Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A23 5G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 September 2, 2022
Release Year 2020 2022

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 106.84 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.23 "/g 3.35 "/g
Weight 189 g 197 g
Height 146.7 mm 165.4 mm
Width 71.5 mm 76.9 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.4 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Pacific Blue
  • Black
  • Blue
  • White
  • Peach

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.6 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1080 x 2408
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 82.5 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 400 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 800 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 114.78 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 46.8 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Adreno 619

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 12
Maximum OS Version 18 14

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A23 5GPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mmThe iPhone 12 Pro is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. The A23 5G is larger and may be less comfortable for some users.
Weight189g197gThe iPhone 12 Pro is slightly lighter, which contributes to a more comfortable feel during extended use.
Build Material(Not specified)(Not specified)The iPhone 12 Pro feels more premium in hand based on general build quality and materials used by Apple.
Screen ProtectionUnknownCorning Gorilla Glass 5The Galaxy A23 5G provides known screen protection, making it less susceptible to scratches and cracks from minor drops.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A23 5GPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.6"The Galaxy A23 5G offers a larger screen, better for media consumption, gaming, and users with visual impairments.
Resolution1170x25321080x2408The iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and crisper text.
Pixel Density460 PPI400 PPIThe higher pixel density on the iPhone 12 Pro provides a more visually pleasing experience, especially for reading and viewing high-resolution images.
TechnologyOLEDPLS LCDThe OLED display on the iPhone 12 Pro offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, leading to a more immersive viewing experience.
Refresh Rate60Hz120HzThe 120Hz refresh rate on the Galaxy A23 5G makes scrolling and animations appear smoother, improving the overall responsiveness of the device.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsThe iPhone 12 Pro's higher brightness makes it much easier to view the screen in direct sunlight. The '0 nits' for the A23 5G is likely a data error as it would be unusable. Assume typical LCD brightness.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A23 5GPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)The A14 Bionic in the iPhone 12 Pro provides significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and running complex applications.
AnTuTu Score1,082,644418,000The iPhone 12 Pro offers a much smoother and more responsive user experience due to its superior processing power.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Adreno 619The iPhone 12 Pro's GPU delivers better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster rendering of visually intensive content.
RAM6GBN/AThe iPhone 12 Pro has more RAM available, allowing to keep more applications open in the background.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A23 5GPractical Impact
Main Camera12MP (f/1.6)50MP (f/1.8)The Galaxy A23 5G captures more detail in bright light due to its higher megapixel count. However, the iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture and larger sensor allow for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field.
Selfie Camera12MP (f/2.2)8MP (f/2.0)The iPhone 12 Pro captures more detailed selfies.
Telephoto Lens12MP (f/2.0)NoneThe iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities for capturing distant subjects without significant loss of quality.
Wide Angle Lens12MP (f/2.4)5MP (f/2.2)The iPhone 12 Pro captures wider, more detailed scenes in landscape and group photos.
Macro LensNone2MP (f/2.4)The Galaxy A23 5G allows you to take close-up shots of small subjects.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fpsUp to 1080p@30fpsThe iPhone 12 Pro records higher-resolution video, offering better clarity and detail.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12 ProSamsung Galaxy A23 5GPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhThe Galaxy A23 5G provides significantly longer battery life, allowing you to go longer between charges.
Charging20W25WThe Galaxy A23 5G charges slightly faster.
Wireless ChargingYes (MagSafe & Qi)NoThe iPhone 12 Pro can be charged wirelessly, offering more convenient charging options.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing and graphics performance, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience.
  • Better Display Quality: The OLED display with higher resolution and pixel density delivers superior image quality with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharper details.
  • Advanced Camera System: The triple-camera system with a telephoto lens provides more versatility and better image quality, especially in low light and zoomed-in shots.
  • Premium Build Quality: The materials and construction give a more premium in-hand feel.
  • Wireless Charging: The phone supports wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G Advantages:

  • Longer Battery Life: The larger battery capacity provides significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations appear smoother, improving the user experience.
  • Expandable Storage: Missing specification. Assuming no expandable storage like the iPhone
  • Lower Price: The Galaxy A23 5G is typically much more affordable, offering better value for budget-conscious users.

Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 Pro means sacrificing battery life and a larger display for significantly better performance and camera quality.
  • Choosing the Galaxy A23 5G means sacrificing performance and camera quality for longer battery life and a larger display.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Pro:

  • Ideal Users:
    • Users who prioritize performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and content creation.
    • Photography enthusiasts who value image quality, especially in low light and zoomed-in shots.
    • Users who prefer a more compact and premium-feeling device.
  • Use Cases:
    • Mobile gaming with demanding graphics.
    • Shooting high-quality photos and videos for social media or professional use.
    • Using resource-intensive applications like video editing or CAD software.

Samsung Galaxy A23 5G:

  • Ideal Users:
    • Users who prioritize battery life and need a phone that can last all day.
    • Users who enjoy watching videos and playing games on a larger screen.
    • Budget-conscious users who want a decent smartphone experience without breaking the bank.
  • Use Cases:
    • Streaming videos and movies on the go.
    • Playing casual games.
    • Everyday tasks like browsing the web, checking email, and social media.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is performance to you? If you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice.
  2. How important is battery life to you? If you need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged, the Galaxy A23 5G is the better choice.
  3. What is your budget? The Galaxy A23 5G is a more affordable option, while the iPhone 12 Pro is a premium device with a higher price tag.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its superior performance and graphics capabilities.
  • Scenario 2: Frequent Traveler: Choose the Galaxy A23 5G for its longer battery life.
  • Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious Student: Choose the Galaxy A23 5G for its affordability and decent overall performance.
  • Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: Choose the iPhone 12 Pro for its advanced camera system and image quality.

What I Would Choose

I would choose the Apple iPhone 12 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy A23 5G offers excellent battery life and a larger screen, the iPhone 12 Pro provides a significantly better overall experience in areas that are more important to me: performance, camera quality, and display technology.

  • Performance: As someone who frequently multitasks and uses resource-intensive apps, the A14 Bionic chip's speed and efficiency are crucial.
  • Camera: I value high-quality photos and videos, and the iPhone 12 Pro's camera system is superior in most aspects, especially low-light performance and zoom capabilities.
  • Display: I prefer the vibrant colors and sharpness of the OLED display on the iPhone 12 Pro.

Even though the battery life is shorter, I am willing to charge the phone more frequently to enjoy these benefits. While the A23 5G's 120Hz refresh rate is nice, it's not a deal-breaker for me compared to the other advantages of the iPhone 12 Pro.

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.