Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

Our Verdict: Galaxy S25 Ultra should be higher on your shortlist if a bigger screen is the priority, as it offers the larger 6.8" screen and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera. iPhone 12 is better aligned with contract value, with the lower contract price from £13/mo and the cheaper SIM-free price from £129.99. That split makes the recommendation less about overall rank and more about what you value most.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 12 works out around £510 all-in, about £330 less than the S25 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.3
18 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.8"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 505
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A14 Bionic Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
2,815 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
64GB, 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
Weight
164 grams 219 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) £33.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£139.00 £569.99

Prices updated 22 July 2026

Apple iPhone 12 Apple iPhone 12 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.3
18 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.8"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 505
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 2,815 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 64GB, 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
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/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.3, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2 mm
Weight 164 grams 219 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
£33.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £139.00 £569.99
Prices updated 22 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 12
Apple iPhone 12

24 Months

64GB

Black

100GB

Data

£19 per month, £9 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Titanium Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

£33.79 per month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper on contract at £510.00 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 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.8" compared to the Apple iPhone 12's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has the sharper display at 505 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 12 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 12 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a 200 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 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 12 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £139.00.

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

The Apple iPhone 12 is available in 64GB, 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

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

The Apple iPhone 12 is powered by the Apple A14 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 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 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 12 is the more portable of the two: it's 55g lighter at 164 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm, and is slimmer at 7.4mm thick.

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

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

The Apple iPhone 12 runs iOS 14.1 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 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.