Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy A36
iPhone 12 Pro commands a $700 premium with its flagship A14 Bionic processor, superior computational photography via Dolby Vision 4K recording, and tighter software integration via iOS 14. Display quality favors Apple with Super Retina XDR OLED offering precise color accuracy at 800 nits, though Galaxy A36's 120Hz Super AMOLED screen with 1800 nits brightness delivers smoother scrolling and outdoor visibility. Camera systems diverge significantly: iPhone's 2.5x telephoto and advanced image processing compete against Galaxy's higher megapixel count (50MP main) and optical image stabilization, with trade-offs between computational accuracy and hardware capability. Battery capacity heavily favors Galaxy A36's 5000 mAh versus 2815 mAh, providing substantially longer endurance despite slower charging speeds. Build quality tips toward iPhone with stainless steel construction and IP68 rating versus plastic frame with IP67. Galaxy A36 represents exceptional value with flagship features at budget pricing, while iPhone 12 Pro justifies premium positioning through ecosystem integration and processing power. Choose Galaxy A36 for battery longevity and display refresh rate; select iPhone 12 Pro for computational power and camera sophistication.
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy A36 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 189 g | 195 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP67 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 162.1 x 77.0 x 8.1 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 13 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 4K@30fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 2.5x | 5 MP, f/2.4, macro |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2, 123-degree |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 6 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 | — |
| 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 | 1800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 710 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
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 A36
Pros
- Six generations of OS updates for under $300
- IP67 water resistance is outstanding at this price point
- 120Hz Super AMOLED display looks premium
- 5G connectivity and NFC at budget pricing
- Reliable 50MP main camera with OIS for steady shots
Cons
- Slow 25W charging feels dated in 2025
- Only 6 GB RAM on the base model
- Ultrawide camera is mediocre at 8MP
- Plastic build doesn't feel as solid as glass-backed rivals
Related Comparisons
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