Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Xiaomi Redmi 12. These two budget-friendly contenders both offer a compelling set of features, but there are some key differences that might sway your decision. As always, we're not just looking at specs on paper; we're figuring out how these phones fit into your life.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a detailed breakdown of the key specs, along with what they mean for you day-to-day:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Xiaomi Redmi 12 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | Redmi 12 is slightly taller but slimmer; A04s feels a bit more bulky; both are manageable for most hands. |
| Weight | 195g | 198.5g | Both are similarly weighted; both should feel substantial without being overly heavy. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 offers a more immersive experience thanks to the larger display, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2460 | Redmi 12 has a significantly sharper and clearer display, better for reading and detailed graphics. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 396 | Noticeably sharper images and text on the Redmi 12; A04s is less crisp, may appear a little blurry. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD on Redmi 12 generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD on A04s. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations; makes the phone feel more responsive than 60Hz panels. |
| Brightness (nits) | 0 | 0 | Both displays are likely to struggle in direct sunlight since there is no peak brightness available |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Helio G88 (12 nm) | Redmi 12's Helio G88 is much more powerful, offering smoother performance, better multitasking, and more enjoyable gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,300 | 249,400 | Redmi 12 is substantially faster than A04s, indicating it handles apps and games with significantly more ease. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Redmi 12's slightly more powerful GPU should lead to smoother graphics in games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Comparable main cameras; Both have the same pixel count and aperture, so performance will be based on image processing. |
| Selfie | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.1 | Redmi 12 takes clearer and sharper selfies with a higher megapixel count and slightly better aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.2 | Redmi 12 is more versatile, letting you capture wider scenes or group shots that the A04s cannot achieve. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A04s can take depth photos, but quality won't be amazing. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both can capture close-up shots; quality is often similar in macro lenses of this class. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps; Slow-mo 34fps | 1080p@30fps; Slow-mo 120fps | Both record 1080p video, but the Redmi 12 has better slow-motion at 120 fps. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should provide similar all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Redmi 12 will charge faster, meaning less time plugged into the wall. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | Redmi 12 offers reverse wired charging; useful for giving a friend a power boost in a pinch. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 13 | Redmi 12 offers a newer version of Android out of the box, meaning some new features will only be available on the Redmi 12 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Dual Band | Redmi 12's dual band should mean better stability and range of signal for the Wi-Fi |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.3 LE, APT-x | Redmi 12's Bluetooth version is newer and has more features including better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Both will offer good GPS, but the A04s has more systems for greater accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Redmi 12 offers much more storage; the base model has 128GB of storage, compared to a lower 32 GB of storage on the A04s. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | Redmi 12 offers a lot more RAM; should allow for more apps to be open without slowing the phone down. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you're stuck with whatever internal storage option you choose. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer side-mounted fingerprint sensors for easy and quick access to your device. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | Redmi 12 has a better suite of sensors, such as a compass and gyroscope, which are useful for more advanced apps and games. |
2. Key Insights
- Xiaomi Redmi 12's Dominance in Performance: The Redmi 12 significantly outperforms the A04s in almost every key area, especially when it comes to performance. The vastly superior AnTuTu score and more powerful chipset translate to noticeable real-world improvements.
- Display Difference is Noticeable: The Redmi 12's sharper and larger screen makes a huge difference in usability, especially for anyone who consumes a lot of media, does some reading, or cares about visuals. The Redmi 12 wins here.
- Camera is Better on the Redmi 12: Although the A04s has a 2MP portrait mode camera, the Redmi 12 offers superior camera versatility with a wide-angle lens, better slow-motion, and a superior selfie shooter.
- Battery Is a Tie: Both phones have similar battery capacity, so most users will get comparable battery life out of both devices.
- Storage and Memory Go to the Redmi 12 The base model of the Redmi 12 offers 4 times more storage than the base model of the A04s, and with up to 8GB of RAM, the Redmi 12 is a clear winner.
- Software: The Redmi 12 has a more up to date operating system.
- The Samsung Galaxy A04s’s Sole Advantage: GPS: The Samsung phone wins here with more GPS systems, which may provide slightly more accurate location data.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Best For: Users who are extremely budget-conscious and need a very basic phone for simple tasks like calling, texting, and very basic social media.
- Use Cases: First smartphone for elderly users or young children, backup phone, a temporary device if your primary phone broke.
- Considerations: The A04s’s limited performance may lead to frustrations for some users, especially if they are used to quicker, faster phones.
Xiaomi Redmi 12:
- Best For: Value-conscious users seeking strong performance, a quality display, and a more versatile camera experience.
- Use Cases: Everyday media consumption (videos, browsing), social media, casual gaming, decent photography on a budget.
- Considerations: Its bigger size may not be ideal for people with very small hands.
4. Buying Decision Framework
To help you decide, here are three questions to ask yourself:
- How important is performance to you? If you play games or do heavy multitasking, the Redmi 12 is the clear winner. If it’s not important to you, the A04s will work but be a little slow.
- How much do you care about display quality? If you're just using a phone for basic functions, the A04s’s lower resolution might not matter too much to you. The Redmi 12's display however will look better.
- How important is camera quality? If you like to take photos and capture moments, the versatility of the Redmi 12's camera is hard to beat for this price point.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Minimalist: If the absolute lowest price is your priority, the Samsung A04s will work. Expect a less smooth experience and fewer features.
- Value Seeker: If you want a balance of price and performance, the Xiaomi Redmi 12 is much better than the A04s; you get a superior screen, significantly better performance, better camera versatility, and more RAM and storage.
- Mobile Gamer/Media Junkie: The Redmi 12 is clearly the more suitable device with its better screen, more powerful chipset, and larger memory for apps.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would absolutely go with the Xiaomi Redmi 12. While both phones are in the budget range, the Redmi 12 offers a vastly superior user experience due to its much better performance, higher-resolution display, better camera, and larger storage. The Redmi 12 is a more mature, user-friendly phone, where the A04s would be more of a backup device. The marginal cost increase would be very worthwhile in the long run, for me and for most users. The A04s is only better for very specific users who do not care for the features the Redmi 12 offers.
