1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2024-01-18 | Asus ROG Phone 8 is a much newer device with access to newer features and potentially longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Both phones are very similar in size, making them comparable in-hand feel. |
| Weight | 205g | 225g | Samsung Galaxy A12 is lighter and may be more comfortable for extended one-handed use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a significantly sharper display with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 388 | Asus ROG Phone 8's higher PPI results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Asus ROG Phone 8 has superior display technology with better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | Asus ROG Phone 8 provides significantly smoother scrolling and animations, especially noticeable in gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus ROG Phone 8 has dramatically better outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a vastly more powerful and efficient chipset, offering significantly faster performance for all tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 2,020,000 | Asus ROG Phone 8 delivers a dramatically smoother experience for apps and games, and is much more future-proof. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 750 | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a significantly more powerful GPU, enabling high-end gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a larger battery, likely providing longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Asus ROG Phone 8 charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Li-Polymer batteries generally have a longer lifespan and better energy density. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers slightly higher resolution, and generally superior image quality due to a better sensor. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.9 | Asus ROG Phone 8's wider aperture allows more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a larger sensor, resulting in better light sensitivity and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 32MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a much higher-resolution front-facing camera for clearer selfies and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (5MP) | No | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in a single shot. |
| Portrait Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | No | Yes (5MP) | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up shots. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | No | Yes (13MP) | Asus ROG Phone 8 features a wide angle lens that can be used for macro photos. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Asus ROG Phone 8 offers significantly higher video recording capabilities with higher resolution, HDR, and stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Asus ROG Phone 8 provides electronic image stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Slow Motion | 30fps | 480fps | Asus ROG Phone 8 allows for much more detailed slow-motion recording. |
| DxOMark Score | 90 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a DxOMark score of 90. Asus ROG Phone 8 has not been tested. |
| Camera Features | Limited | Extensive, including OIS, gimbal, laser AF | Asus ROG Phone 8 has superior camera capabilities with additional features such as optical image stabilization, laser autofocus, and gimbal, resulting in higher-quality videos and photos. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 14, upgradable to 16 | Asus ROG Phone 8 comes with a much newer version of Android and has guaranteed updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Asus ROG Phone 8 has much better WiFi capabilities with faster speeds and supports newer standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a newer Bluetooth version, offering better energy efficiency and potentially faster data transfer speeds. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Asus ROG Phone 8 supports more satellite systems, resulting in more accurate and faster location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Dual SIM | Both phones support Dual SIM functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB | 256 GB | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a fixed larger storage option, while Samsung Galaxy A12 has different tiers, but all are smaller than the Asus. |
| RAM | 3 GB, 4 GB, or 6 GB | 12 GB or 16 GB | Asus ROG Phone 8 has significantly more RAM, leading to better multitasking and gaming performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage, limiting long-term storage potential. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Asus ROG Phone 8 has superior audio capabilities with better surround sound, better audio separation and immersion, and enhanced voice capture, offering a better multimedia experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a more advanced side-mounted sensor for faster access. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Asus ROG Phone 8 provides superior screen protection, enhancing durability. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Asus ROG Phone 8 has a more comprehensive sensor suite, enabling more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The A12 is 20g lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use, especially for smaller hands.
- Telephoto, Wide-Angle and Portrait Lenses: The A12 offers dedicated lenses for telephoto, wide-angle and portrait photography, providing more versatility for taking photos.
- Potentially Lower Cost: Generally older phones have a lower price point, providing a good option for those on a budget.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with 165Hz refresh rate, higher resolution, and brightness offers a dramatically better visual experience.
- Massively Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides significantly faster performance for all tasks, including gaming, multitasking and future-proof capability.
- Enhanced Camera Quality: The main camera has better low-light performance, a larger sensor, and features such as OIS and laser autofocus. The Asus also has much better video recording options with 8K recording and 480fps slow-motion capabilities.
- Better Battery and Charging: The ROG Phone 8 offers a slightly larger battery and much faster 65W charging.
- Modern Software: It ships with Android 14 and is expected to receive further updates, offering a more up-to-date user experience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Premium Audio: Features DTS/DTS X, stereo speakers, and multiple microphones for an enhanced audio experience.
- Durability: Features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for improved screen protection.
- Macro Lens and Wide Angle + Macro Lens: The Asus ROG Phone 8 has dedicated macro lenses and a wide angle + macro lens for detail and close-up photos.
- Gyroscope, Compass and Gravity Sensors: Allows for greater usability for more advanced features.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a slightly lower cost and a lighter build but at the cost of lower quality features, much lower performance and a lower spec camera.
- The Asus ROG Phone 8 is heavier and significantly more expensive, but comes with massive improvements in almost every category.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Individuals who prioritize affordability over high-end performance and features.
- Basic Smartphone Users: People who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- Users Needing Versatile Photography: People who need different camera lenses for a more creative photography experience.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Use Cases:
- Daily communication and light social media use
- Basic photography for everyday snapshots
- As a secondary or backup phone
- Users who prefer a lighter phone for portability
- Users who like the idea of a telephoto, wide angle and portrait lens.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Ideal User:
- Gamers and Performance Enthusiasts: Individuals who demand the best performance for mobile gaming and other resource-intensive tasks.
- Multimedia Consumers: People who frequently watch videos, listen to music, and appreciate a high-quality display.
- Users Needing Advanced Camera Capabilities: Individuals who require professional-grade photography and videography features on their smartphone.
- Power Users: Individuals who need all features in their phone and demand it to have the best specs available.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming with smooth performance and high refresh rate.
- Enjoying high-quality streaming content on the vibrant AMOLED display.
- Creating professional-grade video content with 8K recording.
- Demanding productivity tasks with fast processing power.
- Users who prefer the latest software and features
- Users who need more accurate location tracking for mapping
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? If you have a very limited budget, the A12 is the more affordable option. If you're willing to pay more, the ROG Phone 8 offers a much more significant value to your money.
- What do I use my phone for most often? If you only need basic communication and light use, the A12 is enough. If you do a lot of gaming, or photography, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the superior option.
- How much do I care about having the latest technology and performance? If you want the fastest speeds and the latest features, the ROG Phone 8 is for you. If you just want a simple device, the A12 is more than sufficient.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget is the Primary Concern): If you absolutely need to minimize cost, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is the only choice, but understand that it provides very basic functionality and a very outdated experience.
- Scenario 2 (Gaming and Multimedia): If gaming or watching videos is a major part of your phone use, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the superior option due to its performance and display quality.
- Scenario 3 (Photography and Videography): If you want high quality photos and the ability to record 8K video the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the better choice, offering a more versatile and high-quality camera setup.
- Scenario 4 (All-Around Performance): If you want a phone with high-end performance, a better display, modern software and all other aspects improved on, the Asus ROG Phone 8 is the obvious choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the Asus ROG Phone 8. Although it is significantly more expensive, the performance jump, superior display, better camera system, and up-to-date software make it a significantly better value for the money. As someone who values smooth performance, high-quality visuals, and the capability to do a wide variety of intensive tasks, the ROG Phone 8 offers a significantly better user experience and is much more future-proof. The Samsung Galaxy A12, while being a more budget-friendly option, does not provide a competitive user experience when compared to the ROG Phone 8 and should only be considered if you have a very limited budget and require a basic phone. The ROG Phone 8 is an obvious choice for anyone who wants a top-tier phone experience with a focus on performance and high-end features.
