iPhone 12 Pro vs Samsung s20+ | Tech Today Review
By: Kerry Dawson
Tags: Android, Samsung, S Series, iOS, Iphone 12 Pro

Samsung’s s Series of phones, upon introduction, suffered immediately from sticker shock. They were viewed as not too expensive but as way too expensive. To say the least, they got off to a rocky start. Then the reviews started and the next thing that was obviously a problem was the colours were pitiful for such expensive devices. Putting these things aside however, when you compare running your s20+ against an iPhone 12 Pro the Samsung is in many ways the better handling device while the iPhone 12 pro has Apple’s ecosystem and software stacked in its favour.

The s20+ is the better Device

Putting aside software for the moment and this is very hard to do, Samsung’s s20+ is the better device to use. The weight is the same between the two but on the s20+ you have a gorgeous 6.7" display running at 120 MHZ a solid plus for the s20+. Download and upload speeds on a wifi network are better with the s20 and finally it just feels nicer in the hand than the newly designed iPhone 12 pro.

As far as speed goes, even though from a stats perspective, the iPhone 12 pro is the much stronger device, when you use them speed wise they don’t feel any different. Further, some things feel zippier in operation on the s20+ than the iPhone 12 pro.

If I have both phones in front of me, when I go to pick up a device, in about 90% of the cases I always pick up the s20+. It is just that much nicer to use. However, if there is something I need to do with an app that doesn’t run on the s20+ (only two that I regularly use) I’ll grab the iPhone 12 pro.

Software is in Apple’s Favour

When I first started with an Android about five years ago, there was cross platform software but it was no where near as robust as it is today. Everything I use is Apple based but a few years back I started to tire of of the iPhone. The only thing I changed was the Smartphone and to spice things up a bit I got an Android.

The first problem I experienced and the only major problem was that of software. There are now two apps which I have run for years — OmniFocus and DEVONthink — which only runs on Apple and it will likely remain this way. In the case of OmniFocus, I have found another task manager TickTick which is probably the best on the market now and it is fully cross platform. Ticktick has risen from a good app to this is the one to beat in 2020.

DEVONthink is another case in point . There is nothing that really competes with DEVONthink Pro Office. There are programs that are similar but there is nothing as comprehensive. This is a problem as I have put so much information in DEVONthink. I can operate around it with my other devices but there are times where you need something with you. I can put the item in Nimbus Notes or Evernote if I know what I need but sometimes you don’t know what you need till you’re in a spot.

Realistically, due to the integration in the Apple environment or the Apple ecosystem, I am better served by the iPhone. From a use perspective, I simply prefer the s20+.

What’s the Answer

If you have an all Apple environment you’re likely better served by the iPhone. Further, if you have applications that you rely on, you will most likely want an iPhone for consistent integration.

However, you can integrate an Android quite successfully using Exchange or Fruux for your contacts, calendars and reminders. If you use cross platform apps like Todoist or Ticktick they will run equally well on your Android connected to a Mac as would an iPhone.

However, if there is an app that you have come to rely on that is not cross platform and you want it to run on your Smartphone you need an iPhone. You could either:

just have an iPhone

or have an iPhone plus your s20

For many the latter is not practical. If it is there is no problem. You use what you prefer.

For some though they simply use, as long as it is not an extensive number, the apps on their computer and possibly an iPad. There are certain apps that don’t need to be with you all the time on your smartphone.

This kind of situation is a very personal decision based on your needs. For myself, I simply prefer the way the s20+ works more than the iPhone. I also prefer the way it looks and feels. The iPhone is the most practical all around solution though but it is not the only solution. I may decide to go fully iPhone or have a combination of the two phones or just for this one app decide to only use it on my Desktop and iPad.

The s20+ on Sale

Of late, we are seeing the s20+ on some very good sales. The initial sticker shock blends away in this scenario. Some might opt for the s20 FE that was just released at an excellent price having about 95% of what the s20+ has. I’m still drawn the s20+ though as it is just finished a bit nicer.

Samsung’s initial sticker shock mistake may be a thing of the past. Possibly they’ve learned a lesson. An actually good phone got clobbered by both the reviewers and buyers primarily due to the high price that in no way seemed justified. As the price has moderated through sales, one would wonder if the sales numbers have improved. A problem that can occur when a phone is introduced to bad reviews is it is very difficult to shake the early impressions. Samsung is quickly readying their s21 series possibly to shake what happened with the s20s and/or to keep up or surpass the competition. Apple is on a high roll with their iPhone 12s.

The s20+ is after all a very good phone. As cross platform becomes a broader reality, people’s choice will broaden allowing them to use the hardware they prefer. Currently, it is difficult for the average user to break out of Apple’s highly regarded ecosystem. For the odd person it won’t be that challenging. Yet, open systems and the broadening of cross platform will further liberate user choice and allow them to, without massive thought, be able to use what they feel is the best for them.