iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: Which Smartphone Should You Choose in 2024?
An In-Depth Comparison of Two Premium Devices to Help You Make the Right Decision in 2024
iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: As we step into 2024, the smartphone market continues to evolve, presenting consumers with a myriad of choices. Among the notable contenders from previous years, the iPhone 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra stand out as premium options. Despite their release dates, both smartphones still offer robust features and performance. This article will provide a detailed comparison of the iPhone 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses. We will also discuss whether it is wise to consider these models in the secondhand market or to explore newer alternatives.
Design and Build Quality
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro boasts a premium design with its stainless steel frame and Ceramic Shield front cover. The flat-edge design is both modern and ergonomic. Available in elegant colors like Graphite, Silver, Gold, and Pacific Blue, it exudes sophistication. The IP68 rating ensures durability against water and dust, making it a reliable choice for daily use.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a sleek and futuristic design with its Gorilla Glass Victus front and back and aluminum frame. The curved edges and matte finish enhance its aesthetic appeal. The S21 Ultra is also IP68 rated, ensuring resistance to water and dust. It comes in colors such as Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, and various exclusive finishes.
Display Quality
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro is equipped with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. It offers a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The HDR10 and Dolby Vision support enhances the viewing experience, making it ideal for multimedia consumption. The True Tone technology adjusts the display based on ambient lighting, providing a comfortable viewing experience.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels. It supports HDR10+ and has a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The display is bright and vibrant, offering an immersive viewing experience, especially for gaming and video playback.
Camera Capabilities
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro features a triple-camera system with 12MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. The LiDAR scanner enhances low-light photography and AR capabilities. Features like Night mode, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 3 ensure high-quality images in various lighting conditions. The 12MP front camera also supports Night mode and 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is equipped with a quad-camera setup: a 108MP wide sensor, 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and two telephoto lenses (10MP each) with 3x and 10x optical zoom. The camera system supports 100x Space Zoom and 8K video recording, delivering unparalleled versatility and detail. The 40MP front camera offers excellent selfie capabilities.
Performance
iPhone 12 Pro
Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, the iPhone 12 Pro delivers exceptional performance. The 5-nanometer architecture ensures efficiency and power, handling multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications with ease. The device runs on iOS 17, providing a seamless and intuitive user experience with regular updates for new features and security enhancements.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is powered by the Exynos 2100 (international) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (USA) processor, paired with up to 16GB of RAM. This combination ensures top-tier performance, capable of handling intensive tasks and gaming. The device runs on One UI 5 based on Android 13, offering a customizable and feature-rich user experience.
Battery Life
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro is equipped with a 2815mAh battery, offering reliable battery life for a full day of moderate usage. It supports 20W fast charging, MagSafe, and Qi wireless charging, providing flexible charging options.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a 5000mAh battery, ensuring extended battery life. It supports 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging, allowing users to charge other devices on the go.
5G Connectivity
Both the iPhone 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra support 5G connectivity, providing faster download and upload speeds, low latency, and improved overall performance. This makes them future-proof choices for users who rely on fast and reliable internet connectivity.
Storage Options
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage variants. While it does not support expandable storage, the internal options are sufficient for most users.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage variants as well. However, it lacks a microSD card slot, which may be a consideration for users who require expandable storage.
Audio Quality
Both devices offer excellent audio quality with stereo speakers. The iPhone 12 Pro supports Dolby Atmos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra supports Dolby Atmos and AKG tuning, providing an immersive audio experience. Neither device has a 3.5mm headphone jack, relying on Bluetooth and USB-C/Lightning connections for audio.
Security Features
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro uses Face ID for secure facial recognition, ensuring that personal data remains protected. Apple’s commitment to privacy and security in iOS further enhances the device’s security credentials.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers both facial recognition and an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, providing multiple biometric security options for users.
Environmental Impact
Both Apple and Samsung have made efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their devices. The iPhone 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra are made with recycled materials and feature environmentally friendly packaging, supporting sustainability efforts.
Should You Consider These Phones in the Secondhand Market?
iPhone 12 Pro
The iPhone 12 Pro remains a strong contender in 2024, offering excellent performance, a premium design, and robust camera capabilities. Considering its durability and continued software support from Apple, it is a good choice in the secondhand market. However, ensure that the device is in good condition and has no significant wear or damage.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also holds its own with top-tier performance, a versatile camera system, and a stunning display. It is a solid choice in the secondhand market, especially for users who prioritize camera quality and display excellence. Again, it is crucial to verify the condition of the device before purchase.
Conclusion
Both the iPhone 12 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra remain excellent choices in 2024, offering robust features and performance. Your decision should be based on your preferences for design, operating system, camera capabilities, and ecosystem. If you are considering purchasing a secondhand device, both models provide great value, but ensure the device’s condition and functionality. Alternatively, you may explore newer models if you seek the latest features and technology advancements.
Key Features Comparison: iPhone 12 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
| Feature | iPhone 12 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Design and Build Quality | Stainless steel frame, Ceramic Shield front cover, IP68 water and dust resistance. | Gorilla Glass Victus front and back, aluminum frame, IP68 water and dust resistance. |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 1170 pixels, HDR10, Dolby Vision, True Tone technology. | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3200 x 1440 pixels, HDR10+, 120Hz refresh rate. |
| Rear Camera | Triple-camera system: 12MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 12MP telephoto, LiDAR scanner, Night mode, Deep Fusion. | Quad-camera system: 108MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, two 10MP telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom), 100x Space Zoom. |
| Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth camera, Night mode, 4K Dolby Vision HDR recording. | 40MP front camera, 4K video recording. |
| Performance | A14 Bionic chip, iOS 17. | Exynos 2100 (international) or Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (USA), up to 16GB RAM, One UI 5 (Android 13). |
| Battery Life | 2815mAh battery, 20W fast charging, MagSafe and Qi wireless charging. | 5000mAh battery, 25W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging. |
| Connectivity | 5G support. | 5G support. |
| Storage Options | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB. | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB. |
| Audio Quality | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support. | Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos support, AKG tuning. |
| Security Features | Face ID with TrueDepth camera system. | Facial recognition, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. |
| Environmental Impact | Made with recycled materials, environmentally friendly packaging. | Made with recycled materials, environmentally friendly packaging. |
Image Source: google.com
