Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
The Verdict
Both phones deliver flagship features at reasonable prices, but they prioritize different strengths. The iPhone 12 excels with its A14 Bionic chipset, which outperforms the Snapdragon 888 in sustained performance, plus a brighter 1200-nit Super Retina XDR display with perfect color accuracy. Its Ceramic Shield front and aluminum frame feel premium, though the phone weighs just 164g. However, it's hamstrung by a tiny 2815 mAh battery that rarely lasts a full day, 60Hz refresh rate, and only 4GB RAM. The Galaxy S21 FE counters with a genuinely larger 6.4-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display, much bigger 4500 mAh battery providing 1.5 days of use, and more practical 6GB RAM. Its 32MP front camera beats the iPhone's 12MP, and the triple camera setup including a 3x telephoto offers more versatility. The plastic back feels cheaper, but USB-C charges faster at 25W. At $699.99 versus $799, the Galaxy S21 FE offers better everyday practicality and longevity, making it the stronger all-rounder for most users despite the iPhone's processing advantage.
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 S21 FE if…
- →Flagship Snapdragon 888 chip at a lower price
- →Excellent 32 MP selfie camera
- →Lightweight polycarbonate body at just 177 g
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 S21 FE
Pros
- Flagship Snapdragon 888 chip at a lower price
- Excellent 32 MP selfie camera
- Lightweight polycarbonate body at just 177 g
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Wireless charging included
Cons
- Only 6 GB RAM in the base model
- Snapdragon 888 runs warmer than newer chips
- Slow 25W wired charging
- Main camera sensor is just 12 MP despite the price
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 12, One UI 4 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 177 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Polycarbonate |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 32 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP 3x optical |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 |
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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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