A comparison of specs, key information, reviews, and best pricing from top retailers
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
Company ProductName Specs
Company ProductName Specs
What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is important to you, both phones have good cameras, but the iPhone 12 has a higher overall camera quality. For battery life, the Galaxy S10 is slightly behind the iPhone 12. On the other hand, if you need more storage, the Galaxy S10 offers twice the base storage capacity of the iPhone 12. Screen quality is comparable, with both having OLED displays, but the Galaxy S10 has a slightly higher pixels per inch count, which could mean a sharper image. The Galaxy S10 retains a headphone jack and expandable storage via an SD card, features the iPhone lacks, which could be significant if you prefer using wired headphones or need extra storage. However, the iPhone 12 supports 5G, which is not available on the Galaxy S10, offering faster internet speeds where available. If you're invested in the Apple ecosystem or prefer iOS, the iPhone 12 would naturally align with your existing devices and services. The Galaxy S10 runs Android and might be better if you are looking for a more customizable experience or a budget-friendly option. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple iPhone 12
- Good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S10
- The Samsung Galaxy S10 has no clear advantages over the Apple iPhone 12.
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
5.4
The Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 has poor overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12 delivers a good selfie experience along with better overall photography and versatility due to high-quality software, dynamic range, and low-light performance, whereas the Samsung Galaxy S10 falls behind in these areas with a lower selfie quality and less effective photo-taking capabilities in dynamic and low-light situations. While both phones have a similar screen size and high-quality displays, the Galaxy S10's camera system lacks the resolution, versatility, and advanced photographic software found in the iPhone 12.
Photo Quality
7.1
5.4
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 takes poor photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 is known for taking good selfies due to its superior software experience and good selfie quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 produces poorer selfies as it falls short in both software experience and selfie photo quality. Additionally, both phones have other photography strengths and weaknesses, but when focusing on selfie performance specifically, these factors are the most impactful.
Video Quality
7.2
5.5
The Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos, while the Samsung Galaxy S10 takes poor videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 produces high-quality videos due to its excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, low light performance, and software experience which all contribute to clearer, more stable, and vivid footage, especially in challenging conditions. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S10 is rated as having poor video stabilization and low light performance, a fair dynamic range, and below-average software experience, leading to lesser quality videos overall.
Battery
6.2 Hours
5.6 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S10 has 5.6 hours of battery life.
Cost
$600
$145
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S10 costs $145.
Let Us Help Find Your Perfect Phone
Find your new phone
Key similarities
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S10 is 6.1 inches.
Give feedback
We’re constantly working to improve.
How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S10 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S10 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $145 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | March 8, 2019 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3040 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 550 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD855 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 6 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 5.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 5.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 12 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 5.6 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 3400 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.78" x 2.81" | 5.9" x 2.77" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 5.54 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | No | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.0 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 | N/A | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Blue, Purple, Green, White, Black, Red | Prism Black, Prism White, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Flamingo Pink, Cardinal Red | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | Yes | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Pocket-lint
Stuart Miles | March 2022
"The iPhone 12 offers many of the important things that you want from the iPhone: a decent camera, 5G, great screen, fast processor. For the group of people who want a new iPhone without the price tag of the iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 13 range, this is a great choice. There's no settling for second best with this smartphone."
Samsung Galaxy S10
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Tom's Guide
Caitlin McGarry | October 2022
"The Galaxy S10 offers superfast performance and a beautiful display, with a less distracting camera cutout than on the larger, pricier S10 Plus. If all you're looking for is a well-rounded, well-crafted Android flagship that can do it all — including work with a pair of good old-fashioned wired headphones — for a price you can sleep easy at night spending, the Galaxy S10 remains an unbeatable proposition."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S10
About Apple
The tech giant called Apple is synonymous with the most popular smartphone in the world: the iPhone. Known for their build quality and aesthetics, as well as for their excellent integration between hardware and software, iPhones have defined the smartphone industry ever since their conception and they continue to do so by setting new industry standards. Apple's own operating system, called iOS, is known for its simplicity and ease of use, and the company tends to complement it well by creating devices with some of the most powerful processing hardware available in the mobile world. The iPhone is also known for its robust ecosystem of accessories, as it facilitates a very seamless experience when interacting with other Apple products, more so than most of its competitors.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Phone guides you might be interested in
More comparisons for you
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs. Apple iPhone 13 mini
VS
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs. Apple iPhone 14
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S10 vs. Samsung Galaxy S10e
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S10 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21
VS
Compare Samsung Galaxy S10 vs. Motorola Moto G Stylus (2022)
VS
FAQs
FAQs about phones
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
Featured in
