1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy A12 and Huawei Pura 70, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Huawei Pura 70 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 157.6 x 74.3 x 8 mm | A12 is slightly larger, which might be less comfortable for smaller hands. Pura 70 is more compact and slightly thinner making it easier to hold |
| Weight | 205g | 207g | Both phones are nearly identical in weight and will have similar heft in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Nearly identical screen sizes, both offering an ample viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1256 x 2760 | Pura 70's higher resolution results in significantly sharper images, text, and videos compared to the A12's comparatively blurry display. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 460 PPI | Pura 70 provides much clearer, more detailed images. A12 may look pixelated or fuzzy |
| Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | Pura 70 will have much better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors with an OLED compared to A12's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Pura 70 provides much smoother scrolling and animations, better gaming and overall user experience compared to the A12's basic 60Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | Pura 70 display will be much brighter making it much easier to see in sunny conditions. A12's display will be hard to view outdoors |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Kirin 9000S1 | Pura 70 is significantly faster, offering smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and more demanding game performance compared to the budget-level performance of the A12. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 768,000 | Pura 70 is drastically faster. It will provide a much better user experience, allowing for demanding apps and games, whereas the A12 will be slow and struggle even with basic tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Maleoon 910 | Pura 70's GPU allows for much better gaming experience with higher frame rates and graphic quality compared to the A12's weak GPU. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4900 mAh | Both phones offer comparable battery endurance, likely lasting a full day for moderate use, however this can vary significantly depending on the tasks performed. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Pura 70 charges much faster, getting you back to full power rapidly, while the A12 will take significantly longer to charge. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse, Wireless, 50W Wireless, 7.5W Reverse Wireless | Pura 70 offers versatile charging options including wireless and reverse wireless charging, while the A12 is basic with standard wired charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.4, 1/1.3" | Pura 70 has a better main camera overall with wider aperture, larger sensor, allowing for superior low light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.4 | Pura 70 will capture higher-resolution and detailed selfies, although the aperture is slightly narrower compared to the A12. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/3.4 | Pura 70 has a much higher resolution telephoto lens, allowing for better zoomed images than the A12 |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Pura 70 will provide much sharper and detailed wide angle shots compared to the A12 |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode while the Pura 70 relies on software for depth of field |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No Stabiliz. | Yes, with Stabiliz, 960fps Slow-mo | Pura 70 captures video in 4K with better video quality and superior stabilization, alongside high frame rate slow motion, while A12 is limited to basic 1080p. |
| Camera Features | Basic Features | Advanced Features | Pura 70 boasts advanced features like OIS, optical zoom, laser autofocus and 4k video, missing from the A12. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (Likely) | Pura 70 will have a newer base OS and is more likely to receive further upgrades over the A12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Pura 70 supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with superior speeds and stability compared to the A12, which only supports older standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Pura 70 supports Bluetooth 5.2 which offers better efficiency and faster data transfer compared to the A12's older Bluetooth 5.0 technology. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5), Galileo (E1+E5a+E5b) | Pura 70 will have far superior accuracy due to a wider variety of supported satellite systems for better navigational capabilities. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both devices allow for use of two SIMs and dual standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Pura 70 offers significantly more internal storage for apps, photos, and videos. The A12 is limited by its lower storage space. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12 GB | Pura 70 has more than double the RAM, which allows for much smoother multitasking, especially for demanding apps and games compared to the A12. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Pura 70 has a much more advanced audio output with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for higher quality music, movie and overall audio listening experiences. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint | fingerprint | Both provide biometric authentication, but side-mounted sensor may be considered more convienent |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity, Hall, RGB | Pura 70 has additional sensors for advanced features and gaming compared to the basic sensor suite of the A12. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones utilize similar screen protection technologies. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Lower Cost: The A12 is a budget-friendly phone, making it more accessible to price-sensitive buyers.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The A12 includes a dedicated 2MP depth sensor, which could provide slightly better portrait mode performance compared to software-based depth mapping in other phones, although the overall output might still be inferior compared to the Pura 70's primary camera.
- Basic Biometric Security: The A12 features a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which may be considered more convenient than a basic fingerprint sensor.
Huawei Pura 70 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The OLED display with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate and brightness provides a much better visual experience, with vibrant colors and sharp detail in all environments, especially direct sunlight.
- Massive Performance Boost: The Kirin 9000S1 chipset coupled with higher RAM delivers significantly better performance for multitasking, gaming, and general app usage.
- Advanced Camera System: The Pura 70 features significantly better cameras with larger sensors, wider apertures, optical zoom and OIS providing much improved image and video quality, especially in low-light conditions.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 65W fast charging and wireless charging capabilities allow for quick and convenient power replenishment.
- Better Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support offer faster and more reliable wireless connections.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support provide better sound quality for music and movies.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: The Pura 70 has a wider range of sensors including a gyroscope, which allows for advanced features and better gaming experiences.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Price: The Pura 70 is undoubtedly much more expensive than the A12.
- Operating System: While the exact OS of the Huawei Pura 70 isn't specified, there is the potential of OS or compatibility issues due to trade disputes.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking an affordable smartphone for basic communication and light usage.
- First-Time Smartphone Users: People new to smartphones who don't need advanced features.
- Users with Basic Needs: Individuals who primarily use a phone for calls, texts, and light browsing.
Use Cases:
- Daily driver for calls and messages
- Occasional web browsing and social media
- Basic photography for quick snapshots
- Primary device for basic communication
Ideal User for Huawei Pura 70:
- Power Users: Those who demand high performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Individuals who value high-quality photos and videos with zoom, optical image stabilization and good low light performance.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy streaming videos and music on their mobile devices and want a premium display and audio.
- Tech Enthusiasts: People who prefer the latest features and cutting-edge technology.
Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming
- High-quality video and photo capture
- Extensive media consumption
- Running multiple apps simultaneously
- Users who rely on GPS
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Offers basic functionality at a very low price point. Its value is its affordability for very basic smartphone tasks.
- Huawei Pura 70: Provides a premium experience with significant advantages in performance, camera, and display, but at a much higher cost. Its value lies in advanced features and superior overall performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use: What will be your main use cases (e.g., gaming, photography, basic communication)?
- Display Quality: How important is a high-quality display for your daily usage?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is extremely limited and you need a phone for very basic tasks, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a viable option but be prepared for a slow, basic experience.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Everyday Use: If you need something that performs well for general use but without high-end features and can tolerate an inferior display, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is again a viable option, but a low end experience in modern standards.
- Scenario 3: High Budget, Premium Experience: If budget is not an issue and you desire a high-performing phone with a top-tier camera, great display, and fast charging, the Huawei Pura 70 is the superior choice.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei Pura 70. Here's why:
While the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a functional device at a lower price point, the Pura 70 offers a vastly superior user experience in almost every aspect that matters for a modern smartphone. The differences are not small incremental improvements but a generational leap in technology:
- Display Quality: The OLED screen with a much higher resolution and 120Hz refresh rate alone makes the Pura 70 a far better choice for media consumption, gaming, and general daily use. The A12's LCD display is subpar by modern standards.
- Performance: The Kirin 9000S1 chipset is leagues ahead of the Mediatek Helio P35. The Pura 70 will be a much smoother, more responsive device that can handle demanding apps and games without struggling.
- Camera: The camera on the Pura 70 is significantly better, especially for low-light photography, with additional features like optical zoom and OIS providing far more versatility. The A12 is very basic.
- Overall Experience: Features like much faster charging, wireless charging, better connectivity, and significantly more RAM all contribute to a much more pleasant and efficient daily user experience.
While the price difference is considerable, the Pura 70 is worth the investment for anyone who wants a truly premium smartphone experience that will not struggle with daily usage. The A12 would be suitable for a very narrow group of users who do not need anything more than very basic functionality and are on a very low budget. The vastly superior user experience and performance of the Huawei Pura 70 make it the clear choice for my needs.
