2020 might see Google take the place of Samsung in the prolonged iOS vs. Android battle.
In the past, we’ve seen tough competitions between phones like the iPhone 7 and the Samsung Galaxy S8.
This year, however, Google’s Pixel 5 looks like the biggest threat to iPhone 12’s success, with their launch dates almost coinciding.
What should succeed your current phone?
The well-built Apple iPhone 12 or the Google-backed Pixel 5?
In this article, you’ll get all the information you’ll require to make a well-informed decision, thereby choosing the best phone for your needs and budget.
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Choice
Google released the Pixel 5 in September, forcing us to buy it, or the Pixel 4a 5G. However, who would choose 4 over 5?
—School students, maybe!
Apple, on the other hand, released four different variants of the iPhone 12 yesterday. This includes the iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
However, Apple’s lowest-priced device is on par with Google’s latest smartphone, making it a cheap decision to upgrade to the latest Android-powered device.
Each of these devices comes at varying prices and with varying features, but the price and sizes will most likely be the deciding factor for most purchases.
Specifications
Whenever a new smartphone is released, we check the specs.
Every flagship phone in 2020 is equipped with a great camera, fast processor, and more than enough RAM to run everyday apps smoothly. However, we all seek for better specs, even when it’s sure we won’t be needing them —who doesn’t want value for money?
Fortunately, both the Pixel 5 and the Apple iPhone 12 are both well-blessed with specs. While one outdoes the other in some aspects, it all breaks down to your favorite features in a smartphone.
Camera
The camera is what a 2020 smartphone shopper checks first in a smartphone, no doubt. Although the Pixel 5 and the Apple iPhone 12 both take compelling photos, the subtle difference in the better camera might be what will decide if a shopper goes for either.
Pixel 5
The Pixel 5 features a significant camera upgrade from the 4a. It features dual primary cameras behind the phone, one, a 12.2 Megapixel with f/1.7 aperture, and the other a 16 Megapixel with f/2.2 aperture.
It also features an 8-Megapixel selfie camera that works just fine. Unless you’re shooting a movie with the selfie cameras, you should be contented.
What matters is that the Pixel 5 takes excellent photos, now featuring the highly in-demand ultrawide cameras.
iPhone 12
As expected, the camera setup on the newly released iPhone 12 depends largely on the version you purchased.
iPhone 12 and 12 mini
The iPhone 12 mini and the iPhone 12 both feature a dual 12 Megapixel camera setup, with an ultrawide f/1.6 and f/2.4 aperture. The larger apertures allow more light into the sensor, resulting in brighter images than those taken on the iPhone 11.
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro features a more professional camera setup with three cameras, similar to that found on the iPhone 11 Pro. The camera setup is pretty much the same as that of the iPhone 11 Pro, but it now features a new LIDAR sensor that improves autofocus in low light.
It is also capable of taking HDR videos, but at 60fps, which is unavailable in all lower iPhone models.
iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s camera replicates that of the iPhone 12 Pro, with subtle improvements. In comparison to the 12 Pro’s 10x digital zoom, the iPhone 12 Pro Max allows up to 12x. It also features a 2.5x optical zoom as compared to the 2x iPhone 12 Pro.
It features the LIDAR sensor found in the 12 Pro but has an inferior f/2.2 aperture, as compared to the f/2.4 on the iPhone 11 Pro.
In summary, don’t expect significant differences in photos taken on the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
Winner: It all boils down to personal preference. The iPhone 12 models all have compelling cameras, and we can say the same of Pixel 5. Google is known for its excellent camera software, and now, hardware. With the superior megapixels, pictures might seem to come out better on the Pixel.
Battery
iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 battery ranges from 2,227 mAh to 3,687 mAh, depending on the model you purchase. The iPhone 12 mini features the weakest battery at 2,227 mAh, followed by the original iPhone 12 with 2775 mAh.
The iPhone 12 Pro features the same battery as the iPhone 12, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s battery is superior at 3,687 mAh.
Pixel 5
The Google Pixel 5’s battery might render all iPhone 12 models weak in the battery aspect, featuring a whopping 4,080 mAh battery. While this isn’t one of the biggest we’ve seen, it is certainly larger than the iPhone 12 Pro Max’s and hopefully lasts longer.
Winner: We can’t decide battery life with digits, or at first glance. The actual battery life is dependent on a host of other factors. While the iPhone’s processor is expected to be more power-efficient than the Pixel’s, the Pixel 5 battery is expected to last longer than the iPhone 12’s under normal usage.
A fair decision regarding battery life can only be made after months of testing and usage, as we’ve seen phones with impressive battery life initially but later deteriorate over time.
Processor
Pixel 5
The Pixel 5’s processor is surprisingly much of a downgrade from that of the preceding models. Featuring the Snapdragon 765 popularly found in mid-range phones, Google’s decision to include this processor in their newest phone has sparked controversy.
However, you don’t need anything more than the Snapdragon 765 on a mobile phone if you’re not running up to four high-end games simultaneously.
Compared to the industry average, however, something better should be on Pixel 5.
iPhone 12
Apple wins by a comfortable margin in the processor aspect. The iPhone 12 series saw the introduction of Apple’s flagship A14 Bionic chipset with a 50% performance improvement over the iPhone 11, as Apple claims.
The A14 Bionic isn’t just fast; it is also energy-efficient, requiring less power for tasks in comparison to other flagship processors.
Winner: Apple is leading here, although the A14 Bionic processor will be much of an overkill for the phone. Any game will run well on Android as it will on the iPhone. The iPhone 12 might have significant advantages in multi-tasking, however.
Storage
iPhone 12
the iPhone 12 offers multiple storage options, depending on your budget. The base models of the iPhone 12 Pro feature a 128GB base storage option. There are also 256GB and 512GB options for users needing better storage options.
These storage options are more than enough for a smartphone, and it means iPhone users won’t have to worry so soon about low storage (if they ever have to.)
Pixel 5
The Pixel 5 isn’t much of a powerhouse when it comes to storage, featuring only a 128GB non-expandable storage option.
While it is very improbable that any Pixel 5 user will exhaust the storage space before the next Pixel comes out next year, it’s limiting to discover that you can’t exceed 128GB, no matter how much you’re willing to pay.
Winner: Apple certainly takes the lead here. Pixel 5 users will have to find cloud storage options if they’re to store large files on their phone. The choice with the iPhone 12 is also a positive count, making you only pay for what you need!
Memory
iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 and 12 mini both feature 4GB of RAM, the same as the iPhone 11 from last year. The iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max models feature a more generous 6GB of RAM.
The RAM upgrade on the 12 Pro models should make them more performant than the other models, especially when multitasking.
Pixel 5
The Pixel 5 provides leaves you with no choices, but the only option is superior to that of the iPhone 12. It doubles the 4GB found in the 12 and the 12 mini, offering a comfortable 2GB improvement over the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max models.
Winner: Pixel 5. We do not expect to see significant performance differences here, as each device has been optimized to use the allocated RAM optimally. However, Pixel 5 is better on the specs sheet.
Display
iPhone 12
With the release of each iPhone, Apple confuses us with some made-up words to justify their incredibly excellent screens. 2020 is no exception.
The iPhone 12 models feature a Super Retina XDR OLED display that is sized based on the configuration. The iPhone 12 Pro and the Pro Max a 458 PPI density with a wide color gamut.
Pixel 5
Google chose to express the Pixel 5 display more simply, describing it as an OLED HDR10+ screen with a 90Hz refresh rate. The 6-inch display has an 85.9% screen to body ratio, the smartest we’ve found on a Google smartphone.
However, the unavailability of larger screen sizes sparks some controversy amongst Pixel lovers, as you have to do with a six-inch or none.
Winner: Both displays are pretty good, and choosing a winner will be a bit difficult. However, the Pixel 5 is quite a great contender here, with its 90Hz refresh rate overriding the Apple flagship’s 60Hz.
Also, people rarely buy phones for their display prowess, and if they would, the difference between the Pixel 5 and the iPhone 12 display is subtle. But I’ll always go with the Pixel’s 90Hz.
Connectivity
There isn’t much to say here, as both phones support the futuristic 5G technology. While experts don’t think this would be incredibly important soon, it is crucial to include it in phones to meet up with the competition.
If somehow, someone makes a significant breakthrough, and 5G becomes widely accessible today, none of these smartphones will miss out on the speed of the hi-speed connection technology.
Pricing
Pixel 5
The Google flagship is nothing near flexible when the price is reviewed. It costs $699 in the United States, $999 in Australia, and $599 in the UK. You don’t get a higher or lower configuration. The Pixel 5 may drop in prices by 2021 if you can wait.
iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 mini, which is the lowest configuration of the iPhone costs $729, $30 more than the Pixel 5, with half the memory, the same storage, inferior cameras, and a significantly weaker battery.
The iPhone 12 comes at a steeper price, starting at $829, while the 12 Pro starts at $1,099. These pieces are all for the base versions of the phones!
Check out the full price list below.
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Is the Google Pixel 5 available in Nigeria?
The Google Pixel 5 isn’t available in Nigeria yet, and the availability date isn’t clear yet. What we’ll recommend is that you shop for an alternate Google phone, while you await the availability of the Pixel in Nigera.
Conclusion
Now, what should you upgrade to?
The Google Pixel or the Apple iPhone 12 models.
If you’re on a sub-thousand-dollar budget, the Pixel 5 is a no-brainer.
However, if you’re used to the Apple ecosystem, and you enjoy using your iPhone, then choose an iPhone.
For Android users, however, Pixel 5 is one of the best deals of 2020, but it could have been better if we had as many options as with the iPhone 12.
