Galaxy Z Fold5 • Unlocked vs iPhone 12 Pro • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 (2023) and the iPhone 12 Pro (2020) represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Z Fold5 offers a unique foldable form factor that transforms from a traditional smartphone into a tablet-like experience, the iPhone 12 Pro provides a more conventional, high-performance smartphone experience. These devices operate on different ecosystems, with the Z Fold5 running on Android and the iPhone 12 Pro on iOS, each offering a unique software environment and user interface.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their respective release timelines and software support play a significant role.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy Z Fold5 was released in August 2023, making it a more recent device compared to the iPhone 12 Pro, which launched in October 2020. This difference in release dates means the Z Fold5 benefits from newer hardware and a more contemporary design.
• Software Longevity: The iPhone 12 Pro, running on iOS, typically receives major software updates for approximately 5-6 years from its release. As of early 2026, it is running iOS 26.1. The Galaxy Z Fold5, an Android device, also receives several years of operating system and security updates, with its original OS being Android 13 and currently running Android 16. Users prioritizing the longest possible software support from the initial purchase date will find the Z Fold5 to have a longer remaining update window.
• Practical Lifespan: The Z Fold5 features a redesigned hinge and improved durability compared to earlier foldable models, with users reporting the inner screen protector holding up well. The iPhone 12 Pro introduced Ceramic Shield for enhanced drop performance and maintains an IP68 rating for water resistance. Both devices are built with premium materials, but the foldable nature of the Z Fold5 introduces a different set of considerations for long-term mechanical integrity.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from navigating apps to demanding gaming sessions.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Fold5 is equipped with a current-generation processor optimized for its ecosystem, enabling smooth multitasking and efficient handling of demanding applications and games. The iPhone 12 Pro, powered by its own advanced chip, also delivers a highly responsive user experience, handling everyday operations and graphically intensive tasks with ease.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 12 GB of RAM, the Galaxy Z Fold5 is well-suited for extensive multitasking, allowing users to run multiple applications simultaneously and switch between them fluidly, especially benefiting from its large internal display. The iPhone 12 Pro features 6 GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS's efficient memory management, provides a consistently smooth and responsive experience for most users.
• Storage Options: Both devices offer ample storage configurations to suit various user needs. The Galaxy Z Fold5 is available with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of internal storage. The iPhone 12 Pro comes with 128 GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB storage options.

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and these two devices offer distinct visual experiences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a unique dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED cover display and a large 7.6-inch foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display. This allows for a versatile experience, functioning as a compact smartphone when folded and expanding into a tablet-like canvas when unfolded. The iPhone 12 Pro has a single 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Z Fold5's main display offers a resolution of 2176 x 1812 pixels, providing a sharp and immersive viewing experience on its larger surface, while the cover screen has a resolution of 2316 x 904 pixels. The iPhone 12 Pro's display features a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels, resulting in crisp text and detailed images on its more traditional form factor.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer vibrant colors and good brightness levels. The Z Fold5's displays boast a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations, with a peak brightness of 1750 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The iPhone 12 Pro features a 60Hz refresh rate and can reach up to 1200 nits peak brightness for HDR content, providing a clear view even in bright conditions.

Photography and videography capabilities are key considerations for many users, and both phones offer advanced camera systems.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy Z Fold5 features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom with OIS. The iPhone 12 Pro also has a triple 12 MP camera system, comprising a wide-angle lens with a larger aperture for improved low-light performance, an ultra-wide lens, and a telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, all benefiting from OIS on the wide and telephoto lenses.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: The Z Fold5 leverages software enhancements and its powerful processor to deliver brighter photos with rich colors, even in challenging low-light environments, and supports 8K video recording at 24fps. The iPhone 12 Pro excels in low-light photography, particularly with its Night mode, and offers HDR video recording with Dolby Vision at up to 60 fps, along with 4K video at 60 fps, providing cinematic quality.
• Front-Facing Cameras: For selfies and video calls, the Z Fold5 includes a 10 MP camera on its cover display and a 4 MP under-display camera on the main screen. The iPhone 12 Pro features a 12 MP TrueDepth front camera, capable of advanced portrait modes and 4K video recording.