1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2021-08-16 | Motorola Edge 20 Pro is significantly newer, potentially with updated software and features. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm, 205g | 163 × 76 × 8 mm, 190g | Edge 20 Pro is slightly thinner and lighter making it more comfortable for extended handling, though A12 is slightly less voluminous. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Edge 20 Pro offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and productivity. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Edge 20 Pro provides significantly sharper visuals with much higher pixel count, making text and images look clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 385 PPI | Edge 20 Pro has a visibly crisper display, less pixelation for a better visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | Edge 20 Pro's OLED delivers better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to A12's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Edge 20 Pro offers much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, though real world brightness varies based on conditions and has not been measured. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Edge 20 Pro boasts significantly faster processing, leading to quicker app launches and smoother multitasking, more future proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 813,800 | Edge 20 Pro will handle demanding apps and games much better, providing a significantly faster experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 650 | Edge 20 Pro has a much more powerful GPU resulting in higher graphical fidelity and performance during gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A12 has slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life for basic usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Edge 20 Pro charges significantly faster, minimizing downtime and maximizing convenience. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Edge 20 Pro can charge other devices wirelessly, a convenient feature. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.7µm | Edge 20 Pro has much higher resolution, better low light performance due to larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.3, 0.7µm | Edge 20 Pro captures higher detail selfies. A12 has slightly wider aperture for better low-light selfies but significantly less resolution. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 8MP, f/3.4 | Edge 20 Pro provides better zoom capabilities with higher resolution. A12 has a wider aperture for potentially better low-light results. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | A12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for group shots and landscapes. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A12 has a dedicated portrait lens for depth effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 16MP, f/2.2 | Edge 20 Pro has a wide angle + macro lens for versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240/960fps | Edge 20 Pro offers much higher quality video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates and better stabilization for smoother videos. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, etc. | 4K/8K Video, Optical zoom, Triple camera, etc. | Edge 20 Pro has more advanced features, including 8K video, optical zoom, and image stabilization, resulting in better quality content. A12 has a dedicated Quadruple camera. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, up to 12 | Android 11 | Edge 20 Pro has a slightly more up-to-date base OS, but updates depend on manufacturer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | Edge 20 Pro offers faster speeds and improved performance in crowded networks with newer Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Edge 20 Pro has a slightly newer Bluetooth version with improved low-energy support and better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, etc. | Edge 20 Pro offers more accurate positioning due to the support for multiple satellite systems, more accurate navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both devices have similar SIM configurations. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Edge 20 Pro offers more storage capacity for media and apps, the A12 has more options for the budget buyer. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12 GB | Edge 20 Pro has significantly more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and handling of demanding applications and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device has expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both offer basic audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have fingerprint sensor on the side for quick unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Edge 20 Pro provides better protection from scratches and impacts with Gorilla Glass. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 20 Pro has more sensors for more functionality, including compass and gyroscope. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Slightly larger 5000mAh battery may offer better endurance for basic tasks, although real-world usage varies.
- Wider Aperture Front Camera: May produce better low-light selfies, but this advantage is diminished by the significantly lower resolution.
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Depth Sensors: Offers more versatility in camera with dedicated wide and depth sensors.
- More storage variants: The A12 has a 32GB storage version that may be ideal for a basic user with a tight budget.
- Lower Price: (Not mentioned but assumed) Is generally more affordable than the Edge 20 Pro.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, and 144Hz refresh rate offers a vastly improved visual experience, with vivid colors, deep blacks, and smoother animations.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Snapdragon 870 chipset and 12GB of RAM offer much faster processing, smooth multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, telephoto lens, 8K video recording, and image stabilization offer much higher image and video quality.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging speeds ensure quicker recharge times.
- Reverse Charging: Allows charging of other devices, a useful convenience feature.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection.
- Newer Technology: Newer standards for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS for better connectivity and positioning.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Samsung A12 trades processing power and display quality for a potentially longer battery and a lower price point.
- The Motorola Edge 20 Pro sacrifices a bit of battery capacity for significantly improved performance, display, and camera features, plus a higher price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users looking for a basic smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Individuals who prioritize battery life over raw performance and display quality.
- Users who need a wider angle lens for photos.
- Those who use the phone for communication, browsing, and casual social media.
- Users who like having more options when choosing storage.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and email.
- Making calls and sending texts.
- Casual photography in well-lit conditions.
- Long battery life for infrequent charging.
Motorola Edge 20 Pro - Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize performance and a premium visual experience.
- Mobile gamers and users who engage in heavy multitasking.
- Content creators and photography enthusiasts who require high-quality images and video recording.
- Individuals who value the latest connectivity standards and features.
- Users who prefer a faster charging experience.
Use Cases:
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Editing photos and videos.
- Watching high-resolution movies and videos.
- Productivity tasks with many apps open.
- Taking advantage of its advanced camera features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers good value for basic functionality at a lower price.
- The Motorola Edge 20 Pro offers a high-performance, premium experience at a higher price, but the features justify it for many users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A12 is likely significantly cheaper.
- How important is display quality and performance to you? The Edge 20 Pro excels here.
- What are your primary use cases? (e.g., basic tasks, gaming, content creation)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User Needing Basic Functionality: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 for basic tasks and long battery life at a lower price.
- Scenario 2: Mobile Gamer or Performance User: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its significantly better processing power, RAM, display, and features like 144Hz.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast or Content Creator: Choose the Motorola Edge 20 Pro for its superior camera system, including 8K video and advanced features, but be aware that it lacks a wide angle camera.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. While the A12 offers a larger battery, the Edge 20 Pro's advantages in display quality (OLED, 144Hz refresh rate), processing power, significantly better camera system, faster charging, reverse charging, and more modern connectivity standards are too compelling to ignore. The difference in overall user experience would be significant, especially for someone who consumes media, plays games, or takes photos and videos. The higher price is justified by the vast improvement in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. While the A12 may be a better fit for extremely budget-conscious users, the Edge 20 Pro offers a much more advanced and enjoyable smartphone experience that better meets my needs for performance and media consumption.
