1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Realme 8 and Samsung Galaxy M12, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Size | 160.6 × 73.9 × 8 mm | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | Realme 8 is more compact and easier to handle, while the M12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 177g | 212g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
Display
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.4" | 6.5" | Negligible difference, both offer similar screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 720x1600 | Realme 8 offers a sharper display with significantly more detail, making text and images clearer. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 411 | 270 | Realme 8's higher pixel density results in noticeably crisper visuals and less pixelation. |
| Technology | AMOLED | PLS LCD | Realme 8's AMOLED screen offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Samsung Galaxy M12 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, especially in menus and compatible apps. |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 0 nits | Realme 8 provides much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight, where the M12 would likely be difficult to see. |
Performance
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Realme 8's chipset is more powerful for gaming, multitasking and demanding applications. M12 is more energy efficient |
| AnTuTu Score | 409,874 | 117,341 | Realme 8 delivers significantly better overall performance: faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Mali-G52 | Realme 8's GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in smoother and more detailed graphics in games and graphic-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 64MP, f/1.79 | 48MP, f/2.0 | Realme 8's main camera captures more detailed photos and performs better in low light due to its wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP, f/2.45 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Realme 8's front camera captures higher-resolution selfies, but the M12's wider aperture may provide slightly better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.25 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Realme 8's wide-angle lens captures more detail, while the M12's lens may slightly edge out low light scenarios. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | N/A | 2MP, f/2.4 | Samsung M12 includes a dedicated depth sensor for enhanced portrait mode effects, which is absent in the Realme 8. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have a basic 2MP macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Realme 8 includes a dedicated B&W camera, which might allow to take artistic black and white pictures. |
| Video Recording | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps with EIS | 1080p@30fps | Realme 8 offers higher resolution video recording and additional frame rates, along with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for smoother footage. |
Battery
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer comparable battery life, which should last a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 30W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Realme 8 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Other
| Feature | Realme 8 | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11b/g/n | Realme 8 supports faster Wi-Fi speeds using the "ac" standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.0 | Realme 8 has a more modern Bluetooth standard for slightly more efficient connection. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 3/4/6 GB | Realme 8 offers more RAM, especially in the higher end model, which improves multitasking and overall system smoothness. |
| Internal Storage | 64/128 GB | 32/64/128 GB | Both offer the same max storage capacity, however the M12 is also available with 32GB storage. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Hi-Res Audio | Basic | Realme 8 supports Hi-Res Audio, providing better sound quality with compatible headphones. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Basic | Side-mounted | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor of the Samsung M12 is more ergonomic and convenient. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer, Proximity | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall | Both have similar set of sensors, Realme 8 includes magnetometer while the Samsung M12 includes a Hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display offers significantly better image quality, contrast, and brightness, making it much better for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Much Better Performance: The Helio G95 chipset provides significantly better performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness. The AnTuTu benchmark score confirms that.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging dramatically reduces charging time compared to the M12's 15W charging.
- Better Main Camera: The 64MP main camera offers higher resolution and better low-light performance due to the wider aperture.
- Enhanced Video Recording: It offers 4K video recording and better slow motion capabilities.
- Hi-Res Audio: Better audio fidelity for high-quality music playback.
- More RAM: The option for 8GB of RAM offers smoother performance and better multitasking capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Higher Refresh Rate: 90Hz screen refresh rate provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: More ergonomical and easier to access.
- Depth Sensor: The depth sensor can be useful for more advanced portrait mode effects.
- Lower Entry-Level Price: The M12 might be cheaper depending on the market.
- Potentially better battery life: The M12's less powerful processor and lower resolution screen may translate to slightly longer battery life.
Trade-offs:
- Realme 8: Loses out on the smoother 90Hz refresh rate and a dedicated depth sensor but gains significantly in other aspects.
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Sacrifices significant performance, display quality, camera quality and fast charging speed to achieve a more budget-friendly price and slightly higher refresh rate.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Realme 8:
- Gamers: The significantly better processor and GPU provide a superior gaming experience.
- Media Consumers: The AMOLED display offers a more immersive experience for watching videos and viewing photos.
- Photography Enthusiasts: The higher-resolution main camera and better video recording features make it more versatile for photography and videography.
- Power Users: Those who prioritize performance, multitasking, and fast charging.
- Users in bright conditions: The high brightness screen provides much better outdoor usability.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a more affordable option.
- Casual Users: Those who mainly use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
- Users who prefer a smoother experience over image quality: Those who prioritize 90Hz refresh rate over other aspects such as screen sharpness.
- Users who prefer a side mounted fingerprint sensor: Those who prefer the ergonomics of a side mounted fingerprint reader.
Specific Use Cases:
- Realme 8: Gaming, photography, video recording, watching high-definition content, using the phone outdoors in sunlight
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Basic social media browsing, calls, texting, casual photography, general tasks with moderate usage.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is my budget? If on a very tight budget, the M12 is an option.
- How important is display quality to me? If image quality is important, the AMOLED of Realme 8 makes it a far better option.
- What tasks do I primarily perform with my phone? Heavy gaming, watching videos and other demanding tasks will perform much better on the Realme 8, while basic tasks will not show a big performance difference.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the top priority. Go with the Samsung Galaxy M12, although the Realme 8 provides much better performance for a small price increase.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and media consumption are important. Choose the Realme 8 for its better display, performance, and charging speed.
- Scenario 3: Basic phone use with a preference for a smoother display. The Samsung Galaxy M12 with its 90Hz screen is the better choice, but compromises on other important specs.
- Scenario 4: Need to use the phone in bright conditions. The Realme 8 is the only real option since the Samsung has 0 nits of brightness.
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 8. The significantly better display quality with AMOLED, the superior performance of the Helio G95 chipset, the faster 30W charging, and the much brighter screen make it a far superior device overall. While the 90Hz refresh rate of the M12 is a nice feature, the overall experience provided by the Realme 8 is much better for the majority of use cases. The increased RAM and higher quality video capture solidify my decision, making the extra cost a worthwhile investment. While I appreciate the side-mounted fingerprint reader of the M12, I would not base my decision around this feature. The lack of screen brightness on the M12 is a huge downside for outdoor use, making the Realme 8 a clear winner in my book.
