1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 161.1 × 77.4 × 8.2 mm | The A55 is noticeably larger and thicker, which may impact one-handed use and pocketability. The iPhone 12 Pro is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 189g | 213g | The iPhone 12 Pro is lighter, contributing to more comfortable prolonged use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Galaxy A55 likely offers better screen protection against scratches and drops due to the Gorilla Glass Victus, enhancing durability. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | The Galaxy A55's larger screen is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. The iPhone 12 Pro's smaller screen might be preferred by those who value portability. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2340 | The iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper display, resulting in finer details and clearer text, enhancing overall visual quality, especially for reading and viewing high-resolution images. |
| PPI | 460 | 390 | Higher PPI on the iPhone 12 Pro means crisper images and text, which is noticeable when viewing small details. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks. The difference is negligible for most users. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Galaxy A55's 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 0 nits | The iPhone 12 Pro offers significantly better visibility in bright outdoor conditions. Samsung brightness is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) | The A14 Bionic offers superior processing power, resulting in faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games. |
| Antutu Score | 1,082,644 | 713,393 | The iPhone 12 Pro's higher score indicates significantly better overall performance, especially for intensive tasks. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Xclipse 530 | The Apple GPU provides better graphics performance, leading to smoother gameplay and better rendering in graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP f/1.6 | 50MP f/1.8 | The Galaxy A55's higher megapixel count allows for more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. The iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance and shallower depth of field. Sensor size is larger in Samsung, providing more light to the sensor which improves performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 12MP f/2.0 | None | The iPhone 12 Pro offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing for closer shots without loss of quality. |
| Ultrawide Lens | 12MP f/2.4 | 13MP f/2.2 | Both offer ultrawide lenses for capturing expansive scenes. The Samsung has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP f/2.4 | The Galaxy A55 includes a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots of small objects. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.2 | The Galaxy A55's higher megapixel front camera will capture more detailed selfies. |
| Video Recording | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR | Up to 4K@30fps with EIS | The iPhone 12 Pro offers higher frame rates for smoother video recording. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 127 | 108 | The iPhone 12 Pro has a better-rated camera system overall, especially for video. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 5000mAh | The Galaxy A55 has a significantly larger battery capacity, suggesting much longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 20W fast charging, 15W wireless charging | 25W fast charging | The Galaxy A55 has slightly faster-wired charging. The iPhone 12 Pro offers wireless charging. |
Storage
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256/512 GB | 128/256 GB | The iPhone 12 Pro offers a 512GB option for users needing substantial storage for photos, videos, and apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, so users must choose a model with sufficient internal storage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is much faster than the Exynos 1480, leading to a smoother and more responsive user experience, especially in demanding applications and games.
- Superior Camera Quality: Higher DxOMark scores, optical zoom, and excellent video capabilities make it a better choice for photography enthusiasts.
- Higher Display Pixel Density: The sharper display results in finer details and clearer text.
- Compact Size: More comfortable for one-handed use and pocketability.
- Wireless Charging: Offers both MagSafe and Qi wireless charging.
Samsung Galaxy A55 Advantages:
- Much Longer Battery Life: The 5000mAh battery offers significantly more usage time between charges.
- Larger Display: The larger screen is better for media consumption and multitasking.
- Higher Refresh Rate: The 120Hz display provides smoother scrolling and animations.
- Expandable storage: While this is incorrect in the comparison, some regions do get a MicroSD card slot, which makes it easier to swap and store data
Significant Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Sacrifices battery life and screen size for performance and camera quality.
- Samsung Galaxy A55: Sacrifices performance and camera capabilities for longer battery life and a larger display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, and those who value a compact design and premium feel.
- Use Cases:
- Professional photographers and videographers who need high-quality image and video capture.
- Gamers who demand smooth performance in graphics-intensive games.
- Users who frequently work with demanding applications like video editing or graphic design.
Samsung Galaxy A55:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, media consumers, and those who prioritize battery life and a large display.
- Use Cases:
- Users who spend a lot of time watching videos or browsing the web.
- Users who need a phone that can last all day on a single charge.
- Users who enjoy casual gaming but don't require top-tier performance.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions a buyer should consider:
- How important is performance to you? If you need a phone that can handle demanding tasks and games, the iPhone 12 Pro is the better choice. If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Galaxy A55 will suffice.
- How much do you value battery life? If you need a phone that can last all day, the Galaxy A55 is the clear winner. If you're willing to sacrifice battery life for performance and camera quality, the iPhone 12 Pro is a viable option.
- What is your budget? I don't have the information to assess pricing, but the iPhone 12 Pro is an older flagship, so is likely cheaper. The Samsung will be cheaper brand new, so this needs to be considered
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You are a student on a budget who needs a reliable phone for everyday tasks and media consumption.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A55 (better battery, larger screen, likely more affordable).
- Scenario 2: You are a professional photographer who needs a phone with excellent camera capabilities and performance for editing on the go.
- Recommendation: Apple iPhone 12 Pro (superior camera and performance).
- Scenario 3: You are a frequent traveler who needs a phone with long battery life and a large screen for watching movies on flights.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A55 (longer battery life, larger display).
Personal Choice
If I was buying a phone today, I would lean towards the Samsung Galaxy A55. While the iPhone 12 Pro has a superior camera and performance, the increased battery life, larger display, and newer software of the A55 would be more beneficial to my daily usage. I value having a device that can comfortably last through a full day of moderate to heavy use without needing a recharge. I also prefer the larger screen for media consumption. The performance difference, while noticeable in benchmarks, would likely not be a significant hindrance for my typical usage patterns.
