iPhone 12 vs Oppo Find X5

iPhone 12
iPhone 12
Starting at

Refurbished price:A$303.00

Versus A$1,129.00 new

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Oppo Find X5
Oppo Find X5
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Ratings

The iPhone 12, released in October 2020, and the Oppo Find X5, launched in March 2022, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality from their respective manufacturers. While the iPhone 12 operates on Apple's iOS ecosystem, the Oppo Find X5 runs on Android with Oppo's ColorOS overlay. Key differences lie in their display technology, camera systems, and overall user experience, catering to varying preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are important factors.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 12 was introduced in October 2020, making it an older device compared to the Oppo Find X5, which launched in March 2022. This difference in release date means the iPhone 12 has already received several years of software updates, while the Oppo Find X5, being newer, has a longer potential runway for future Android version upgrades.
  • Software Longevity: Apple typically provides iOS updates for its devices for approximately 5-6 years from their release. The iPhone 12 has received iOS updates up to iOS 18 and is expected to be compatible with iOS 26, extending its software lifespan. Oppo's Android devices generally receive 3-4 major Android version updates and 4-5 years of security updates, meaning the Find X5 will continue to receive support for a considerable period, though potentially less than the iPhone 12's total support duration.
  • Physical Durability: The iPhone 12 features a Ceramic Shield front cover, which offers enhanced drop performance, and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The Oppo Find X5 has an IP54 rating, indicating protection against dust and splashing water, but not full submersion. Both devices utilize glass for their backs, with the iPhone 12 having an aluminum frame and the Find X5 also featuring an aluminum frame.

Release year

2020

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

Operating system

iOS

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, app usage, and multitasking, with both devices offering capable hardware for their respective generations.

  • Processing Power: The iPhone 12 is equipped with a processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience. The Oppo Find X5 features a processor that also delivers strong performance, ensuring fluid navigation and efficient handling of graphically intensive games and applications.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both phones are designed to manage multiple applications concurrently without significant slowdowns. The iPhone 12, with its optimized software, maintains consistent performance over time. The Oppo Find X5, often available with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, offers ample capacity for keeping numerous apps open and switching between them efficiently.
  • Storage Options: The iPhone 12 is available with 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage configurations, providing choices for different user needs. The Oppo Find X5 typically comes with 256GB of internal storage, offering substantial space for apps, photos, and media.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12's battery generally provides sufficient power for a full day of moderate use, though heavy users might find themselves needing to charge before the day ends. The Oppo Find X5, with its larger battery capacity, often lasts a full day, even for heavy users, with some reports indicating it can extend into a second day. It also supports faster wired and wireless charging speeds.

Memory (GB)

4 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a primary interaction point for users, and both devices offer vibrant displays with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 12 features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors, providing a clear and immersive viewing experience. The Oppo Find X5 sports a 6.55-inch AMOLED display, which also delivers rich colors and strong contrast.
  • Resolution and Brightness: The iPhone 12 has a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, resulting in a sharp image with approximately 460 pixels per inch. It offers a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Oppo Find X5 has a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, with a pixel density of around 402 ppi, and a peak brightness of 1000 nits, which contributes to good outdoor readability.
  • Refresh Rate: The iPhone 12 features a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth experience for most everyday interactions. The Oppo Find X5 offers a higher 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in noticeably smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, which can enhance the perception of responsiveness.

Resolution

1170 x 2532

1080 x 2400

Screen type

Super Retina XDR OLED

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but they approach photography and videography with different hardware and software philosophies.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 12 features a dual 12-megapixel camera system, comprising a wide and an ultra-wide lens. It excels in capturing detailed photos with good color accuracy and strong low-light performance, thanks to features like Night Mode and Deep Fusion. The Oppo Find X5 boasts a triple camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 13-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide lens. It benefits from a dedicated imaging Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for enhanced image processing, particularly in low-light video.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 12 delivers consistent and reliable image quality across various conditions, with its Smart HDR 3 improving dynamic range. The Oppo Find X5, with its higher megapixel count and Hasselblad color calibration, produces sharp, vibrant, and detailed photos, with users often praising its low-light capabilities.
  • Video Recording: The iPhone 12 is capable of recording HDR video with Dolby Vision at up to 4K resolution and 30 frames per second, offering cinematic quality. The Oppo Find X5 also records 4K video, with its NPU specifically designed to improve night video quality by reducing noise.
  • Front Camera: Both devices feature capable front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls. The iPhone 12 has a 12-megapixel TrueDepth camera with Night Mode support. The Oppo Find X5 includes a 32-megapixel front camera.

Main camera

12 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

32 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and differentiate these two devices.

  • Connectivity: Both the iPhone 12 and Oppo Find X5 support 5G cellular connectivity, enabling faster download and upload speeds where available. They also both include Wi-Fi 6 for improved wireless network performance and Bluetooth for connecting accessories.
  • Ports and Charging: The iPhone 12 uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port for charging and data transfer, and supports MagSafe for magnetic wireless charging. The Oppo Find X5 features a USB-C port, a widely adopted standard, and supports fast wired charging at 80W and fast wireless charging at 30W, with the charger often included.
  • Biometric Security: The iPhone 12 relies on Face ID, an advanced facial recognition system, for secure unlocking and authentication. The Oppo Find X5 incorporates an in-display optical fingerprint scanner for biometric security, alongside facial recognition.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 12 has a flat-edged design with an aluminum frame, measuring 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm and weighing 164 grams, offering a compact and relatively lightweight feel. The Oppo Find X5 has a slightly curved design with an aluminum frame, measuring 160.3 x 72.6 x 8.7 mm and weighing 196 grams, making it a larger and heavier device.

Weight

164 oz

196 oz

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.55

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The iPhone 12 and Oppo Find X5 cater to different user priorities, reflecting their respective ecosystems and design philosophies. Users often praise the iPhone 12 for its consistent performance, robust software support, and the seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Its compact size and Ceramic Shield front cover are frequently highlighted as practical advantages. Some users, however, note that its battery life can be average for heavy use and that the 60Hz display is less fluid compared to higher refresh rate screens.

The Oppo Find X5 receives commendation for its vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, offering a smoother visual experience, and its fast charging capabilities, which significantly reduce downtime. Its versatile camera system, particularly its low-light performance and Hasselblad color science, is also a strong point for many. Criticisms sometimes point to its IP54 water resistance being less robust than some competitors and the ColorOS interface not appealing to all Android users.

Users prioritizing long-term software updates, a highly integrated ecosystem, and a more compact form factor may find the iPhone 12 well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value a high refresh rate display, faster charging, a more versatile camera system with optical zoom, and the flexibility of the Android operating system might lean towards the Oppo Find X5. Both devices offer a quality experience, and choosing between them often comes down to personal preference for operating system and specific feature priorities. For those considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide a sustainable choice without compromising on functionality.

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