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Apple iPhone 12 vs Nokia G42 5G

Updated Apr 2026phones
Apple iPhone 12
Apple
Apple iPhone 12
$799
8.3/10
Winner
VS
Nokia G42 5G
Nokia
Nokia G42 5G
$249
6.4/10

The Verdict

Apple's iPhone 12 and Nokia's G42 5G target vastly different buyers, making direct comparison challenging but worthwhile. The iPhone 12 features a superior 6.1-inch OLED display with 1200 nits brightness and 60Hz refresh, paired with the A14 Bionic chipset delivering flagship performance for demanding apps and games. Its 12MP dual camera system with optical image stabilization captures excellent 4K video at 60fps with Dolby Vision support. Battery capacity stands at 2815 mAh, limiting longevity despite fast charging. The Nokia G42 5G counters with a massive 5000 mAh battery lasting 2-3 days of regular use, a larger 6.56-inch IPS display with 90Hz refresh, and a 50MP main camera sensor. However, its Snapdragon 480+ processor significantly trails the A14, the 1612 x 720 resolution feels dated, and 1080p video caps versatility. Build quality favors iPhone 12 with Ceramic Shield and aluminum construction versus recycled plastic, though the Nokia offers repairability and no wireless charging limitation matters less without that feature. For performance, gaming, and long-term software support, iPhone 12 excels. For budget-conscious users prioritizing battery life and storage, Nokia G42 5G provides acceptable functionality at 68% lower cost. iPhone 12 remains the superior phone overall.

ValueG42 5G
CameraiPhone 12
BatteryG42 5G
DisplayiPhone 12
PerformanceiPhone 12

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 Nokia G42 5G if…

  • Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
  • Repairability-focused design with easily replaceable parts
  • 100% recycled plastic back for environmental sustainability

Category Scores

Apple iPhone 12
Nokia G42 5G
Value
7.5
8.2
Camera
8.5
7.0
Battery
6.8
8.5
Display
9.0
6.0
Performance
9.2
6.5

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

Nokia G42 5G

Pros

  • Three years of OS updates and three years of security patches
  • Repairability-focused design with easily replaceable parts
  • 100% recycled plastic back for environmental sustainability
  • 5G connectivity at a budget $249 price
  • 5000 mAh battery provides multi-day endurance

Cons

  • HD+ resolution is pixelated on the 6.56-inch screen
  • Snapdragon 480+ is underpowered for demanding tasks
  • 2 MP macro and depth cameras are useless
  • Only 20W charging is very slow for the 5000 mAh battery
  • 8 MP front camera produces soft selfies

Full Specifications

SpecApple iPhone 12Nokia G42 5G
SoftwareiOS 14Android 13
Body
Weight164 g193 g
MaterialAluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front100% recycled plastic back, repairable design
IP ratingIP68IP52
Dimensions146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm164.6 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm
Camera
Main camera12 MP, f/1.6, OIS50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF
Front camera12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.28 MP, f/2.0
Video4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR1080p@30fps
Ultrawide12 MP, f/2.4
Depth2 MP, f/2.4
Macro2 MP, f/2.4
Memory
RAM4 GB4 GB / 6 GB
Storage options64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB128 GB
Battery
Capacity2815 mAh5000 mAh
Charging20W wired20W wired
Wireless charging15W MagSafeNo
Display
Size6.1 inches6.56 inches
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDIPS LCD
Resolution2532 x 11701612 x 720
Refresh rate60Hz90Hz
Brightness (nits)1200450
Processor
CPUHexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.9 GHz)
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Adreno 619
ChipsetApple A14 BionicQualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBLightningUSB-C 2.0
Wi-FiWi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth5.05.1

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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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