iPhone 12 vs Samsung S20: which one has the better screen?

The iPhone 12 and the Samsung S20 are direct competitors, one on iOS and the other on Android. Both smartphones have AMOLED screens, the best display technology at the time of writing. But there are still differences between the two screens: the Samsung S20's screen is larger, at 6.2 inches, compared to the iPhone 12's 6.1. And that's not all, the S20 also has a better resolution, with 1440 x 3200 pixels against 1170 x 2532 pixels for the iPhone 12.

To go into a bit more detail, the Samsung S20 is HDR compatible, while the iPhone 12's screen has Dolby Vision. What's the difference? Well, both do have perfectly rendered colours and deep blacks. So it's very difficult to give one technology the edge over the other. If we had to choose, we would still go for Dolby Vision, since the iPhone 12 can additionally capture footage in Dolby Vision, which is a rare feat.

There is one final difference between the two displays: the refresh rate. The Samsung S20 has a refresh rate of 120Hz and the iPhone 12 has a refresh rate of 60Hz. The iPhone 12 therefore has a less fluid display.

iPhone 12 vs Samsung S20: which one is more powerful?

Storage capacity is the same on both models, and your choice will depend on your budget. Both phones come with 128GB or 256GB, but the iPhone 12 also offers a 64GB version. The iPhone doesn't allow you to expand your storage with a memory card, while the S20 accepts up to an additional 1 TB. This is definitely not a bad additional feature to have.  

In terms of performance, the S20 is equipped with the Exynos 990 chip, which is less powerful than Apple's A14 Bionic. However, you should know that this is a spec detail. The S20 is extremely fluid in all cases of use, and you'd hardly notice a difference, especially thanks to its 8 or 12 GB RAM (depending on the version). The iPhone 12 only has 6GB of RAM, but that's actually an improvement over previous versions that were limited to 4GB of RAM.

iPhone 12 camera vs Samsung S20: which one takes better pictures?

It's difficult to tell the two models apart when it comes to photography. They each have 3 cameras. 12 MP for the iPhone 12 vs 64 MP for the S20's main sensor. But the number of pixels alone is not enough when analysing photo performance. The software processing plays a big role, and in some situations, the iPhone 12 does outperform the S20.

Nevertheless, both models take excellent photos, and you won't notice the difference if you're not a professional photographer. The S20 has a 3X optical zoom while the iPhone 12 only has 2X, but the software processing makes up for this difference quite easily. The iPhone 12 shoots in Ultra HD 4K at 60fps, like the Galaxy S20, but the S20 goes further with 8K at 24fps.

iPhone 12 vs Samsung S20: which has the best battery life?

Battery life has always been Apple's weak point. The iPhone 12's battery has a capacity of 2815mAh, and charges at normal speed, while the Samsung S20 charges at 45W. Both brands have claimed a battery life of two days.

Both phones support wireless charging and reverse charging. Both phones are also 5G compatible, which will reduce battery life when enabled.

iPhone 12 vs Samsung S20: what are the design differences?

The Samsung S20 weighs 163 grams compared to 162 grams for the iPhone 12. The iPhone 12 measures 146.7 X 71.5 X 7.4 mm against 151.7 X 69.1 X 7.9 mm for the S20. The iPhone 12 is therefore thinner and wider, while the S20 is taller.