1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Edge 30 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 159.4 × 74.2 × 6.8 mm | A12 is larger and thicker, making the Edge 30 more pocketable and comfortable in hand. |
| Weight | 205g | 155g | Edge 30 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size, providing a similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Edge 30 has a much sharper display with significantly more detail and clarity. |
| PPI | 270 | 405 | Edge 30 offers a noticeably crisper and more refined visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Edge 30 has superior display technology with deeper blacks, higher contrast, and vibrant colors, resulting in a more immersive experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 144Hz | Edge 30 offers dramatically smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming visuals. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical peak brightness at 0 nits |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325-AE Snapdragon 778G+ 5G (6 nm) | Edge 30's chipset is much more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 609,900 | Edge 30 offers significantly better overall performance, suitable for more demanding tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 642L | Edge 30's GPU provides much better graphics processing, especially in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | A12 has a larger battery, potentially leading to longer battery life between charges, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 33W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Edge 30 charges much faster, reducing time spent plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.55", 1.00µm | Edge 30's main camera has a larger sensor and wider aperture, generally resulting in better low-light performance and more detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.25, 1/3.14", 0.70µm | Edge 30 takes significantly higher-resolution selfies, capturing more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A12 offers optical zoom capabilities, which the Edge 30 lacks |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | A12 has an additional wide angle lens for different perspective capture. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm | Both have similar depth sensors for portrait photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | Edge 30 has a dedicated wide-angle macro lens for creative shots |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | Edge 30 offers much higher resolution and frame rate video recording with additional stabilization, providing a more professional video output. |
| Video Stabilisation | No | Yes | Edge 30 has video stabilization for smooth videos. |
| Slow Motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 960 fps | Edge 30 can capture significantly smoother slow-motion videos. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Not Available | Only A12 has been tested by DxOMark |
| 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, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Edge 30 includes more advanced features for more control and better quality shots and videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | Edge 30 comes with a more recent version of Android, providing access to newer features, updates, and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Edge 30 supports faster Wi-Fi standards for better network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Edge 30 has a more recent Bluetooth standard for better stability and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Edge 30 has more satellite systems, potentially offering better GPS accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Edge 30 has more base storage. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | Edge 30 has more RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Edge 30 has superior audio quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | A12 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Edge 30 provides basic screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 30 has a more comprehensive sensor suite for gaming and other applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 30 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED with higher resolution, refresh rate, and pixel density.
- Practical Implication: Sharper, more vibrant, and smoother visuals for a significantly better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: More powerful chipset and GPU with higher benchmark scores.
- Practical Implication: Faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
- Better Camera System: Higher-resolution main camera with a larger sensor, better selfie camera, and more advanced video features.
- Practical Implication: Better image quality in various conditions, more detail in selfies, and superior video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging compared to 15W.
- Practical Implication: Quicker battery top-ups for faster turn around times.
- More Advanced Features: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers, and a more comprehensive sensor suite.
- Practical Implication: Improved wireless connectivity, better audio experience, and support for advanced functionalities.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 12 compared to the A12's Android 10, upgradable to 13
- Practical Implication: Improved security and features.
- More RAM and Storage: Offers greater internal storage, and higher RAM.
- Practical Implication: Better multitasking and more space for apps, photos and videos.
- Lighter and Slimmer Build: More ergonomic design.
- Practical Implication: More comfortable in hand.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh battery compared to the Edge 30's 4020mAh.
- Practical Implication: Potentially longer battery life, especially for light users.
- Telephoto and Wide Angle Lens: Offers more versatile camera setup in comparison to the Edge 30
- Practical Implication: Allows for more creative capture options.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Practical Implication: Fingerprint scanner is more advanced compared to a basic fingerprint sensor.
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola Edge 30 sacrifices some battery capacity for a more premium display, powerful processor, and better camera capabilities.
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 trades overall performance and display quality for a larger battery and lower price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola Edge 30:
- Power Users: Those who require high performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who prioritize a great display for watching videos, browsing, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a capable camera system with better low-light performance and advanced video features.
- Users who like a premium feel: Slim design and lighter weight
Specific Use Cases for Motorola Edge 30:
- Mobile gaming with demanding 3D titles at high frame rates.
- Streaming high-resolution videos and movies.
- Capturing high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions, including low light.
- Multitasking between several apps smoothly.
- Video conferencing with good audio and stable connections.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for an affordable smartphone with a decent battery life.
- Basic Users: Individuals with basic needs such as calling, texting, and casual social media browsing.
- Users Prioritizing Battery Life: Those who need a phone that can last throughout the day on a single charge.
- Users who like a more versatile camera Users who want a telephoto and wide angle lens for different capture types
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Everyday communication and basic social media browsing.
- Longer periods away from a charger during travel or outdoor activities.
- Simple photo capture in daylight.
- Basic mobile gaming.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Edge 30 offers a significantly better price-to-value ratio if you value performance, display quality, and camera capabilities. The higher cost is justified by the higher-tier features.
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 is positioned as a budget-friendly phone. However, its lower performance might not be ideal for all users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A12 will likely be much cheaper than the Edge 30.
- How important is performance and a high-quality display? If you need good performance, a smooth and sharp display the Edge 30 is superior.
- How important is battery life and camera versatility? If you need the maximum battery life, and versatile zoom, the A12 is suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the primary concern.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12. Accept the limitations in performance and display for a lower price.
- Scenario 2: Performance and display are crucial for games and multimedia consumption.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30. Its superior performance and vibrant AMOLED display will drastically enhance your experience.
- Scenario 3: Need a basic smartphone with all-day battery life.
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12. The larger battery will be beneficial for less intensive use.
- Scenario 4: Value a high quality camera and video recording.
- Recommendation: Motorola Edge 30. It has a more advanced main camera, as well as higher quality video recording options.
What I Would Choose and Why
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a larger battery, the Edge 30's advantages in nearly every other aspect are too significant to ignore. The vastly superior display with its vibrant AMOLED panel and 144Hz refresh rate alone is a compelling reason. The significantly better performance from the Snapdragon 778G+ chipset means that the Edge 30 will handle everything from daily tasks to demanding games with ease and will feel more responsive overall. Additionally, the much-improved camera system with its advanced features and 4K video recording, better audio, more storage, more RAM, and a more modern software experience make it the better option. The lighter and slimmer design is a bonus for comfortable use. For me the trade off in battery size is a worthy one. I would prefer the overall user experience that the Edge 30 provides over the slight advantage of extra battery life from the A12.
