Smartphone Comparison: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the specifications, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Flip4's foldable design offers unique portability & pocketability; iPhone 12 Pro Max is a standard, large-screen phone. |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm | 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm | Flip4 is taller and narrower when unfolded; iPhone is wider and slightly thicker. Folded, Flip4 is much smaller. |
| Weight | 228g | 187g | Flip4 is significantly lighter, making it easier to carry and use for extended periods. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.7" | Both have the same size screen. |
| Resolution | 1284 x 2778 | 1080 x 2640 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a sharper display with more detail; Z Flip4 has a slightly lower resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 458 | 426 | iPhone 12 Pro Max displays slightly sharper text and images. |
| Technology | OLED | Unknown | iPhone 12 Pro Max uses OLED, generally offering better colors and contrast. Z Flip4 likely uses OLED too, but this is not specified. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Z Flip4 offers smoother scrolling and animations, making the interface feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1200 nits | Both displays are equally bright, suitable for outdoor use. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Different architectures; A14 excels in certain tasks, Snapdragon is excellent for gaming and overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,121,803 | 1,050,371 | iPhone 12 Pro Max shows a slightly higher benchmark score, but both phones offer excellent performance. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 730 | Different GPU architectures, both offer very capable graphics performance, suitable for demanding games. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 12MP | 12.2MP | Both offer similar main sensor resolutions, capturing detailed images in various lighting conditions. |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/1.6 | f/1.8 | iPhone 12 Pro Max's wider aperture allows better light intake for improved low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 12MP | 10MP | iPhone 12 Pro Max offers slightly higher resolution for selfies and video calls. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | iPhone 12 Pro Max's slightly wider aperture allows better light intake for selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes | No | iPhone 12 Pro Max provides optical zoom capabilities, useful for capturing distant subjects without loss of quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 12MP | 13MP | Samsung offers slightly better resolution for wide-angle photography. |
| Wide Angle Sensor Size | 1/2.55" | 1/3.06" | iPhone has a larger sensor, offering better image quality with more light intake. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Both offer excellent video quality with HDR and stabilization for crisp, smooth footage. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 131 | 112 | iPhone 12 Pro Max has a much higher camera performance. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 132 (only tested for iPhone) | Not Tested | The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a very high selfie score. |
| Camera Features | Triple camera, OIS, Optical zoom, Ultra stable video, RAW, Night Mode | Dual camera, OIS, Tracking AF | iPhone offers a more robust and feature-rich camera system. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 3687 mAh | 3700 mAh | Similar battery sizes, suggesting comparable battery life for typical daily use. |
| Charging | 20W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Z Flip4 charges faster than the iPhone 12 Pro Max, getting users back on the go more quickly. |
| Battery Features | MagSafe wireless charging, Qi wireless charging | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Fast wireless charging | Z Flip4 offers more flexible charging options; iPhone has MagSafe. |
Other
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Operating System | iOS 14.1, upgradeable to iOS 18 | Android 12, upgradeable to Android 14 | Different software ecosystems, each with their own unique user interface and app availability. |
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | Z Flip4 has more RAM for better multi-tasking and performance with demanding apps. |
| Storage | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Both phones have the same storage options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | iPhone has enhanced audio features for more immersive sound. |
| Security | Basic security features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Z Flip4 offers a fingerprint sensor for faster and secure unlocking. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Z Flip4 has more durable screen protection. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Fingerprint, Gravity, Hall, Geomagnetic | Z Flip4 includes additional sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max Advantages
- Superior Camera System: The iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a telephoto lens, better DXOMark scores, and features like RAW capture, and night mode offering a more versatile photography experience.
- Sharper Display: With higher resolution and pixel density, the iPhone's screen displays crisper images and text.
- Enhanced Audio: The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital Plus provides a more immersive audio experience.
- Stronger Benchmark Scores: The A14 Bionic chip gives the iPhone an edge in some performance benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 Advantages
- Foldable Design: The compact, foldable form factor offers unique portability and pocketability.
- Smoother Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid and responsive user experience, with smoother scrolling.
- Faster Charging: The 25W fast charging gets the device back to full charge faster than the 20W of the iPhone.
- More Flexible Charging: Reverse charging, bypass charging and wireless charging give more flexibility than the iPhone.
- More RAM: The additional RAM enhances multitasking performance.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides an additional layer of convenience and security.
- Newer Processor: The snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a newer and more efficient processor, although benchmarks are not superior.
- More Durable Screen: The screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus.
- More Sensors: Provides more extensive functionality.
Trade-offs
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Lacks the portability and novelty of the foldable form factor and has a lower refresh rate display.
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4: Sacrifices some camera capabilities and display resolution for its foldable design.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
- Ideal User: Photographers, videographers, users who prioritize display clarity, users comfortable with larger phones.
- Use Cases: Professional photography, video production, high-resolution content consumption, gaming.
- Value: High-end performance and camera quality at a higher price point.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
- Ideal User: Fashion-conscious individuals, users seeking portability and convenience, people wanting a unique design and smooth display.
- Use Cases: Compact travel companion, discreet social media use, multitasking, smooth gaming and content viewing.
- Value: Innovative design and convenience with good overall performance at a similar price point.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three questions to consider when choosing between these two phones:
- Do you prioritize camera quality and display sharpness or portability and a unique form factor? If you prioritize a better camera and sharper screen, the iPhone is a better choice. If you value portability and a unique design, the Z Flip4 is better.
- Do you prefer iOS or Android? Your existing ecosystem and preference for the operating system should be a factor.
- Do you require the absolute latest performance, or is good-enough sufficient? While both phones have fast processors, the iPhone has slightly better benchmarks. The Z Flip4 also has its benefits with its newest chipset.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- For Professional Photographers/Videographers: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is the better option because of its superior camera and features.
- For Users Wanting Portability and Unique Design: The Z Flip4 provides portability and novelty that the iPhone cannot.
- For Gamers: The Z Flip4 with its higher refresh rate and ample RAM may offer a slightly smoother experience, however, the performance is comparable.
- For Everyday Use: Both phones are excellent options. If you prefer a traditional design and better camera, choose the iPhone. If you value portability and unique design, choose the Flip4.
What I Would Choose
For me personally, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4. While the iPhone 12 Pro Max has a better camera and slightly higher benchmarks, the Z Flip4's foldable form factor offers an innovative and practical advantage that outweighs the other benefits for my daily use. The more compact size when folded makes it significantly more pocketable, and the smoother 120Hz display is a pleasure to use. I also appreciate the faster charging and additional features like the fingerprint sensor. While I do enjoy taking photos, the Z Flip4 is good enough, and I am more drawn to a more modern and convenient design.
