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Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ involves considering their key differences. If camera quality is a top priority, the Galaxy S23+ offers a better camera experience for both photos and videos. For those who prefer longer battery life, the S23+ also has a notable advantage. Additionally, it has a larger screen, which may be beneficial for media consumption but can make the device more cumbersome to hold. Meanwhile, the iPhone 12, while older, is equipped with a processor still competent for everyday tasks and integrates seamlessly with other Apple products. Regarding the operating systems, the iPhone 12 runs on iOS, which is known for its privacy features and streamlined app ecosystem, whereas the S23+ runs on Android, offering more customization options and compatibility with a broader range of devices and services. Consider your preferences in ecosystem, camera performance, battery life, and device size when making your decision. 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
- The Apple iPhone 12 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23+
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has very good overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ boasts excellent cameras, as it has a higher selfie quality, more advanced photo software experience, and better camera versatility than the Apple iPhone 12, which still has good selfie capabilities and decent camera features. While both offer good dynamic range and low light performance, the Galaxy S23+'s overall photographic strengths are particularly significant for users valuing high camera versatility and software sophistication.
Photo Quality
7.1
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes very good photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes excellent photos largely due to its superior photos software experience, higher dynamic range, and better low light performance. In contrast, while the Apple iPhone 12 does take good photos, its camera is less versatile and the selfie quality, though good, is outperformed by the enhanced selfie capabilities of the S23+.
Video Quality
7.2
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ and Apple iPhone 12 both have good videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes excellent videos partly because it has a better microphone quality and the video software experience is rated higher than the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12, while still producing good videos, lags slightly behind the Galaxy S23+ in these areas, and also has a lower video resolution/framerate evaluation.
Battery
6.2 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$600
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ costs $1,000.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $1,000 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 390 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 4700 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" | 6.21" x 3" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 6.91 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6 | 6e | |
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 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 285 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Lime, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
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 S23+
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Axel Metz | March 2023
"Despite not boasting the same camera credentials as its pricier sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will remain a top-tier handset for several years thanks to its industry-leading processor and magnificent display. It may prove an attractive proposition for Galaxy newcomers in the market for a big-screen all-rounder."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S23+
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.
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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
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Phones evaluated
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Recommendations made
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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.
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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.
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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.
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