Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The iPhone 12 is the cheaper one to own: around £515 over a typical contract, £34 less than the S23 5G.
18 reviews 4.2
11 reviews
Prices updated 13 August 2026
Apple iPhone 12
|
Samsung Galaxy S23
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 4.3 18 reviews |
4.2 11 reviews |
| Screen | 6.1" | 6.1" |
| Display | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 457 | 422 |
| Rear Camera | 12 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 12 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| Battery | 2,815 mAh | 3,900 mAh |
| Storage | 64GB, 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB |
| OS | iOS 14.1 | Android 13 |
| SIM Type | Standard SIM | Nano SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm |
| Weight | 164 grams | 167 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Contracts |
£19.00/mo
£9.00 upfront |
£20.99/mo
£19.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £139.99 | £229.00 |
| Prices updated 13 August 2026 | ||
| Deals | Deals | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S23 cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £515.00 over the life of the deal from £19.00 per month with £9.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S23?
Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.1", the Apple iPhone 12 has the sharper display at 457 pixels per inch versus 422, and the Apple iPhone 12 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a Dynamic AMOLED 2X.
Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £139.99.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 comes in 128GB, 256GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S23 use?
The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 uses the Qualcomm SM8550 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S23?
It's a trade-off: the Apple iPhone 12 is lighter but the Samsung Galaxy S23 is more compact. It's 3g lighter at 164 grams, though the Samsung Galaxy S23 is actually the more compact phone at 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S23?
The Apple iPhone 12 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S23 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.
What operating system do the Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S23 run?
The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 runs Android 13. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.