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Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12

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Galaxy A21s

Starting at

£60.24£219.00 new
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iPhone 12

Starting at

£170.00£649.00 new
See options
(171 reviews)
(464 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy A21s and iPhone 12?

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy A21s starts at £60.24, £109.76 less than the iPhone 12.

Refurbished from

£60.24£170

Chipset

Exynos 850Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)

RAM

3 GB4 GB

Battery

5000 mAh2815 mAh

Screen size

6.5 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

PLS LCDSuper Retina XDR OLED
  • Chipset: Exynos 850 on the Galaxy A21s, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12.
  • The iPhone 12 has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.
  • The Galaxy A21s has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 specs

The Galaxy A21s and iPhone 12 both launched in 2020 but cater to different needs. The Galaxy A21s offers a larger screen and higher megapixel cameras, with a bigger battery that suits longer use without charging. It runs Android and supports expandable storage with a microSDXC card. Storage options and camera setups differ too, with the iPhone providing more storage variants and dual SIM capability. Choose the Galaxy A21s if you want a bigger display and longer battery life for everyday tasks. Choose the iPhone 12 if you want sharper visuals, faster performance, and 5G support.

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 price

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 battery life and software updates

Durability covers battery size, software updates, and operating systems. These aspects affect how long the phone lasts on a charge and how current its software remains.

Battery Capacity

The Galaxy A21s has a 5000 mAh battery, which is notably larger than the iPhone 12's 2815 mAh. This means the Galaxy A21s can support longer usage between charges, making it suitable if you need more battery life through the day. The iPhone 12's smaller battery may require more frequent charging but is balanced with its different hardware and software.

Operating System

The Galaxy A21s runs Android, offering a more customisable experience and access to a wide variety of apps from the Google Play Store. The iPhone 12 runs iOS, known for its smooth integration with Apple services and apps. Your choice here depends on which operating system you prefer or are already familiar with.

Battery

5000 mAh2815 mAh

Fast charging

15 WN/A

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

N/AIP68

Software updates

EndedSupported, up to iOS 27

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20202020

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 performance

Performance relates to the chipset, RAM, and storage options you can choose from. These influence speed, multitasking ability, and how much data you can keep on the device.

Processor Power

The iPhone 12 uses the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built on a 5 nm process, which is designed for efficient and powerful performance. The Galaxy A21s uses the Exynos 850 chipset, suitable for everyday use but with simpler processing capabilities. Users who run demanding apps or multitask heavily may find the iPhone 12 better suited to their needs.

Memory and Storage

The iPhone 12 comes with 4 GB of RAM and storage options of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB, offering more flexibility and space for apps, photos, and files. The Galaxy A21s has 3 GB of RAM and storage options of 32GB or 64GB. However, it supports microSDXC cards for expandable storage, allowing you to add more space if needed. This suits users who prefer physical storage expansion.

Chipset

Exynos 850Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)

RAM

3 GB4 GB

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 screen

Screen quality affects how you view content, from sharpness and colour to how much space you have on the display. The Galaxy A21s and iPhone 12 differ in size, resolution, and screen type.

Screen Size and Resolution

The Galaxy A21s has a larger 6.5 inch screen with a resolution of 720 x 1600, providing more display space which is helpful for video and browsing. The iPhone 12 has a smaller 6.1 inch screen but with a higher resolution of 1170 x 2532, delivering sharper images and text, which benefits users who prioritise detail.

Screen Technology

The Galaxy A21s uses a PLS LCD screen, which offers good colour and brightness for everyday viewing. The iPhone 12 features a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vibrant colours. This makes the iPhone 12 appealing if you want richer visuals and stronger contrast.

Refresh rate

N/A60 Hz

Resolution

720 x 16001170 x 2532

Screen size

6.5 inch6.1 inch

Screen type

PLS LCDSuper Retina XDR OLED

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 camera

Audiovisual features include camera resolution for photos and selfies. These specs influence how much detail your pictures capture.

Front Camera

The Galaxy A21s has a 13 megapixel front camera, slightly higher in resolution than the iPhone 12's 12 megapixels. This can appeal to users who take many selfies or video calls and want good detail.

Main Camera

The Galaxy A21s features a 48 megapixel main camera, which captures more detail in photos compared to the iPhone 12's 12 megapixels. This could benefit users who prioritise high-resolution photography on their phone.

Camera type

N/ADouble (2x)

Front camera

13 megapixels12 megapixels

Main camera

48 megapixels12 megapixels

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 size and design

Miscellaneous specs include network support, size, weight, and other features that affect daily handling and connectivity.

Network Connectivity

The iPhone 12 supports 5G networks, which allows for faster mobile data speeds where 5G is available. The Galaxy A21s supports 4G, which still offers reliable internet access but at lower maximum speeds. Choose the iPhone 12 if you want the latest network technology.

Storage Expansion

The Galaxy A21s has a microSDXC slot for adding extra storage, giving flexibility if you need more space for media or apps. The iPhone 12 does not have a microSDXC slot, so storage capacity is fixed at purchase.

SIM Card Options

The Galaxy A21s uses a physical SIM card only, while the iPhone 12 supports a physical SIM plus eSIM, allowing you to use two phone numbers or carriers simultaneously. This suits users who travel or want separate work and personal numbers.

Size and Weight

The Galaxy A21s measures 163.7 mm in height, 75.3 mm in width, and 8.9 mm in depth, weighing 192 g. The iPhone 12 is slightly smaller at 146.7 mm height, 71.5 mm width, and 7.4 mm depth, and lighter at 164 g. The Galaxy A21s suits users who prefer a larger device, while the iPhone 12 is more compact and lighter.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

N/ALightning

Depth

8.9 mm7.4 mm

Height

163.7 mm146.7 mm

Mobile network

4G5G

Release date

19 June 2020N/A

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

192 g162 g

Width

75.3 mm71.5 mm

Galaxy A21s or iPhone 12: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy A21s if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £60.24, £109.76 less than the iPhone 12
  • you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
  • you want a bigger screen (6.5 inch vs 6.1 inch)

Buy the iPhone 12 if

  • you want more RAM (4 GB vs 3 GB)
  • you want an OLED screen
  • you want longer software support (supported, up to iOS 27 vs ended)

What our customers say

Customers who purchased the Galaxy A21s often praise its condition and performance for everyday use. Many mention the phone looks like new and works well for basic tasks, appreciating its large screen and battery life. Some have experienced minor issues initially but found the phone reliable after setup. Buyers often choose it for family members or as a dependable daily phone with expandable storage.

iPhone 12 customers highlight the phone's excellent condition and premium feel. They appreciate the smooth performance of the A14 Bionic chip and the high-quality screen. Many users mention the battery feels like new and the device handles multitasking and apps with ease. The iPhone 12 is chosen for its fast performance, 5G connectivity, and the latest iOS support, making it suitable for users wanting a powerful and up-to-date phone.

The Galaxy A21s suits those who want a larger screen, longer battery life, and expandable storage for everyday tasks. The iPhone 12 fits users who value sharper display quality, faster performance, and advanced connectivity like 5G.

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 FAQs

Galaxy A21s vs iPhone 12 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 850 on the Galaxy A21s, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 has more RAM: 4 GB vs 3 GB.

The Galaxy A21s is cheaper refurbished, from £60.24 compared with £170 for the iPhone 12.

The Galaxy A21s has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.

The Galaxy A21s has a higher-resolution main camera: 48 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.

The Galaxy A21s no longer gets updates. The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27.

Refurbished, the Galaxy A21s comes in 32GB and 64GB, and the iPhone 12 in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.

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