Apple iPhone 12 vs Realme C53 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification
Realme C53
Realme C53
Realme

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 May 31, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 96.24 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.7 "/g
Weight 164 g 182 g
Height 146.7 mm 167.3 mm
Width 71.5 mm 76.7 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 7.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Champion Gold
  • Mighty Black

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.74 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 85.5 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 390 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits 560 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 110.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 51.95 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G57

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 13
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Realme C53Practical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm167.3 × 76.7 × 7.5 mmRealme C53 is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 12 is more pocketable.
Weight164g182giPhone 12 is lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods.
Build Material (Not Specified)Missing Spec: Build material affects durability and perceived quality.
Water Resistance (Not Specified)Missing Spec: Water resistance is crucial for durability and peace of mind.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Realme C53Practical Impact
Size6.1"6.74"Realme C53 offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321080x2400iPhone 12 has a sharper display with finer details.
PPI460390iPhone 12's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images.
TechnologyOLEDIPS LCDiPhone 12 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzRealme C53's 90Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 is much easier to view outdoors in bright sunlight. Realme C53's brightness is unknown, likely making outdoor use difficult.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Realme C53Practical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm)iPhone 12 offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. It is also more future-proof.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947220,000iPhone 12 is substantially faster, leading to smoother overall performance.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G57 MP1iPhone 12 offers superior graphics performance, resulting in better gaming and video editing experiences.
RAM4 GB4/6/8 GBRealme C53 has more RAM (depending on the model), allowing for smoother multitasking, especially with the 6GB or 8GB models.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Realme C53Practical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.650MP, f/1.8Realme C53 captures more detailed images in good lighting conditions due to the higher megapixel count. iPhone 12's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance.
Ultrawide Lens12MP, f/2.4NoneiPhone 12 offers an ultrawide lens for capturing expansive landscapes and group photos.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.0iPhone 12 offers higher resolution selfies and good performance. Realme C53 has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light selfies.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 records significantly higher quality videos with better stabilization.
StabilizationOptical Image Stabilization (OIS)Digital Image Stabilization (DIS)iPhone 12 offers superior stabilization for smoother video recording and sharper photos in low light.
DxOMark ScoreMobile: 117, Selfie: 132N/AiPhone 12 has better camera image quality.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Realme C53Practical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhRealme C53 is likely to offer significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W wired, 15W MagSafe wireless, 7.5W Qi wireless33W wiredRealme C53 charges faster with the included charger. iPhone 12 offers wireless charging convenience, but the adapter is sold separately.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing speeds, better graphics performance, and a smoother overall user experience.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display provides better colors, contrast, and outdoor visibility.
  • Better Camera System: The iPhone 12 features a more versatile camera system with an ultrawide lens, optical image stabilization, and higher quality video recording.
  • Premium Build Quality: (Assumption based on Apple's reputation, but specification missing).
  • Wireless Charging: Offers convenient wireless charging options via MagSafe and Qi standards.

Realme C53 Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming.
  • Longer Battery Life: The significantly larger battery capacity provides much better battery endurance.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging allows for quicker battery top-ups.
  • Potentially More RAM: Depending on the model, more RAM could improve multitasking performance.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient and secure biometric authentication method.
  • Newer Device Release date is almost 3 years newer.

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12: Sacrifices battery life and screen size for superior performance and camera quality.
  • Realme C53: Sacrifices processing power, display quality, and camera capabilities for significantly longer battery life and a lower price.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium user experience. Those who value a compact design and are willing to pay more.
  • Use Cases:
    • Photography and Videography: Capturing high-quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
    • Gaming: Playing demanding mobile games with smooth frame rates and excellent graphics.
    • Productivity: Running demanding apps and multitasking efficiently.
    • Content Consumption: Enjoying high-quality videos and movies on a vibrant display.

Realme C53:

  • Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life, a large display, and basic smartphone functionality.
  • Use Cases:
    • Everyday Communication: Making calls, sending texts, and browsing social media.
    • Media Consumption: Watching videos and movies on a large screen.
    • Long-lasting Battery: Users who need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged.
    • Basic Gaming: Playing casual mobile games.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is my budget? The iPhone 12 is likely to be significantly more expensive than the Realme C53.
  2. How important is battery life? If battery life is a top priority, the Realme C53 is the clear winner.
  3. What will I primarily use the phone for? If you need a powerful phone for gaming, photography, or demanding tasks, the iPhone 12 is the better choice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Student on a Budget: Choose the Realme C53 for its affordability, large screen for studying, and long battery life.
  • Scenario 2: Professional Photographer: Choose the iPhone 12 for its superior camera system, image quality, and video recording capabilities.
  • Scenario 3: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Realme C53 for its long battery life, ensuring you stay connected on the go.
  • Scenario 4: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 for its powerful processor and GPU, delivering a smoother and more immersive gaming experience.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12.

Here's why: While the Realme C53 offers a compelling value proposition with its large screen and impressive battery life, the iPhone 12 provides a significantly better overall experience in the areas that matter most to me. The performance difference is substantial, allowing for smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more fluid user interface. The camera on the iPhone 12 is also vastly superior, enabling me to capture high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions.

Although the battery life is shorter than the Realme C53, I can manage it with strategic charging. I'm also deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.

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
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.