Galaxy S21+ 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro

The expected lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its initial release date, software support, and physical resilience. Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and the iPhone 12 Pro were released within a few months of each other, meaning their software support timelines are somewhat comparable, though each operating system has its own update cadence.

• Software Longevity: The iPhone 12 Pro, running iOS, typically receives major software updates for approximately 5-6 years from its release. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, an Android device, generally receives 4-5 years of major OS updates and 5 years of security updates.
• Physical Durability: The iPhone 12 Pro features a Ceramic Shield front cover, which Apple states offers improved drop performance. Both devices carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating they can withstand submersion in up to 6 meters of water for up to 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, noting that key components like the display and battery are prioritized for replacement, though proprietary screws and waterproofing can complicate repairs. Information on the repairability score for the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is less readily available, but Samsung devices generally offer moderate repairability.

Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and the iPhone 12 Pro deliver strong performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and demanding applications, though their underlying architectures differ.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The iPhone 12 Pro provides a smooth and fluid user experience, handling app launches, transitions, and general navigation with efficiency. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G also offers a highly responsive experience, capable of managing multiple applications simultaneously without noticeable slowdowns.
• Demanding Applications and Gaming: Users of the iPhone 12 Pro can expect consistent performance in graphically intensive games and demanding creative applications. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is similarly well-equipped for high-performance tasks, delivering smooth gameplay and efficient processing for complex workloads.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is equipped with a larger 4800 mAh battery, which typically translates to extended usage times for many users. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2815 mAh battery, and while its optimized software helps conserve power, heavy users may find themselves needing to recharge more frequently.

The visual experience on both devices is vibrant and clear, but they offer different display technologies and characteristics that cater to varying preferences.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, providing sharp images and rich colors. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, known for its deep blacks and excellent contrast.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: A key difference is the refresh rate; the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which results in smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 12 Pro has a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
• Brightness Levels: Both displays offer high brightness levels, with the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G reaching up to 1300 nits peak brightness and the iPhone 12 Pro reaching up to 1200 nits peak brightness for HDR content, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions.

Both smartphones are capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, each with distinct features and strengths in their camera systems.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G boasts a versatile triple camera setup, including a 12MP wide-angle, a 64MP telephoto with 3x hybrid optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. It supports 8K video recording at 24 frames per second. The iPhone 12 Pro also features a triple 12MP camera system with wide, ultrawide, and telephoto lenses, offering 2x optical zoom. It includes a LiDAR scanner for improved low-light focusing and enhanced augmented reality experiences.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G excels in capturing detailed images, particularly with its 64MP telephoto lens, and offers features like Night Mode and Pro Mode for creative control. The iPhone 12 Pro is recognized for its consistent image quality, strong low-light performance with Night Mode, and advanced computational photography features like Deep Fusion.
• Video Recording and Audio: The iPhone 12 Pro supports HDR video recording with Dolby Vision up to 60 frames per second, providing excellent dynamic range and color accuracy. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G's 8K video capability allows for extremely high-resolution footage. Both devices offer quality microphone performance for recording and calls.

Beyond the core features, several other elements contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these devices.

• Connectivity and Ports: Both phones support 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds and Wi-Fi 6 for improved wireless networking. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, while the iPhone 12 Pro utilizes Apple's proprietary Lightning port. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
• Biometric Security: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The iPhone 12 Pro relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for biometric authentication.
• Design and Handling: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G has dimensions of 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm and weighs 202 grams, featuring a glass front and back with an aluminum frame. The iPhone 12 Pro is more compact at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm and weighs 189 grams, with a Ceramic Shield front, textured matte glass back, and a stainless steel frame.