Apple iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 1 V - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 July 28, 2023
Release Year 2020 2023

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 97.23 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.48 "/g
Weight 164 g 187 g
Height 146.7 mm 165 mm
Width 71.5 mm 71 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.3 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Black
  • Khaki Green
  • Platinum Silver

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1644 x 3840
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 84.2 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 643 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 51.42 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 740

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 3.2
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 3.2, OTG, Video Output

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 13
Maximum OS Version 18 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Sony Xperia 1 VPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm165 × 71 × 8.3 mmThe iPhone 12 is more compact and pocketable. The Xperia 1 V is taller and slightly thicker, which may be less comfortable for some users in one-handed use.
Weight164g187gThe iPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods.
BuildUnknown Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2The Sony Xperia 1 V has a more durable screen, reducing the risk of scratches and cracks from everyday use. We don't have enough information to evaluate the iPhone 12.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Sony Xperia 1 VPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.5"The Xperia 1 V offers a larger viewing area for multimedia consumption and gaming.
Resolution1170x25321644x3840The Xperia 1 V has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, enhancing the visual experience, especially for high-resolution content.
Pixel Density460 PPI643 PPIXperia 1 V provides much crisper text and images.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe Xperia 1 V's 120Hz refresh rate results in smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsThe iPhone 12's higher brightness makes it easier to view the screen in direct sunlight. We don't have enough information to evaluate the Sony Xperia 1 V.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Sony Xperia 1 VPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Xperia 1 V is significantly faster and more efficient, providing better performance for demanding apps and games.
AnTuTu Score1,083,9471,365,441The Xperia 1 V offers a smoother and more responsive user experience overall.
RAM4GB12GBThe Xperia 1 V can handle significantly more apps running in the background without slowing down, and supports more demanding applications such as video editing.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Sony Xperia 1 VPractical Impact
Main Camera12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" sensor48MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" sensorThe Xperia 1 V's larger sensor and higher resolution allow for more detailed photos, especially in low light.
Telephoto LensNone12MP, f/2.3, 1/3.5" sensorThe Xperia 1 V offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without significant quality loss.
Wide Angle Lens12MP, f/2.412.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensorXperia 1 V has a wider aperture, which can result in brighter images and shallower depth of field.
Selfie Camera12MP, f/2.212MP, f/2.0, 1/2.93" sensorXperia 1 V has a wider aperture, which results in brighter images and shallower depth of field.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps HDRUp to 4K@120fps HDRBoth phones capture high-quality video; the Xperia 1 V's 4K@120fps offers greater flexibility for slow-motion effects.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Sony Xperia 1 VPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Xperia 1 V offers significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
Charging20W Fast Charging30W Fast ChargingThe Xperia 1 V charges faster, minimizing downtime.
FeaturesMagSafe/Qi Wireless ChargingReverse Wireless Charging, Bypass ChargingThe Xperia 1 V's reverse wireless charging can be used to charge other devices, such as earbuds or smartwatches. Bypass charging allows the phone to be powered directly without charging the battery, reducing heat during prolonged gaming sessions.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • More compact and lighter design: Easier to carry and use one-handed.
  • Higher screen brightness: Better readability outdoors.
  • Slightly better audio features: enhanced spatial audio, enhanced surround sound, better audio separation and immersion

Sony Xperia 1 V Advantages:

  • Significantly better performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and greater RAM capacity provide a smoother and more responsive user experience.
  • Superior display: Higher resolution, pixel density, and refresh rate offer a visually richer experience.
  • Larger battery: Significantly longer battery life.
  • More versatile camera system: Telephoto lens, larger main sensor, and enhanced video capabilities.
  • More advanced features: Reverse wireless charging, bypass charging, fingerprint sensor.
  • More durable screen: Reduced risk of scratches and cracks.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing performance, display quality, battery life, and camera versatility for a more compact design.
  • Choosing the Xperia 1 V means accepting a larger and heavier phone with potentially lower screen brightness.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal User: Someone who prioritizes portability and ease of use, values the iOS ecosystem, and doesn't require the best performance or camera capabilities.
  • Use Cases: Everyday communication, casual social media browsing, users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Sony Xperia 1 V:

  • Ideal User: Power users who demand top-tier performance, a high-quality display, a versatile camera system, and long battery life.
  • Use Cases: Mobile gaming, photography/videography, content creation, professional use, extended use without charging.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions to Consider:

  1. What is your priority: portability or performance? If a compact and light phone is crucial, the iPhone 12 might be preferred. If top-tier performance is essential, the Xperia 1 V is the better choice.
  2. How important is camera versatility and quality? If you take many photos and videos, the Xperia 1 V's advanced camera system offers more features and capabilities.
  3. How important is battery life? If you need a phone that lasts all day without needing to be charged, the Xperia 1 V is the clear winner.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • For the casual user: The iPhone 12 is sufficient for basic tasks and offers a user-friendly experience within the Apple ecosystem.
  • For the content creator: The Xperia 1 V is the better choice due to its powerful processor, high-resolution display, and versatile camera system.
  • For the mobile gamer: The Xperia 1 V's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 120Hz display, and large battery make it ideal for gaming.

My Choice:

I would choose the Sony Xperia 1 V. While I appreciate the iPhone 12's compact size, the Xperia 1 V's advantages in performance, display quality, battery life, and camera versatility are too significant to ignore. I prioritize a phone that can handle demanding tasks, provide a stunning visual experience, and last all day on a single charge. The Xperia 1 V's more advanced features and durable screen also make it a more future-proof investment.

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.