1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm | 151.7 × 71.2 × 7.9 mm | S21 5G is taller and slightly thicker; iPhone 12 may feel more compact in hand. |
| Weight | 164g | 169g | Negligible weight difference; both feel relatively lightweight. |
| Build Quality (Screen) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S21 5G likely more resistant to scratches and drops. |
Display
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.1" | 6.2" | S21 5G offers a slightly larger viewing area, which is better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1170x2532 | 1080x2400 | iPhone 12 has a sharper display, potentially resulting in slightly clearer images and text. |
| PPI | 460 | 421 | iPhone 12 displays finer details, though the difference is not drastic. |
| Technology | OLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks; virtually no practical difference in image quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 5G has smoother scrolling and animations, which improves responsiveness. |
| Brightness | 1200 nits | 1300 nits | S21 5G is more visible under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | A14 Bionic benchmarks higher, indicating potentially faster performance and efficiency. |
| Antutu Score | 1,083,947 | 749,100 | iPhone 12 should feel snappier in everyday tasks and demanding applications. |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | iPhone 12 has better graphics which results in smoother gaming experience |
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | S21 5G handles multitasking and running multiple apps simultaneously more smoothly. |
Camera
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 12MP, f/1.6, 1/2.55" | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76" | S21 5G has a larger sensor for better low-light performance; iPhone 12 has a wider aperture, helping in low light too. |
| Telephoto | None | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72" | S21 5G can capture zoomed-in photos with more detail. |
| Ultrawide | 12MP, f/2.4 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" | Both phones have similar wide angle camera. |
| Selfie | 12MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | No significant difference in selfie quality; Apple iPhone 12 produces slightly higher resolution images. |
| Video | Up to 4K@60fps | Up to 8K@24fps | S21 5G captures much higher resolution videos, useful for professional video content. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | 117 | 111 | iPhone 12 has better overall camera performance and video |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | 132 | 132 | Similar overall selfie quality, but S21 5G has better video. |
Battery
| Feature | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Similar wireless charging speeds. |
| Reverse Wireless Charging | No | Yes (4.5W) | S21 5G can wirelessly charge other devices like earbuds. |
| Charger Included | No | No | Both phones do not include charger in the box |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: A14 Bionic chipset provides significantly faster performance based on benchmarks. This translates to snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DXOMark scores, indicating better overall camera and video quality in many scenarios.
- eSIM Support: Offers flexibility in choosing carriers, good for international travel.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Significantly larger battery capacity results in much better battery life, especially for heavy users.
- 120Hz Display: Smoother scrolling and animations.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers more versatility in photography with optical zoom capabilities.
- Reverse Wireless Charging: Useful for charging accessories like wireless earbuds on the go.
- Expandable RAM: Has 8GB of RAM, better for multitasking
Trade-offs:
- iPhone 12:
- Smaller battery
- Lower refresh rate display
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Lower performance
- No expandable storage
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
- Apple iPhone 12:
- Ideal User: Users deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem, those who prioritize performance and camera quality, value compact size, and prefer iOS.
- Use Cases: Gaming, photography, videography, smooth multitasking, general daily usage.
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G:
- Ideal User: Android enthusiasts, users who need all-day battery life, those who take advantage of telephoto lens capabilities, enjoy a smoother display, and prefer Android.
- Use Cases: Media consumption, photography (especially zoomed-in shots), longer usage periods without charging, multitasking, and general daily usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Performance or Battery Life? Do you prioritize raw performance and processing power (iPhone 12) or all-day battery life (S21 5G)?
- Ecosystem Preference? Are you heavily invested in the Apple (iPhone 12) or Android (S21 5G) ecosystem?
- Camera Versatility? Do you value telephoto lens capabilities (S21 5G) or overall better picture quality (iPhone 12)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Heavy Gamer/Power User: iPhone 12 for its superior performance.
- Frequent Traveler: iPhone 12 for its eSIM support.
- All-Day User: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its longer battery life.
- Photography Enthusiast: Samsung Galaxy S21 5G for its telephoto lens.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G. Although the iPhone 12 has a better processor and camera, the S21 5G offers a much better display, and battery life. For my daily use, the longer battery life and smoother display would be more beneficial. In addition, I have a few wireless devices I can charge with reverse wireless charging.
