Okay, let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Realme 12 Pro. I'll break down the specs, highlight key differences, and provide practical insights to help you decide which phone is right for you.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed table comparing the key specifications of these two smartphones, with a focus on real-world implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Realme 12 Pro | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | The Realme 12 Pro is more compact and slightly thinner, which could feel more comfortable in hand for some users. The A04s has a larger overall volume. |
| Weight | 195g | 190g | The Realme 12 Pro is slightly lighter, potentially making it more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The Realme 12 Pro offers a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | The Realme 12 Pro’s higher resolution will result in a significantly sharper and more detailed picture, improving clarity for text and images. |
| PPI | 270 | 394 | The Realme 12 Pro will look crisper and less pixelated, providing a far better viewing experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Realme 12 Pro’s AMOLED screen offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors and superior power efficiency, making it much better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Realme 12 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate offers smoother scrolling, and better responsiveness compared to the 90Hz display of the A04s. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Realme 12 Pro's significantly brighter screen makes it much more usable in direct sunlight. The A04s will likely struggle in bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Realme 12 Pro's newer and more efficient Snapdragon chip will deliver considerably faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 574,000 | The Realme 12 Pro’s vastly superior score indicates significantly faster overall performance, handling demanding tasks and games with ease compared to the A04s. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 (ARM Mali-G52) | Adreno 710 (Adreno 710) | The Adreno 710 in the Realme 12 Pro is much more powerful, delivering better graphics performance for gaming and graphic intensive apps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer comparable battery life, good for a full day of typical use. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 67W fast charging | The Realme 12 Pro will charge much faster, significantly reducing downtime and keeping you going. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2" Sony IMX882 | Both phones have comparable main camera resolutions, but the Realme 12 Pro boasts a larger sensor, leading to potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | The Realme 12 Pro’s higher-resolution selfie camera will produce much more detailed and clearer selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74" Sony IMX709 | The Realme 12 Pro's dedicated telephoto lens will provide excellent zoom capabilities, allowing for detailed close-ups. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s uses a depth sensor for portrait mode, but the Realme 12 Pro will achieve this through AI algorithms instead |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The A04s can capture close-up photos, however the quality will be low compared to a dedicated wide angle lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8" Sony IMX355 | The Realme 12 Pro offers a wide angle for capturing expansive shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps | The Realme 12 Pro provides much higher quality videos and supports 4K recording, perfect for content creators. It also offers much better slow motion capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to 14 | Android 14 | The Realme 12 Pro will have the latest version of Android which provides more features, and better performance than Android 12 on the Samsung. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Realme 12 Pro supports WiFi 6 which can provide faster speeds and better performance with compatible routers. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.2 LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | The Realme 12 Pro’s newer version and additional codec support (APT-x, LDAC) will provide better audio connectivity, with a lower latency, and higher quality. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Realme 12 Pro has a more comprehensive list of systems which may lead to faster location acquisition and higher precision. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 256/512GB | The Realme 12 Pro offers far more storage, which means you can store more photos, videos, and apps without needing to worry about space. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 8/12GB | The Realme 12 Pro’s much larger RAM will ensure smoother multitasking, allowing you to run more apps simultaneously without experiencing slowdowns. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phones offer expandable storage, which can be a limitation for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Realme 12 Pro has better audio quality, providing a far more immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is generally more accessible. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | The Samsung A04s uses an ultrasonic sensor for proximity, while the Realme uses a standard proximity sensor, additionally the Realme has a gyroscope which the A04s doesn't. |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Strengths: Affordable price point, decent battery life, and a functional camera for basic photography.
- Competitive Advantages: It's an entry-level phone with a few nice-to-haves at a very reasonable price, such as the fingerprint reader.
- Trade-offs: It's slower, has a lower-resolution screen, a basic camera setup, and lacks features like fast charging. The user experience may be sluggish, especially with heavy multitasking.
Realme 12 Pro:
- Strengths: Superior display quality (AMOLED with higher resolution and brightness), excellent performance, much faster charging, and a versatile camera system with a telephoto lens and better video capture.
- Competitive Advantages: A high-performing device with a beautiful screen, fast charging, a versatile camera, and excellent processing power.
- Trade-offs: It is more expensive than the A04s, and neither phone offers expandable storage.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Best Suited For: Budget-conscious users looking for a basic smartphone for calling, texting, and light social media use. Good for first-time smartphone users.
- Use Cases: Casual browsing, basic photography, and day-to-day communication.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Offers essential features at a very low cost but lacks advanced features and strong performance.
Realme 12 Pro:
- Best Suited For: Users who want a high-quality media consumption, better gaming performance, and overall excellent experience.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, high-quality photography/videography, content consumption, and professional applications.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Offers strong performance, excellent features for the price, providing a strong value proposition.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three practical questions to help users decide:
- What is your budget? If cost is the primary concern, the Galaxy A04s is the more affordable option. If you are willing to pay more, the Realme 12 Pro offers a lot more value.
- How important is display quality, performance and camera quality? If you prioritize a sharp, bright screen, smooth multitasking, and advanced camera features, then the Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner.
- What are your primary phone usage needs? If you are a light user, primarily using your phone for calls, texts, and light browsing, the A04s could be sufficient. For more demanding tasks such as mobile gaming, photo editing, or content creation, the Realme 12 Pro is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A04s. Its affordability makes it a practical choice for basic needs.
Scenario 2: Multimedia Enthusiast
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro. The superior display, advanced camera features and enhanced audio make it ideal for media consumption and creation.
Scenario 3: Performance-Oriented User
- Recommendation: Realme 12 Pro. The powerful processor and RAM ensure smooth multitasking and fast performance.
What I Would Choose and Why
Given my background as a tech journalist and someone who appreciates cutting-edge features, I would unequivocally choose the Realme 12 Pro. Here's why:
Superior User Experience: The difference in display quality alone—moving from a basic PLS LCD to a vibrant AMOLED—is transformative. The enhanced pixel density and 120Hz refresh rate will lead to a much better experience every time I interact with the device.
Performance and Future-Proofing: The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset in the Realme 12 Pro provides significantly better performance and efficiency. This means smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a device that will remain relevant for longer.
Camera Versatility: The Realme 12 Pro’s camera system is far more versatile with its telephoto lens, and higher quality sensor. The capability to record 4K video makes it a great tool for content creation.
Fast Charging: The 67W fast charging on the Realme 12 Pro is a game-changer for me. It minimizes downtime and ensures I can get back to using the phone quickly.
The Samsung A04s is a decent budget phone, but the gap between these two devices is considerable. The Realme 12 Pro represents a significant leap forward in almost every area that matters to the modern user, making it the clear choice for me despite the higher price. The price difference is justified by the superior experience provided by the Realme 12 Pro.
