Galaxy S22 5G Vs iPhone 12

Galaxy S22 5G
Galaxy S22 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£139.00

Versus £859.00 new

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iPhone 12
iPhone 12
Starting at

Refurbished price:£141.00

Versus £649.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone 12, launched in October 2020, are both compact smartphones that offer distinct user experiences. While the Galaxy S22 operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 12 runs on Apple's iOS, leading to fundamental differences in interface and ecosystem. Key differentiators between these two models include their display refresh rates, camera capabilities, and expected software support timelines.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of a smartphone, several factors come into play, including software support, physical durability, and the overall repairability of the device.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 12 was released in October 2020, making it approximately 16 months older than the Galaxy S22 5G, which launched in February 2022. This age difference can impact the remaining duration of official software updates.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagship devices, meaning the Galaxy S22 5G is expected to receive updates until around 2027. Apple generally offers 5-6 years of major iOS updates, with the iPhone 12 having received updates up to iOS 26.3.1(a) as of March 2026.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust builds. The iPhone 12 incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover and an aluminum frame, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, allowing submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S22 5G uses an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, also carrying an IP68 rating for submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Year of Release

2022

2020

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating applications to engaging in demanding activities like gaming or video editing.

  • System Responsiveness: The Galaxy S22 5G is equipped with a current-generation processor, enabling smooth handling of demanding applications and efficient multitasking. The iPhone 12 features a high-performance processor that delivers a responsive user experience for everyday use and gaming.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which supports fluid transitions between multiple open applications and robust background process management. The iPhone 12 includes 4GB of RAM, providing sufficient capacity for most users' multitasking needs within the iOS ecosystem.
  • Storage Options: The Galaxy S22 5G is available with internal storage options of 128GB and 256GB. The iPhone 12 offers more varied storage configurations, starting from 64GB, with options for 128GB and 256GB, catering to different user storage requirements.
  • Battery Behavior: Users of the Galaxy S22 5G often report that its battery life can be average, particularly with heavy usage and the adaptive high refresh rate display, sometimes necessitating a mid-day charge. The iPhone 12, while offering generally good battery performance for its release period, may require more frequent charging for heavy users compared to newer models.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

4 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and differences in technology, resolution, and brightness can significantly affect the viewing experience.

  • Display Technology and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 5G features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 12 also has a 6.1-inch display, utilizing a Super Retina XDR OLED panel with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, offering consistent visual performance.
  • Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 5G's display can reach a peak brightness of 1300 nits, enhancing visibility in bright outdoor conditions and improving HDR content viewing. The iPhone 12's display offers a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits, peaking at 1200 nits when displaying HDR content, providing clear visuals in various lighting environments.
  • Resolution and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S22 5G has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 425 pixels per inch (ppi). The iPhone 12 features a higher resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, yielding a pixel density of 460 ppi, which contributes to sharp text and detailed images. Both devices offer vibrant colors and deep blacks characteristic of OLED technology.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Camera systems are a significant consideration for many users, with both devices offering capable setups for capturing photos and videos.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 5G boasts a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, allowing for detailed distant shots. The iPhone 12 features a dual-camera system with two 12 MP lenses: a main wide-angle camera with OIS and an ultrawide camera, providing strong performance in various scenarios.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 5G is noted for its ability to capture vibrant photos with good dynamic range, and its telephoto lens is particularly effective for zooming. The iPhone 12 delivers consistent image quality with natural color reproduction and strong low-light performance from its main sensor.
  • Video Recording Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 5G supports video recording up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second (fps), and 4K at 30/60fps, offering high-resolution video capture. The iPhone 12 records video at up to 4K resolution at 24, 25, 30, or 60 fps, including HDR video with Dolby Vision.
  • Front Camera and Audio: Both devices feature capable front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls; the Galaxy S22 5G has a 10 MP sensor, while the iPhone 12 has a 12 MP sensor. Both phones provide clear microphone quality for calls and recordings, and offer stereo speaker output for media consumption.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience of a smartphone.

  • Connectivity Standards: Both the Galaxy S22 5G and the iPhone 12 support 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds. The Galaxy S22 5G includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, offering slightly newer wireless standards. The iPhone 12 also supports Wi-Fi 6 but uses Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Charging and Ports: The Galaxy S22 5G utilizes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 12 continues to use Apple's proprietary Lightning port. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security and Sensors: The Galaxy S22 5G features an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, alongside face recognition. The iPhone 12 relies primarily on Face ID for biometric authentication. Both devices include standard sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, and ambient light sensors.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 5G measures 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and weighs 167g, offering a compact and manageable form factor. The iPhone 12 is very similar in dimensions at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm and weighs 164g, also providing a comfortable in-hand feel.

Weight

168 g

164 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G and the iPhone 12 each present a compelling package, catering to different preferences and priorities. Users frequently praise the Galaxy S22 5G for its compact design, vibrant 120Hz display, and versatile camera system, particularly its telephoto capabilities. However, a common criticism revolves around its battery life, which some users find to be merely average, especially under heavy use. The iPhone 12, on the other hand, is often lauded for its consistent performance, robust build quality with Ceramic Shield, and the reliability of the iOS ecosystem. Some users note its 60Hz display refresh rate as a point of comparison to Android devices that offer higher rates.

Users prioritizing a smoother visual experience with a high refresh rate display and a more flexible camera system, including optical zoom, may find the Galaxy S22 5G well-suited to their needs. Its Android operating system also offers greater customization options. Conversely, individuals who value long-term software support, a highly integrated ecosystem, and consistent performance with strong durability features may lean toward the iPhone 12. Both devices represent solid choices within their respective ecosystems, and for those looking for an eco-friendly alternative, quality-assured refurbished options are available, providing a sustainable choice for acquiring either model.

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