Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Compare Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra side by side: Apple A14 Bionic vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 12MP vs 200MP camera…
Apple
iPhone 12
$699
3categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
15categories won
1 categories tied · 19 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 12, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 12 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 60W charging.
Galaxy S26 Ultra provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes photography with 200MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone 12 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 vs $1299.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 12 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1440 x 3120Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 498 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 1200 nits | 2400 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 5 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | — | 2,400,000 |
| Geekbench multi | — | 8900 |
| Maximum RAM | 4 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 5x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MPWinner |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps Dolby Vision | — |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,815 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 20 W | 60 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 164 gWinner | 214 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 7.9 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Ceramic Shield front, glass back and aluminum design | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 14.1, upgradable to iOS 18 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 12 | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $1,299 |
Apple iPhone 12
The Apple iPhone 12 upgraded the best-selling base model formula with a stunning Super Retina XDR OLED panel, Ceramic Shield glass, 5G capabilities, and featherlight 164g ergonomics.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A14 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,815mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium 6.9-inch flagship built for power users and creators. Priced at $1299, it pairs a heavily upgraded Snapdragon processor and 60W charging with a versatile quad-camera array and the signature built-in S Pen stylus.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh