Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 163.8 × 76.8 × 8.9 mm | Very similar size, both will feel similar in hand |
| Weight | 205g | 225g | Samsung Galaxy A12 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard smartphones, not foldable. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a much sharper and clearer display with more detail. |
| PPI | 270 | 388 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has significantly higher pixel density, leading to a crisper image. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, better for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers dramatically smoother animations and scrolling, particularly noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has dramatically better outdoor visibility, essential for sunny conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a vastly more powerful and efficient processor, resulting in significantly faster performance. |
| Antutu Score | 103,000 | 2,020,000 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is much faster in all tasks, including app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 750 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a much more powerful GPU, handling graphically intensive tasks such as gaming with ease. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a slightly larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 65W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has slightly more detailed images |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.9 | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro allows more light, enhancing low-light performance. |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.56" | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro captures more light and detail |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 32MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro captures much sharper and more detailed selfie images |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP | 32MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a much more capable telephoto zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 has dedicated wide angle for more flexible shots |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a dedicated macro lens |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro can record higher-resolution video with advanced features such as HDR and stabilization |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has video stabilization technology |
| Slow-motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 480 fps | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has better slow-motion video capabilities. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 90 (Photo: 0, Video: 0) | - | Samsung A12 has an overall score of 90 |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Gimbal, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode | Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers a more advanced camera system with more features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Depth Cameras: Offers more flexible photography options.
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable.
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A12 is a budget-friendly phone, prioritizing affordability over top-tier specs. Its lighter weight and additional camera sensors cater to basic user needs. It is ideal for those who want a simple phone for basic tasks and do not need advanced features.
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, brightness and better technology providing a vastly superior viewing experience.
- Exceptional Performance: Dramatically faster processor and GPU for smooth multitasking and high-end gaming.
- Advanced Camera System: Significantly better sensors, features, and video capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Significantly reduces charging times.
- Larger RAM: Makes multitasking seamless and supports demanding games and applications
- Advanced Audio: Better quality with Stereo Speakers, DTS/DTSX, 3 Microphones
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 14 and has a max version of 16
Practical Implications: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is a high-performance device targeted at gamers and power users. It excels in gaming, multimedia consumption, photography, and general speed. It is ideal for users who demand top-tier performance and are willing to pay a premium for it.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Price: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is significantly more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy A12.
- Weight: The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is heavier than the Samsung Galaxy A12 which could affect user comfort, especially for long periods of usage.
- Camera Flexibility: While the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro has a significantly better overall camera system, it lacks dedicated wide-angle and depth sensors.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritize affordability over cutting-edge technology.
- Basic smartphone users: Primarily use their phones for calls, texts, social media, and casual browsing.
- Users who prefer lighter devices: For comfortable everyday use.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Daily communication and basic social media.
- Simple photo capturing and video recording.
- Web browsing and casual app usage.
Ideal Users for Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- Mobile gamers: Demand the highest performance for demanding games.
- Power users: Regularly multitask with multiple apps, consume high-resolution media, and perform intensive tasks.
- Photography enthusiasts: Value top-tier camera performance and features.
Specific Use Cases for Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro:
- High-end gaming and competitive gameplay.
- Capturing professional-grade photos and videos.
- Multitasking with resource-intensive applications.
- Enjoying high-quality multimedia content.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Offers good value for its price, providing basic functionality for budget-conscious users.
- Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro: Offers cutting-edge performance and features but at a much higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
- What is your primary use case? (e.g., gaming, photography, basic communication)
- What is your budget?
- What is the importance of performance, display quality and camera capabilities?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Constrained User: If you need a basic smartphone for everyday communication and casual use on a tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is the more practical choice.
- Scenario 2: Gaming Enthusiast: If you are a serious mobile gamer or need top-tier performance, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Content Creator: If you require a high-quality camera for content creation, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro offers far superior video and photography capabilities.
- Scenario 4: General User Seeking Value: If you seek balanced performance and features within a moderate budget, consider alternatives not presented here, as these two are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. The significantly better display with AMOLED, 165Hz refresh rate, and 2500 nits brightness is very appealing. The vastly superior processor and GPU will make the phone very snappy and responsive, and handle all tasks with ease. The vastly better camera system with video features such as 8K recording and features like gimbal and OIS is essential for content creation. The faster charging will significantly improve daily user experience, and the high amount of RAM will support multitasking and heavy app usage with no issues. Although it is heavier and costs considerably more than the Samsung Galaxy A12, the performance, display, and camera upgrades are worth the investment for my personal use case.
