Galaxy A54 vs iPhone 12 Pro

The Samsung Galaxy A54, released in March 2023, and the iPhone 12 Pro, launched in October 2020, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy A54 operates on Android and targets a broad user base with its balanced features, the iPhone 12 Pro runs on iOS and was positioned as a premium device at its release. Key differentiators include their operating systems, display refresh rates, and camera system philosophies.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan and ongoing support.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy A54, being a newer device, benefits from Samsung's commitment to four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates from its release, potentially extending its software relevance until 2028. The iPhone 12 Pro, while older, typically receives iOS updates for five to six years from its launch, meaning it has already received several major updates and may continue to receive security patches for a longer period. [1, 2, 14]
• Build Materials and Durability: The iPhone 12 Pro features a Ceramic Shield front cover, a glass back, and a stainless steel frame, contributing to its robust feel and IP68 water and dust resistance rating. [1, 10] The Galaxy A54 uses Gorilla Glass 5 on both the front and back, with a plastic frame, and carries an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance. [2, 4, 22]
• Repairability: The Galaxy A54 has received repairability scores around 8.4 out of 10 by French environmental legislation standards and 6.25/10 by RepairabilityScore.in, indicating a reasonably repairable design. [12, 16, 17, 26] The iPhone 12 Pro received an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, with display and battery replacements being prioritised in its design, though proprietary screws and increased waterproofing can complicate some repairs. [15, 21, 36, 38, 40]

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, app usage, and overall responsiveness, with both devices offering different strengths.

• Processing Power and Responsiveness: The iPhone 12 Pro is powered by a chip that, at its release, offered high-end performance, enabling smooth operation for demanding applications and multitasking. [1, 7, 8] The Galaxy A54 features a current-generation processor designed for efficient handling of everyday tasks, browsing, and casual gaming. While it generally performs well, some users have noted occasional jitters during continuous heavy use or extended camera sessions. [2, 27, 31, 39, 42]
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy A54 is equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, often providing up to 1.5 days of typical usage or a full day under heavy use. [2, 27, 32, 34, 42] The iPhone 12 Pro has a smaller battery capacity, offering up to 17 hours of video playback, but heavy users might find it requires more frequent charging throughout the day. [3, 8, 40]
• Storage and Multitasking: The iPhone 12 Pro offers storage options up to 512GB and 6GB of RAM, supporting efficient multitasking. [1, 7, 8] The Galaxy A54 comes with up to 256GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSD card, and is available with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, providing flexibility for users who need more space for media and documents. [2, 4]

The visual experience is a primary interaction point, and both devices offer vibrant displays with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 12 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its deep blacks, high contrast, and a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels, resulting in sharp visuals. [1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13] The Galaxy A54 sports a slightly larger 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels, offering vibrant colors and good clarity for media consumption. [2, 6, 11, 28]
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The iPhone 12 Pro can reach a typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak of 1200 nits for HDR content, ensuring good visibility even in bright conditions. [1, 3, 5, 9] The Galaxy A54 also offers strong outdoor visibility with a peak brightness of 1000 nits. [2, 11, 28, 31]
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A notable difference is the refresh rate; the Galaxy A54 provides a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. [2, 11, 20, 28, 31] The iPhone 12 Pro has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. [5]

Photography and videography capabilities are often a deciding factor, and these phones approach imaging with different strengths.

• Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 12 Pro features a versatile triple 12MP camera system, including a main, ultrawide, and a 2.5x optical telephoto lens, complemented by a LiDAR scanner for improved autofocus and depth sensing. [1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 13] The Galaxy A54 offers a triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide, and a 5MP macro lens, providing detailed shots in good lighting. [2, 6, 22, 29, 34, 35, 39, 41]
• Low-Light Performance and Video: The iPhone 12 Pro excels in low-light conditions with Night Mode available across all its cameras and supports Dolby Vision HDR video recording at up to 60fps. [1, 3, 8, 9] The Galaxy A54's main camera performs well in decent low light, though very dark scenes may show some noise. It records 4K video at 30fps from both front and rear cameras, with stabilisation being most effective at 1080p. [2, 22, 29, 31, 34, 39, 41]
• Front Camera and Audio: Both devices feature capable front-facing cameras; the Galaxy A54 has a 32MP sensor, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a 12MP TrueDepth camera with advanced features like Face ID. [3, 22, 34] Both phones include stereo speakers, with the Galaxy A54 offering improved bass and volume. [2, 31, 34]