Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Asus ROG Phone 7
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2023-05-01 | Asus ROG Phone 7 is significantly newer, benefiting from newer tech. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones with no foldable features. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 173 × 77 × 10.3 mm | ROG Phone 7 is noticeably larger and thicker, impacting pocketability and one-handed use. |
| Weight | 205g | 239g | Galaxy A12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | ROG Phone 7 offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2448 | ROG Phone 7 has significantly sharper text and images due to higher pixel count. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 395 PPI | ROG Phone 7 provides a noticeably clearer, more detailed picture. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | ROG Phone 7 has richer colors, better contrast (deeper blacks), and better visibility in bright conditions. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | ROG Phone 7 has much smoother scrolling and animations for a better user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1500 nits | ROG Phone 7 is significantly more visible in bright sunlight. Samsung's brightness specification is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | ROG Phone 7 is vastly more powerful for gaming, heavy apps, and multitasking. |
| Antutu Score | 103,000 | 1,603,292 | ROG Phone 7 offers a dramatically faster and more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 740 | ROG Phone 7 provides significantly better graphics for gaming and demanding apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/1.9 | ROG Phone 7 has slightly higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor for better low-light performance and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 32MP f/2.5 | ROG Phone 7 captures more detailed and clearer selfies, with a notably higher resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A12 has dedicated telephoto lens but the ROG Phone 7 has a superior main camera sensor and likely better digital zoom performance |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.2 | ROG Phone 7 has a higher resolution for wider shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A12 has dedicated depth sensor for portrait but ROG phone has a more capable main sensor |
| Macro Lens | None | 5MP f/2.4 | ROG Phone 7 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | ROG Phone 7 is much more capable at video recording, offering higher resolution, frame rates, and advanced features. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | ROG Phone 7 likely offers longer battery life due to larger capacity. |
| Charging | 15W | 65W | ROG Phone 7 charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, 65W charger | ROG Phone 7 offers advanced features like bypass charging (for gaming while plugged in without battery degradation) and reverse charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 13 (up to 15) | ROG Phone 7 has a much more current OS with newer features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ad/ax/be | ROG Phone 7 has faster Wi-Fi with access to newer standards and features. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | ROG Phone 7 has a newer Bluetooth standard, with advanced features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | ROG Phone 7 has more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | ROG Phone 7 offers significantly more storage for apps, media, and games. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12/16 GB | ROG Phone 7 is much better for smooth multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | DTS / DTS X, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | ROG Phone 7 offers a much richer audio experience with stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio support, and noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | The Samsung A12 has a side mounted sensor and the ROG Phone 7 has a basic sensor, potentially under the screen. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Gorilla Glass Victus | ROG Phone 7 has a more scratch and damage resistant screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | ROG Phone 7 has a more comprehensive set of sensors for more features and advanced usage. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: More comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Depth Lens: Although not superior in terms of sensor quality, the inclusion is notable at this price point.
Asus ROG Phone 7 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, AMOLED, higher refresh rate, and much brighter. The display is significantly better in every way.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor, more RAM, better GPU, making it exceptional for gaming, multitasking, and heavy app usage.
- Better Camera Quality: Higher resolution sensors, wider aperture, and superior video capabilities including 8K.
- Larger Battery and Faster Charging: Longer battery life and significantly faster charging times.
- Advanced Features: Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Superior Audio Quality, more advanced connectivity, and a newer OS.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus screen protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The ROG Phone 7 is bulky and heavy compared to the Galaxy A12, which might be a drawback for some users.
- Price: The ROG Phone 7 is substantially more expensive.
- Missing Telephoto and Depth lenses: Although ROG phone 7 has a dedicated macro lens, it lacks dedicated telephoto and depth lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users
- Users needing a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light browsing
- Users who prioritize a lighter, more portable device
- Users who are not demanding in terms of performance and camera
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic communication and social media
- Casual web browsing and video streaming (at lower resolutions)
- Simple app usage
- First smartphone or for users with basic needs
Asus ROG Phone 7 Ideal User:
- Gamers and power users
- Users who need top-tier performance
- Users who prioritize display quality, camera capabilities, and superior audio
- Users who don't mind the larger size and weight
- Users willing to pay a premium for a high-performance device
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming (especially demanding titles)
- Video editing, content creation, and high-fidelity media consumption
- Heavy multitasking with numerous apps
- Users who require a future-proof device
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Galaxy A12: Offers acceptable performance for its price, ideal for budget-conscious users.
- ROG Phone 7: Is expensive, but provides exceptional performance and features, justifying the cost for users needing top-tier performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Galaxy A12 is significantly cheaper, while the ROG Phone 7 is a premium device.
- What are my primary use cases? Do I need top performance for gaming and heavy apps, or do I need a basic smartphone for daily tasks?
- How important are portability and ergonomics? The Galaxy A12 is much more comfortable for one-handed use, while the ROG Phone 7 is large and heavy.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If your budget is limited and you need a simple phone, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a practical choice.
- Scenario 2 (Gaming and Performance): If you are a gamer or power user requiring the best performance, display, and features, the Asus ROG Phone 7 is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you have a moderate budget and need a decent, reliable smartphone without gaming as a priority, the neither the A12 nor the ROG is good recommendation. There are better options for the average user.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 7. My primary use case is mobile gaming, and the ROG Phone 7 is unparalleled in that area. While it's significantly more expensive and bulkier, its vastly superior performance, display, and overall feature set would be worth the investment. Additionally, while I acknowledge the missing telephoto and depth sensors, the advanced capabilities of the main camera and the inclusion of a dedicated macro lens make it more versatile.
The Samsung A12 is a budget friendly phone that is suitable for very basic usage, but it cannot compete with the performance and features offered by the ROG Phone 7. Ultimately the ROG Phone 7 is the superior smartphone in almost every single way.
