vivo S12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G: Which Mid-Range Flagship Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the vivo S12 offers a compelling package. While the Galaxy S21 FE boasts a brighter display and potentially more powerful processor (depending on the version), the S12’s Dimensity 1100 provides excellent efficiency and a smoother overall experience, especially considering the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo S12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1600/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1x | 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 22 | 2022, January 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 30 | Available. Released 2022, January 07 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 157.2 x 72.4 x 7.4 or 7.6 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.13 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 179 g or 181 g (6.31 oz) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| - | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 1Octa-core (1x2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) - Version 2 |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) - Version 1Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - Version 2 |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 660 - Version 1Mali-G78 MP14 - Version 2 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 3.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | 32-bit/384kHz audio | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| - | Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Samsung DeX (desktop experience support) | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 25W wired, PD3.0, 50% in 30 min 15W wireless Reverse wireless |
| Type | 4200 mAh | Li-Ion 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Yellow | White, Graphite, Lavender, Olive |
| Models | V2162A | SM-G990B, SM-G990B/DS, SM-G990U, SM-G990U1, SM-G990W, SM-G990E, SM-G9900, SM-G990B2, SM-G990U2, SM-G990W2, SM-G990U3 |
| Price | About 390 EUR | € 199.00 / $ 143.95 / £ 154.99 / ₹ 29,990 |
| SAR | - | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.95 W/kg (head) 1.48 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 92h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 566529 (v8), 719696 (v9) GeekBench: 3049 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S12
- Faster 44W wired charging
- Potentially better thermal management due to Dimensity 1100's efficiency
- Competitive price point
- Display likely less bright than S21 FE
- Chipset potentially less powerful than Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Potentially higher peak performance (Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100)
- Wireless and reverse wireless charging
- Slower 25W wired charging
- Potential for thermal throttling with Snapdragon 888
- Chipset performance varies between Snapdragon and Exynos versions
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G clearly leads in display brightness, achieving a measured 792 nits. While the vivo S12’s peak brightness isn’t specified, it’s unlikely to match the S21 FE. The S21 FE’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering deep blacks. Both phones likely utilize high refresh rate panels, though this isn't specified for the S12. The S21 FE’s superior brightness makes it more usable outdoors in direct sunlight, a significant advantage for many users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The context data only indicates 'Photo / Video' capabilities for both. The S21 FE likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially larger main sensor. The S12’s camera performance will depend heavily on software optimization. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely irrelevant, offering minimal benefit over the main sensor. Without further details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Samsung’s track record suggests a slight edge in image quality.
Performance
The Galaxy S21 FE’s chipset is a key differentiator, offering two variants: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm) and the Exynos 2100 (5nm). Both are built on a smaller 5nm process compared to the vivo S12’s 6nm Dimensity 1100. The Snapdragon 888, with its Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz (or 2.9 GHz in Version 2), offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Dimensity 1100’s Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz. However, the Snapdragon 888 is known for thermal throttling under sustained load, a potential issue the Dimensity 1100’s larger node and potentially more efficient design may mitigate. The S21 FE’s LPDDR5 RAM is standard for this class, while the S12’s RAM type is unspecified.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 92 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (unspecified for the S12). However, charging speeds are significantly different. The vivo S12’s 44W wired charging is considerably faster than the S21 FE’s 25W wired charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. The S21 FE also offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, features absent on the S12. The S21 FE’s 50% charge in 30 minutes with 25W charging is slower than what the S12 likely achieves with its 44W system.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S12 if you need a phone with consistently fast charging (44W) and a balanced, efficient processor for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display, and potentially higher peak performance for demanding applications, and are willing to accept slower charging and potential thermal throttling depending on the chipset version.