1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 172.8 × 77.3 × 10.3 mm | The Asus ROG Phone 5 is noticeably larger, which could impact single-handed use. The A12 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 205g | 238g | The Samsung A12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying in pockets. The ROG Phone 5 feels more substantial. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 | The Asus ROG Phone 5 offers superior screen protection against scratches and drops; Samsung A12's screen protection is unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | The Asus ROG Phone 5 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2448 | The Asus ROG Phone 5's higher resolution results in a much sharper and more detailed image, making text clearer and visuals more crisp. |
| PPI | 270 | 395 | The Asus ROG Phone 5 has significantly higher pixel density, leading to sharper images and text. The difference is noticeable, especially for reading and detailed graphics. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Asus ROG Phone 5's AMOLED display offers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to the Samsung A12's LCD screen. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | The Asus ROG Phone 5's higher refresh rate provides dramatically smoother animations, scrolling, and gaming visuals. The A12 feels less fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is the same for both phones (information missing). |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | The Asus ROG Phone 5's chipset is significantly faster and more power-efficient, allowing for smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 103,000 | 883,000 | The Asus ROG Phone 5 is dramatically faster, which translates to a much more responsive and powerful experience for all tasks, particularly demanding ones like gaming. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 660 | The Asus ROG Phone 5's GPU is far more powerful, providing a substantially better gaming experience with higher frame rates and improved graphical fidelity. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/2.0, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2, 0.80µm | 64MP f/1.8, 1/1.7", Sony IMX686 Exmor RS, 0.80µm | The Asus ROG Phone 5's standard camera generally captures more detail and performs better in low light due to its larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 24MP f/2.45, 1/2.8", Samsung S5K2X7, 0.90µm | The Asus ROG Phone 5's front camera captures higher resolution images with more details; While A12 has a wider aperture, the practical impact on image quality is difficult to assess without direct testing |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Samsung A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed shots, offering a basic zoom capability. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.5 | The Asus ROG Phone 5 captures wider and more detailed wide-angle shots compared to the Samsung A12. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The Samsung A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, allowing for a better background blur (bokeh) effect. |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP f/2.0 | The Asus ROG Phone 5 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography of small objects. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 4K@120fps, 1080p@240fps (with EIS) | The Asus ROG Phone 5 offers vastly superior video recording capabilities, including higher resolution, higher frame rates, and enhanced stabilization, making it suitable for professional video capture. |
| DxoMark | Mobile: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Not Tested | Samsung A12's camera scored 90 in DxoMark tests; however it's important to note, the score doesn't distinguish between different camera scores which have been reported as 0. The Asus ROG Phone 5 hasn't been tested by DxoMark. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 5 | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | The Asus ROG Phone 5 has a larger battery, likely offering longer battery life, especially for intensive tasks like gaming. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | The Asus ROG Phone 5 charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime. Also, Li-Polymer is a superior battery technology than Li-Ion. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The ROG Phone 5 has additional battery features allowing for charging while gaming (bypass) and reverse charging, which increases the versatility of the phone. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: Easier to handle and carry, particularly beneficial for users who prefer smaller phones.
- Basic Telephoto Lens: Offers a rudimentary zoom capability.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Better background blur (bokeh) in portrait mode.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: More advanced sensor than standard fingerprint sensor.
- Lower Cost: Generally more affordable than the ROG Phone 5, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
Asus ROG Phone 5 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution AMOLED display with a significantly higher refresh rate for smoother visuals.
- Much Higher Performance: A significantly more powerful processor and GPU make it faster and smoother for demanding applications like gaming.
- Much Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, wider aperture, and more versatile lenses leading to better images and video.
- Much Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and much faster charging times mean less downtime and more power when needed.
- Advanced Audio Features: High-resolution audio, stereo speakers, and noise-cancellation microphones enhance the audio experience.
- More Advanced Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth versions mean faster, more reliable connections.
- Additional Features: Bypass charging, reverse charging.
- Better Build: Corning Gorilla Glass 6 screen protection
- Additional sensors: gyroscope and compass for enhanced sensor data.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Sacrifices performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and advanced features for a more budget-friendly price and a more compact design.
- Asus ROG Phone 5: Is larger, heavier, and more expensive, making it less convenient for some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious buyers who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Users who prefer a more compact and lightweight device.
- Those who prioritize basic functionality over advanced features.
- Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Casual social media browsing.
- Light web surfing.
- Occasional photos.
Asus ROG Phone 5:
- Ideal Users:
- Mobile gamers who need top-tier performance.
- Users who prioritize superior display quality and multimedia experience.
- Those who need a high-quality camera system for photos and videos.
- Users who want the fastest performance and advanced features, regardless of budget.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- High-quality video streaming and media consumption.
- Professional-level photo and video capture.
- Heavy multitasking and productivity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Samsung Galaxy A12 is significantly more affordable.
- What are your primary uses? Gaming and multimedia users will benefit most from the Asus ROG Phone 5, while basic users might find the Samsung A12 sufficient.
- What size and weight are you comfortable with? The Samsung A12 is more compact and lightweight than the Asus ROG Phone 5.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Usage: If you need a smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing, and your budget is limited, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a suitable choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming and Multimedia Enthusiast: If gaming and media consumption are high on your list, then the Asus ROG Phone 5, with its superior performance, display, and audio, is the far better option.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator: If you need to record high-quality photos and videos, the Asus ROG Phone 5 with its advanced camera system is the clear winner.
- Scenario 4: Everyday user: If you need reliable phone with good balance between features, price and use, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a good all-rounder choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Asus ROG Phone 5. Here's why:
While the Samsung A12 is a competent budget phone, the ROG Phone 5 represents a significant leap in almost every key area. My usage involves heavy multitasking, media consumption, and occasional gaming. The ROG Phone 5's superior display, powerful chipset, advanced camera, larger battery, and fast charging would be invaluable to me. While it's more expensive and bulkier, the improvements in performance, screen quality, and overall experience are worth the trade-off. The additional features like reverse charging, bypass charging, and a more capable audio system are significant advantages that cater to my specific needs.
The Samsung A12 would be fine for basic tasks, but I would find it limiting. The ROG Phone 5 would be an investment for a device that is significantly more capable, future-proof and aligns with my use-case.
