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Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

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Galaxy A52 5G

Starting at

£136.62£399.00 new
See options

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Starting at

£332.70£1,079.00 new
See options
(116 reviews)
(640 reviews)

What's the difference between the Galaxy A52 5G and iPhone 12 Pro Max?

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A52 5G starts at £136.62, £196.08 less than the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The Galaxy A52 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.

Refurbished from

£136.62£332.70

Chipset

Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Apple A14 Bionic

Battery

4500 mAh3687 mAh

Screen size

6.5 inch6.7 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED

Main camera

64 megapixels12 megapixels
  • Chipset: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the Galaxy A52 5G, Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max.
  • The Galaxy A52 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 3687 mAh.
  • The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger screen: 6.7 inch vs 6.5 inch.

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max specs

The Galaxy A52 5G and iPhone 12 Pro Max both offer 5G connectivity and unlocked use, but they suit different needs. The Galaxy A52 5G has a larger battery and a higher megapixel count for both front and main cameras, making it a good choice if you want longer battery life and detailed photos. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a bigger and higher resolution screen, more storage options, and runs on iOS, appealing to those who prioritise screen quality, storage flexibility, and Apple's ecosystem.

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max price

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max battery life and software updates

Durability matters for everyday use, with battery size, software updates, and device sturdiness playing key roles.

Battery Capacity

The Galaxy A52 5G comes with a 4500 mAh battery, which offers more capacity than the iPhone 12 Pro Max's 3687 mAh battery. This means the Galaxy A52 5G may last longer between charges, suiting users who need extended battery life for daily use.

Operating System

The Galaxy A52 5G runs on Android, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max uses iOS. Choosing between them depends on which operating system you prefer or are familiar with, as this affects app availability, interface, and device experience.

Battery

4500 mAh3687 mAh

Foldable

NoNo

Ip rating

N/AIP68

Software updates

Ended Mar 2025Supported, up to iOS 27

Wireless charging

N/AYes

Year of release

20212020

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max performance

Performance influences smoothness and responsiveness. Both devices offer 6 GB of RAM, which supports multitasking and everyday apps well.

Chipset Differences

The Galaxy A52 5G uses a Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max features the Apple A14 Bionic chipset. Each chipset is designed to work efficiently with its respective operating system, suiting different user preferences for Android or iOS performance.

Storage Options

The Galaxy A52 5G is available with 128GB of storage, which should be sufficient for many users. The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers more options, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, giving you more flexibility if you need extra space for apps, photos, or files.

Chipset

Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Apple A14 Bionic

RAM

6 GB6 GB

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max screen

Screen quality affects how you view content, with size, resolution, and screen type influencing your experience.

Screen Size and Resolution

The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a larger 6.7 inch screen with a resolution of 1284 x 2778, providing a more spacious and sharper display. The Galaxy A52 5G's 6.5 inch screen has a resolution of 1080 x 2400, which still offers clear visuals but with slightly less detail and screen space.

Screen Technology

The Galaxy A52 5G features a Super AMOLED screen, known for vibrant colours and good contrast. The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Super Retina XDR OLED screen, which is engineered for high brightness and detailed colour accuracy. Both screens are well suited for watching videos and browsing.

Refresh rate

120 HzN/A

Resolution

1080 x 24001284 x 2778

Screen size

6.5 inch6.7 inch

Screen type

Super AMOLEDSuper Retina XDR OLED

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max camera

Camera quality shapes your photos and video calls. Front and main camera megapixels show how much detail each phone can capture.

Front Camera Megapixels

The Galaxy A52 5G has a 32 megapixel front camera, which is higher than the iPhone 12 Pro Max's 12 megapixels. This makes the Galaxy A52 5G a good fit if you take many selfies or use video calls and want sharper detail.

Main Camera Megapixels

The Galaxy A52 5G's main camera has 64 megapixels, considerably more than the iPhone 12 Pro Max's 12 megapixels. This means the Galaxy A52 5G can capture photos with more detail, which suits photography enthusiasts or those who want high-resolution images.

Camera type

N/ATriple (3x)

Front camera

32 megapixels12 megapixels

Main camera

64 megapixels12 megapixels

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max size and design

Other features can affect everyday convenience, including connectivity, storage expandability, and device size.

Connectivity and Ports

The Galaxy A52 5G includes both a USB-C port and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, allowing easy use of wired headphones without adapters. The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses a Lightning connector, which is standard for Apple devices but requires compatible accessories.

Storage Flexibility

The Galaxy A52 5G supports microSDXC cards for expandable storage, so you can add more space if 128GB is not enough. The iPhone 12 Pro Max does not have a memory card slot, but offers larger built-in storage options up to 512GB.

SIM Card Options

The Galaxy A52 5G uses a physical SIM card. The iPhone 12 Pro Max supports both a physical SIM and an eSIM, providing more flexibility if you want to use two phone numbers or plans on one device.

Device Size and Weight

The Galaxy A52 5G measures 159.9 mm in height and weighs 189 g, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is taller at 160.8 mm and heavier at 226 g. The Galaxy A52 5G might be easier to hold for extended use, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a larger screen in a slightly bigger, heavier body.

Carrier compatibility

UnlockedUnlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mmLightning

Depth

8.4 mm7.4 mm

Height

159.9 mm160.8 mm

Mobile network

5G5G

Release date

N/A13 November 2020

SD card slot

microSDXCNo

SIM card

Physical SIMPhysical SIM + eSIM

Weight

189 g228 g

Width

75.1 mm78.1 mm

Galaxy A52 5G or iPhone 12 Pro Max: which should you buy?

Buy the Galaxy A52 5G if

  • you want to spend less: it starts at £136.62, £196.08 less than the iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • you want a bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 3687 mAh)
  • you want a higher-resolution main camera (64 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)

Buy the iPhone 12 Pro Max if

  • you want a bigger screen (6.7 inch vs 6.5 inch)
  • you want longer software support (supported, up to iOS 27 vs ended Mar 2025)

What our customers say

Customers who bought the Galaxy A52 5G mention a mix of experiences. Some found issues with battery life and camera warnings, or received the wrong model or colour. However, many others describe the phone as looking excellent, working perfectly, and having good battery life. Users new to technology found it manageable, and several praised the service and setup ease.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max receives mostly positive feedback for its condition and performance. Customers highlight the battery lasting all day, a screen that looks like new, and overall smooth operation. Some appreciate the colour and storage options. A few negative reviews mention receiving the wrong colour or problems with screen responsiveness and battery health, but the majority are highly satisfied and would buy again.

Both phones suit different users: the Galaxy A52 5G appeals to those wanting detailed cameras and longer battery capacity with Android, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max suits users seeking a larger, high-resolution screen, more storage choices, and iOS. Choosing depends on your preferences for operating system, camera, and device size.

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max FAQs

Galaxy A52 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the Galaxy A52 5G, Apple A14 Bionic on the iPhone 12 Pro Max. The Galaxy A52 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 3687 mAh.

The Galaxy A52 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £136.62 compared with £332.70 for the iPhone 12 Pro Max.

The Galaxy A52 5G has a bigger battery: 4500 mAh vs 3687 mAh.

The Galaxy A52 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 64 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.

Updates for the Galaxy A52 5G ended in Mar 2025. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.

Refurbished, the Galaxy A52 5G comes in 128GB, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.

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