1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 160.8 × 78.1 × 7.4 mm | 163.3 × 77.9 × 8.9 mm | S22 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, may feel bulkier in hand. Both are large phones. |
| Weight | 228g | 228g | Both phones have the same weight and would feel equally heavy |
| Build | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22 Ultra offers better scratch and drop protection with advanced Gorilla Glass. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Very similar screen size, negligibly larger on S22 Ultra. |
| Resolution | 1284x2778 | 1440x3088 | S22 Ultra has sharper and more detailed display, noticeable for reading, viewing high-res content. |
| PPI | 458 | 500 | S22 Ultra offers slightly sharper images due to higher pixel density. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both technologies offer vibrant colours and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S22 Ultra has much smoother scrolling and animations due to higher refresh rate, creating a more fluid and responsive experience, notably for gaming and fast paced scrolling. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1750 nits | S22 Ultra display is significantly brighter, greatly improving visibility in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | Different processors, each optimized for their respective ecosystems. A14 offers better benchmarks according to AnTuTu but the real world difference will be minor for average daily use, and both provide flagship level performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,023,311 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has slightly better performance on paper, but real world difference is minor for average daily usage. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Xclipse 920 - Europe | Different GPU architectures, but both handle demanding games well. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1.7µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm | S22 Ultra captures more detail due to much higher resolution, iPhone has a slightly better low-light capture with larger pixel sizes and a wider aperture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | None | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm | S22 Ultra has a dedicated portrait camera offering additional zoom versatility and enhanced portrait mode |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 40MP, f/2.2, 0.70µm | S22 Ultra offers more detailed selfies due to higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.0µm | 12MP, f/4.9, 1.12µm | iPhone has a wider aperture, likely better in low-light, but Samsung has better pixel size, and thus better low light capture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 12MP, f/2.4, 1.4µm | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1.4µm | S22 Ultra has slightly wider aperture, potentially better low-light and wider shots. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 24fps | S22 Ultra captures higher resolution video, which may benefit content creators who need professional level content. Both record high-quality video and feature stabilisation. |
| DXOMark Mobile | 131 (photo 131, video 130) | 131 (photo 127, video 131) | Both phones have similar scores, iPhone has slightly better photo capture. S22 Ultra is slightly better with video. |
| DXOMark Selfie | 132 (photo 127, video 140) | 135 (photo 130, video 144) | S22 Ultra scores higher in both photo and video, suggesting higher quality selfies. |
| Features | Triple camera, OIS | Quadruple camera, OIS, Laser AF | S22 Ultra offers additional camera options and faster autofocus. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3687mAh | 5000mAh | S22 Ultra has significantly larger battery for longer usage time, could easily last through a full day. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S22 Ultra charges much faster reducing downtime. |
| Features | 15W MagSafe, 7.5W Qi wireless, 20W charger sold seperately | 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless | Both offer wireless charging, S22 Ultra can reverse charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages:
- Slightly better performance in benchmark tests: The A14 Bionic chip performs slightly better on paper, this translates to slightly better performance in some resource-intensive tasks.
- Slightly better photo performance in mobile tests: The iPhone 12 Pro Max scores slightly higher in the photo category for mobile tests.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Significantly higher display refresh rate (120Hz): Offers smoother animations and scrolling, enhancing the user experience, especially for gaming and content consumption.
- Much brighter display (1750 nits): Provides significantly better visibility in direct sunlight, critical for outdoor use.
- Significantly larger battery (5000mAh): Offers longer battery life, ensuring all-day usage without needing to recharge for most users.
- Faster charging (45W): Significantly reduces charging times, offering convenience for users in a hurry.
- Higher resolution main camera (108MP): Captures more detail in photos, ideal for photography enthusiasts and content creators.
- More versatile camera setup: Additional telephoto camera and features like Laser autofocus and 8K video recording for better zooming capabilities and content creation.
- Newer Bluetooth 5.2: Offers a more enhanced, stable connection to various devices.
- More RAM options (up to 12GB): Improves multitasking and performance, specifically with more demanding applications.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Allows users to charge other devices wirelessly, such as earbuds or smartwatches.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers additional biometric security.
- Better screen protection: Gorilla Glass Victus+ is a huge improvement in terms of durability
- Higher selfie camera quality and score: Delivers better quality photos and videos on the front camera.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Smaller battery, slower charging, lower display refresh rate, potentially worse performance in very demanding tasks and games.
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G: Marginally lower benchmark performance than the iPhone, may have minor differences in photo processing algorithms that some users may prefer.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Ecosystem Loyalists: Users deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem who value seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.
- Users who prioritise benchmark performance: People who value top-end performance on paper and would like a slight edge in resource intensive tasks.
- Users who want a slightly smaller phone: As the Samsung is taller and thicker, the iPhone would be better for users looking for something smaller.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G:
- Multimedia Power Users: Users who consume a lot of video content, play graphically intensive games, or create content on their phone and require a larger, brighter screen with a high refresh rate, and advanced camera features.
- Users who value versatility: The S22 Ultra offers a more robust camera system, with a greater zoom range and 8K video capability, ideal for diverse shooting scenarios.
- Battery-Conscious Users: Those who need their phones to last a full day without charging and appreciate fast charging when needed.
- Android Enthusiasts: Users who prefer the flexibility and customization options offered by the Android operating system.
- Users who require enhanced security: The Samsung also includes a fingerprint sensor for added biometric security.
Specific Use Cases:
iPhone 12 Pro Max:
- Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem, ideal for users with other Apple devices.
- High-quality video editing within the iOS ecosystem.
- Users who value benchmark numbers.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G:
- Outdoor content creation with its much brighter screen and higher quality camera.
- All-day usage with a very large battery.
- Mobile gaming due to the high refresh rate display.
- Users who need a more robust camera system.
- Users who prefer Android OS.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G generally provides more features and advanced specs, but may come at a higher price point depending on the market. The Samsung offers much greater value for most users considering the significantly improved battery, display and camera system.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Operating System Preference: Are you committed to iOS or do you prefer the flexibility of Android?
- Usage Priorites: Do you prioritize camera features and display quality, or benchmark performance, and ecosystem integration?
- Budget: Are you willing to pay more for the advanced specs and versatility of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User, existing Apple ecosystem If you are a casual user who already has several Apple products and want seamless integration, the iPhone 12 Pro Max will be a great option for you.
Scenario 2: Demanding user, Content creator If you are a demanding user who consumes a lot of content, takes lots of photos and wants a great all-around phone with incredible battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is recommended.
Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: If you are looking for the smoothest possible mobile gaming experience, the high refresh rate and powerful specs of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G make it the better choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G.
Reasoning:
Although the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max performs slightly better in some benchmarks and provides seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers a significantly better overall user experience.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: The 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness are significant advantages, making the display much better for daily use, especially outdoors.
- Extended Battery Life: The larger battery ensures all-day use without the need for frequent charging.
- Faster Charging: The 45W fast charging is a huge convenience.
- More Versatile Camera System: The additional camera and 8K video recording capabilities provide greater flexibility.
- Additional Features: The fingerprint sensor and reverse wireless charging are practical additions.
- More RAM Options: The possibility of having 12GB of RAM provides future proofing as more applications are more demanding.
While the iPhone 12 Pro Max is still a capable phone, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G's upgrades in display, battery, charging, camera, security, and versatility provide a more compelling and future-proof package. For me, the enhanced multimedia experience and the extra features outweigh the marginal performance difference and ecosystem benefits of the iPhone. I also like the customisation options and flexibility of the Android operating system.
In short, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is more suitable for my needs, making it the better choice overall.
