Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro
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Galaxy S21 5G
Starting at
£171.33£1,125.00 new
iPhone 12 Pro
Starting at
£274.51£879.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S21 5G and iPhone 12 Pro?
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G starts at £171.33, £103.18 less than the iPhone 12 Pro. The Galaxy S21 5G is the newer model, released in 2021.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
- Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro.
- The Galaxy S21 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
- The Galaxy S21 5G has a bigger battery: 4000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro specs
The Galaxy S21 5G and iPhone 12 Pro each have strengths that suit different users. The Galaxy S21 5G offers a larger battery and more RAM, which can help with longer use and multitasking. Its screen refreshes at 120 Hz, making motion smoother, while the iPhone 12 Pro has a sharper resolution and a slightly smaller screen. Both phones have 5G and are unlocked, but the Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIMs, which is useful if you want two separate mobile numbers. Camera megapixel counts are close, with the iPhone having a slightly higher front camera resolution. Storage choices vary, with the iPhone offering up to 512GB. Your choice depends on whether you prefer Android or iOS, need extra storage or RAM, or want smoother screen animation.
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro price
Colour
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro battery life and software updates
Battery life, operating system, and SIM options are key durability factors.
Battery Capacity
The Galaxy S21 5G has a 4000 mAh battery, which is larger than the iPhone 12 Pro's 2815 mAh. This larger capacity may suit you if you use your phone heavily throughout the day and want longer battery life between charges.
Operating System
The Galaxy S21 5G runs Android, while the iPhone 12 Pro uses iOS. Your choice here depends on which ecosystem you prefer and the apps or features you use most often.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIM cards plus eSIM, which is helpful if you want to manage two separate phone numbers or plans on one device. The iPhone 12 Pro supports one physical SIM plus eSIM, which works well if you only need a single physical SIM.
Battery
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro performance
Performance depends on chipset power, memory, and storage. Both phones use a 5 nm chipset and come with fast storage options, but they differ in RAM and storage capacities.
Chipset and RAM
The Galaxy S21 5G comes with 8 GB of RAM, which helps keep more apps open and running smoothly in the background. The iPhone 12 Pro has 6 GB of RAM, which still supports strong performance but with slightly less memory for multitasking.
Storage Options
The iPhone 12 Pro offers storage up to 512GB, suitable if you need to store a large number of photos, videos, or apps. The Galaxy S21 5G comes in 128GB and 256GB options, which cover most everyday needs.
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro screen
Screen quality affects how you view videos, photos, and use your phone daily. Both models have OLED panels, but refresh rates, resolution, and size vary.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S21 5G has a 120 Hz refresh rate, which means smoother motion when scrolling or gaming. This can make the experience feel more fluid if you notice and appreciate higher frame rates.
Resolution and Size
The iPhone 12 Pro has a higher resolution at 1170 x 2532 pixels on a 6.1 inch screen, providing slightly sharper images. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 1080 x 2400 resolution on a 6.2 inch screen, offering a bit more screen space for videos and apps.
Screen Type
The Galaxy S21 5G uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the iPhone 12 Pro features a Super Retina XDR OLED screen. Both deliver vivid colours and deep blacks, making both screens excellent for media.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro camera
Camera quality is important if you take selfies or photos regularly. Both phones have similar main cameras but differ slightly in front camera resolution.
Front Camera
The iPhone 12 Pro has a 12 megapixel front camera, which captures more detail for selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 10 megapixel front camera, which still delivers good-quality images.
Main Camera
Both the Galaxy S21 5G and iPhone 12 Pro have 12 megapixel main cameras. This means they are both capable of capturing photos with similar detail, suitable for everyday photography.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro size and design
Other differences include physical dimensions, weight, connectors, and network features. These affect the feel, compatibility, and connectivity options of each phone.
Connector Type
The Galaxy S21 5G uses a USB Type-C connector, which is common in many devices for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 12 Pro uses a Lightning connector, typical for Apple devices.
Size and Weight
The Galaxy S21 5G measures 151.7 mm tall, 71.2 mm wide, and 7.9 mm deep, weighing 169 g. The iPhone 12 Pro is slightly smaller at 146.7 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, and 7.4 mm deep, but heavier at 187 g. Your choice may depend on how the phone feels in your hand or pocket.
Network and SIM
Both phones support 5G networks and come unlocked for any carrier. The Galaxy S21 5G supports dual physical SIMs and eSIM, while the iPhone 12 Pro supports one physical SIM and eSIM.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S21 5G or iPhone 12 Pro: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S21 5G if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £171.33, £103.18 less than the iPhone 12 Pro
- you want more RAM (8 GB vs 6 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (4000 mAh vs 2815 mAh)
Buy the iPhone 12 Pro if
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (12 megapixels vs 10 megapixels)
- you want longer software support (supported, up to iOS 27 vs ended Feb 2026)
What our customers say
Customers who choose the Galaxy S21 5G often praise its condition and battery life, saying it feels like new even when refurbished. Many mention the phone's excellent screen and quality, with some highlighting the dual SIM feature for convenience. Buyers appreciate the phone's smooth performance and the reliable condition of the device, even when ordering fair or good condition models. Some note that certain versions are made for the US market, which affects features like Samsung Pay.
Customers of the iPhone 12 Pro report being very happy with the phone's condition and battery health, often describing it as feeling brand new. They find it reliable and smooth, with good battery life and screen quality. Some mention upgrading from older iPhones and appreciate the consistent service and quality. The iPhone 12 Pro suits those who want a phone that runs iOS smoothly with solid storage options.
Each phone appeals to different users: the Galaxy S21 5G suits those who want more RAM, a larger battery, and dual SIM support. The iPhone 12 Pro is for those who prefer iOS and may need higher storage capacity and a slightly sharper screen.
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro FAQs
Galaxy S21 5G vs iPhone 12 Pro comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm), Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) on the Galaxy S21 5G, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) on the iPhone 12 Pro. The Galaxy S21 5G has more RAM: 8 GB vs 6 GB.
The Galaxy S21 5G is cheaper refurbished, from £171.33 compared with £274.51 for the iPhone 12 Pro.
The Galaxy S21 5G has a bigger battery: 4000 mAh vs 2815 mAh.
Both have the same main camera: 12 megapixels.
Updates for the Galaxy S21 5G ended in Feb 2026. The iPhone 12 Pro is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S21 5G comes in 128GB and 256GB, and the iPhone 12 Pro in 128GB, 256GB and 512GB.
