1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 161.8 × 73.8 × 8.5 mm | The Moto G32 is slightly smaller, making it potentially more comfortable for one-handed use and pocketable. |
| Weight | 205g | 184g | The Moto G32 is significantly lighter, which can be more comfortable for extended use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both phones offer the same screen size, but different resolutions. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Moto G32's higher resolution will result in a much sharper and clearer display for viewing text, photos, and videos. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 405 | The higher PPI of the Moto G32 means finer details and smoother text will be visible. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | The IPS LCD of the Moto G32 generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The 90Hz refresh rate on the Moto G32 offers smoother animations and a more fluid user interface experience when scrolling through web pages or social media, making the phone feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both seem to have an issue with brightness values, not possible to evaluate. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 680 in the Moto G32 is more powerful and efficient, offering smoother performance in day-to-day tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 249,000 | The Moto G32's benchmark score indicates significantly faster performance, enabling smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 610 in the Moto G32 is more powerful than the PowerVR GE8320, providing a better graphics performance for games and other GPU-intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rear Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor, 0.80 µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor, 0.64 µm pixel size | The Moto G32 has a wider aperture (f/1.8), which can potentially capture better low-light photos. The A12 has larger sensor size, allowing more light into the sensor, resulting in better photos. |
| Front Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | The Moto G32's higher resolution front camera means sharper, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, offering some optical zoom capability, which the Moto G32 lacks. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.12 µm pixel size | The Moto G32's wide-angle lens has a wider aperture, allowing better low-light performance. It also has a higher resolution, meaning clearer shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung A12 has a dedicated depth sensor which can enhance the portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | The Moto G32 has a dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up details, which the A12 lacks. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | Both phones offer 1080p video recording. The Moto G32 supports slow-motion recording, while the A12 does not. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 90 | N/A | The Samsung A12 has a DXOMark score of 90, but this is not comparable to the Moto G32 as it has not been tested. |
| 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 | Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | The Moto G32 has more advanced camera features like digital image stabilization, PDAF, and RAW capture, potentially allowing more flexibility in photo capture and editing. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 30W fast charging, Li-Polymer | The Moto G32 has significantly faster charging capabilities, reducing charging times. |
Storage and Memory
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | The Moto G32 offers higher storage capacity, allowing you to store more photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | The Moto G32 offers higher RAM options, which will improve performance when multitasking and running memory-intensive applications. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, meaning storage choice when purchasing is important. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G32 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 10, Max 12 | Android 12, Max 13 | The Moto G32 has a newer OS, which may have a newer UI and improved security. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The Moto G32 supports newer WiFi standards, allowing faster WiFi speeds when connected to compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | The Moto G32 has a newer version of Bluetooth, which can be more efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The Moto G32 supports more satellite systems for more precise location tracking. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Moto G32 offers improved audio with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers, providing a better audio experience for videos, music and gaming. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Moto G32 has more sensors, including a compass and gyroscope, enabling more advanced functionalities like AR and gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages
- Dedicated Telephoto and Portrait Lenses: Offers more versatile camera options with telephoto and portrait mode capabilities.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor Size: The 1/2" main camera sensor could allow for better light capture, potentially leading to better low light performance.
Practical Implications of A12 Advantages:
- The Telephoto lens offers some optical zoom functionality, which is beneficial in many scenarios.
- Dedicated depth sensor can enhance the background blur in portrait mode.
- Larger sensor in theory provides better performance in low-light environments, if the sensor's technology can make use of the extra surface area.
Motorola Moto G32 Advantages
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, IPS LCD technology, and 90Hz refresh rate.
- Significantly Better Performance: More powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset and higher AnTuTu score.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution.
- Wide Angle Lens: Superior camera with higher resolution and wider aperture.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up shots.
- More Advanced Features: Digital image stabilization, PDAF, LAF, and RAW capture on the camera.
- Modern OS: Ships with Android 12 out of the box and is upgradeable to Android 13
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for enhanced audio.
- More RAM Options: More RAM for multitasking
- More storage Options: Higher storage options
- More Sensors: Compass and gyroscope, enabling more advanced functionalities.
- Newer Connectivity Standards: WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.2 for faster and more reliable wireless connections.
Practical Implications of G32 Advantages:
- The display on the Moto G32 is sharper, clearer, and smoother, which is ideal for media consumption.
- The performance improvements will result in a faster and more responsive user experience for daily tasks, gaming, and other intensive applications.
- Faster charging allows for quick top-ups, reducing downtime and improving convenience.
- Additional camera features allows for better and more flexible shots.
- The newer OS provides the newest features and security updates.
- Enhanced audio provides a better experience for music, videos, and gaming.
- Additional sensors provide more flexibility when using advanced apps and games.
Significant Trade-offs
- The Samsung A12 loses on display quality, overall performance, charging speed, and audio quality to gain the telephoto and depth sensor.
- The Motorola G32 sacrifices having a Telephoto and Portrait lens for faster charging, higher performance, and a better display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal Users
- Budget-conscious users: Users looking for an affordable phone with basic functionality.
- Users who want a dedicated Telephoto and Portrait Lenses: Users who value those specific lenses.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Use Cases
- Basic social media browsing
- Casual photography
- Basic daily communication
- Users who prioritize a telephoto lens and depth sensor on the camera
- Users that don't require a high refresh rate or high resolution display
Motorola Moto G32 Ideal Users
- Media consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos or enjoy playing mobile games.
- Performance-oriented users: Users who need smooth multitasking and fast app loading.
- Photography enthusiasts: Users who appreciate versatile camera features and better low-light performance.
- Users on the go: Users who need fast charging capabilities.
Motorola Moto G32 Use Cases
- Demanding mobile gaming
- High-quality video streaming
- Photography and videography
- Regular multitasking
- Users that want a faster performance and a high-quality display with a 90hz refresh rate
Price-to-Value Ratio
- The Motorola Moto G32 offers a much higher price-to-value ratio due to its superior performance, display, and camera. It provides a smoother and more enjoyable user experience overall.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is my budget? The Galaxy A12 is often a more budget-friendly choice, but the Moto G32 offers far more value per dollar.
- How important is performance and display quality to me? If the user cares about performance and display quality then the Moto G32 is the better choice.
- How important are Telephoto and Depth sensors? If the user values the Telephoto and Depth sensors then the Samsung A12 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget Shopper:
- Recommendation: If budget is the only deciding factor, and the user does not mind slower performance, or a lower quality display, the Samsung Galaxy A12 may suffice for basic tasks.
- Scenario 2: Media & Performance User:
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G32 is the best choice for users who prioritize display quality, smooth performance, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: Camera Enthusiast:
- Recommendation: The Motorola Moto G32 offers a better overall camera experience and additional features. However, if Telephoto and Portrait sensors are crucial the Samsung Galaxy A12 may be a better fit.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Motorola Moto G32. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a telephoto and depth sensor, the Moto G32's advantages in display quality, performance, charging speed, camera, and audio quality are far more important for overall daily usage and would lead to a far more enjoyable experience. The higher resolution and 90Hz display alone make the Moto G32 a much better device for media consumption and everyday use. The faster processor, paired with the higher RAM and newer OS, ensures a smoother experience. The Motorola G32's additional features like the macro lens, enhanced audio, and newer connectivity also make it a superior choice for me.
