1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 152.9 × 71.2 × 7.8 mm | A12 is larger and bulkier; Edge 30 Neo is more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 205g | 155g | Edge 30 Neo is significantly lighter, better for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.28" | A12 offers slightly larger screen, Edge 30 Neo is more compact. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Edge 30 Neo has significantly sharper and clearer display. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 419 PPI | Edge 30 Neo display is much sharper and detailed. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Edge 30 Neo offers richer colors, better contrast, deeper blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Edge 30 Neo provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, the provided 0 nits value is likely inaccurate |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Edge 30 Neo offers significantly faster app loading and smoother performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 425,200 | Edge 30 Neo provides a much better experience with demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Edge 30 Neo has a more powerful GPU for better graphics. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 64MP | Edge 30 Neo captures more detailed images. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.8 | Edge 30 Neo performs slightly better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 32MP | Edge 30 Neo captures much more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | A12 has slightly better low light performance on the selfie camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP | None | A12 can take zoomed pictures, but the quality is limited. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | None | A12 can capture wider shots. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP | None | A12 can take better portrait pictures. |
| Wide Angle + Macro Lens | None | 13MP | Edge 30 Neo can take wide angle and macro shots with the same lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60/120fps | Edge 30 Neo captures smoother video. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Edge 30 Neo produces more stable videos. |
| Slow Motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 120 fps | Edge 30 Neo has better slow-motion capability. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 90 | N/A | A12 camera is rated, Edge 30 Neo isn't; 90 is a very low score. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Dual camera, OIS, PDAF, LAF | Edge 30 Neo offers better features for photography and stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | A12 has larger battery for longer usage without recharge. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging, 5W Wireless Charging | Edge 30 Neo has significantly faster charging, with wireless charging feature. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | Edge 30 Neo offers newer software and will receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Edge 30 Neo supports faster Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Edge 30 Neo has a slightly more advanced version of Bluetooth with low energy. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Edge 30 Neo offers more accurate GPS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Edge 30 Neo offers more storage. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | Edge 30 Neo has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Edge 30 Neo provides a more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | A12 offers a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Proximity, Compass, Gyroscope | Edge 30 Neo offers additional sensors for better gaming experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers longer battery life, crucial for users who can't frequently charge their phone.
- More Camera Lenses: A12 has a telephoto, wide-angle and depth lenses, which the Edge 30 Neo lacks.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A12 features a side mounted fingerprint sensor, which some users may find more convenient than a basic fingerprint sensor.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Advantages:
- Superior Display: The P-OLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, and a 120Hz refresh rate offers a significantly better visual experience.
- Much Better Performance: The Snapdragon 695 5G chipset offers much better speed and responsiveness for daily tasks, apps, and gaming.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: The 68W fast charging is a huge advantage, and the inclusion of wireless charging is a premium feature.
- Better Camera System: The main 64MP camera and 32MP front camera captures more detailed and high-quality images, supported by OIS.
- Newer Software: The phone comes with a more recent Android version and will receive longer software support.
- Improved Audio: Offers a much better audio experience with Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers.
- More Sensors: Comes with a compass and gyroscope which some users might need.
- Lighter and more compact: The edge 30 Neo is much easier to hold and carry due to the significantly reduced weight and dimensions.
- Better Connectivity: Supports faster WiFi standards.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a larger battery, but this is offset by the Motorola Edge 30 Neo's much faster charging and more power-efficient chipset.
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a telephoto, a wide-angle and depth lenses which the Motorola Edge 30 Neo lacks, but the latter still manages to take better quality images due to its better main camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize battery life above all else and don't need high-end performance or features.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, calls, and messaging. Great for users who are not going to use the phone for demanding tasks. Good for users who want extra camera lenses.
- Price-to-Value: Offers basic functionality at a lower price point.
Motorola Edge 30 Neo:
- Ideal User: Users who want a well-rounded smartphone with a high-quality display, good performance, fast charging, and a good camera system.
- Use Cases: Smooth multitasking, gaming, watching high-resolution content, capturing photos and videos. Good for users who want a modern device with current standards.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a lot of features and performance for its price, providing good value for those willing to spend more.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? If the budget is very strict, the A12 might be the only viable option.
- How important is display quality and performance? If you care about display quality and performance, the Edge 30 Neo is a much better choice.
- Is charging speed important? The Edge 30 Neo's fast and wireless charging are a great advantage.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Basic User): If you only need a phone for basic tasks and want the longest battery life, the Samsung Galaxy A12 could be sufficient.
- Scenario 2 (Performance User): If you enjoy mobile gaming, watching videos, and multitasking, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3 (Photography User): If you care more about camera quality, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo will offer a better overall experience, despite not having a dedicated telephoto or wide-angle lens.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 30 Neo.
Reasons:
- Overall Experience: The Edge 30 Neo offers a superior user experience thanks to its significantly better display, much faster performance, and superior camera capabilities. The smoother scrolling, richer colors, and faster app loading are daily benefits that justify the higher price.
- Future Proofing: The more powerful processor, updated OS, and faster charging will keep the phone relevant for a longer period compared to the A12.
- Daily Use: The lighter, more compact design, along with the much faster charging and better audio quality makes the Edge 30 Neo the superior choice for a daily driver.
- Value Proposition: Despite being more expensive, the Edge 30 Neo offers a great value due to the much better features it provides.
While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a larger battery, the Edge 30 Neo's fast charging and more efficient chipset means it likely wouldn't be an issue in daily use, also the Edge 30 Neo supports wireless charging. Also, while the A12 might have more camera lenses, they are of lower quality, and the Edge 30 Neo's main camera still offers much better performance. For me, the Motorola Edge 30 Neo is a clear winner due to its superior tech and performance.
