Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Huawei nova Y70 Plus
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Huawei nova Y70 Plus | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 168.3 x 77.7 x 9 mm | Huawei is slightly larger, may feel less comfortable in smaller hands |
| Weight | 205g | 199g | Huawei is negligibly lighter, unlikely to make a significant difference in daily use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.75" | Huawei offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both offer the same sharpness; may appear a bit less crisp on the larger Huawei display |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 260 PPI | Both are similar but minimal difference is not noticeable to the naked eye |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Huawei should offer slightly better color accuracy, viewing angles, and overall visual quality |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both displays will appear equally smooth; standard refresh rate |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical brightness levels which is a limitation for both phones. Cannot assess outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm) | Kirin 710A (14 nm) | Both have similar performance for basic tasks; Kirin 710A is slightly faster for some tasks but difference is minimal |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 103,500 | Both offer nearly identical performance; suitable for basic apps and casual gaming |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G51 MP4 | Minor differences in graphics performance but will be unnoticeable in normal use |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh | Huawei offers significantly longer battery life between charges, good for heavy users |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 22.5W Fast Charging | Huawei charges faster, reducing downtime |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Huawei's Li-Polymer may offer slightly better longevity and safety |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 48MP, f/1.8 | Huawei might perform better in low light due to wider aperture (f/1.8) |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Huawei will be slightly better in low light scenarios |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung has an additional telephoto camera for zoom purposes |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Both perform comparably for wide-angle shots |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar capabilities for bokeh effect in portraits |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar video recording for social media; Huawei has slow-motion capability but Samsung does not |
| Slow-motion | No | Yes, 120 fps | Huawei can take smoother slow-motion videos |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera; Basic features | Triple Camera, Digital image stabilization, PDAF, 4K Video; Basic Features | Huawei has advanced features, better video stability and 4K video recording |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (Unspecified Version) | Huawei has a newer OS version; Both offer similar functionalities |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 b/g/n | Huawei has Wi-Fi display; both have similar connectivity for the most part |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, various profiles | 5.1 LE, various profiles | Huawei offers slightly better power efficiency and newer protocols |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Huawei has better GPS support for more precise location tracking, especially in challenging environments |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both phones support dual sim functionality |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both have similar storage options; Samsung also offers a smaller 32 GB option |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4 GB | Samsung has more RAM options for better multitasking |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones offer similar audio quality; standard experience |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones offer standard fingerprint security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unconfirmed screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer | Biometric, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gravity | Huawei includes gravity sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More RAM Options: Up to 6GB RAM, compared to Huawei's 4GB, which allows for smoother multitasking and better performance when using multiple apps.
- Telephoto Camera: Dedicated telephoto lens offers optical zoom capabilities.
- Wider Array of Connectivity Features: Offers a more extensive list of Bluetooth profiles and WiFi standards
- 32 GB Storage Option: Provides a budget-friendly option
Huawei nova Y70 Plus Advantages:
- Larger Battery: A 6000 mAh battery versus 5000 mAh on the Samsung, resulting in significantly better battery life.
- Faster Charging: 22.5W fast charging, versus 15W on the Samsung, gets the phone charged more quickly.
- Better Main Camera Aperture: Wider f/1.8 aperture on main camera likely results in superior low-light photos.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.1 LE for slightly better power efficiency and newer protocols.
- Slow-Motion Capability: Offers slow-motion video recording at 120 fps.
- Better GPS: Supports more satellite systems (QZSS, Galileo) for more accurate location tracking.
- 4K Video Recording Supports higher resolution video recording.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung: The trade-off is less battery life and slower charging, but with more RAM.
- Huawei: The trade-off is no telephoto lens, less RAM, and potentially smaller storage option in some regions, but with a larger battery and better main camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 is Ideal for:
- Users who prioritize multitasking: The RAM options make it better for users who often have multiple apps open.
- Users who want a versatile camera: Telephoto lens will be a plus for some.
- Budget-conscious users: The 32GB storage option allows the phone to be more affordable.
Huawei nova Y70 Plus is Ideal for:
- Users who prioritize battery life: A large 6000 mAh battery offers all-day usage or more.
- Users who need faster charging: 22.5W fast charging is a time saver.
- Users who frequently record video: 4K video and slow-motion capabilities make this device more versatile in this aspect.
Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Social media browsing, light gaming, some mobile photography with zoom, multitasking between basic apps, and music streaming.
- Huawei nova Y70 Plus: Heavy social media usage, travel and navigation, long trips or commutes, mobile photography in various lighting conditions, and video recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Is battery life or multitasking more important to you?
- Do you require a telephoto lens for optical zoom, or a better camera for low light conditions?
- Is faster charging a high priority, or do you prefer the 32 GB storage option that may be cheaper?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I need all-day battery life and fast charging" - Choose the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. Its significantly larger battery and faster charging are key advantages.
- Scenario 2: "I multitask a lot and occasionally use zoom" - Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12. The extra RAM and telephoto lens will suit your needs.
- Scenario 3: "I am on a tight budget and need a basic phone" - Check the Samsung Galaxy A12 first, as the 32 GB variant may be more affordable. But also consider the benefits of Huawei nova Y70 Plus (battery, charging speed).
- Scenario 4: "I need better video capabilities and low light camera performance" - Choose the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. The 4K video recording and wider aperture in main and front cameras will benefit you.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei nova Y70 Plus. The significantly larger battery, faster charging, and better low-light camera performance outweigh the benefits of the telephoto lens and the marginal benefit of more RAM in the Samsung Galaxy A12. My typical usage involves being away from a power source for long periods, so battery life is critical for me. Also, I tend to take many photos in a variety of lighting environments, and the better aperture and video quality would be more useful to me overall. The slightly faster chipset, while not dramatically different, would be a bonus.
