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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024·
The iPhone 12 offers good camera quality, satisfactory battery life, and is significantly less expensive, making it a great choice for those on a tighter budget. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra features an excellent camera with more advanced capabilities, significantly longer battery life, and a bigger screen, but these come at a premium price. If you prioritize top-of-the-line photography and battery performance and don't mind the higher cost, the Galaxy S24 Ultra may be the better option. However, for everyday use at a more affordable price, the iPhone 12 should suffice. Both phones have different operating systems, with the iPhone using iOS and the Galaxy S24 Ultra using Android. 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 S24 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.3
9.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Apple iPhone 12 has good overall camera quality.
The Apple iPhone 12's selfie camera is rated as good, but it falls behind the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra which has a very good selfie camera. Additionally, while both devices excel in broader camera capabilities like dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility, the Galaxy S24 Ultra edges out with higher ratings in these areas, making it a superior option for photography enthusiasts.
Photo Quality
7.1
9.7
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good photos.
The Apple iPhone 12 is recognized for taking good selfies, above the adequate performance of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Beyond just selfies, aspects such as resolution, software, dynamic range, and low-light performance also tend to be superior on the iPhone 12 when compared to the S24 Ultra, contributing to its overall better camera output.
Video Quality
7.2
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Apple iPhone 12 takes good videos.
The Apple iPhone 12 delivers higher-rated video stabilization and low light performance compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which contributes to better overall video quality, especially in challenging conditions. Additionally, the iPhone 12 is rated better for video software experience, which encompasses user interface and features, enhancing the video recording process.
Battery
6.2 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Apple iPhone 12 has 6.2 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Apple iPhone 12 has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$600
$1,300
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Apple iPhone 12 has a price of $600 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1,300.
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How the Apple iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$600 | $1,300 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | iOS | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 23, 2020 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 505 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | A14 | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 64 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 4 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.4/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.1/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.2 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.39" x 3.11" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 5.78 oz | 8.18 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 | 7 | |
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, 276 | |
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 | Titanium Blue, Titanium Orange, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | N/A | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Apple iPhone 12
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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."
Get a great deal on the Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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
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.
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