Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy A22 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date November 13, 2020 July 1, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 92.93 cm³ 98.49 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 2.94 "/g 3.44 "/g
Weight 228 g 186 g
Height 160.8 mm 159.3 mm
Width 78.1 mm 73.6 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Black
  • White
  • Violet
  • Mint

Display

Screen Size 6.7 " 6.4 "
Resolution 1284 x 2778 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.8 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 458 PPI 274 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 90 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 600 nits
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 82.13 mAh/in² 122.07 mAh/in²
Battery Density 39.67 mAh/cm³ 50.77 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 3687 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 11
Maximum OS Version 18 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureApple iPhone 12 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy A22Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm159.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mmiPhone 12 Pro Max is taller and wider but thinner. A22 is more compact and easier to hold, but slightly thicker.
Weight228g186gGalaxy A22 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long use. iPhone 12 Pro Max feels more substantial but can be fatiguing.
Display
Size6.7"6.4"iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. Galaxy A22 is more manageable for one-handed use.
Resolution1284x2778720x1600iPhone 12 Pro Max has much sharper and detailed display. Galaxy A22 may appear pixelated, especially with fine text.
Pixel Density (PPI)458274iPhone 12 Pro Max has sharper text and images. Galaxy A22 display looks noticeably less crisp.
TechnologyOLEDAMOLEDBoth offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; negligible difference in visual quality.
Refresh Rate60Hz90HzGalaxy A22 has slightly smoother animations and scrolling. iPhone 12 Pro Max may feel less fluid to some users.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 Pro Max is much brighter and easily readable outdoors in sunlight. Galaxy A22 might struggle in very bright conditions.
Performance
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm)iPhone 12 Pro Max is significantly faster for all tasks, including gaming, and will stay fast longer. Galaxy A22 is slower for demanding tasks.
AnTuTu Score1,121,803379,800iPhone 12 Pro Max provides much smoother overall performance and better handling of complex apps. Galaxy A22 might feel sluggish at times.
GPUApple GPU (4-core)Mali-G52 MC2iPhone 12 Pro Max offers much better graphics performance for gaming. Galaxy A22 can handle basic games but not high-end titles.
Camera
Main Camera Resolution12MP48MPGalaxy A22's main camera captures more detail in ideal conditions. However, pixel size and aperture matter for overall quality, not just resolution.
Main Camera Aperturef/1.6f/1.8iPhone 12 Pro Max gathers more light for better low-light performance.
Selfie Camera Resolution12MP8MPiPhone 12 Pro Max captures more detailed selfies.
Selfie Camera Aperturef/2.2f/2.0Galaxy A22 gathers slightly more light for selfies.
Telephoto LensYesNoiPhone 12 Pro Max has a dedicated zoom lens for better quality close-ups.
Wide Angle LensYesYesiPhone 12 Pro Max captures higher resolution ultrawide photos.
Depth SensorNoYesGalaxy A22 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode.
Video RecordingUp to 4K 60fps with HDR1080p 30fpsiPhone 12 Pro Max captures much higher-quality video suitable for professional usage. Galaxy A22 videos are limited in resolution.
Video StabilizationYesNoiPhone 12 Pro Max offers superior stabilization.
DxOMark Mobile Score13148iPhone 12 Pro Max has significantly superior camera quality.
Battery
Capacity3687mAh5000mAhGalaxy A22's larger battery might offer longer battery life but depends heavily on usage and optimization.
Charging Speed20W15WiPhone 12 Pro Max charges slightly faster.
Wireless ChargingYesNoiPhone 12 Pro Max offers wireless charging for added convenience.
Software
Operating SystemiOS 14.1Android 11Different OS ecosystems with distinct user interfaces and features. Choice depends on user preference.
Max Version1813iPhone 12 Pro Max will likely receive longer software support than the A22.
Connectivity
WiFiWiFi 6Wi-Fi aciPhone 12 Pro Max has faster WiFi performance.
Bluetooth5.15.0iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly newer Bluetooth version.
GPSYes + QZSSYesiPhone 12 Pro Max has additional satellite support for better accuracy.
SIMNano SIM + eSIMDual Nano SIMiPhone 12 Pro Max offers the option for a digital SIM.
Storage
Internal Storage128/256/512 GBUnspecifiediPhone 12 Pro Max offers more storage options.
RAM6GBUnspecifiediPhone 12 Pro Max will likely offer smoother multitasking.
Expandable StorageNoNoNeither has expandable storage.
Audio
Audio QualityDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo SpeakersDolby Atmos, Dolby Digital PlusiPhone 12 Pro Max provides a better audio experience due to the stereo speakers.
Security
Security FeaturesBasic Security FeaturesSide-mounted fingerprintSamsung has a fingerprint sensor for easier and faster unlocking.
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownBoth phones have unknown screen protection
Sensors
SensorsProximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, BarometerProximity, Accelerometer, Fingerprint, GeomagneticiPhone 12 Pro Max provides more environmental sensors while Galaxy A22 offers fingerprint sensor.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip provides significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
  • Higher Quality Display: The OLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, and brightness offers a much sharper and more vibrant viewing experience, especially in bright sunlight.
  • Better Camera System: The triple-camera system with telephoto lens and superior DxOMark scores delivers much higher quality photos and videos with optical zoom and stabilization.
  • Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers provide better audio quality for media consumption.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless charging.
  • More Storage Options: Comes in configurations up to 512 GB for more storage.
  • Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi standard for faster wireless speeds.

Samsung Galaxy A22 Advantages:

  • Lower Price: Much more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
  • Lighter Build: More comfortable to hold for extended periods.
  • Larger Battery: Potentially offers longer battery life due to higher capacity.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother animations and scrolling on the display.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient way to unlock the phone.
  • Depth Sensor: Dedicated sensor for enhancing portrait mode photos.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: Higher cost, heavier, and potentially less battery life (though not always).
  • Galaxy A22: Significantly lower performance, lower resolution display, subpar camera performance, and overall build quality.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Ideal Users:

  • Power Users: Users who need top-tier performance for gaming, video editing, and other demanding tasks.
  • Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a high-quality camera system with multiple lenses and superior image quality.
  • Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos on their phones and want a high-resolution, bright display with stereo speakers.
  • Tech Enthusiasts: Users who want the latest features, best performance, and are not as price-sensitive.
  • Users in Bright Environments: Users who need a phone that is clearly visible under bright sunlight.
  • Long Term Users: People who will hold onto this device for many years.

Samsung Galaxy A22 Ideal Users:

  • Budget-Conscious Users: Users who are looking for an affordable smartphone for basic use.
  • Casual Users: Users who primarily use their phone for social media, web browsing, and messaging.
  • Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Users who need their phones to last a long time.
  • Users who like lighter weight devices: People who prefer a more manageable phone.
  • Users Who Prefer Android: People who prefer the Android operating system.
  • Users who prefer a fingerprint scanner: People who prefer the convenience of a fingerprint sensor.

Specific Use Cases:

  • iPhone 12 Pro Max: Professional photography/videography, graphically intensive gaming, heavy multi-tasking, watching high-definition videos in bright sunlight.
  • Samsung Galaxy A22: Casual web browsing, social media, everyday communication, simple gaming, long travel without readily available power.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions:

  1. What is my budget? If budget is a major concern, the Galaxy A22 is the only viable choice. If it is not a major concern, the iPhone offers a significantly better experience.
  2. How important is performance? For demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is vastly superior. If only basic tasks are performed, then the A22 is sufficient.
  3. How important is camera quality? If taking high-quality photos and videos is essential, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better option. If casual snapshots are all that is required, the A22 will suffice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Professional Photographer/Videographer: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the clear choice due to its superior camera system, image processing capabilities, and high-quality video recording.

  • Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious Casual User: The Samsung Galaxy A22 offers a more affordable way to get a smartphone for basic everyday tasks.

  • Scenario 3: Heavy Gamer: The iPhone 12 Pro Max provides a much smoother gaming experience.

  • Scenario 4: Someone who needs long battery life: The Samsung Galaxy A22 will probably have better battery life due to the larger battery.

  • Scenario 5: Someone who needs a brighter screen for outdoor visibility: The iPhone 12 Pro Max will perform much better due to the significantly higher nit brightness.

What I would Choose and Why

If I had to choose between these two devices, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max. The difference in performance, display quality, and camera capability is simply too significant to ignore, particularly if I value high-quality media consumption, demanding tasks, and professional photography/videography. While the A22 might have advantages in certain areas such as a slightly lighter build and longer battery life, they do not outweigh the superior performance and overall experience that the iPhone 12 Pro Max provides. The ability to handle any task smoothly, combined with the stunning display and professional-grade camera, makes the iPhone the superior choice for my needs, despite its higher price point. The significantly better DxOMark scores, video capabilities, and screen quality are also critical for my daily usage. Although it might be heavier and more expensive, the overall user experience justifies the additional cost in my case.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.