Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers a premium flagship experience with its superior A14 Bionic processor, brighter 1200-nit OLED display, and refined 4K 60fps video with Dolby Vision, justifying its higher price point for users prioritizing performance and camera quality. OnePlus Nord CE 3 offers exceptional value at $299, featuring a larger 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, bigger 5000mAh battery, faster 67W charging, and higher megapixel count on the main sensor, though it compromises on processing power and water resistance with IP54 versus IP68. Display refresh rate and battery capacity favor the Nord CE 3, but the iPhone 12's computational photography, iOS ecosystem, and ceramic shield durability create different strengths. For budget-conscious buyers seeking all-day battery and smooth scrolling, the Nord CE 3 excels. For those wanting the tightest software integration and best camera optimization, iPhone 12 remains the better choice despite its age. iPhone 12 edges ahead for overall quality, though the Nord CE 3 provides superior value.
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 OnePlus Nord CE 3 if…
- →67W fast charging at an affordable price
- →120Hz AMOLED display looks great
- →Large 5000 mAh battery for all-day use
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
OnePlus Nord CE 3
Pros
- 67W fast charging at an affordable price
- 120Hz AMOLED display looks great
- Large 5000 mAh battery for all-day use
- OIS on the main camera is unusual at this price
- Lightweight and slim for a 6.7-inch phone
Cons
- Snapdragon 782G is a mid-tier chip
- Weak 8 MP ultrawide camera
- No wireless charging
- Only Wi-Fi 5 support
- IP54 is minimal water resistance
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | OnePlus Nord CE 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 193 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic back, aluminum frame |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 163.9 x 75.0 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 67W SuperVOOC wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2412 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 950 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 642L |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 |
Related Comparisons
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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