1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G04s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 163.5 × 74.5 × 8 mm | Moto G04s is slightly more compact, potentially easier to handle, and is noticeably thinner, making it slightly sleeker. |
| Weight | 205g | 178.8g | Moto G04s is significantly lighter, which makes it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Virtually identical screen sizes, negligible difference in screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Very similar display sharpness; neither offers a high-resolution display, but both are adequate for basic usage. |
| PPI | 270 | 269 | Almost identical pixel density - both displays will look equally sharp or slightly less sharp |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD typically provides better viewing angles and color reproduction compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Moto G04s offers a smoother visual experience, especially when scrolling and gaming, due to its higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have similar brightness, which may struggle in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The Unisoc T606 in the Moto G04s is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 220,000 | The Moto G04s offers significantly better performance, as indicated by its much higher AnTuTu score, leading to a snappier user experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Moto G04s's GPU is more powerful which results in better graphics performance in apps and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 1.00µm | Moto G04s has a wider aperture, and larger pixels, potentially capturing better low-light images. Samsung A12 has a slightly larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers higher resolution selfie photos, while Motorola Moto G04s has slightly larger pixels |
| Additional Lenses | Telephoto, Wide, Depth | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers more camera versatility with its additional lenses, offering different perspectives, while Moto G04s focuses on main camera quality. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 1080p@30fps, Yes stabilization | Moto G04s offers electronic stabilization, which can result in steadier videos. Both phones record at a similar quality. |
| Slow Motion Video | No, 30fps | Yes, 120 fps | Moto G04s offers slow motion capabilities which is lacking on the Samsung Galaxy A12 |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera, Digital Zoom, etc | Optical zoom, Digital image stabilization, OIS, PDAF, LAF | Moto G04s has more advanced autofocus features and image stabilization features. A12 has a Quad Camera setup |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer comparable battery life for a typical user. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 15W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | Similar charging speeds but different battery types, not significant for daily usage. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 14 | Moto G04s offers a much newer Android version, with the latest features and security patches. Samsung is outdated. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Moto G04s supports 5GHz Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi display, offering faster internet speeds and screen mirroring. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers more bluetooth features such as AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, and HOGP. Motorola supports Low Energy. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Motorola Moto G04s supports more satellite systems for more accurate location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Moto G04s offers more storage in the highest variant, allowing for more media and apps to be stored. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB | The 6GB version of Samsung Galaxy A12 is ideal for heavier multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos | Moto G04s provides a better audio experience with its support for Dolby Atmos. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both phones offer similar fingerprint security technology. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Moto G04s offers better screen protection against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Moto G04s has a gyroscope for motion based applications like AR and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G04s Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Unisoc T606 chipset offers significantly better performance (114% higher AnTuTu score) for daily use, gaming, and multitasking.
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate display makes scrolling and animations smoother than the 60Hz display on the A12.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 14, offering the latest features, security patches and future-proofing.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos provides a more immersive and higher-quality audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports faster 5GHz Wi-Fi and screen mirroring capabilities (Wi-Fi Display)
- Better Camera Features Includes Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF, and LAF
- Larger Storage Option: 256 GB internal storage option
- Better Screen Protection Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen protection
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Additional Camera Lenses: Offers telephoto, wide-angle, and depth lenses for versatile photography.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 8MP selfie camera captures more detailed selfies compared to the 5MP on the Moto G04s.
- Multiple RAM Options: Can go up to 6 GB of RAM, ideal for multitasking.
- Lower price: likely a cheaper option
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 has additional camera lenses but suffers in overall image quality. It sacrifices processing speed and newer software for its lens versatility.
- The Motorola Moto G04s is more focused on performance, display, and software, losing the additional camera lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Motorola Moto G04s:
- Performance-focused users: Those who prioritize smooth performance for everyday tasks, social media browsing, and casual gaming.
- Users who value a modern user experience: Benefits from the latest Android OS and software features.
- Multimedia consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos or listening to music, thanks to the improved audio quality and smoother display.
- Value-conscious buyers: This phone provides excellent performance and features for its price point.
- Users looking for a phone that is more comfortable to hold: Lighter and thinner than the Samsung A12.
Use Cases:
- Smooth daily app usage and browsing.
- Casual gaming with good frame rates.
- Watching videos with improved audio quality.
- Enjoying latest Android features with future-proofed software.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Budget-conscious users: The A12 is a lower-priced option.
- Users who prioritize photography versatility: Appreciate the additional telephoto, wide-angle, and depth lenses for various shots.
- Users who need higher resolution selfies. Prefer taking selfies that are higher resolution.
- Users who prefer more RAM: The ability to get up to 6 GB of RAM for more multitasking.
Use Cases:
- Versatile camera features for different photography scenarios.
- Basic usage on a budget
- Multitasking and app handling with 6 GB of RAM.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance for you? If smooth, lag-free performance is a priority, the Moto G04s is the clear winner.
- Do you value camera versatility or image quality? If you need different camera lenses, choose the A12. If you prefer better image quality and performance, choose the G04s.
- Do you prioritize a modern software experience? If having the latest Android version is important, choose the Moto G04s.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-focused user needing basic smartphone features
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12 could be a suitable option, if on a tight budget and versatility of cameras is valued.
- Scenario 2: User who wants the best possible performance for basic to moderate usage
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G04s is a clear winner due to its significantly better performance, smoother display, more modern software, better audio, and connectivity options.
- Scenario 3: A user who wants better quality photos and video
- Recommendation: Motorola Moto G04s with it's optical stabilization, Phase detection auto focus and laser auto focus, will produce better quality photos and videos compared to the A12.
What would I choose?
I would choose the Motorola Moto G04s. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a more versatile camera system on paper, the real-world impact of the Moto G04s's superior processing power, smoother display, more modern software, better connectivity, and enhanced audio experience is far more significant. The Moto G04s will provide a much more enjoyable experience in terms of speed, responsiveness and overall user experience. The performance difference, modern Android OS, and smoother display all outweigh the additional lenses on the A12 in my usage scenario. I value a fast and snappy phone that does not have any lag or stutters. The better quality photos, video, and added sensors also makes it a much better option for me, even if it sacrifices some camera versatility.
