Apple iPhone 17 vs iQOO 12
The Verdict
The Apple iPhone 17 and iQOO 12 sit in the same category and end up appealing to slightly different buyers. The iQOO 12 is the cheaper of the two at $529 versus $799, a difference of about $270. The Apple iPhone 17 is the newer release, which usually means a faster chipset and longer software support. Apple iPhone 17 stands out for a19 chip with improved efficiency, while iQOO 12 is praised for snapdragon 8 gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance. Use the side-by-side spec table below to compare cameras, displays, battery life and connectivity in detail and decide which one fits your priorities.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 17 if…
- →A19 chip with improved efficiency
- →Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- →48MP main camera with improved processing
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
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 17
Pros
- A19 chip with improved efficiency
- Ceramic Shield 2 front and back
- 48MP main camera with improved processing
- ProMotion 120Hz display
Cons
- Still only 27W wired charging
- No telephoto lens
- 8GB RAM vs 12GB on Pro models
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 17 | iQOO 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 19 | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 174 g | 202 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield 2 | Aluminum frame, glass back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 147 x 71 x 7.8 mm | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 |
| Front camera | 24 MP, f/1.9, Center Stage | 16 MP, f/2.45 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Cinematic mode | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps |
| Telephoto | — | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB / 16 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3600 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 120W FlashCharge |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.78 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1179 x 2556 | 2800 x 1260 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 144Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 3000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | 6-core | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) |
| GPU | 5-core GPU | Adreno 750 |
| Chipset | Apple A19 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.3 |
Want to compare a third product?
Add another product for a 3-way comparison.
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 17 or the iQOO 12.