Samsung Galaxy A02s vs Xiaomi Redmi 12C - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date January 4, 2021 January 1, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 113.41 cm³ 113.49 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.32 "/g 3.49 "/g
Weight 196 g 192 g
Height 164.2 mm 168.8 mm
Width 75.9 mm 76.4 mm
Thickness 9.1 mm 8.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White
  • Mint Green
  • Graphite Gray
  • Ocean Blue
  • Lavender Purple

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.71 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 720 x 1650
Aspect Ratio 20:9 21:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.8 % 82.6 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 268 PPI
Refresh Rate N/A N/A
Typical Brightness N/A 500 nits
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 111.05 mAh/in²
Battery Density 44.09 mAh/cm³ 44.06 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support No Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 506 Mali-G52 MC2

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 12
Maximum OS Version 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy A02sXiaomi Redmi 12CPractical Impact
Design
Dimensions164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm168.8 x 76.4 x 8.8 mmRedmi 12C is slightly taller and thinner, but both are similar in hand feel
Weight196g192gNegligible difference in weight, both feel similarly substantial
Display
Size6.5"6.71"Redmi 12C offers slightly more screen real estate for content consumption
Resolution720 x 1600720 x 1650Both are HD+, fine for basic use, slight difference is not noticeable
PPI270268Virtually identical sharpness, no visible difference in clarity
TechnologyPLS LCDIPS LCDIPS LCD on Redmi 12C typically offers slightly better viewing angles and color reproduction
Refresh Rate60Hz60HzStandard refresh rate, both offer the same level of smoothness in scrolling
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is not stated, potentially an issue for outdoor use. Need more information.
Performance
ChipsetQualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm)Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)Redmi 12C's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to snappier performance and smoother multitasking.
AnTuTu Score74,800225,154Redmi 12C has far superior benchmark scores, showing vastly improved overall performance in real-world applications.
GPUAdreno 506Mali-G52 MC2Redmi 12C's GPU offers better graphics performance for gaming and multimedia.
Camera
Rear Camera (Main)13MP, f/1.850MP, f/1.8Redmi 12C has a substantially higher resolution sensor, capturing more detail
Selfie Camera5MP, f/2.25MPSimilar selfie camera performance
Portrait Mode2MP (Depth Sensor)NoneA02s has a dedicated depth sensor for bokeh effects
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Both offer similar macro capabilities
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsBoth capture similar quality video
DXOMarkN/AMobile: 45, Photo: 50, Video: 43Redmi 12C has a tested camera performance with scores indicating decent performance for its class
FeaturesTriple camera, PDAF, HDR, etc.Dual camera, Digital stabilization, PDAF, HDR etc.A02s offers triple camera setup and Redmi 12C offer digital stabilization.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhIdentical battery capacity; similar battery life expected.
Charging15W Fast Charging10W Fast ChargingA02s charges faster; less time plugged in to full charge
Battery FeaturesNon-removableNon-removableBoth have standard non-removable batteries.
Software
OSAndroid 10 (Upgradable to 12)Android 12Redmi 12C ships with a newer version of Android for better features.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acRedmi 12C supports more modern Wi-Fi standards and Dual Band, potentially offering better speeds and stability
Bluetooth4.2 LE5.1 LERedmi 12C has newer Bluetooth, for improved stability and efficiency
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoBoth have similar location capabilities
SIMDual Nano SIMMicro SIM + Nano SIMBoth have dual SIM support, different types are supported
Storage
Internal32/64 GB32/64/128 GBRedmi 12C offers more storage options
RAM3/4 GB3/4/6 GBRedmi 12C offers up to 6 GB of RAM for smoother multitasking
Expandable StorageNoNoNo expandable storage on either phone
Audio
Audio QualityBasic audio featuresBasic audio featuresBasic audio output on both devices
Security
Security FeaturesBasic security featuresRear-mounted fingerprint sensorRedmi 12C has a fingerprint sensor for convenient unlock
Build Quality
Screen ProtectionUnknownUnknownLack of information on screen protection
Sensors
SensorsProximity, AccelerometerFingerprint, Accelerometer, Ultrasonic proximityRedmi 12C has a fingerprint sensor and Virtual Proximity sensor and Samsung has Proximity, Accelerometer

2. Key Differences Analysis

Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:

  • Faster Charging: 15W charging is quicker compared to the Redmi 12C's 10W.
  • Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode.
  • Triple Camera setup: Offers a triple camera setup with an extra depth sensor.

Xiaomi Redmi 12C Advantages:

  • Superior Performance: Much faster chipset and GPU, resulting in snappier response and better gaming performance.
  • Significantly Higher AnTuTu Score: Benchmarks indicate a significantly more powerful device in daily usage.
  • Newer Android Version: Ships with a newer Android version for better features.
  • Larger Display: Slightly larger screen size for immersive experience.
  • Better Wi-Fi & Bluetooth: Supports more modern wireless standards for faster and more stable connections.
  • Fingerprint Sensor: Provides a convenient and secure way to unlock the phone.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: Captures more detailed images.
  • More RAM option: Has a 6 GB RAM option for better multitasking capabilities.
  • More Internal Storage Option: Has a 128 GB internal storage option for more storage.

Significant Trade-offs:

  • Samsung Galaxy A02s: Sacrifices processing power for faster charging and an extra camera sensor.
  • Xiaomi Redmi 12C: Sacrifices slightly faster charging for better performance and other features

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Samsung Galaxy A02s:

  • Ideal User: Basic smartphone users who prioritize slightly faster charging speed and are not demanding in performance or gaming. It's good for those who are focused on basic functionality and don't need high performance.
  • Use Cases:
    • Basic communication (calls, messages).
    • Casual browsing and social media.
    • Simple photography with portrait mode effects.
    • Users who do not require intensive multitasking.

Xiaomi Redmi 12C:

  • Ideal User: Value-conscious buyers who want a modern smartphone experience with decent performance and features.
  • Use Cases:
    • Everyday multitasking (apps, browsing, social media).
    • Casual gaming.
    • Mobile photography for social sharing.
    • Users who prefer fingerprint security.
    • Streaming multimedia and content consumption.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. How important is processing power? (e.g., Is it crucial for a smooth experience or just basic functionality?)
  2. Do I need a fingerprint scanner for security and convenience?
  3. Is faster charging essential, or can I wait slightly longer?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Scenario 1: Performance is Priority
    • Recommendation: Choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. Its superior processor and GPU will make a significant difference in daily usage, gaming, and overall speed.
  • Scenario 2: Basic Use, Budget-Conscious
    • Recommendation: If the budget is very tight and only basic functionality is needed, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is acceptable. However, be aware of the performance limitations.
  • Scenario 3: Good camera is a must
    • Recommendation: Although both phones have decent camera's for their price segment, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C would be a better option here, as the DXOMark rating is available, the main sensor is much bigger and it has Digital image stabilization.
  • Scenario 4: Faster Charging is Key
    • Recommendation: The Samsung Galaxy A02s has faster charging but the difference is only 5W and the rest of the phone is significantly worse compared to Xiaomi Redmi 12C, so it would still be recommended to buy the Xiaomi Redmi 12C if you dont need your phone to have a full charge every single hour.

My Choice and Explanation

Based on the detailed analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12C. My primary reasoning is the significantly superior performance offered by its Mediatek Helio G85 chipset and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. The AnTuTu scores clearly demonstrate the performance gap, which would translate to a noticeably smoother and more responsive user experience.

The Redmi 12C's other advantages, such as the newer version of Android, better Wi-Fi standards, fingerprint sensor, and higher-resolution main camera, further solidify its position as the better choice for most users. While the A02s has slightly faster charging, I find that the performance improvements of the Redmi 12C and the other included features are much more valuable for a daily usage.

In short, the Xiaomi Redmi 12C offers a better all-around experience and a better value proposition for most users. The performance difference is simply too significant to ignore in everyday usage scenarios.

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.

Key Strengths:

  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.