Alright, let's dive into a head-to-head comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A04s and the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. These two budget-friendly contenders offer some interesting trade-offs, and understanding them is key to picking the right one for your needs.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at how these two phones stack up, focusing on what these specifications actually mean for you:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A04s | Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.7 × 76.7 × 9.1 mm | 168.6 × 76.3 × 8.2 mm | The Redmi 12 5G is slightly taller and thinner. Both are fairly large, but the A04s is a bit thicker and more bulky. |
| Weight | 195g | 199g | Both weigh similarly, feeling substantial but not overly heavy in the hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.79" | Redmi 12 5G offers a slightly larger screen for more immersive media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2460 | The Redmi 12 5G offers a significantly sharper display with more pixels, making text and images clearer. |
| PPI | 270 | 396 | The Redmi 12 5G has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a sharper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD usually provides better viewing angles and color accuracy than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer a smooth scrolling experience thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness, which is not ideal for outdoor use in bright sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is much more powerful than the Exynos 850, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 117,300 | 456,552 | The Redmi 12 5G scores significantly higher in benchmarks, indicating vastly superior overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 613 | The Adreno 613 provides better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 50MP, f/1.8 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Both feature a 50MP main camera which performs well in daylight. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Both use a 5MP front camera, suitable for basic video calls and selfies. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer a 2MP depth sensor for portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A04s has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which is something the Redmi lacks. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 1080p@30fps, Yes stabilization | Both can record 1080p videos at 30fps, but the Redmi 12 5G has digital image stabilization, leading to more stable footage. |
| Slow Motion | 34 fps | 120 fps | Redmi 12 5G has significantly superior slow motion video capabilities |
| DxoMark | Not Tested | Mobile:63 Photo:57, Video:76 | The Redmi 12 5G has been tested and received decent scores, and this is something the A04s lacks |
| Features | Triple camera | Dual camera | The A04s has a third macro lens which could be useful, but the Redmi 12 5G is equipped with Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS) and a panorama mode |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both devices offer similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 15W fast | 18W fast | The Redmi 12 5G supports slightly faster charging, which will result in less charging time. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer is generally considered more stable and safer |
| Other | |||
| Operating System | Android 12 | Android 13 | Redmi 12 5G ships with a newer version of Android out of the box. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11ac | 802.11ac + dual-band | Redmi 12 5G supports dual-band Wi-Fi, potentially leading to faster and more stable connections on modern networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 LE | 5.0 LE, EDR, HID | Redmi 12 5G additionally supports EDR and HID profiles, for broader compatibility with Bluetooth devices such as keyboards, headphones, and mice |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A04s has more satellite systems, potentially leading to more accurate location tracking. |
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Redmi 12 5G offers more storage options, which is important for storing apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Redmi 12 5G has more RAM options, providing better multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device offers expandable storage. |
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both devices have basic audio features. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both devices provide basic biometric security with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Redmi 12 5G offers better protection against scratches and minor impacts, a big plus for everyday durability. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Proximity | Redmi 12 5G has an added compass |
2. Key Insights
Samsung Galaxy A04s Strengths:
- Macro Lens: The inclusion of a dedicated macro lens is a win for users who love close-up photography.
- More Satellite Systems: Offers a wider array of satellite systems for potentially more precise location tracking.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G Strengths:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset offers a huge leap in performance compared to the Exynos 850. This means faster apps, smoother gaming, and better multitasking.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution and pixel density of the Redmi 12 5G's display make a noticeable difference in visual clarity.
- Superior Camera Stabilization: Digital image stabilization results in less shaky videos.
- More Storage & RAM Options: Offers configurations with higher storage capacity and more RAM, providing more flexibility.
- Faster Charging: 18W charging is slightly faster, meaning quicker top-ups for on-the-go users.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers superior protection against scratches and minor impacts.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13, which means you are more likely to get software updates for longer.
- Superior Video Recording Capabilities: 120 fps slow motion video and stabilization make the Redmi 12 5G a better option for video recording.
Trade-offs:
- Galaxy A04s' Macro vs Redmi 12 5G's Overall Camera: While the A04s offers a dedicated macro lens, the overall camera performance, video capabilities and build quality of the Redmi 12 5G is considerably better.
- GPS Accuracy vs Performance: While the A04s is marginally better at GPS tracking, this is a small trade-off compared to the Redmi 12 5G's superior performance, screen, build and battery.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A04s:
- Best For:
- Users on an extremely tight budget who want a basic smartphone experience.
- Users who occasionally need macro photography.
- Users that prioritize GPS tracking accuracy.
- Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts).
- Light social media use.
- Simple photography.
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G:
- Best For:
- Users looking for the best performance and features in the budget segment.
- Users who play mobile games, watch videos, or multitask.
- Users who need a sharper and higher-quality display.
- Users looking for better battery life and durability.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday multitasking.
- Casual gaming.
- Streaming video content.
- Social media and content creation.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help you decide:
- How important is performance to you? If smooth multitasking and gaming are critical, the Redmi 12 5G is the clear winner.
- What do you prioritize in a camera? If you need a macro lens, the A04s has that, but if you're aiming for better video, stabilization and picture quality overall, the Redmi 12 5G wins.
- How important is overall build quality and screen quality? If you need your screen to be well protected against scratches, bumps and drops, the Redmi 12 5G is your go to.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: Go for the Galaxy A04s if you're on an extremely tight budget and need basic smartphone functions. However, if you can stretch your budget even slightly, the Redmi 12 5G offers significantly better value.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: The Redmi 12 5G's larger, higher-resolution display and stronger performance make it ideal for streaming videos, browsing photos, and playing casual games.
- Heavy Mobile User: The Redmi 12 5G with its stronger chipset, better RAM options, faster charging and better build quality will be a better daily driver.
My Choice
If I were in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone, I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G. The performance gap between the two is just too significant to ignore. The Redmi 12 5G offers a dramatically smoother experience, a sharper and brighter display, better build quality, better camera performance and more flexibility when it comes to RAM and storage. While the Samsung Galaxy A04s offers a macro lens, this is a small trade off against the benefits offered by the Redmi 12 5G. The slightly faster charging, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection, better performance, newer version of Android and more features really elevate the Redmi 12 5G to be the superior device.
