Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Huawei P50 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Huawei P50 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 158.8 × 72.8 × 8.5 mm | A12 is larger, may feel less comfortable in hand, especially for smaller hands, P50 Pro is slightly more compact |
| Weight | 205g | 195g | P50 Pro is slightly lighter and more comfortable for long use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference, both are comfortable for media and reading |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1228x2700 | P50 Pro is much sharper; text and images will appear crisper, especially noticeable with small details |
| PPI | 270 | 450 | P50 Pro has a significantly higher pixel density for a sharper, clearer visual experience |
| Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | P50 Pro has much better colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | P50 Pro is much smoother, especially during scrolling and gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both seem to have an error as brightness should not be 0. Unable to comment on practical implication |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Kirin 9000 (5 nm) | P50 Pro is far more powerful for demanding tasks, smoother multitasking, and better gaming |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 697,566 | P50 Pro offers a much faster experience overall, apps launch faster, better performance in intensive tasks |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G78 MP24 | P50 Pro will handle games and graphics-intensive apps much better |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | P50 Pro can capture slightly more detailed images, but main camera differences aren't huge |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.8 | P50 Pro performs slightly better in low light due to the wider aperture |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.55" | P50 Pro main camera has better low light performance |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 13MP | P50 Pro can capture more detailed selfie photos |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | A12 has a slightly better low light selfie |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 64MP, f/3.4 | P50 Pro offers much more detailed zoomed images |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | A12 has a dedicated ultrawide for expansive photos |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated sensor for depth information |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP, f/2.2 | P50 Pro offers wide angle macro photography |
| Black & White Lens | None | 40MP, f/1.6 | P50 Pro offers dedicated monochrome mode |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with EIS | P50 Pro offers much higher video recording quality and stabilization |
| DxoMark Mobile Score | 90 | 143 | P50 Pro takes much better photos and videos |
| DxoMark Selfie Score | N/A | 144 | P50 Pro selfie camera is better than the main camera of A12 |
| Camera Features | Basic | Advanced features, including OIS, PDAF, RAW, Night Mode, and more | P50 Pro has superior camera software and hardware |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4360mAh | A12 should provide better battery life |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 66W Fast Charging, 50W Wireless | P50 Pro charges much faster; offers convenient wireless charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 12) | Unknown | OS and updates are a key consideration, P50 Pro OS is unknown and may lack Google Services |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | P50 Pro offers better WiFi with newer standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | P50 Pro offers newer, more efficient Bluetooth standard |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | P50 Pro has more precise positioning with multiple satellite systems |
| Storage & Memory | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | P50 Pro has significantly more storage options and capacities |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 8/12GB | P50 Pro has much more RAM, leading to better multitasking |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both lack expandable storage, important for heavy media users |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | P50 Pro offers better audio for media consumption |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | A12 side mounted fingerprint sensor is more convenient |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer, Gravity, Hall, RGB | P50 Pro has more sensors for advanced functionality |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery likely provides longer battery life, crucial for users who need extended usage without charging.
- Dedicated Wide-Angle & Portrait Lenses: Offers versatility for different types of photography, capturing more in a single shot and portrait with bokeh effects.
- More Convenient Fingerprint Sensor: Side mounted fingerprint sensor is more natural to use than the basic one on the P50 Pro.
- Availability of Google Services: Runs Android and includes all Google services.
Huawei P50 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: The OLED display with higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate provides a significantly better viewing experience with vibrant colors and smoother animations.
- Far Superior Performance: The Kirin 9000 chipset offers dramatically faster performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and overall responsiveness.
- Advanced Camera System: Boasts a superior main sensor, telephoto lens, dedicated black & white sensor, as well as advanced features like OIS, RAW, and 4K video.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: Faster 66W wired charging and convenient 50W wireless charging are significant advantages, and offers reverse wireless charging
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers enhance the audio experience.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers significantly more RAM for better multitasking and much more internal storage.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- More sensors: Offers more sensors for advanced functionality, especially for gaming and other applications.
Trade-offs:
- The A12 prioritizes battery life and a more traditional photography setup over raw performance and display quality.
- The P50 Pro has a smaller battery and lacks Google Services but excels in almost every other aspect.
- The operating system of P50 Pro is unknown.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Individuals looking for a reliable phone without the need for high-end features,
- Users prioritizing battery life: Those who need a phone that lasts all day, may be heavy users.
- Users who rely on Google services: Those who are tied into the Google ecosystem.
- Casual photographers: Users who want a versatile camera without needing the highest quality or most advanced features.
Use Cases for Galaxy A12:
- Everyday communication (calls, texts, social media)
- Basic web browsing and media consumption
- Long travel or times away from a charger
- Casual photography and content creation
Huawei P50 Pro Ideal User:
- Enthusiast photographers: Users who want a top-tier camera for capturing high-quality photos and videos.
- Performance-focused users: Those who play demanding games, multitask heavily, or run intensive applications.
- Media lovers: Those who appreciate a high-quality display with vibrant colors, a smooth refresh rate, and immersive audio.
- Users comfortable with non-Google services: Those who don't rely heavily on Google's apps and services
- Users seeking cutting-edge features: Those who appreciate the latest tech in performance, display, charging, and photography.
Use Cases for Huawei P50 Pro:
- Professional photography and videography
- High-end mobile gaming
- Heavy media consumption (movies, TV shows, music)
- Power users who need a fast, responsive phone for work and play
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A12 is a budget phone; the P50 Pro is a premium phone.
- How important is camera quality and performance? The P50 Pro is far superior in both aspects.
- Do you heavily rely on Google Services? The A12 is the only option, P50 Pro has an unknown OS and may lack Google Services.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you're on a tight budget and need a reliable phone for basic use with a long battery, choose the Samsung Galaxy A12.
- If you are a serious photographer or gamer, or if you need top-tier performance and a superior display and you don't rely on Google Services, then choose the Huawei P50 Pro.
- If you need a mix of good performance and battery and use Google Services, consider other phone options, as neither of these two phones is ideal.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Huawei P50 Pro, despite not knowing the OS. The difference in performance, display, and camera quality is simply too significant to ignore. While the lack of Google Services is a drawback for many and the battery is smaller, the sheer technological superiority of the P50 Pro, especially in the camera and display, aligns better with my priorities as a user. I am more likely to appreciate the superior quality of the P50 Pro's camera and screen than needing a larger battery, and I can work around using other apps than those provided by Google. The Samsung Galaxy A12 is a good budget phone, but the P50 Pro is a far more capable machine, even though it might not be for everyone.
