Apple iPhone 12 vs ZTE nubia Flip - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 April 23, 2024
Release Year 2020 2024

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 89.85 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.22 "/g
Weight 164 g 214 g
Height 146.7 mm 170 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.5 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 7 mm
Foldable Design No Yes
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Cosmic Black
  • Sunshine Gold
  • Flowering Lilac

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.9 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1188 x 2790
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 86.3 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 439 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 90.53 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 47.97 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 4310 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM7450-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.36 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 644

Connectivity

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

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12ZTE nubia FlipPractical Impact
Design
Form FactorStandardFoldableNubia Flip offers unique foldable experience, more screen in a pocketable form, but potentially less durable.
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm170 x 75.5 x 7 mmNubia Flip is larger unfolded. iPhone 12 is thicker but more compact overall when considering pocketability.
Weight164g214giPhone 12 is significantly lighter, improving comfort during prolonged use.
Display
Size6.1"6.9"Nubia Flip offers a larger screen for immersive viewing when unfolded.
Resolution1170x25321188x2790Nubia Flip has slightly sharper image quality due to the larger display with a similar pixel density to the iPhone.
PPI460439iPhone 12 has slightly sharper image quality due to the higher pixel density for a similar display size.
TechnologyOLEDUnknowniPhone 12's OLED offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and energy efficiency if Nubia Flip is LCD.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzNubia Flip offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more responsive.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 is much more visible in direct sunlight.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm)iPhone 12's A14 Bionic provides significantly faster processing for demanding tasks and games.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947690,000iPhone 12 offers much smoother multitasking and faster app loading.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Adreno 644iPhone 12 delivers better graphics performance for gaming and video editing.
Camera
Main Camera12MP f/1.650MP f/1.7Nubia Flip has a higher resolution sensor for potentially more detailed photos. iPhone 12 has a slightly wider aperture.
Ultrawide Lens12MP f/2.4NoneiPhone 12 offers more versatile photography with the ability to capture wide-angle shots.
Selfie Camera12MP f/2.216MPNubia Flip captures slightly higher resolution selfies.
Portrait LensNone2MP f/2.4Nubia Flip captures portrait images with depth information from the dedicated sensor, while iPhone 12 uses computational algorithms.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps1080piPhone 12 records higher-quality videos with greater detail and dynamic range.
DXOMark (Mobile)117N/AiPhone 12's camera performance is objectively better based on DXOMark scores.
Battery
Capacity2815mAh4310mAhNubia Flip offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W33WNubia Flip charges faster, reducing downtime.
FeaturesWireless ChargingReverse ChargingiPhone 12 offers convenient wireless charging, while Nubia Flip can charge other devices.
Software
OSiOS 14.1 (Upgradable)Android 13iPhone 12 benefits from Apple's iOS ecosystem and long-term software support. Nubia Flip uses open source android.
Storage
Internal64/128/256GB256/512GBNubia Flip offers more storage for photos, videos, and apps, while iPhone 12 has less storage.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone allows for additional storage via microSD card.
Other
SecurityFace IDFingerprint SensoriPhone 12 uses secure facial recognition, while Nubia Flip uses a faster fingerprint sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Significantly faster performance: The A14 Bionic chip outperforms the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 in benchmarks and real-world usage, leading to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming experiences.
  • Superior camera quality: DXOMark scores and features like optical image stabilization and 4K video recording at 60fps indicate better image and video quality, especially in challenging conditions.
  • Brighter and more vibrant display: OLED technology and higher brightness offer better outdoor visibility and overall viewing experience.
  • More compact and lighter design: Easier to handle and carry in a pocket.
  • Established ecosystem and software support: Apple's iOS and long-term software updates offer a polished user experience and security.

Practical Implications:

  • iPhone 12 is better for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and a premium user experience.
  • iPhone 12 excels in demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and photography.

ZTE nubia Flip Advantages:

  • Unique foldable design: Offers a larger screen in a more compact form factor when folded.
  • Larger battery capacity: Provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
  • Faster charging: 33W fast charging replenishes the battery quicker.
  • More RAM: 8GB or 12GB of RAM provides better multitasking capabilities and smoother performance in some scenarios.
  • Higher base storage: 256 GB or 512 GB storage means more space for media and apps.

Practical Implications:

  • Nubia Flip is ideal for users who want a large screen for media consumption and multitasking, and who value long battery life.
  • Nubia Flip's foldable form factor offers a unique and eye-catching design.

Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12: Sacrifices battery life and screen size for performance and portability.
  • ZTE nubia Flip: Sacrifices performance and camera quality for a larger screen, unique design, and longer battery life.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12:

  • Ideal Users:
    • Users heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem.
    • Those who prioritize performance and camera quality above all else.
    • Users who value a compact and lightweight phone.
  • Use Cases:
    • Photography and videography enthusiasts.
    • Mobile gamers.
    • Professionals who need a reliable and fast phone for work.

ZTE nubia Flip:

  • Ideal Users:
    • Media consumers who enjoy watching videos and browsing the web on a large screen.
    • Users who need long battery life and fast charging.
    • Tech enthusiasts who want a unique and eye-catching device.
  • Use Cases:
    • Watching movies and TV shows on the go.
    • Reading e-books and articles.
    • Multitasking between multiple apps.

4. Decision Framework

Consider these questions before deciding:

  1. What is your priority: Performance or battery life and screen size?
  2. Are you heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem?
  3. Is a foldable design important to you?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 for its superior performance and graphics capabilities.
  • Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: Choose the ZTE nubia Flip for its longer battery life and ability to reverse charge other devices.
  • Scenario 3: Media Enthusiast: Choose the ZTE nubia Flip for its larger screen and immersive viewing experience.
  • Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 for its better camera and image processing.

My Choice

I would choose the Apple iPhone 12. While the ZTE nubia Flip's foldable design and larger battery are appealing, my priority is consistently smooth performance and reliable camera quality. The iPhone 12's A14 Bionic chip is a significant advantage for demanding tasks like photo editing and occasional gaming. The superior image processing and video recording capabilities of the iPhone 12 also align better with my needs. I value the established ecosystem and long-term software support that Apple provides. While the battery life is shorter than the Nubia Flip, it is sufficient for my daily usage, and the convenience of wireless charging is a plus.

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.