Galaxy S20 FE vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, released in October 2020, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max, launched in November 2020, are both prominent smartphones from the same era. While the Galaxy S20 FE offers a feature-rich Android experience with a high refresh rate display, the iPhone 12 Pro Max provides Apple's iOS ecosystem with a focus on camera capabilities and extended software support. Both devices deliver strong performance and robust camera systems, but cater to different user preferences in terms of operating system and specific features.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and repairability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S20 FE was released in October 2020 and initially launched with Android 10, receiving major OS upgrades up to Android 13 (One UI 5.1). Its software update lifecycle officially concluded around October 2025, after approximately five years of security patches. In contrast, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, released in November 2020, launched with iOS 14.1 and is known for receiving extended iOS updates, typically for five to six years or more from its release, offering a longer period of current software features and security.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S20 FE is considered moderately repairable, with some components held by adhesive, and has received a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, while designed with internal components that can be serviced, received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Users prioritising the latest software features and security updates for the longest possible duration may find the iPhone 12 Pro Max to offer a slightly longer practical lifespan due to Apple's extended software support policy. For those comfortable with an older Android version, the Galaxy S20 FE remains functional beyond its official update period.

Both smartphones deliver capable performance for daily tasks and more demanding applications, though they achieve this through different hardware architectures.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S20 FE (5G variant) is equipped with a processor that handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, making it suitable for gaming and intensive use. The iPhone 12 Pro Max features a powerful chip that provides top-tier performance, ensuring a highly responsive user experience across applications and for graphically intensive tasks.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S20 FE typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and offers 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with the added flexibility of expandable storage via a microSD card. The iPhone 12 Pro Max includes 6GB of RAM and is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage, though it does not support expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S20 FE houses a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing good battery life that can last a full day with moderate usage, though the 120Hz display setting can impact this. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, with its 3687 mAh battery, is noted for its excellent battery endurance, often lasting well over a day, with some users reporting up to 48 hours with lighter use. Both support fast charging, with the Galaxy S20 FE supporting 25W (though often shipping with a 15W charger) and the iPhone 12 Pro Max supporting 20W.

The visual experience on both devices is a key aspect, with each offering distinct display technologies and features.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S20 FE features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 407 ppi. The iPhone 12 Pro Max boasts a larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering a higher resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels and a pixel density of about 458 ppi.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S20 FE provides a smooth visual experience with its 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations appear fluid. Its display is bright and vibrant. The iPhone 12 Pro Max features an HDR display with typical brightness of 800 nits and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content, offering excellent visibility and contrast. However, it operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Viewing Experience: Both displays offer vibrant colours and good clarity. The Galaxy S20 FE's flat screen design is preferred by some users. The iPhone 12 Pro Max's larger screen and higher pixel density contribute to an immersive viewing experience, particularly for media consumption.

Both smartphones are equipped with versatile camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S20 FE features a triple rear camera setup consisting of a 12MP main sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also has a triple 12MP camera system, including a wide lens with sensor-shift OIS, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens offering 2.5x optical zoom. It also incorporates a LiDAR scanner for improved autofocus and depth sensing.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S20 FE is praised for its good daylight photos with rich and vibrant colours, and decent low-light performance with its Night mode. The iPhone 12 Pro Max excels in low-light conditions and offers enhanced detail and dynamic range, with users often noting its consistent and high-quality output.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording 4K video at 60 frames per second. The iPhone 12 Pro Max further distinguishes itself with 4K HDR video recording with Dolby Vision. For selfies, the Galaxy S20 FE has a 32MP front camera, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a 12MP front camera with advanced facial recognition capabilities.