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iQOO 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21+

Updated Apr 2026phones
iQOO 12
iQOO
iQOO 12
$529
8.4/10
Winner
VS
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S21+
$999
7.2/10

The Verdict

iQOO 12 delivers exceptional value at nearly half the price of the Galaxy S21+, featuring a superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, higher refresh rate 144Hz display with 3000 nits brightness, and a larger 5000 mAh battery with 120W fast charging. Camera capabilities are comparable, though the iQOO's 50MP main sensor with OIS and 8K video recording match flagship standards. Samsung's Galaxy S21+ offers IP68 water resistance, wireless charging, and more mature One UI software with longer update commitment, but its Snapdragon 888 and 4800 mAh battery feel dated. Performance and display quality heavily favor iQOO, while Samsung maintains advantages in durability and ecosystem integration. For most users prioritizing raw performance and display excellence at a budget-friendly price, iQOO 12 is the smarter choice. Samsung appeals primarily to those valuing water resistance and wireless features.

ValueiQOO 12
CameraiQOO 12
BatteryiQOO 12
DisplayiQOO 12
PerformanceiQOO 12

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…

  • Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
  • 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Gorilla Glass Victus durability

Category Scores

iQOO 12
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Value
9.1
6.5
Camera
8.5
8.2
Battery
8.8
7.0
Display
9.2
8.0
Performance
9.0
7.5

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

  • Large 4800 mAh battery with great endurance
  • 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Gorilla Glass Victus durability
  • Good triple camera system
  • Flat display is easier to use with screen protectors

Cons

  • FHD+ only, no QHD option
  • Plastic back on some regions (Glasstic)
  • Slow 25W charging
  • No microSD card slot (removed in S21 series)
  • No charger in the box

Full Specifications

SpeciQOO 12Samsung Galaxy S21+
SoftwareAndroid 14 (Funtouch OS 14 / OriginOS 4)Android 11, One UI 3.1
Body
Weight202 g200 g
MaterialAluminum frame, glass backAluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus
IP ratingNoneIP68
Dimensions162.7 x 75.8 x 8.1 mm161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm
Camera
Main camera50 MP, f/1.88, OIS, Sony IMX92012 MP, f/1.8, OIS
Front camera16 MP, f/2.4510 MP, f/2.2
Video8K@24fps, 4K@120fps8K@24fps, 4K@60fps
Telephoto64 MP, f/2.57, 3x optical zoom, OIS64 MP, f/2.0, 3x hybrid zoom
Ultrawide13 MP, f/2.212 MP, f/2.2
Memory
RAM12 GB / 16 GB8 GB
Storage options256 GB, 512 GB128 GB, 256 GB
Battery
Capacity5000 mAh4800 mAh
Charging120W FlashCharge25W wired
Wireless chargingNo15W wireless
Display
Size6.78 inches6.7 inches
TypeLTPO AMOLEDDynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution2800 x 12602400 x 1080
Refresh rate144Hz120Hz
Brightness (nits)30001300
Processor
CPUOcta-core (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz)
GPUAdreno 750Adreno 660
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Connectivity
5G
NFC
USBUSB-C 2.0USB-C 3.2
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6
Bluetooth5.35.0

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.

Explore more in phones, see all iQOO products or all Samsung products. View full details for the iQOO 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S21+.