Apple iPhone 12 vs Nokia G42 5G
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.
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
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
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Nokia G42 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 193 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | 100% recycled plastic back, repairable design |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP52 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 4 GB / 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 20W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.56 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 1612 x 720 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.9 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
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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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