iQOO 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21
The Verdict
iQOO 12 delivers superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 144Hz LTPO AMOLED display at 3000 nits, and 120W fast charging on a 5000 mAh battery, making it exceptional for gaming and multimedia. Galaxy S21 lags with older Snapdragon 888, smaller 4000 mAh battery with merely 25W charging, and dimmer 1300-nit display. Camera-wise, iQOO 12 features a higher-resolution 50MP main sensor with advanced OIS and stronger video capabilities at 4K 120fps versus S21's 4K 60fps. S21 holds advantages in build refinement with IP68 rating, wireless charging, and proven Samsung software. However, iQOO 12's newer architecture, substantially better display tech, superior battery endurance, and aggressive pricing at $529 versus $799 create compelling value. Recommend iQOO 12 for users prioritizing performance, battery life, and cutting-edge specs.
Who Should Buy
Buy the iQOO 12 if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- →144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- →120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 if…
- →$200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- →Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- →120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
iQOO 12
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers top-tier gaming and productivity performance
- 144Hz LTPO AMOLED with 3000-nit brightness is a display powerhouse
- 120W fast charging fills the 5000 mAh battery in around 25 minutes
- 64 MP 3x telephoto periscope zoom is excellent for the price
- Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 for future-proof connectivity
Cons
- No IP rating for water or dust resistance
- No wireless charging despite flagship-level pricing
- Limited global availability and after-sales network
- 13 MP ultrawide is a weak point in the camera system
- OriginOS/Funtouch is heavily skinned
Samsung Galaxy S21
Pros
- $200 price cut from S20 launched at $799
- Lightweight and compact at 169 g
- 120Hz AMOLED with adaptive refresh
- Snapdragon 888 performance
- Eye-catching Contour Cut camera design
Cons
- Plastic (Glasstic) back panel
- FHD+ only, no QHD option
- No microSD card slot
- Slow 25W charging
- No charger included in the box
Full Specifications
| Spec | iQOO 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4) | Android 11, One UI 3.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 202 g | 169 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, glass back | Aluminum frame, Glasstic back |
| IP rating | None | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm | 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX920 | 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.45 | 10 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS | 64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB / 16 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4000 mAh |
| Charging | 120W FlashCharge | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W wireless |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.78 inches | 6.2 inches |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2800 x 1260 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 144Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 3000 | 1300 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 750 | Adreno 660 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.0 |
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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