Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy M54 5G
The Quick Answer
Apple's iPhone 12 and Samsung's Galaxy M54 5G target different buyer profiles at vastly different price points.
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 and Samsung's Galaxy M54 5G target different buyer profiles at vastly different price points. The iPhone 12 commands $799 with its superior A14 Bionic processor, delivering measurably faster performance and tighter software integration through iOS 14. Its 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display offers 1200 nits peak brightness with 60Hz refresh, Ceramic Shield durability, and an IP68 rating for water resistance. Camera quality favors Apple, with excellent computational photography and Dolby Vision video recording at 4K 60fps, though the M54's 108MP main sensor captures more megapixels at f/1.8. The Galaxy M54 5G, at $399, delivers exceptional value with a larger 6.7-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED display, 8GB RAM standard, and a massive 6000mAh battery lasting two days easily. Samsung's Exynos 1380 handles daily tasks competently but falls behind in gaming and demanding apps. Notably, the M54 lacks wireless charging, water resistance, and MagSafe convenience. For someone needing longevity, premium build quality, and maximum daily usability, the iPhone 12 justifies its premium. Budget-conscious users wanting screen size and battery endurance should choose the Galaxy M54 5G.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M54 5G if…
- →Massive 6000 mAh battery provides exceptional multi-day endurance
- →120Hz Super AMOLED Plus display is vibrant and smooth
- →108 MP main camera captures detailed daylight photos
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
Samsung Galaxy M54 5G
Pros
- Massive 6000 mAh battery provides exceptional multi-day endurance
- 120Hz Super AMOLED Plus display is vibrant and smooth
- 108 MP main camera captures detailed daylight photos
- 5G connectivity for future-proof network access
- MicroSD expansion for additional storage
Cons
- Only 25W charging is slow for the 6000 mAh battery
- Exynos 1380 is a mid-range chip — struggles with heavy gaming
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- Plastic build feels cheap for the price
- 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro are filler cameras
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy M54 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 199 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 166.4 x 77.3 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 108 MP, f/1.8, PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Super AMOLED Plus |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1000 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz + 4x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Samsung Exynos 1380 |
| 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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