Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Motorola Moto G31
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 161.9 × 73.9 × 8.6 mm | Moto G31 is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold and pocket. |
| Weight | 205g | 181g | Moto G31 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Practically identical screen size, both suitable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Moto G31 offers noticeably sharper and clearer images, better for reading and watching videos. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 411 ppi | Moto G31's higher pixel density translates to much finer detail and less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Moto G31 has superior blacks, better contrast and more vibrant colors; also more energy-efficient with dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard refresh rates, resulting in similar smoothness of scrolling and animation. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 | Mediatek Helio G85 | Moto G31 has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 225,154 | Moto G31 provides significantly better performance, better for gaming and demanding apps. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Moto G31's GPU is more capable for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | Moto G31 has slightly higher resolution and a wider aperture, potentially better for low-light shots. A12 has a larger sensor. |
| Front | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | Moto G31 captures selfies with more detail. |
| Telephoto | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A12 offers a dedicated telephoto camera. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm pixel size | Moto G31 captures wider shots with more detail and better low-light performance. |
| Portrait (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung A12 has a dedicated depth camera for better portrait mode. |
| Macro | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | Moto G31 offers a dedicated macro camera for close-up photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, No slow-motion | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion 120 fps | Moto G31 offers slow-motion video, suitable for creative shots. |
| Additional Features | Quadruple camera | Triple camera, Optical Zoom, Digital Image Stabilization, PDAF, LAF, RAW | Moto G31 has better autofocus, digital image stabilization, and RAW capability. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should last a full day with moderate use due to similar battery capacity. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 10W fast charging | Samsung A12 charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Software & Connectivity | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 11 | Moto G31 has a newer base OS, likely to have better compatibility with future apps and updates |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Moto G31 supports faster Wi-Fi standard with ac support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both have the same version of bluetooth, but with different features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Moto G31 has access to more satellite systems, giving it better location accuracy. |
| Storage & Audio | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both offer the same max storage, but A12 has a 32 GB base option. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4 GB | Samsung A12 has a variant with more RAM for better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | Moto G31 has better audio quality with Dolby Atmos. |
| Security & Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Moto G31 has more sensors for advanced functionality such as AR apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Faster Charging: 15W charging is noticeably quicker than Moto G31's 10W.
- Telephoto Lens: Offers more zoom capability than the Moto G31.
- More RAM: A variant with 6 GB RAM is better for multitasking.
Motorola Moto G31 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution and pixel density offers significantly better visual quality, better for gaming and video.
- Better Performance: Significantly more powerful chipset and GPU, providing smoother experience and better gaming capabilities.
- Better Main Camera: Wider aperture and slightly higher resolution mean better low-light and detailed images.
- Better Front Camera: Higher resolution and larger pixels provide more detailed selfies.
- Macro Lens: Provides versatility with close-up photography.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and dual mics provide better audio.
- More Sensors: Offers more sensors including Compass and Gyroscope for advanced features and gaming.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 11 out of the box, and a better chance of software updates.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung A12: Trade-offs better display and performance for faster charging.
- Motorola G31: Trade-offs faster charging and telephoto camera for a much better display and significantly better performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize faster charging over display quality and performance.
- Users who need a telephoto lens for photography.
- Users who need the extra RAM for moderate multitasking.
Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing and communication.
- Occasional photography (mostly standard use cases).
- Users who need their phone charged quickly and often.
- Users who need more RAM for their budget
Motorola Moto G31 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize a good display and overall performance.
- Users who want a more future-proof device.
- Users who prefer a lighter and more comfortable phone.
- Users who take lots of selfies and use the wide angle lens often.
Use Cases:
- Multimedia consumption (videos, movies).
- Mobile gaming.
- Photography (selfies, wide-angle, and macro photography).
- Users who prefer a smoother, quicker daily experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is display quality? If a high-quality display is crucial, the Moto G31 is the clear choice.
- How much do you prioritize performance for gaming or heavy apps? If you use resource-intensive apps, the Moto G31 is significantly better.
- How important is charging speed? If quick charging is a priority, the Samsung A12 is more suitable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User with Basic Needs: If you just need a basic smartphone, the Samsung A12 is fine as the price will likely be lower, and its the only one with a telephoto camera.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: The Moto G31 offers significantly better display quality and audio features for media consumption.
- Casual Gamer: The Moto G31 has the upper hand with its superior chipset and GPU.
- Price Sensitive and Need More RAM: Go for the 6GB varient of the A12.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Moto G31. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has the advantage of faster charging, the overall experience offered by the Moto G31 is much better. The superior display technology is a huge deal since I use my smartphone to consume media. The performance difference between the two is massive, which would lead to a smoother experience overall. Even if I do not care for mobile gaming, having a smooth experience when using my device is important for me. The Moto G31's camera also has an advantage in the selfie camera and main cameras, and I find the addition of the macro lens a nice to have, even if I do not plan on using it often. Lastly the slightly better audio, additional sensors, and newer OS all lead me to choose the Motorola Moto G31, even at the cost of slower charging.
