Apple iPhone 15 vs iQOO 12
The Verdict
iPhone 15 delivers Apple's refined flagship experience with the dependable A16 Bionic chip, vibrant 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display, and exceptional ecosystem integration at $799. iQOO 12 counters with superior raw specifications: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, larger 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen, more versatile quad-camera setup with 3x optical zoom, and massive 5000mAh battery with blazing 120W charging for $529. iPhone 15 excels in software polish, display color accuracy, and sustained performance optimization. iQOO 12 dominates in display refresh rate, battery capacity, charging speed, and camera versatility. For users prioritizing refined software experience and brand ecosystem, iPhone 15 justifies its premium. However, specifications-focused buyers and those needing faster charging and higher refresh rates should choose iQOO 12, which offers exceptional value at significantly lower cost.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 15 if…
- →Dynamic Island brought to base model
- →48 MP main camera upgrade
- →Switched to USB-C port
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 15
Pros
- Dynamic Island brought to base model
- 48 MP main camera upgrade
- Switched to USB-C port
- Strong A16 Bionic performance
- Comfortable lightweight design
Cons
- Stuck at 60Hz refresh rate
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto camera
- No always-on display
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 15 | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 17 | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 171 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3349 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 120W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2800 x 1260 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 3000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A16 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all iQOO products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 15 or the iQOO 12.

