iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S22 - Complete Review

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Feature iPhone 12 Samsung Galaxy S22
Release Date October 23, 2020 February 25, 2022
Display 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2532 x 1170, 460 ppi, 625 nits, Flat, 60Hz 6.1-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 2340 x 1080, 425 ppi, 1500 nits, Flat, 120Hz Adaptive
Processor Apple A14 Bionic (5nm) Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200
RAM 4GB 8GB
Storage 64GB / 128GB / 256GB (No microSD) 128GB / 256GB (No microSD)
Rear Cameras Dual: 12MP Wide (f/1.6) + 12MP Ultra Wide (f/2.4), Night Mode, 4K Dolby Vision HDR Triple: 50MP Main (f/1.8) + 12MP Ultra Wide + 10MP Telephoto (3x), Nightography, 8K@24fps, Auto Framing
Front Camera 12MP TrueDepth, f/2.2, Night Mode, 4K HDR 10MP (f/2.2), Auto Framing, Night Portrait, 4K video
Battery 2815 mAh, 20W Fast Charging, MagSafe Wireless 3700 mAh, 25W Fast Charging, 15W Wireless, Wireless PowerShare
OS Support iOS 14 → iOS 18 (2025), likely iOS 19/20 (until ~2026–2027) Android 12 → Android 15 (2025), updates until **early 2027** (Samsung’s 5-year promise)
Water Resistance IP68 (6m, 30 min) IP68 (1.5m, 30 min)
Headphone Jack No No
Security Face ID Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint + Face Recognition
Weight 164 grams 167 grams
Colors Black, White, (PRODUCT)RED, Green, Blue, Purple Phantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet

iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S22: The Compact Flagships — Which One Is the Smarter Buy in 2025?

What if you could get a flagship phone that fits in one hand, feels premium, and won’t break the bank? That’s the promise of the iPhone 12 and Galaxy S22 — two compact powerhouses from 2020 and 2022 that still feel fresh in 2025. The iPhone 12 brought flat edges, MagSafe, and Dolby Vision video. The Galaxy S22 delivered Nightography, 120Hz smoothness, and brighter displays. Both are small, powerful, and still officially supported. So which one gives you more joy, longevity, and value today? Let’s break it down — screen, camera, battery, ecosystem — so you can pick the perfect compact companion for 2025.

Design & Feel: Nostalgic Flat vs Modern Minimal

The iPhone 12 brought back the flat-edge design of the iPhone 4 — sharp, bold, and instantly recognizable. It feels solid, premium, and timeless. The Galaxy S22 is softer, more refined — flat display, symmetrical hole-punch, and a sleek “Contour Cut” camera that blends into the frame. Both weigh almost the same (~165g) and fit perfectly in one hand. If you love Apple’s design language, the 12 feels like home. If you prefer Samsung’s modern minimalism, the S22 wins.

Display: Smoothness vs Simplicity

This is the biggest difference. The Galaxy S22 has a **120Hz Adaptive refresh rate** — scrolling, gaming, and browsing feel buttery smooth. The iPhone 12 is locked at **60Hz** — still crisp and color-accurate (thanks to OLED), but not as fluid. The S22 is also **much brighter** (1500 nits vs 625), so it’s easier to read in sunlight. For media lovers and gamers, the S22 screen is objectively better. But the iPhone 12’s flat edges make screen protectors easier to apply. Choose: smoothness and brightness (S22) or simplicity and nostalgia (12).

Performance in 2025: Both Still Supported — But Differently

The iPhone 12’s A14 Bionic is still faster than most 2023 Android phones — and it’s getting **iOS 18 in 2025**, with likely support until 2026–2027. The Galaxy S22’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is powerful (and has double the RAM: 8GB vs 4GB), and Samsung promises updates until **early 2027**. Both are safe for banking, shopping, and social apps in 2025. The iPhone 12 feels smoother in daily use thanks to iOS optimization. The S22 handles multitasking and heavy apps better thanks to more RAM. For pure longevity, iPhone 12 wins. For raw power and future-proofing, S22 wins.

Camera: Cinematic Video vs Nightography Magic

The iPhone 12 shoots **4K Dolby Vision HDR video** — a feature even many 2024 phones lack. Colors are natural, stabilization is smooth, and Night Mode works well. The Galaxy S22 has a **50MP main sensor** with **Nightography** — stunning low-light photos without flash. Plus **3x telephoto zoom**, **Auto Framing** in video, and brighter ultra-wide shots. For video creators and filmmakers, iPhone 12 wins. For low-light photography and zoom versatility, S22 wins. Both are excellent — but for different creators.

Battery & Charging: S22 Lasts Longer

The iPhone 12’s 2815 mAh battery was modest even in 2020 — and in 2025, it often needs a midday charge for heavy users. The Galaxy S22’s 3700 mAh battery easily lasts a full day, charges faster (25W vs 20W), and supports **Wireless PowerShare** (charge your earbuds on the back). The iPhone 12 has **MagSafe** — the best wireless ecosystem for chargers and wallets. If you hate charging anxiety, the S22 wins. If you love magnetic accessories, the 12 wins.

The Hidden Perks: Ecosystem vs AI Features

The iPhone 12 shines in the Apple ecosystem: AirDrop, iMessage, iCloud, AirPods — everything just works. The Galaxy S22 offers smarter features: **Auto Framing**, **Voice Recorder transcription**, **Edge Panels**, and **DeX wireless**. Neither has a headphone jack or microSD. If you’re deep in Apple’s world, the 12 feels seamless. If you love Android’s AI tricks and customization, the S22 delights.

How to use them safely in 2025 (simple steps)

For both: Update to the latest OS (iOS 18 or Android 15). Enable “Adaptive Battery” (S22) or “Low Power Mode” (12). Use “Dark Mode” to save battery. Restart weekly to keep performance smooth.

What to avoid

Don’t pay more than $200–$250 for either. Don’t play heavy games for hours on the S22 — the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can overheat. Don’t expect all-day battery from the iPhone 12 — carry a MagSafe battery pack if you’re out all day.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Choose the **iPhone 12** if: You’re in the Apple ecosystem, love iOS simplicity, want Dolby Vision video, and don’t mind 60Hz or shorter battery life. You want the most reliable, smooth, compact iPhone under $250.

Choose the **Galaxy S22** if: You want 120Hz smoothness, brighter display, Nightography, 3x zoom, longer battery, and AI-powered features. You love Android flexibility and modern design. You want the most powerful, feature-rich compact Android under $250.


In 2025, **both are exceptional choices** — but for different lives. If you value ecosystem, video quality, and long-term iOS support, the **iPhone 12** is your perfect match. If you crave smoothness, low-light photos, zoom, and AI smarts, the **Galaxy S22** is the smarter pick. Neither is perfect — but both are honest, powerful, and still supported. Grab one in Blue or Green, update it, and enjoy a flagship experience that fits in your hand and your budget. In a world of oversized phones, these two prove that small is still beautiful. And in 2025, that’s more than enough.


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