iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 1,091,814 | 900,997 | +21.2% |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Exynos 2100 | — |
| Display | 6.1" 60 Hz | 6.4" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 2,815 | 4,500 | -37.4% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12 MP | 12+8+12 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 12 | 32 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 4 GB / 64 GB | 6 GB / 128 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 4 GB / 256 GB | 8 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 164 | 177 | -7.3% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · Under-display | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $799–$949 | $699–$779 | +14.3% |
- iPhone 12 leads on raw performance by about 21% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Exynos 2100).
- Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 2 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: iPhone 12 or Galaxy S21 FE 5G?
iPhone 12 advantages
- Raw performance (+17%)
- Lightness (+7%)
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G advantages
- Battery capacity (+37%)
- Display smoothness (+50%)
- Memory (+33%)
- Affordability (+13%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 12 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
- Choose the iPhone 12 if you want a lighter phone for one-handed use.
Value for money
iPhone 12 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: which should you choose?
iPhone 12 — Apple iOS 14 smartphone (2020) with a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A14 Bionic, 2815 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 1,091,814 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $799.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G — Samsung Android 12 smartphone (2022) with a 6.4-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Exynos 2100, 4500 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 900,997 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $699.
iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: iPhone 12 is the faster phone. iPhone 12 leads on raw performance by about 21% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Exynos 2100). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 2 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The iPhone 12 is the faster device on raw benchmarks (1,091,814 vs 900,997 on AnTuTu v10), running the Apple A14 Bionic against the Exynos 2100. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 12 carries a 6.1-inch 60 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.4-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G. Batteries are 2,815 and 4,500 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12 MP versus 12+8+12 MP, with 12 MP and 32 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 4 GB / 64 GB and 6 GB / 128 GB. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the more affordable at about $699 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 12 better than the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G?
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G takes the overall edge, though iPhone 12 wins in specific areas worth weighing. iPhone 12 leads on raw performance by about 21% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Exynos 2100).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 12 and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G?
iPhone 12 leads on raw performance by about 21% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A14 Bionic vs Exynos 2100). Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 2 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
iPhone 12 delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 12 if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you need all-day (or two-day) battery life.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.