Apple iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S25
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S25 delivers superior overall value and modern capabilities at $200 less than the iPhone 12 Pro. Its 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 2600 nits vastly outperforms the iPhone's 60Hz Super Retina XDR, while the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset edges Apple's aging A14 Bionic in raw performance. Camera comparison favors Samsung's 50MP main sensor with OIS and 8K video recording versus Apple's 12MP setup, though iPhone's computational photography remains competitive. Battery capacity heavily favors Samsung (4000 mAh vs 2815 mAh), supported by faster 25W charging. Galaxy S25 includes USB-C 3.2, Wi-Fi 7, and newer Bluetooth 5.4, while iPhone remains on Lightning with Wi-Fi 6. Both share IP68 rating and premium builds, but Samsung's lighter weight (162g vs 189g) adds practical appeal. For most users, Galaxy S25 offers substantially better specs, faster display refresh, larger battery, and lower pricing, making it the clear choice unless you're committed to iOS.
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 S25 if…
- →Compact and pocketable flagship
- →Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- →12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
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 S25
Pros
- Compact and pocketable flagship
- Same Snapdragon 8 Elite as the Ultra model
- 12 GB RAM upgraded from prior generation
- Excellent 120Hz AMOLED display
- Long 7-year software support promise
Cons
- Small 4000 mAh battery limits endurance
- Slow 25W charging
- 1080p resolution instead of QHD
- No major camera hardware upgrades
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S25 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 15, One UI 7 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 189 g | 162 g |
| Material | Stainless steel frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 12 MP 2.5x | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W Qi2 |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X LTPO |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 800 | 2600 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x4.47 GHz + 6x3.53 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 830 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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