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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is important to you, consider the Google Pixel 8, which generally offers better camera performance for both still photos and videos than the Apple iPhone 12. However, if you prefer a larger ecosystem of accessories and seamless integration with other Apple devices, the iPhone 12 may be more suitable. The Pixel 8 has a longer battery life and a higher refresh rate screen, making it better for gaming and media consumption, but it runs on Android which differs from the iPhone's iOS. The Pixel also provides more storage at the base level and features an always-on display, which the iPhone does not have. On the other hand, if you value brand recognition and resale value, the iPhone 12 typically holds its value better. Both are similar in price, so your decision may hinge on camera capabilities and operating system preference. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- Very good display quality
Advantages of the Google Pixel 8
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.4
The Google Pixel 8 has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 8 stands out for its exceptional photos in low light conditions and overall camera versatility, with a higher score in selfie quality, which is very important for many users. In comparison, the Apple iPhone 12 also offers good selfie quality and respectable performance across various photo conditions but falls behind the Pixel 8, particularly in low light performance and camera versatility.
Photo Quality
7.1
8.5
The Google Pixel 8 takes very good photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 8 takes excellent photos in part due to its superior selfie quality and its enhanced low light performance, both of which offer a significant advantage over the Apple iPhone 12’s respective abilities in these areas, despite the iPhone 12's capability to capture good photos with its fair selfie quality and good low light performance. Additionally, the Pixel 8's camera versatility and dynamic range are rated as excellent and very good, respectively, surpassing the iPhone 12's camera versatility and dynamic range, which are marked as fair and good.
Battery
6.2 Hours
7.3 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$600
$800
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Google Pixel 8 costs $800.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
7.2
7.6
The Google Pixel 8 and Apple iPhone 12 both have good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos and this is attributed to its very good video stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, along with high video resolution and framerate. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 8 takes very good videos as it offers an excellent video software experience, alongside similar very good stabilization, dynamic range, and low light performance, plus high-resolution and framerate capabilities.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Google Pixel 8 is 6.2 inches.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Google Pixel 8 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Google Pixel 8 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $800 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | October 12, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 428 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | TensorG3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 7.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4575 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 18 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 5.93" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 6.60 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 7 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | Yes | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
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Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Google Pixel 8
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Google Pixel 8
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
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Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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