1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 163.7 × 76.2 × 8.3 mm | Redmi Note is larger and may be less comfortable for one-handed use. iPhone 12 is more pocketable. |
| Weight | 164g | 204g | iPhone 12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G's screen is more resistant to scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.67" | Redmi Note offers a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 12 has a slightly sharper display, but the difference may not be noticeable to everyone. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 395 | iPhone 12's display is noticeably sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. Difference is negligible. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Redmi Note provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both are bright enough for outdoor visibility. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Apple A14 offers significantly better performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,083,947 | 528,100 | iPhone 12 provides a much smoother and faster experience overall. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G68 MC4 | Apple GPU offers superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications. |
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB or 8 GB | Redmi Note handles multitasking better, especially with the 8GB option. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 108MP f/1.89 | Redmi Note captures more detailed photos in good lighting conditions. iPhone excels in low-light performance due to wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | 8MP f/2.2 | iPhone captures wider and potentially more detailed wide-angle shots. Redmi Note's wider aperture allows for better low-light wide-angle photos. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.45 | Redmi Note captures slightly more detailed selfies, while iPhone 12 might perform better in low light. |
| Macro Lens | N/A | 2MP f/2.4 | Redmi Note allows for close-up macro photography. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR, Stereo Sound | Up to 4K@30fps | iPhone 12 offers higher frame rate video recording and potentially better video quality. |
| Camera Features | OIS, PDAF | Digital image stabilization | iPhone 12 offers better stabilization for photos and videos. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 117 | N/A | iPhone 12 has a tested and verified camera performance advantage. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4500mAh | Redmi Note offers significantly longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Redmi Note charges much faster, going from 0 to 100% in about 15 minutes. |
Software and Other Features
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | iOS 14.1 (upgradable) | Android 11 | iOS is known for its user-friendliness and tight integration with Apple's ecosystem. Android offers greater customization and open-source flexibility. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Redmi Note has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with more codec support. |
| Security | Basic Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Redmi Note offers a convenient biometric security option. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers superior processing power for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Sharper Display: Higher pixel density results in a noticeably sharper screen.
- Better Camera (Overall): Better video recording capabilities, optical image stabilization, and verified camera performance advantage by DxOMark.
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and more pocketable.
- iOS Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: More immersive viewing experience.
- Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Significantly Larger Battery: Longer battery life for extended use.
- Much Faster Charging: Charges from 0 to 100% in about 15 minutes.
- More RAM: Better multitasking capabilities.
- Expandable Storage: Additional storage flexibility.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric security.
- Macro Lens: Versatile camera system with macro lens.
- More Advanced GPS: More accurate location tracking due to more supported satellite systems.
Trade-offs:
- Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life, fast charging, and a larger, smoother display for superior performance and camera capabilities within the iOS ecosystem.
- Choosing the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G means sacrificing top-tier performance and the iOS ecosystem for significantly better battery life, faster charging, a larger/smoother display, and expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Ideal User:
- Power Users: Those who need a phone for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and running complex apps.
- Ecosystem Enthusiasts: Individuals deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos and videos, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Users Seeking a Compact Phone: Those who prefer a smaller, lighter phone that is easy to handle.
Specific Use Cases (iPhone 12):
- Mobile Gaming: The A14 Bionic chip provides a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
- Video Editing on the Go: The powerful processor and excellent camera make it ideal for creating and editing videos on the go.
- Professional Photography: The advanced camera features and image processing capabilities make it suitable for professional photography.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia Consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos, play games, and browse the web.
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who want a feature-rich phone at a more affordable price.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
- Android Customization Fans: Those who enjoy customizing their phone's software and user interface.
Specific Use Cases (Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G):
- All-Day Usage: The large battery ensures that the phone can last all day on a single charge, even with heavy use.
- Multimedia Consumption: The large, high-refresh-rate display provides an immersive viewing experience for videos and games.
- Casual Photography: The versatile camera system is suitable for capturing everyday moments.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G generally offers a better price-to-value ratio, providing a lot of features for a lower price. The iPhone 12 holds its value well and offers a premium experience, but it comes at a higher cost.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G is likely the better choice if you're on a tighter budget.
- How important is performance to you? If you need a phone for demanding tasks and gaming, the iPhone 12 is the clear winner.
- What are your priorities in terms of battery life, display, and charging speed? The Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G excels in these areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 for its superior performance.
- Scenario 2: All-Day Battery User: Choose the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for its exceptional battery life and fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 for its more advanced camera system, which ensures higher quality photos and videos with high dynamic range and image stabilization.
- Scenario 4: Budget Conscious User: Choose the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G for a great all-around experience at a more affordable price.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12. My primary reason is the superior performance offered by the A14 Bionic chip. As someone who often uses my phone for demanding tasks such as photo and video editing, and occasionally gaming, the iPhone 12 would provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
While the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G has appealing features like a larger display, faster charging, and better battery life, the overall performance difference is too significant to ignore. Also, the iPhone 12 has been tested and verified with a better camera performance via DxOMark. Finally, I prefer the iOS ecosystem, with its seamless integration across my other Apple devices.
