1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 164.6 × 76.8 × 8 mm | Infinix is slightly taller and wider but thinner. The A02s will feel a bit bulkier in hand. |
| Weight | 196g | 185g | Infinix is noticeably lighter (11g), which might be more comfortable during prolonged usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Infinix has slightly larger display, which is better for media consumption, gaming, and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Infinix offers a significantly sharper display, making text and images look much clearer. |
| PPI | 270 | 393 | Infinix has higher pixel density, resulting in a noticeably sharper and less pixelated display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Infinix has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colours, and better power efficiency especially when using a dark theme. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both displays offer the same standard 60Hz refresh rate, so no noticeable difference in smoothness. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 650 nits | Infinix is much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. Samsung A02s's brightness is unknown and might struggle in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Mediatek Helio G96 (12 nm) | Infinix's chip offers better overall performance. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 307,000 | Infinix is considerably faster in performance. Infinix handles demanding tasks much better. The Samsung would feel slower and laggy. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Infinix GPU is much better for gaming. Infinix offers smoother frame rates in demanding games. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera | 13MP (f/1.8) | 50MP (f/1.6) | Infinix produces much higher resolution photos with more detail, better performance in low light due to the wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP (f/2.2) | 16MP (f/2.0) | Infinix takes much higher resolution selfies, better low-light performance. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP (f/2.4) | 2MP (f/2.4) | Similar performance for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | Not Available | Samsung allows for close-up macro photos, while Infinix does not have this feature. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, Slow-motion 120fps | Infinix captures higher resolution videos (2K) and better slow-motion capabilities. |
| Camera Features | PDAF | Digital image stabilization, Manual focus, Night Mode | Samsung features Phase Detection Autofocus which results in faster autofocusing, while Infinix features digital image stabilization, Manual focus, and a Night mode for low light situations |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity which would result in similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 33W | Infinix charges much faster; it'll charge the phone much faster. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones use non-removable batteries. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Infinix has a newer OS out of the box; which means it is more up to date. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/n 5GHz | Infinix supports dual-band Wi-Fi offering faster and less congested network speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 LE | 5.1 LE, EDR, HID | Infinix has a newer Bluetooth version, which results in better power efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS | Samsung offers more GPS satellite options for better accuracy in different regions. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support dual SIM cards; allowing users to manage two different numbers and plans. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB | 64GB/128GB | Infinix offers more internal storage; Infinix provides more storage for apps and media. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Infinix has more RAM, providing smoother multitasking and better performance for demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | DTS/DTS X, Stereo Speakers | Infinix offers a much better audio experience with enhanced surround sound and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Infinix offers fingerprint security for convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Infinix includes more sensors, including a fingerprint scanner for enhanced security and a gyroscope for more advanced motion sensing features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- More GPS satellite options: Supports GLONASS, Beidou, and Galileo in addition to GPS for more precise location tracking in different regions.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro camera for taking close-up shots of small objects.
- Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF): Offers faster and more accurate autofocusing.
Infinix Note 12 G96 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density and brightness for better viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster processor and GPU, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming performance.
- Better Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, wider apertures for better low-light photos and video recording quality.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging, which is much faster than Samsung's 15W charging.
- More RAM: More RAM, which improves multitasking.
- Better Audio: DTS/DTS X and stereo speakers for a better audio experience.
- Fingerprint Sensor: Offers enhanced biometric security.
- Dual Band Wifi: Better connectivity with dual band Wifi.
- Newer Bluetooth: Newer Bluetooth standard for better performance and efficiency.
- Digital Image Stabilisation (DIS): Captures clearer videos by minimizing shakes.
- Night mode: Takes clearer photos in low light situations.
- Manual focus: Greater control over focusing.
- Exposure and White balance controls: Greater control over lighting for a better photo.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A02s loses out significantly in terms of display quality, overall performance, and camera capabilities.
- Infinix Note 12 G96 lacks the dedicated macro camera found in the A02s and a few GPS options but otherwise has better features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02s Ideal User:
- Basic users: Those who mainly use their phone for calls, texts, and basic web browsing.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Users who prioritize a lower price and basic functionality over cutting-edge features.
- Users who need GPS location tracking: Users who want precise location tracking in different areas.
Macro Photography: Users who like to take close up photos.
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily communication (calls, messages).
- Basic social media browsing.
- GPS Navigation in different areas.
- Taking photos of small objects.
Infinix Note 12 G96 Ideal User:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who watch a lot of videos, play games and listen to music.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who care about camera quality.
- Performance-oriented users: People who want a phone that can handle multitasking and gaming smoothly.
- Users who need Fast Charging: Users who need to charge the phone fast.
Users who need Better Audio: Users who listen to audio on the phone through speakers.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- Watching videos on the go.
- High-quality photo and video capture.
- Daily social media usage and content creation.
- Multitasking for work and entertainment.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your main use case? (e.g., basic calls/texts, multimedia consumption, gaming, photography).
- What is your budget? Is it more important to save money or get the best possible experience?
- How important are camera quality, display, and overall performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Basic User: If you primarily need a phone for basic communication and are on a very tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A02s might suffice, but you need to be okay with the slow performance. However, if the budget allows, the Infinix Note 12 G96 is a better buy in the long run.
- Multimedia & Social Media User: If you enjoy watching videos, playing games, browsing social media, and taking photos, the Infinix Note 12 G96 is the clear winner due to its superior display, performance, and camera capabilities.
- Performance and Gaming User: If you want a phone that can handle demanding tasks and gaming smoothly, the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers the performance needed.
- Photo Enthusiast: If you like taking photos, the Infinix is a much better option with significantly better camera specs and features.
My Choice
Given the provided specifications, I would choose the Infinix Note 12 G96.
Reasoning:
The Infinix Note 12 G96 offers a significantly superior user experience in almost every aspect that matters to most users. The AMOLED display, faster performance, better cameras, faster charging, enhanced audio, and added security features like the fingerprint sensor, makes it a more practical and enjoyable phone to use for most of my daily tasks, whether it is browsing, watching media, gaming or content creation.
While the Samsung Galaxy A02s might be more budget-friendly, its performance lags far behind and the user experience will be far from ideal. The macro camera and better GPS are the only advantages for the A02s, but these are not that important compared to all the advantages of the Infinix Note 12 G96. The Infinix has significantly better specifications across the board, making it the better choice for me.
