Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12
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Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
Starting at
£233.80£1,220.00 new
iPhone 12
Starting at
£170.00£649.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and iPhone 12?
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the iPhone 12 starts at £170, £63.80 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G.
Refurbished from
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
- The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch.
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 specs
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G and iPhone 12, both released in 2020, cater to different user needs through their distinct features. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G suits those who want a large, high-resolution screen with a fast 120 Hz refresh rate, more RAM, and a very high megapixel camera setup. It also has a bigger battery and expandable storage via microSDXC. It is lighter and uses the Lightning connector. Both support 5G and come unlocked, so your choice depends on whether you prioritise screen size, camera detail, battery capacity, or software updates.
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 price
Colour
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 battery life and software updates
Durability covers battery size, software updates, and operating system. These aspects affect how long your phone lasts each day and how well it stays current over time.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a 5000 mAh battery, making it well suited for heavy users who need longer usage between charges. The iPhone 12 has a 2815 mAh battery, which suits everyday use and those who prefer a lighter device.
Operating System
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G runs on Android, a flexible system with wide app compatibility and customisation. The iPhone 12 uses iOS, known for its smooth integration with Apple services and apps, appealing to users invested in the Apple ecosystem.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 screen
Screen quality influences how you see content, from movies to scrolling through apps. Size, resolution, refresh rate, and panel type all shape your viewing experience.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G offers a large 6.9 inch screen with a high resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, ideal for watching videos or browsing with plenty of space. The iPhone 12 has a smaller 6.1 inch screen at 1170 x 2532 pixels, for users who prefer a more compact device that still delivers sharp images.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G features a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling look smoother, which benefits gamers or anyone who values fluid visuals. The iPhone 12 has a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable for everyday use and those who prioritise battery life.
Screen Type
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G uses Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, known for vibrant colours and deep blacks on a large display. The iPhone 12 uses Super Retina XDR OLED, offering excellent colour accuracy and brightness on a smaller screen, making it well suited for detailed image viewing.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera capabilities, important if you enjoy photography or video calls. These specs show how detailed your photos and selfies can be.
Camera Setup
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a quadruple main camera system, offering more versatility for different shooting situations. The iPhone 12 has a double main camera, which covers most everyday photography needs simply and effectively.
Main Camera Megapixels
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G's main camera offers 108 megapixels, allowing for highly detailed photos that can be cropped without losing quality. The iPhone 12's main camera is 12 megapixels, suitable for clear, well-balanced shots for most users.
Front Camera Resolution
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a 40 megapixel front camera, ideal for high-resolution selfies and video calls. The iPhone 12's front camera is 12 megapixels, providing good quality images for everyday use.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 size and design
Other practical details include size, weight, connectivity, and storage which affect how you carry and use the phone daily.
Weight and Dimensions
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is heavier at 222 g with a height of 166.9 mm and width of 76 mm, fitting users who want a larger device. The iPhone 12 is lighter at 164 g, with a height of 146.7 mm and width of 71.5 mm, suiting those who prefer a more portable phone.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB versions, which is ideal if you want more built-in storage for apps and media. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G is stocked in 128GB size but also supports microSDXC cards, so you can expand storage as needed.
Connector Type
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G uses USB-C, a common and versatile charging and accessory port. The iPhone 12 uses Apple's Lightning connector, which suits users with Apple accessories or those who prefer this proprietary standard.
SIM and Network
Both phones support 5G and offer a combination of physical SIM and eSIM, giving flexibility for network choices and dual SIM use.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G or iPhone 12: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.1 inch)
Buy the iPhone 12 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £170, £63.80 less than the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
- you want longer software support (supported, up to iOS 27 vs ended Mar 2025)
- you want a lighter build (162 g vs 222 g)
What our customers say
Customers choosing the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G often praise its condition, describing it as spotless and like new. They appreciate the large screen resolution and the 12GB RAM for handling multitasking and heavy use. Some find the battery life very good, while others would like it to last longer. The camera quality and overall phone performance are well received. A few note issues with USB-C headphone compatibility, but overall customers are happy with the phone's look and functionality.
Buyers of the iPhone 12 highlight the phone's excellent condition, often saying it looks brand new with no marks. Many mention the smooth performance with iOS and the A14 Bionic chip, which handles apps and multitasking easily. Customers appreciate the battery feeling like new, especially when they opted for a new battery. The iPhone 12's compact size and storage options suit everyday use and those who want a reliable, updated device.
Both phones attract buyers who want a high-quality refurbished device that feels like new. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G fits users valuing a large, detailed screen and strong camera features. The iPhone 12 suits those preferring a lighter device with the latest software and multiple storage choices.
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 FAQs
Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G vs iPhone 12 comes down to the RAM, battery and screen size. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The iPhone 12 is cheaper refurbished, from £170 compared with £233.80 for the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
The Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G ended in Mar 2025. The iPhone 12 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G comes in 128GB, and the iPhone 12 in 64GB, 128GB and 256GB.
