Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked vs iPhone 12 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 (2022) and the iPhone 12 Pro (2020) represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a unique foldable form factor running on Android, the iPhone 12 Pro provides a traditional smartphone experience powered by iOS. These differences extend to their core specifications, user interaction, and overall ecosystem.

The expected lifespan and ongoing support for these devices vary due to their different release timelines and operating systems.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy Z Fold4, released in August 2022, is eligible for four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its support until approximately 2027. The iPhone 12 Pro, launched in October 2020, typically receives iOS updates for five to six years from its release, with current iOS versions still supported.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features an inner foldable display, which some users report can experience screen protector peeling over time, alongside an outer display protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+ and an Armor Aluminum frame. It also offers IPX8 water resistance. The iPhone 12 Pro incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover and a stainless steel frame, providing robust protection, and boasts an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.
• 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 waterproofing can complicate repairs. The complex folding mechanism of the Galaxy Z Fold4 generally makes its repairability more intricate compared to traditional smartphones.

Performance capabilities differ between these two devices, influenced by their respective processors and system architectures.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Fold4 is equipped with a more recent, efficient processor, enabling smooth handling of demanding applications, extensive multitasking, and responsive navigation across its dual displays. The iPhone 12 Pro, while older, features a capable processor that delivers consistent performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and general system responsiveness within the iOS ecosystem.
• Multitasking and RAM: With 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Fold4 is designed to manage numerous applications simultaneously and facilitate advanced multitasking features, particularly when utilizing its large inner screen. The iPhone 12 Pro comes with 6GB of RAM, which allows for efficient app switching and a fluid user experience within its optimized operating system.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy Z Fold4 houses a 4400 mAh battery, and its power-efficient components generally allow it to last through a full day of moderate use, with some users reporting good endurance. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2815 mAh battery, and while it can last a full day for light to moderate users, heavy usage, especially with 5G connectivity, may require more frequent charging.

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the Galaxy Z Fold4 offering a unique adaptable screen and the iPhone 12 Pro providing a high-quality traditional panel.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features two Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays: a large 7.6-inch inner foldable screen and a 6.2-inch outer cover screen. The iPhone 12 Pro has a single 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. Both technologies deliver vibrant colors and deep blacks.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Fold4's inner display offers a resolution of 2176x1812 pixels, providing a sharp and expansive viewing area, while its cover screen has a resolution of 904x2316 pixels. The iPhone 12 Pro's display has a resolution of 2532x1170 pixels, resulting in clear and detailed visuals.
• Refresh Rate and Brightness: The Galaxy Z Fold4's displays both support an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 12 Pro operates at a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Both devices offer good brightness levels, with the iPhone 12 Pro reaching up to 800 nits typical and 1200 nits peak for HDR content.

Both devices offer capable camera systems, though with different configurations and strengths.

• Camera Hardware: The Galaxy Z Fold4 features a versatile triple-camera system on the rear, including a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It also has a 10MP selfie camera on the cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on the inner screen. The iPhone 12 Pro is equipped with a triple 12MP camera setup on the rear, comprising wide, ultra-wide, and 2x telephoto lenses, complemented by a LiDAR scanner for enhanced depth sensing, and a 12MP front camera.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy Z Fold4 delivers good point-and-shoot results with balanced colors and detail, showing improvements over its predecessors, particularly in low-light conditions. The iPhone 12 Pro is known for its consistent image quality, reliable low-light performance across its lenses, and effective computational photography features like Night Mode and Deep Fusion.
• Video Capabilities: The Galaxy Z Fold4 supports video recording up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, offering high-detail capture. The iPhone 12 Pro excels in video recording with features like Dolby Vision HDR, providing enhanced dynamic range and color accuracy in recorded footage.