sunlight. The listed 0 nits for the Realme 12 Pro+ is incorrect or missing data, impacting outdoor usability. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Apple A14 Bionic offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running complex applications. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 is suitable for everyday use and moderate gaming but lags behind in intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,083,947 | 603,400 | Reflects the chipset difference. The iPhone 12 will feel snappier and more responsive, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Adreno 710 | The Apple GPU provides superior graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and better graphics rendering in applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The Realme 12 Pro+ has a higher resolution sensor, allowing for more detailed images in good lighting conditions. The iPhone 12 has a wider aperture, which helps in low-light situations, allowing more light to reach the sensor. The larger sensor size of the Realme 12 Pro+ can also improve low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.7µm | The Realme 12 Pro+ offers optical zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects with better clarity. The iPhone 12 lacks this feature. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP, f/2.4 | None | The iPhone 12 allows you to capture a wider field of view, great for landscapes or group shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4 | The Realme 12 Pro+ has higher resolution for selfies, resulting in more detailed images. The iPhone 12 has a slightly wider aperture, which can improve low-light selfie quality. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 4K@30fps | The iPhone 12 can record 4K video at 60fps, providing smoother and more detailed video footage than the Realme 12 Pro+ at 30fps. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 117, Selfie: 132 | Not Tested | The DxOMark score suggests the iPhone 12 has excellent camera performance. The absence of a Realme 12 Pro+ score makes a direct comparison difficult. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Realme 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | The Realme 12 Pro+ is expected to provide significantly longer battery life, especially for users who engage in heavy usage like gaming or video streaming. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | The Realme 12 Pro+ charges much faster, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery. The iPhone 12 charging speed is comparatively slow. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi | None | The iPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging options, which the Realme 12 Pro+ lacks. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU for demanding tasks. Implication: Smoother gaming, faster app loading, better multitasking.
- Display Brightness: Higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Implication: Easier to use in bright sunlight.
- Video Recording: 4K at 60fps. Implication: Higher quality, smoother videos.
- Wireless Charging: MagSafe and Qi wireless charging support. Implication: Convenient charging options.
- Software Ecosystem: iOS and Apple's ecosystem. Implication: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
Realme 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Battery Life: Larger battery capacity for longer usage. Implication: Less frequent charging.
- Charging Speed: Much faster wired charging. Implication: Quicker battery top-ups.
- Camera System: Versatile camera system with telephoto and macro lens. Implication: More shooting options for different scenarios.
- RAM: More RAM. Implication: Better multitasking.
- Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth version with better codecs. Implication: Better audio quality.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12: Smaller battery, slower charging, older phone.
- Realme 12 Pro+: Lower performance chipset and GPU, missing display brightness specification.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12:
- Ideal User: Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritize performance, and value a compact and lightweight phone.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, video editing, photography, and users needing a reliable and powerful device for productivity tasks.
Realme 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize battery life, fast charging, and a versatile camera system.
- Use Cases: Photography enthusiasts, travelers needing long battery life, users who consume a lot of media on their phone, users on a budget.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to guide your decision:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones can be significant.
- How important is performance to you? If you play demanding games or do a lot of video editing, the iPhone 12 is the better choice.
- How important is battery life and charging speed? If you need all-day battery life and quick charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 for its superior processing power and smoother gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: Travel Photographer: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+ for its versatile camera system and long battery life.
- Scenario 3: Everyday User on a Budget: Choose the Realme 12 Pro+ for its larger display, longer battery life, and faster charging at a likely lower price point.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Realme 12 Pro+. While the iPhone 12 has a performance advantage, the Realme 12 Pro+ offers a more modern experience with its larger display, 120Hz refresh rate, significantly better battery life and faster charging. The versatile camera system with a telephoto lens is also a big plus. The lower price point compared to a similarly specced iPhone 12 makes it a more compelling option for my needs, which primarily involve media consumption, photography, and everyday tasks.
