In 2020, both Google and Apple introduced 5G phones: the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A 5G, as well as the long-awaited iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max. The pricing and operating system are the two most significant distinctions between the iPhone 12 and the Pixel 5. This isn’t a particularly even fight in terms of price. While Google’s current flagship is the $699 Pixel 5 (£599, AU$999), it misses many of the luxury features we’ve come to expect from competitors like Samsung and Apple. (Instead, see how the Pixel 5 stacks up against a similarly priced iPhone 11.)
Because Apple produced four variants and pricing differs between unlocked and carrier models, the iPhone 12 price structure is a little more convoluted. With carrier discounts, the iPhone 12 starts at $799 (£799 and AU$1,349), and the $100 price difference from the Pixel 5 is nothing to sneeze at, especially as people tighten their belts amid the coronavirus pandemic. Those that are connected into Apple’s iOS ecosystem are unlikely to ever consider a Google phone in terms of the operating system. The same is true for Android users. However, if you’re considering switching from iPhone to Android or Android to iOS, or simply enjoy watching phone battles, keep reading as we compare the iPhone 12 and Pixel 5’s design, camera, battery, and performance.
Apple iPhone 12
Apple’s newest flagship is a force to be reckoned with, with 5G compatibility, a sleek new appearance, big camera upgrades, a ceramic shield screen, and overall speed. Patrick Holland of CNET described the phone as “a complete item” with “slabular beauty”. The iPhone 12 not only outperformed every other phone we’ve ever tested in performance benchmark testing, but it’s also one of our highest-rated phones of all time. It’s a shame it doesn’t include headphones or a power adapter. Read our review of the Apple iPhone 12.
Google Pixel 5
The Pixel 3 was dubbed “the best Android phone of 2018,” but our impressions of the Pixel 4 and now the Pixel 5 were quite similar: great camera, but not at that price. Even still, Google fans will like the new Pixel’s slew of features, including a 90Hz display, a larger battery, and some clever computational photography capabilities. If you want 5G for $100 less, the Pixel 5 is the phone for you.
Design
With its retro look, the iPhone 12 made a big impression. Apple reintroduced the iPhone 12’s flat, squared-off edges, which set it apart from rivals with curved sides. New blue hues are also available for the new flagship, including dark blue for the iPhone 12 and Pacific blue for the iPhone 12 Pro. With a hole-punch camera, tiny bezels, and a flush rear camera system, the Pixel 5 boasts a more basic appearance. On paper, the Pixel 5 outperforms the iPhone 12 in one area: its 90Hz screen refresh rate. The display on Apple’s flagship runs at 60Hz. A 90Hz display refreshes the screen 90 times per second, making scrolling more fluid. The dimensions of the iPhone 12 and the Pixel 5 are practically identical. With a 6.1-inch screen vs the Pixel 5’s 6-inch display, the iPhone 12 is slightly larger. The iPhone 12 is also slightly heavier than the Pixel 5, weighing 5.78 ounces vs 5.33 ounces. However, because the iPhone 12 is available in four variations and three sizes, those with little or large hands will be able to pick an iPhone that fits them. The iPhone 12 Mini has a 5.4-inch display, while the Pro Max has a 6.7-inch display. All of the dimensions and other specifications of Apple’s four iPhone 12 versions can be found here.
Camera
Google’s phone cameras shine in their software as a forerunner in computational photography. However, while competitors such as Apple have improved their software, Google’s hardware has lagged behind. The Pixel 5’s camera system is still fantastic, and it has some fascinating new tricks up its sleeve, including the combination of Night Sight and Portrait Mode for blurred backgrounds in low light. A new editing mode for light and portrait images, as well as an ultrawide camera for landscape and group shots, have been added to the Pixel 5’s camera.
Conclusion
Explained-above are some of the major differences that will help you decide what phone is better for you. You can see for yourself and decide what suits you the most in terms of features or in terms of price.