Apple iPhone 12 vs Sony Xperia 1 V
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers refined performance and excellent value at $799, featuring the powerful A14 Bionic chip, bright 1200-nit OLED display, and reliable 12MP camera system with strong video capabilities. Sony's Xperia 1 V commands a premium at $1399, justifying its cost through a superior 6.5-inch 4K 120Hz OLED screen, advanced 52MP main camera with Exmor T sensor, telephoto zoom capability, significantly larger 5000mAh battery, and faster 30W charging. Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 edges out the A14 in raw power, though both handle demanding tasks effortlessly. Camera systems differ philosophically: iPhone 12 excels at computational photography and video, while the Xperia 1 V offers cinematic tools and superior optical zoom. Battery life heavily favors Sony's device. For budget-conscious buyers seeking flagship experience, iPhone 12 remains exceptional. Professionals or videographers justifying the extra investment should choose Sony's more comprehensive camera suite and superior display.
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 Sony Xperia 1 V if…
- →4K 120Hz OLED display — highest resolution on any phone
- →New Exmor T stacked sensor with 2-layer design
- →Pro-grade camera app with manual controls
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
Sony Xperia 1 V
Pros
- 4K 120Hz OLED display — highest resolution on any phone
- New Exmor T stacked sensor with 2-layer design
- Pro-grade camera app with manual controls
- 3.5mm headphone jack retained
- 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
Cons
- $1399 is extremely expensive
- 30W charging is very slow for the price
- Software updates are slow compared to rivals
- Niche market appeal limits availability
- Auto mode camera lags behind Pixel and iPhone
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Sony Xperia 1 V |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 187 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 165 x 71 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 52 MP, f/1.9, OIS (Exmor T sensor) |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@120fps, Cinema Pro |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 12 MP, f/2.3, 3.5x-5.2x optical zoom |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 30W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | OLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3840 x 1644 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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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