1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | S21 5G is taller and slightly thicker, potentially less comfortable in smaller hands/pockets. |
| Weight | 189g | 169g | S21 5G is significantly lighter, leading to more comfortable long-term use. |
| Build Quality | Unknown (screen) | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 5G offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops. IPhone 12 Pro screen protection unknown |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | S21 5G has a marginally larger display, offering a slightly more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 12 Pro has slightly sharper image quality due to higher pixel density. |
| PPI | 460 | 421 | iPhone 12 Pro delivers slightly crisper visuals. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and excellent contrast ratios; differences are marginal in typical use. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 5G provides much smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, especially in gaming and fast-paced apps. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | S21 5G is slightly more visible in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Apple A14 Bionic generally offers better performance and efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 1,082,644 | 749,100 | iPhone 12 Pro delivers noticeably faster app loading and smoother multitasking based on benchmark scores. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G78 MP14 | Apple GPU excels in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6 | 12MP, f/1.8 | iPhone 12 Pro's wider aperture allows more light, potentially better low-light performance. S21 5G larger sensor. |
| Telephoto Camera | 12MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/2.0 | iPhone 12 Pro offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. S21 offers digital zoom. |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12MP, f/2.4 | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | iPhone 12 Pro captures wider scenes. S21 5G offers macro mode. |
| Selfie Camera | 12MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | iPhone 12 Pro captures slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Video | Up to 4K 60fps | Up to 8K 24fps | S21 5G enables 8K video recording, providing higher resolution footage, although practical use is limited by storage and display capabilities. |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | 127 | 111 | iPhone 12 Pro generally provides better image and video quality according to DxOMark. |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | 132 | 132 | Similar selfie quality overall. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 2815mAh | 4000mAh | S21 5G offers significantly longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 20W | 25W | S21 5G charges slightly faster. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W MagSafe/7.5W Qi | 15W | Both support wireless charging, offering convenient charging options. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | No | 4.5W | S21 5G can wirelessly charge other devices like earbuds or smartwatches |
| Software | |||
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 11 | Different OS ecosystems; choice depends on user preference and familiarity. |
| Other | |||
| RAM | 6GB | 8GB | S21 5G handles multitasking and resource-intensive apps slightly better. |
| Storage Options | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB | iPhone 12 Pro offers a higher maximum storage option for users with extensive media libraries. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion via microSD card. |
| Security Features | Basic Security | Fingerprint Sensor | S21 5G provides fingerprint sensor for security |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE | 5.0 LE | iPhone 12 Pro has a newer version of Bluetooth |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S21 5G has better GPS capabilities |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | iPhone 12 Pro additionally offers: eSIM |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip offers significantly faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother app loading, better gaming performance, and snappier multitasking.
- Practical Implication: Ideal for power users who demand top-tier performance and responsiveness.
- Higher Resolution Display: Slightly sharper display provides a crisper viewing experience.
- Practical Implication: Enhances the enjoyment of photos, videos, and detailed graphics.
- Better Camera Performance (DxOMark): Higher DxOMark scores suggest superior image and video quality.
- Practical Implication: Delivers better results in various lighting conditions, capturing more detailed and vibrant photos and videos.
- eSIM Support: Offers the flexibility of using an eSIM in addition to a physical SIM card.
- Practical Implication: Useful for international travelers or users who want to manage multiple phone numbers.
- Dolby Digital Plus: Improved audio quality.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Smoother Display (120Hz Refresh Rate): Provides a significantly smoother and more fluid user experience, particularly noticeable when scrolling and gaming.
- Practical Implication: Makes the phone feel more responsive and modern.
- Longer Battery Life: Larger battery capacity results in significantly longer usage time between charges.
- Practical Implication: Ideal for users who need their phone to last all day without needing to plug in.
- Faster Charging: Slightly faster-charging speeds.
- Practical Implication: Reduces the time spent waiting for the phone to charge.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Ability to wirelessly charge other devices.
- Practical Implication: Can be used to charge earbuds, smartwatches, or even another phone in a pinch.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Provides an additional form of biometric security.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides better protection from drops.
- Superior GPS Capabilities: Higher quality GPS chip.
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12 Pro: Trades battery life and display smoothness for superior performance and a potentially better camera (based on DxOMark).
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G: Trades top-tier performance for a smoother display, longer battery life, and the convenience of reverse wireless charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Apple iPhone 12 Pro:
- Ideal User: Power users, professionals, and photography enthusiasts who prioritize performance, image quality, and the iOS ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Video Editing: The powerful A14 Bionic chip makes it suitable for on-the-go video editing.
- Gaming: Delivers a smooth and responsive gaming experience.
- Photography: Captures high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Everyday users, multimedia consumers, and those who value battery life, a smooth display, and the Android ecosystem.
- Use Cases:
- Multimedia Consumption: The larger, smoother display enhances the experience of watching videos and browsing the web.
- All-Day Use: The larger battery ensures the phone lasts through a full day of typical use.
- Convenience: Reverse wireless charging adds a convenient feature for charging accessories.
Price-to-Value:
Without pricing information, it's difficult to assess the price-to-value ratio. However, consider whether the extra performance of the iPhone 12 Pro or the enhanced display and battery life of the S21 5G justify their respective prices.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for potential buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Gaming, photography, general use, etc.)
- Which operating system (iOS or Android) do you prefer?
- How important is battery life and display smoothness to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Mobile Gamer - iPhone 12 Pro. The A14 Bionic chip and its powerful GPU provide a superior gaming experience.
- Scenario 2: All-Day User - Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. The larger battery ensures all-day usability without needing to charge.
- Scenario 3: Casual User - Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Fingerprint sensor is nice to have.
What I would choose and why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G.
Here's my reasoning:
- 120Hz Display: A high refresh rate display is a game-changer in terms of user experience. Everything feels smoother and more responsive, which significantly enhances daily use.
- Battery Life: I prioritize having a phone that can comfortably last through a full day of moderate to heavy use.
- Android Ecosystem: I prefer Android's open nature and customization options.
- Practical Features: The inclusion of a fingerprint sensor and reverse wireless charging are nice-to-haves for me, and the better screen protection provides peace of mind.
- Performance is "Good Enough": While the iPhone 12 Pro has a faster processor, the Exynos 2100 is no slouch. It can handle most tasks perfectly well, and I'm willing to trade a bit of raw processing power for the smoother display and extended battery life.
