Apple iPhone 12 vs Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date October 23, 2020 August 9, 2021
Release Year 2020 2021

Physical

Volume 77.62 cm³ 110.64 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.72 "/g 3.17 "/g
Weight 164 g 205 g
Height 146.7 mm 164 mm
Width 71.5 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 7.4 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Green
  • Purple
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue

Display

Screen Size 6.1 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1170 x 2532 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 19.5:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 87.1 % 82.1 %
Pixel Density 460 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness 625 nits N/A
Peak Brightness 1200 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 75.65 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 36.27 mAh/cm³ 45.19 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 2815 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) Exynos 850 (8 nm)
CPU Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz Firestorm + 4x1.8 GHz Icestorm) Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Apple GPU (4-core graphics) Mali-G52

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features Lightning 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0

Software

Operating System iOS Android
Initial OS Version 14.1 11
Maximum OS Version 18 13

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A12 NachoPractical Impact
Dimensions146.7 × 71.5 × 7.4 mm164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mmiPhone 12 is more pocketable and easier to handle with one hand. A12 Nacho is larger and may be less comfortable for some.
Weight164g205giPhone 12 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use.
BuildPremium materials (assumed)Plastic (assumed)iPhone 12 likely feels more premium and durable.

Display

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A12 NachoPractical Impact
Size6.1"6.5"A12 Nacho offers a larger screen for media consumption and easier viewing.
Resolution1170x2532720x1600iPhone 12 has a significantly sharper and more detailed display for better image and text clarity.
Pixel Density460 PPI270 PPIiPhone 12's higher pixel density results in smoother text and sharper images.
TechnologyOLEDPLS LCDiPhone 12's OLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors.
Brightness1200 nits0 nitsiPhone 12 is much easier to see in direct sunlight.
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzBoth have standard refresh rates, resulting in similar smoothness.

Performance

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A12 NachoPractical Impact
ChipsetApple A14 Bionic (5 nm)Exynos 850 (8 nm)iPhone 12 offers significantly faster performance for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking.
AnTuTu Score1,083,947117,300iPhone 12 is much faster in real-world use, with quicker app loading and smoother performance.
GPUApple GPU (4-core graphics)Mali-G52iPhone 12 provides superior graphics performance for gaming and graphically intensive applications.
RAM4 GB3 GB or 4 GB or 6 GBThe A12 Nacho, depending on the configuration, may have the same or more RAM. More RAM allows for smoother multitasking.

Camera

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A12 NachoPractical Impact
Main Camera12MP f/1.648MP f/2.0A12 Nacho has a higher resolution, which can result in more detail in good lighting. iPhone 12's wider aperture allows for better low-light performance.
Ultrawide Camera12MP f/2.45MP f/2.0iPhone 12's ultrawide lens captures more detailed wide-angle shots.
Selfie Camera12MP f/2.28MP f/2.2iPhone 12 takes higher-resolution selfies.
Macro LensN/A2MP f/2.4A12 Nacho can take close-up macro shots.
Depth SensorN/A2MP f/2.4A12 Nacho can create more accurate bokeh in portrait mode.
Video RecordingUp to 4K@60fps HDRUp to 1080p@30fpsiPhone 12 records much higher quality videos with better stabilization and dynamic range.
FeaturesOIS, Night Mode, 4K VideoQuad CameraThe iPhone 12 has a more sophisticated camera system with better low-light capabilities.

Battery

FeatureApple iPhone 12Samsung Galaxy A12 NachoPractical Impact
Capacity2815mAh5000mAhA12 Nacho offers significantly longer battery life.
Charging20W Fast Charging, Wireless Charging15W Fast ChargingiPhone 12 charges faster and supports wireless charging for added convenience.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Apple iPhone 12 Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: The A14 Bionic chip is significantly faster, providing a smoother and more responsive user experience.
  • Better Display: The OLED display offers superior image quality, brightness, and sharpness.
  • Higher Quality Camera: The camera system excels in both photo and video quality, especially in low light.
  • Premium Build: Likely uses more premium materials for a more durable and aesthetically pleasing design.
  • Wireless Charging: Offers the convenience of wireless charging.

Practical Implications: The iPhone 12 is better for users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and a premium experience.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Advantages:

  • Larger Battery: Offers significantly longer battery life, ideal for users who need all-day power.
  • Larger Screen: Provides a more immersive experience for media consumption.
  • Macro Lens: Allows for close-up photography.
  • Lower Price: Generally more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious consumers.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Convenient biometric security.

Practical Implications: The A12 Nacho is better for users who prioritize battery life, a larger screen, and affordability.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Choosing the iPhone 12 means sacrificing battery life and macro lens capabilities for superior performance, display, and camera.
  • Choosing the A12 Nacho means accepting lower performance, a less impressive display, and a less capable camera to gain significantly better battery life and affordability.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Apple iPhone 12 Ideal Users:

  • Content Creators: Benefit from the high-quality camera for photos and videos.
  • Gamers: Enjoy smoother gameplay due to the powerful processor and GPU.
  • Power Users: Need a responsive and fast phone for multitasking and demanding applications.
  • Users who value display quality: Appreciate the vibrant and sharp OLED screen.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Shooting high-quality videos for social media.
  • Playing graphics-intensive mobile games.
  • Using resource-heavy applications for work or creative projects.
  • Consuming media in high resolution with vibrant colors.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Ideal Users:

  • Budget-conscious consumers: Looking for an affordable smartphone with essential features.
  • Users who prioritize battery life: Need a phone that can last all day without needing to be charged.
  • Casual users: Primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing.
  • Users who prefer a larger display: For easy reading and media consumption.

Specific Use Cases:

  • Everyday communication (calls, texts, emails).
  • Browsing the web and social media.
  • Watching videos and movies on the go.
  • Taking occasional photos in good lighting conditions.

Price-to-Value Ratio:

  • The iPhone 12 offers a higher price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
  • The Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a better price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize battery life and affordability.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The A12 Nacho is significantly more affordable.
  2. How important is battery life to you? The A12 Nacho offers much longer battery life.
  3. How important are performance and camera quality? The iPhone 12 excels in these areas.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Need All-Day Battery: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho.
  • Scenario 2: Prioritize Performance and Camera, Budget is Flexible: Choose the Apple iPhone 12.
  • Scenario 3: Balanced Needs, Want Good Performance and Decent Battery: Research other options as these phones are at opposite ends of the spectrum.

My Choice

If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Apple iPhone 12. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho has appealing aspects like a larger battery and a more affordable price, the iPhone 12 offers a far superior user experience in areas that I value most. The significant performance boost ensures smooth multitasking and gaming. The higher quality display makes media consumption more enjoyable. The camera's capabilities are also a big plus for capturing high-quality photos and videos. While the battery life is shorter, I can manage it with strategic charging. For me, the overall performance and camera quality outweigh the battery life advantage of the A12 Nacho.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.