Apple iPhone 12 vs Google Pixel 5a
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 commands a $350 premium with meaningful performance advantages, while Google's Pixel 5a offers exceptional value for practical users. The iPhone 12 features the faster A14 Bionic chip, sharper 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display at 1200 nits brightness, and superior video recording with Dolby Vision HDR support. Its Ceramic Shield front and IP68 rating provide better durability than the Pixel 5a's IP67 standard. However, the Pixel 5a counters with a larger 6.34-inch display, significantly larger 4680 mAh battery (versus 2815 mAh), and more practical ultrawide camera at 16 MP compared to the iPhone's 12 MP. Processing tasks favor the iPhone, but real-world photography benefits from Google's computational photography algorithms and superior low-light performance. The Pixel 5a lacks wireless charging and has slower charging speeds at 18W, while the iPhone supports 15W MagSafe. For content creators and gamers, the iPhone 12 justifies its cost. Budget-conscious users prioritizing battery life and camera practicality should choose the Pixel 5a. This isn't a clear winner scenario: each excels in different areas, though the iPhone 12 represents better technology overall.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Google Pixel 5a if…
- →Large 4680 mAh battery for excellent endurance
- →IP67 water resistance (first a-series with it)
- →Great computational photography at $449
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Google Pixel 5a
Pros
- Large 4680 mAh battery for excellent endurance
- IP67 water resistance (first a-series with it)
- Great computational photography at $449
- Headphone jack retained
- Clean stock Android experience
Cons
- 60Hz display
- Slow 18W charging
- No wireless charging
- Only available in the US and Japan
- Snapdragon 765G is mid-range
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Google Pixel 5a |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 11 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 183 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum unibody, polycarbonate coating |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 16 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4680 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 18W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.34 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 60Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 700 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 1x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 620 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.1 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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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