Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12: Battle of the giants

Samsung and Apple are two of the leading smartphone brands in the US, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12 represent their most powerful offerings. Both have a range of devices going all the way up to ultra-premium, but which one takes the cake in a head-to-head comparison?

See also: OnePlus 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S21

Aside from the obvious choice between Android and iOS, picking a winner isn’t so easy. Here’s everything you need to know about the Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 21, from specs to unique features and more.

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12

Features

The iPhone 12 and Galaxy S21 lineups are feature-packed, with just about anything you could want in a smartphone. They’ve got excellent camera performance, top-notch specs, and head-turning designs.

Each phone has multiple camera lenses. The iPhone 12 Mini and iPhone 12 both have 12MP wide-angle and 12MP ultra-wide lenses. The Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus also have 12MP wide-angle and ultra-wide sensors, with an additional 64MP telephoto shooter that should provide much better long-distance photos (if you’re into that kind of thing).

To get a telephoto lens on the iPhone, you’ll have to step up to the 12 Pro or 12 Pro Max models with an additional 12MP sensor. The latter also has a larger main sensor for improved low-light performance. The Galaxy S21 Ultra takes things to a whole other level, with a 108MP wide-angle, two 12MP telephoto (3x and 10x), and 12MP ultra-wide cameras. This makes it the most versatile of the bunch, but ultimately the best photos will come down to software tuning — stay tuned for our own testing.

As for the specs, you’re getting top-of-the-line performance no matter which phone you buy. Both the Snapdragon 888 and Apple Bionic A14 processors are best-in-class. Unlike in previous years, the Samsung Exynos 2100 shouldn’t be too far behind either based on initial impressions. The Galaxy models have more RAM, but due to iOS optimization, you won’t notice a difference.

Read also: Snapdragon 888 vs Exynos 2100 vs Kirin 9000 vs Apple A14

The main thing that separates each of these phones is the size. The iPhone 12 Mini is the smallest of the bunch, measuring just 5.4-inches. The standard iPhone 12 is also smaller than the smallest Galaxy S21 phone, at 6.1-inches vs 6.2-inches. The largest devices are 6.7-inches and 6.8-inches, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra barely edging out the iPhone 12 Pro Max as the largest option available.

However, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is the only one that’s a leg ahead when it comes to truly unique features. This year, it will have S Pen support for the first time — something previously exclusive to the Galaxy Note series.

Price

Samsung has stepped back from the exorbitant prices of last year’s Galaxy S20 lineup when it comes to pricing. Each of the new phones starts at $200 cheaper than their predecessors. This makes them attractive options for anyone looking for a flagship Android phone.

The Apple iPhone models are also relatively affordable, with the iPhone 12 Mini providing an inexpensive entryway into the iOS ecosystem. However, if you can, it’s worth bumping up to the iPhone 12 for the added screen real estate.

Related: The best Samsung Galaxy deals

The highest-end iPhone 12 Pro Max starts at $1,099, a bit less than the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Considering Samsung’s offering has more impressive camera optics (on paper) and S Pen support, it may warrant spending a bit more.

That said, you’ll have to buy the S Pen separately, which will run you about $30. It’s also worth noting that none of these phones come with chargers in the box. You’ll therefore have to shell out even more if you don’t have one handy.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12: Which should you buy?

Usually, it’s easy to declare a winner in at least a few categories, but it’s not so simple regarding the Galaxy S21 series vs the Apple iPhone 12 series. All of the phones in each lineup perform extremely well. You’re unlikely to be disappointed no matter which one you pick.

That said, for the very budget-conscious, the iPhone 12 Mini is a great option. It starts at $699, a full $100 less than the cheapest Galaxy S21 phone. It does, however, have huge bezels, a small screen, and somewhat limited battery life.

See also: Which Samsung Galaxy S21 phone is right for you?

Between the iPhone 12/12 Pro and the Galaxy S21/S21 Plus, the choice will likely come down to whether you want to use Android or iOS. Pricing is almost identical in the US, although the Galaxy S21 series is slightly cheaper in the rest of the world. Feature sets are also very similar. Nevertheless, the S21 series offers larger screens.

If you can afford the best flagship smartphones out there, the Galaxy S21 Ultra and iPhone 12 Pro Max are fantastic options. S Pen support is a nice touch on the S21 Ultra, but if what you’re looking for is everyday performance with great cameras, they’re both first-in-class. Granted, they’re also huge, so be prepared to use them two-handed.

Ultimately the biggest factor for many might be the operating system. Most people will want to stick with the ecosystem they’re used to, but in reality, there’s never been a better time to switch. Both Android and iOS are fully mature platforms at this point, and Samsung’s particular flavor of Android is among the best around.

Read also: How to switch from iPhone to Android

That’s it for our Samsung Galaxy S21 vs iPhone 12 comparison! Which one are you considering?