Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked vs iPhone 12 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, released in August 2022, is a foldable smartphone running on the Android operating system. In contrast, the iPhone 12, launched in October 2020, is a traditional slab-style smartphone powered by Apple's iOS. The primary distinction lies in their form factor, with the Z Fold4 offering a large, expandable display, while the iPhone 12 provides a more conventional, compact design and user experience.

The expected practical lifespan and software support differ between these two devices due to their release timelines and manufacturer policies.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The Galaxy Z Fold4, released in August 2022, shipped with Android 12L and is promised four major Android OS updates, extending its support to Android 16, along with five years of security updates until 2027. The iPhone 12, launched in October 2020, originally ran iOS 14 and is compatible with iOS 26 as of March 2026, indicating a typical Apple support window of around 5-6 years for major OS updates.
• Repairability: The iPhone 12 received an iFixit repairability score of 6 out of 10, though some components like the camera and screen may require proprietary software for full functionality after replacement. Information regarding a specific repairability score for the Galaxy Z Fold4 is not readily available, but foldable devices generally present more complex repair challenges due to their intricate design.
• Software Longevity: Users can expect the Galaxy Z Fold4 to receive feature updates for a few more years than the iPhone 12, given its later release date and Samsung's update commitment. Both devices continue to receive security patches, contributing to their long-term usability.

Performance capabilities are a key differentiator, influencing how smoothly applications run and how efficiently users can multitask.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Fold4 handles demanding applications and extensive multitasking with ease, providing a responsive experience for productivity and gaming, supported by its 12GB of RAM. The iPhone 12 offers strong performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and app usage, delivering a fluid user experience, with 4GB of RAM.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Z Fold4's larger RAM capacity and foldable form factor are particularly beneficial for running multiple applications simultaneously on its expansive internal display, allowing for a desktop-like multitasking environment. The iPhone 12 provides a consistently smooth experience for typical smartphone usage, including switching between apps and navigating the operating system.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is available with storage options up to 1TB, catering to users who require significant space for apps, media, and files. The iPhone 12 offers storage configurations up to 256GB, which is suitable for most users but may be limiting for those with extensive media libraries or numerous large applications.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a 4400 mAh battery, which generally provides a full day of use for many users, even with its larger display. The iPhone 12 has a 2815 mAh battery, and user experiences suggest it offers average battery life, often requiring a charge by the end of a heavy usage day.

The display experience varies significantly between these two devices, primarily due to the Z Fold4's unique foldable design.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display when unfolded, offering a tablet-like viewing area with vibrant colors and deep blacks. It also has a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED cover display for single-handed use. The iPhone 12 sports a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, known for its excellent color accuracy, contrast, and brightness.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Z Fold4's main and cover displays both support an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, providing smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 12 features a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is consistent but does not offer the same level of visual fluidity as higher refresh rate displays.
• Brightness and Clarity: Both devices offer high brightness levels, with the Z Fold4's main display reaching up to 1200 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The iPhone 12 also achieves up to 1200 nits peak brightness for HDR content, with a typical brightness of 625 nits, providing clear outdoor visibility.

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but with different configurations and features that cater to varying photographic needs.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The iPhone 12 comes with a dual 12MP rear camera system, comprising a wide-angle lens with a faster f/1.6 aperture and an ultrawide lens.
• Photography Performance: The Z Fold4's camera system is noted for capturing detailed and vibrant images, with its telephoto lens offering greater zoom capabilities. The iPhone 12 delivers consistent and high-quality photos, particularly excelling in low-light conditions with its improved Night mode across all cameras.
• Video Recording and Front Cameras: The Galaxy Z Fold4 supports video recording up to 8K at 24 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second. It has a 10MP camera on the cover display and a 4MP under-display camera on the main screen. The iPhone 12 records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second and supports Dolby Vision HDR recording at 30 frames per second. It features a 12MP front-facing camera.
• Audio Experience: Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption. The Z Fold4's larger form factor can enhance the audio experience when unfolded.