Apple iPhone 12 vs Vivo Y36
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 12 and Vivo's Y36 target entirely different market segments, making direct comparison challenging.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 and Vivo's Y36 target entirely different market segments, making direct comparison challenging. The iPhone 12 features a superior A14 Bionic chipset delivering significantly faster performance, an OLED display with 1200 nits brightness versus the Y36's 600-nit IPS LCD, and better video capabilities at 4K 60fps with Dolby Vision. Its Ceramic Shield front and IP68 rating provide superior durability. However, the Y36 offers practical advantages: a larger 6.64-inch screen, 90Hz refresh rate, higher raw megapixel camera (50MP vs 12MP main), and substantially better battery capacity at 5000 mAh compared to 2815 mAh. The Y36's 44W fast charging also beats the iPhone's 20W wired charging. At $199, the Vivo provides exceptional value for budget-conscious users needing battery longevity and screen real estate. At $799, the iPhone 12 justifies its premium through ecosystem integration, processing power, camera quality, and long-term software support. The iPhone 12 wins for performance and features, but the Y36 better serves users prioritizing battery life and affordability.
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 Vivo Y36 if…
- →44W fast charging is quick for a budget phone
- →5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- →50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
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
Vivo Y36
Pros
- 44W fast charging is quick for a budget phone
- 5000 mAh battery provides reliable two-day endurance
- 50 MP main camera takes acceptable daylight photos
- 8 GB RAM is generous for the price range
- 90Hz display is smoother than entry-level 60Hz phones
Cons
- No 5G support — 4G LTE only
- No NFC for contactless payments
- Snapdragon 680 is weak for gaming or heavy multitasking
- 2 MP depth sensor adds negligible value
- No water resistance rating
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Vivo Y36 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 (Funtouch OS 13) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 190 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 164.0 x 76.1 x 8.0 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| 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 | 44W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.64 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2388 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x1.9 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 610 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 |
| 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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