Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 12 Pro commands a $600 premium over Samsung's Galaxy A34 5G, and justifies much of it through superior processing power and camera system maturity.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 Pro commands a $600 premium over Samsung's Galaxy A34 5G, and justifies much of it through superior processing power and camera system maturity. The A14 Bionic chip significantly outperforms the Dimensity 1080 in real-world apps and gaming, while the Pro's camera trio with 2.5x telephoto and Dolby Vision 4K recording exceeds the A34's capabilities despite its higher megapixel count. However, Samsung delivers compelling value with a larger 6.6-inch 120Hz display versus the Pro's 60Hz panel, more generous 5000mAh battery capacity, and faster 25W charging. The A34 uses plastic construction and lacks wireless charging, while the iPhone combines stainless steel durability with MagSafe convenience. For professional photography, gaming, and ecosystem integration, the iPhone 12 Pro remains the stronger choice. For budget-conscious users prioritizing battery life, screen refresh rate, and raw display size, the Galaxy A34 5G provides excellent everyday performance at half the cost. Your decision hinges on whether you value flagship performance and camera sophistication over practical daily conveniences and savings.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 Pro if…
- →First iPhone with LiDAR scanner for AR and Night mode portraits
- →Introduced MagSafe magnetic accessory ecosystem
- →First 5nm chip (A14 Bionic) on any smartphone
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G if…
- →IP67 water resistance is rare in the mid-range segment
- →120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- →5000 mAh battery provides reliable all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12 Pro
Pros
- First iPhone with LiDAR scanner for AR and Night mode portraits
- Introduced MagSafe magnetic accessory ecosystem
- First 5nm chip (A14 Bionic) on any smartphone
- ProRAW format for professional photo editing
- Flat-edge design revival praised for aesthetics
Cons
- No 120Hz ProMotion display at Pro pricing
- Small 2815 mAh battery requires charging daily
- Charger removed from box controversially
- 2.5x telephoto falls short of Android competition
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
Pros
- IP67 water resistance is rare in the mid-range segment
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display is vibrant and smooth
- 5000 mAh battery provides reliable all-day endurance
- Four OS updates and five years of security patches
- OIS on the 48 MP main camera improves low-light shots
Cons
- Only 25W charging is slow for the 5000 mAh battery
- Dimensity 1080 is mid-range — not ideal for heavy gaming
- Plastic build feels less premium than glass alternatives
- No wireless charging
- 8 MP ultrawide camera produces soft images
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A34 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 189 g | 199 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Plastic frame and back, Gorilla Glass 5 front |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 48 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 2.5x | — |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Macro | — | 5 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz + 6x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | MediaTek Dimensity 1080 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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