Galaxy S21 FE 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 12 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G, released in early 2022, and the Apple iPhone 12 Pro, launched in late 2020, represent two distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While both devices offer robust performance and advanced camera systems, they differ significantly in their operating systems and display technologies. The Galaxy S21 FE runs on Android, providing a customizable experience, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro operates on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Release Timeline: The iPhone 12 Pro was released in October 2020, making it approximately 15 months older than the Galaxy S21 FE 5G, which became widely available in January 2022. This age difference impacts their respective software support windows.
• Software Longevity: Apple typically provides major iOS updates for iPhones for about 5 to 7 years from their release, with security updates often extending beyond that. Given its 2020 release, the iPhone 12 Pro is expected to receive major iOS updates until at least 2027, and potentially security updates for longer. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, launching with Android 12, was promised 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates, meaning its major OS support would likely conclude around early 2026, with security updates continuing until early 2027.
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro received an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, indicating that many components are modular and accessible, though proprietary screws and increased waterproofing can complicate repairs. Information on the Galaxy S21 FE's specific repairability score is less widely published, but Samsung devices generally offer moderate repairability.

Both smartphones deliver capable performance for daily tasks, but their underlying architectures lead to different user experiences.

• Processing Power: The iPhone 12 Pro is equipped with a powerful chip that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly. Users report that it remains responsive even years after its release, making it suitable for intensive gaming and video editing. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a current-generation processor (either a Snapdragon or Exynos, depending on the region) that provides strong performance for everyday use, gaming, and running multiple apps simultaneously.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPhone 12 Pro offers a fluid user experience, with quick app loading and seamless transitions between applications, supported by its optimized operating system. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also provides a responsive experience, with users noting its ability to handle various tasks without significant slowdowns, even with its 120Hz display.
• Storage Options: The iPhone 12 Pro is available with internal storage options of 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G comes with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. Neither device offers expandable storage via a microSD card.
• Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12 Pro typically provides all-day battery life for moderate usage, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge before the day ends. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G, with its larger battery capacity, generally offers good battery endurance for moderate to heavy use, with some users reporting it can last a full day and a half. However, very heavy users might still need to charge more frequently, especially with the 120Hz refresh rate enabled.

The visual experience on both devices is characterized by vibrant displays, though with some key differences in technology and refresh rates.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 12 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors with a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels at 460 ppi. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G sports a slightly larger 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels at approximately 401 ppi, also delivering rich colors and good clarity.
• Brightness Levels: Both phones offer excellent brightness for outdoor visibility. The iPhone 12 Pro reaches 800 nits typical maximum brightness and up to 1200 nits for HDR content. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also boasts a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring content remains visible even in bright sunlight.
• Refresh Rate: A notable difference is the refresh rate. The iPhone 12 Pro has a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which provides a smooth experience for most users. In contrast, the Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a noticeably smoother scrolling experience and more fluid animations, particularly beneficial for gaming and fast-paced content.

Both devices offer versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, catering to different photographic preferences.

• Rear Camera System: The iPhone 12 Pro features a triple 12MP camera system, including wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses, with 2x optical zoom and a LiDAR scanner that enhances autofocus in low light and enables Night mode portraits. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also comes with a triple camera setup: a 12MP wide, a 12MP ultrawide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The iPhone 12 Pro is praised for its impressive image quality, especially in low-light conditions, with balanced colors and good detail. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G also delivers strong photographic results, producing detailed and vibrant images in various lighting conditions, though some users note occasional inconsistencies in color profiles between lenses.
• Video Recording: The iPhone 12 Pro excels in video recording, offering 4K video at up to 60fps with HDR Dolby Vision, and strong video stabilization. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps, with OIS on its wide and telephoto lenses, providing good video quality.
• Front Camera: The iPhone 12 Pro has a 12MP front camera, capable of capturing detailed selfies and supporting Face ID. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G features a higher-resolution 32MP front camera, which produces natural-looking shots.