Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs iQOO 12
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 Pro commands a premium $999 price tag with its refined design, superior display brightness at 800 nits, and dependable A14 Bionic chip delivering smooth iOS 14 performance. The camera system excels with Dolby Vision 4K video at 60fps and reliable optical zoom, backed by 6GB RAM and flexible storage up to 512GB. Battery capacity is modest at 2815 mAh, though 15W MagSafe wireless charging offers convenience. The iQOO 12 represents exceptional value at $529, packing a larger 6.78-inch 144Hz display with stunning 3000 nits brightness and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processing power. Its 50MP main camera with OIS, 8K video recording, and 12-16GB RAM outclass the iPhone on raw specs. The 5000 mAh battery with 120W fast charging destroys Apple's endurance. However, iQOO lacks IP rating protection and wireless charging, while the iPhone 12 Pro's premium build quality, cohesive ecosystem, and software stability justify consideration despite older hardware. For pure performance and value, iQOO 12 wins decisively. For ecosystem lock-in and design philosophy, iPhone maintains relevance. Choose iQOO 12 if you want flagship performance at mid-range pricing; choose iPhone 12 Pro only if iOS integration matters more than specifications.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 Pro if…
- →First iPhone with LiDAR scanner for AR and Night mode portraits
- →Introduced MagSafe magnetic accessory ecosystem
- →First 5nm chip (A14 Bionic) on any smartphone
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Pros
- First iPhone with LiDAR scanner for AR and Night mode portraits
- Introduced MagSafe magnetic accessory ecosystem
- First 5nm chip (A14 Bionic) on any smartphone
- ProRAW format for professional photo editing
- Flat-edge design revival praised for aesthetics
Cons
- No 120Hz ProMotion display at Pro pricing
- Small 2815 mAh battery requires charging daily
- Charger removed from box controversially
- 2.5x telephoto falls short of Android competition
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 189 g | 202 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 2.5x | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 120W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2800 x 1260 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 3000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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