78 PCWorld MARCH 2021FEATURE SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 VS. iPHONE 12
continues that tradition. Samsung has crafted
a truly unique design where the metal sides
seamlessly blend into the camera array, as if it
were snapped onto the back. The back is
made of plastic rather than glass, but it still has
a premium feel, even if it’s not quite as
luxurious as the S20.
Of course, the iPhone is no slouch in the
looks department. Apple introduced a new,
flatter design with the iPhone 12 that has a
retro charm reminiscent of the iPhone 4, and
it feels great to hold. The square camera array
is nearly identical to the iPhone 11’s and not
nearly as unique as the S21’s.
The two phones are very similar in size.
The S21 is slightly bigger and a bit heavier.
However, Samsung has done a fantastic jobT
he year is still young and we are
already seeing our first
heavyweight smartphone battle of- Samsung has released its
lineup of Galaxy S21 phones (go.pcworld.
com/gl21) a little earlier than usual this year,
and it clearly has Apple’s newest phone in its
sights. Samsung hasn’t reinvented the S21 so
much as it’s retooled it to take on the iPhone
12 (go.pcworld.com/i12p), with a lower price
point, sharper design, and some new camera
tricks. I’ve had a chance to review both, and
here’s how the two $800 phones stack up.
DESIGN
Samsung’s Galaxy S is always at the forefront
of Android smartphone design, and the S21The S21 has a gorgeous color palette this year.