The Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12 are super powerful Samsung and Apple phones, respectively. Smartphones feature a 5G connection and fast processors, but no charger or headphones. The main differences between the phone’s technical data sheets are in the camera and battery. Check below a comparison of specifications.
Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12
| Specifications | Galaxy S21 | iPhone 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Release date of | January 2021 | October 2020 |
| Launch price | $799 | from $799 |
| Screen | 6.2 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Screen resolution | Full HD + (2400 x 1080 pixels) | Full HD + (2532 x 1170 pixels) |
| Screen panel | Dynamic AMOLED | OLED |
| Processor | Exynos 2100 | Apple A14 Bionic |
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage | 128 or 256 GB | 64, 128, or 256 GB |
| Memory card | not | not |
| Main camera | triple, 12, 64, and 12 MP | double, 12, and 12 MP |
| Front camera (selfie) | 10 MP | 12 MP |
| Operating system | Android 11 | iOS 14 |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 2,815 mAh |
| Dimensions and weight | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm; 171 g | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm; 164 g |
| Colors | White, Gray, Violet, and Pink | Black, White, Red, Green, and Blue |
Screen and Design
In terms of screen size, the devices are very similar. The Galaxy S21 comes with a 6.2-inch AMOLED Dynamic 2X display with Full HD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) and a density of 421 PPI. The device also features HDR10+ certification, which promises the same image quality as Dolby Vision, plus the Eye Comfort Shield feature, which automatically adjusts the blue light filter based on the time of day, which promises to reduce eye fatigue. A screen refresh rate of up to 120 Hz also helps smoother scrolling and viewing.
The iPhone 12 has a 6.1-inch screen with OLED technology, also known as Super Retina XDR Display. The feature promises more brightness and deeper contrast than the LCD, present on the iPhone 11. The True Tone option also helps in displaying more natural colors according to the ambient light. The device also has Full HD+ resolution (2532 x 1170 pixels) with 460 PPI of density, slightly higher than Samsung’s cell phone.
In terms of design, the Apple smartphone was redesigned and became 11% thinner, 15% smaller in volume, and 16% lighter than the iPhone 11. All these thanks to the reduction of the edges, which became straighter, following the look of the old iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. With a body made of aluminum, the display features Ceramic Shield, which promises to be the most resistant glass on the market. The company guarantees that the durability is up to four times higher than previous models.
Samsung’s Gorilla Glass Victus is used to preserve the display against falls and scratches. The screen is infinite and the front camera is housed inside the display, unlike the iPhone 12, which still keeps the notch. Both have IP68 protection, which allows the phone to be submerged in up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. Apple promises resistance to dives of up to six meters.
The iPhone 12 can be purchased in black, white, red, green, and blue, while the Galaxy S21 comes with white, gray, violet, and pink trim options.
Camera
The Galaxy S21’s photo set consists of an ultra-wide 12 MP rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, 120° field of view, a main 12 MP and f/1.8 aperture, and a telephoto lens of 64 MP and f/2.0 aperture. The front camera has a 10 MP and f/2.2 aperture.
The iPhone 12 features a 12 MP main rear camera and f/1.6 aperture and a 12 MP wide-angle and f/2.4 aperture, also with a 120° field of view. The front camera is 12 MP and aperture f/2.2. Apple guarantees that the wide camera sensor is 47 percent larger than the previous version, but does not specify the size.
Regarding features, the apple brand device has 2X optical zoom and up to 5X digital zoom, Portrait Mode, and Portrait Lighting with six effects, Night Mode and HDR System.
Samsung’s cell phone comes with Super Motion Stabilizer (up to 60 fps), Vlogger Viewer, which allows you to capture images from the front and rear cameras at the same time, and audio capture in several simultaneous microphones. The camera also uses Artificial Intelligence for better image and video capture.
Another highlight is the Director’s Vision. The feature allows to simultaneously record images from all cameras in 4K resolution and the user can choose which will be the final image. You can also split the video clip so that images from two cameras are displayed simultaneously.
About the video, the iPhone 12 records in 4K at a speed of 60 fps (frames per second), while the Samsung model allows records in 8K at 30 fps.
Performance and storage
Both cell phones have powerful processors. The iPhone 12 comes with the recently launched A14 Bionic chipset, which promises speed 50% higher than other leading-edge smartphones with an Android system. Apple does not officially disclose the RAM of the cell phones, but specialized sites estimate that the smartphone has 4 GB.
Samsung has already announced the launch of the Exynos 2100 processor, manufactured by itself, which is present on the Galaxy S21. Some countries and regions like the United States will have the device with Snapdragon 888, from Qualcomm.
The processor is an octa-core of up to 2.9 GHz that works together with the 8 GB RAM of the South Korean device. Both devices have a 5-nanometer processor, which means that the parts have smaller internal components, greater energy efficiency, and battery savings.
Another important point is that the processors of the two smartphones allow cell phones to have 5G technology. The iPhone 12 can connect to the current 5G DSS format, the version of the future mobile fast connection. Apple’s phone is also able to connect to 5G SA, a version with maximum fifth-generation internet capacity.
The device comes with an intelligent feature that makes the automatic transition from 4G to 5G according to the user’s needs. The Galaxy S21 comes only with support for 5G SA.
About the storage, the Apple cell phone has versions of 64, 128, or 256 GB. The Galaxy S21 starts with double, 128, or 256 GB. One thing in common is that none has memory card support.
Battery
In terms of battery, Samsung should get out in front, since it has a 4,000 mAh battery capacity. The company does not say, however, how long the device can stay away from the outlets.
Apple also does not disclose the exact capacity of the iPhone 12 component, but experts calculate that the battery has 2,815 mAh. According to Apple, this figure is sufficient for up to 17 hours of video playback and 65 hours of audio playback.
Samsung only states that the device is compatible with fast charging 2.0. The iPhone 12 offers fast charging of 20 W or higher and guarantees up to 50% in 30 minutes and you can charge your iPhone 12 with an old charger if it has an old-style USB-A port. Besides, the device has standard Qi wireless charging up to 7.5 W and the MagSafe novelty up to 15 W. The feature consists of a set of magnets at the back of the phone that allows attaching magnetism accessories such as chargers.
It is important to remember that the devices no longer include chargers and headphones in the box, accessories that need to be purchased separately if the user does not have the items from previous purchases.
System and Extra Features
The iPhone 12 runs iOS 14, Apple’s latest system to date. The Galaxy S21 comes with an Android 11 from the factory with Samsung’s One UI 3.1 interface.
The models also come with Bluetooth 5.0 and with connectivity to the new Wi-Fi 6. Also, the smartphones have a USB port, GPS, and NFC connectivity to make proximity payments. The iPhone 12 uses Face ID to unlock the device for facial recognition, while the Galaxy S21 has a fingerprint sensor integrated into the screen itself.
Price
The iPhone 12 is available in the market since last year in black, white, blue, red, and green. Prices vary according to the storage:
- 64 GB: $799
- 128 GB: $899
- 256 GB: $999
The Galaxy S21 is available in white, gray, violet, and pink models. In the United States, the 128 GB device costs $799.
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