Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S25+

Our Verdict: The clearest split between Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S25+ is display quality against portability. For the Samsung, that means a larger 6.7-inch screen, a sharper 513 PPI display, and its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel. The iPhone is easier to recommend for its Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 164g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. Go with the Samsung for display quality; lean toward the iPhone if portability is higher on your list.

The iPhone 12 is the cheaper one to own: around £520 over a typical contract, £360 less than the S25+.

Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 513
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
2,815 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
iOS 14.1 Android 15
SIM Type
Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-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 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight
164 grams 190 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) £69.83/mo (£30.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£144.99 £484.99
Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25+
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.0
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 513
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 2,815 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB
OS iOS 14.1 Android 15
SIM Type Standard SIM nano-SIM and e-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 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 158.44 x 75.79 x 7.35 mm
Weight 164 grams 190 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
£69.83/mo
£30.00 upfront
SIM-free £144.99 £484.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12
Apple iPhone 12

24 Months

64GB

Black

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£19 a month, £9 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S25+
Samsung Galaxy S25+

12 Months

256GB

Icy Blue

Refurbished

5GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£69.83 a month, £30 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S25+ cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £520.00 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 S25+?

The Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 12's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 12 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ 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 S25+?

The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £144.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S25+ use?

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ uses the Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two: it's 26g lighter at 164 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 12 or Samsung Galaxy S25+?

The Apple iPhone 12 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S25+ 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 S25+ run?

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Samsung Galaxy S25+ runs Android 15. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.