1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2024-05-15 | Motorola is significantly newer, likely with better software support. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 161.9 x 73.1 x 7.9 mm | Motorola is more compact and slimmer, potentially feeling better in hand and easier to pocket. |
| Weight | 205g | 174.9g | Motorola is notably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Motorola's display is significantly sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| PPI | 270 | 393 | Motorola offers a much crisper display with higher pixel density, better for reading and detailed visuals. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Motorola's P-OLED screen has deeper blacks, richer colors, and wider viewing angles compared to Samsung's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Motorola provides smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience, particularly during gaming and fast scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Motorola is dramatically brighter, significantly improving outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. Samsung's brightness is missing making it impossible to assess. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) | Motorola's chipset is significantly more powerful, providing smoother performance, faster app loading, and better multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 776,541 | Motorola has a drastically higher benchmark score indicating it’s faster and more responsive for most tasks, including demanding games. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 710 | Motorola's GPU is substantially more powerful, providing better gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same capacity, implying similar battery life for typical use. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 68W fast charging | Motorola charges much faster, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Motorola can act as a power bank for other devices, and both batteries are non-user replaceable. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56" | Motorola has a slightly higher resolution, wider aperture, and larger sensor, indicating better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3.14" | Motorola has a vastly superior resolution for selfies, but aperture is slightly narrower. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto lens, but its low resolution makes it less useful. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung has a wide-angle lens, but its low resolution may result in lower quality photos. |
| Depth Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, but its lower resolution may result in less accurate bokeh effects. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3" | Motorola's wide-angle macro lens offers much more detail in both wide and close-up shots compared to Samsung. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | Motorola records higher quality video, has more fps and better stabilization. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Dual camera, OIS, Night Mode | Motorola has more advanced camera features for low-light and stabilized shooting compared to Samsung |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, max 12 | Android 14, max 17 | Motorola has a newer OS with better security and features, also has a longer software support horizon. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | WiFi 6E | Motorola has faster Wi-Fi with less interference. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Motorola has the latest Bluetooth technology, offering improved speed and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Motorola has more precise and reliable location services. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | Motorola provides eSIM support for easy switching between carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB/512GB | Motorola has significantly more storage space available in all variants |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 8GB/12GB | Motorola has much more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app switching. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Motorola provides a much better audio experience with immersive sound for entertainment. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung has a side-mounted sensor. Motorola has no description of the type of sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Motorola has a more durable screen. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola offers additional features, like compass and gyroscope, which enhance user experience in games and other specialized apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide-Angle Lenses: Offers more versatility in camera capabilities, though with lower resolution sensors.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Can be convenient for unlocking the phone.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Processor: Provides substantially faster performance, better gaming capabilities, and smoother multitasking.
- Superior Display: Features a sharper, brighter, and more vibrant P-OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Much Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras, superior low-light performance, and 4K video recording capabilities.
- Faster Charging: Offers 68W fast charging which is much faster than the Samsung.
- More RAM and Storage: Provides a smoother user experience and more space for media and apps.
- eSIM Support: Greater carrier flexibility and digital switching
- Better Audio: Offers immersive sound through Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- More Advanced Sensors: Additional compass and gyroscope sensors.
- Newer Software: Ships with the much newer Android 14.
- Screen Protection: Better scratch and break protection with Gorilla Glass 5.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 has dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, but their practical use is limited by the low resolution sensors.
- The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion lacks dedicated telephoto and wide-angle cameras but provides a much better main sensor, more versatile macro camera and better quality overall.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those needing a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light app usage at the lowest possible price.
- Users who Prefer Versatile Camera System: Individuals who value having a dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lens, regardless of the quality.
- Basic Smartphone Needs: Users who don't play graphics-intensive games or multitask heavily.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who need fast and smooth performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos, browsing social media, and need a high-quality display.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a superior camera system, especially for low-light photography and high-quality video recording.
- Power Users: Those who want features like fast charging, reverse wireless charging and expandable storage.
- Tech-Savvy Users: Those who appreciate the benefits of the latest software, faster Wi-Fi, and additional features like eSIM.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Basic web browsing, social media, calling/texting, occasional picture taking.
- Motorola Edge 50 Fusion: Gaming, content creation, photography, video recording, immersive multimedia consumption, and power-user tasks.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Samsung Galaxy A12 is targeted towards the budget market where affordability is the main concern. The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is targeted towards mid-range users who value performance and features. The value proposition of each device will be decided by the price difference, but the Motorola is the winner if budget is not the number 1 concern.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case for the phone? (e.g., casual use, heavy gaming, photography, etc.)
- What is my budget? (Prioritize features vs. affordability.)
- How important is performance to me? (Speed, multitasking, future-proofing, gaming.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious): If the budget is the absolute priority, and performance and display quality are not a concern, the Samsung A12 may suffice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance & Camera): If performance, high-quality display, camera, and user experience are priorities and budget allows for a bit more spending, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is the better choice.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced Needs): If you value a balance between performance and value, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion will be the better choice for the longer term.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion.
Reasoning:
While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has the advantage of having dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, which can provide some versatility, the overall user experience is severely hampered by its weaker processor, low-resolution screen, slower charging and lack of modern features.
The Motorola Edge 50 Fusion offers a dramatically better experience across almost all aspects that matter to me: performance, screen quality, camera quality, faster charging and better software. It provides a far smoother experience, and is more future-proof due to its newer chipset, more RAM, and the latest Android version. While it may be a bit more expensive, the significant jump in overall quality justifies the extra cost. Given my preference for a fluid and responsive smartphone that takes good photos, and my appreciation for a vivid display, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is the clear winner for me.
