Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs iPhone 12 Pro Max

Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:195.00

Versus €1,283.00 new

See options
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 12 Pro Max
Starting at

Refurbished price:244.00

Versus €1,139.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max, launched in November 2020, represent flagship smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both offer premium experiences, key differences lie in their operating systems, display technologies, and camera approaches. The Galaxy S22 Plus operates on Android, offering a customizable interface, whereas the iPhone 12 Pro Max runs on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are important factors.

  • Release and Age: The iPhone 12 Pro Max was released in November 2020, making it older than the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, which launched in February 2022. This age difference impacts the remaining period of official software support.
  • OS Support Duration: Apple typically provides major iOS updates for approximately 5 to 7 years from a device's release, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max expected to receive updates until around 2028-2030. Samsung, for its part, has committed to 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates for its flagship devices from 2019 onwards, including the Galaxy S22 Plus series.
  • Repairability: The iPhone 12 Pro Max received a repairability score of 6 out of 10 from iFixit, noting some design changes that facilitate repairs, though proprietary screws can complicate the process. Information regarding the specific repairability score for the Galaxy S22 Plus is less readily available, but both devices feature premium constructions that can make self-repair challenging.

Year of Release

2022

2020

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones offer robust performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though they achieve this through different hardware and software optimizations.

  • Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations, typically ranging from 128GB to 512GB, providing ample space for apps, media, and files. Neither model supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is recognized for its extended battery life, often lasting over 48 hours with moderate use and achieving around 15 hours in video playback tests. The Galaxy S22 Plus, equipped with a larger battery capacity, generally provides good battery performance, often lasting through a full day of typical usage, with some reports indicating around 9-10 hours of continuous web browsing over 5G.
  • System Responsiveness: Both devices deliver smooth and responsive experiences for everyday tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking. The iPhone 12 Pro Max benefits from Apple's integrated hardware and software optimization, while the Galaxy S22 Plus utilizes a current-generation processor designed for high performance in the Android ecosystem.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is characterized by vibrant colors and sharp details, though they differ in specific display technologies and features.

  • Display Technology: Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the iPhone 12 Pro Max feature OLED displays, known for deep blacks and high contrast. The Galaxy S22 Plus uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR OLED display.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers a higher resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 458 pixels per inch (ppi). The Galaxy S22 Plus has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, with a pixel density of 393 ppi. Both provide clear visuals for typical viewing distances.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, allowing for smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, and boasts a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits. The iPhone 12 Pro Max has a standard 60Hz refresh rate but offers a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. The Galaxy S22 Plus also includes Vision Booster technology to enhance outdoor visibility.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, each with distinct strengths.

  • Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP wide-angle main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also has a triple 12MP camera system, consisting of a wide-angle lens with sensor-shift optical image stabilization, an ultrawide lens, and a telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom. It also includes a LiDAR scanner for improved low-light focusing and augmented reality.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus excels in producing detailed and dynamic shots in various lighting conditions, with its higher megapixel main sensor contributing to fine detail capture. The iPhone 12 Pro Max is praised for its realistic color reproduction and strong low-light performance, particularly with its main wide-angle camera and sensor-shift stabilization.
  • Video Recording: The Galaxy S22 Plus supports 8K video recording at 24 frames per second. The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers Dolby Vision HDR video recording up to 60 frames per second, providing enhanced dynamic range and color in video content.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements differentiate these devices in terms of daily use and connectivity.

  • Connectivity Options: Both phones support 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds. The Galaxy S22 Plus supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Port Types and Sensors: The Galaxy S22 Plus utilizes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and features an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The iPhone 12 Pro Max uses Apple's proprietary Lightning port and relies on Face ID for secure unlocking and authentication.
  • Weight and Dimensions: The iPhone 12 Pro Max is a larger and heavier device, measuring 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.4 mm and weighing 228 grams. The Galaxy S22 Plus is slightly more compact and lighter at 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and 196 grams. Both feature premium build materials, with the iPhone 12 Pro Max using a stainless steel frame and Ceramic Shield front cover, and the Galaxy S22 Plus featuring an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back.

Weight

195 g

226 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

Lightning

User feedback for the iPhone 12 Pro Max frequently highlights its exceptional battery life and robust camera system, particularly its low-light capabilities and sensor-shift stabilization. Some users appreciate the consistent performance and the integrated nature of the iOS ecosystem. Criticisms sometimes point to its larger size and weight, which can make one-handed use challenging for some, and the 60Hz display refresh rate compared to newer Android flagships.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus receives praise for its vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display, offering smooth visuals and high brightness, as well as its versatile camera setup with 3x optical zoom. Users generally find its performance to be strong for daily tasks and gaming. Common concerns include battery life, which, while generally good, may not match some competitors under heavy usage, and the regional variation in processor.

Users prioritizing extended battery life and a highly optimized camera system with strong low-light performance may find the iPhone 12 Pro Max well-suited to their needs. Those who value a high refresh rate display, faster wired charging, and the flexibility of the Android operating system might lean towards the Galaxy S22 Plus. Both devices offer premium experiences, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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