1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 162.7 × 74.6 × 8 mm | Moto G34 is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 205g | 179g | Moto G34 is noticeably lighter, making it easier to carry and use for long periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size, suitable for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Identical resolution, resulting in similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Similar pixel density, affecting image clarity equally. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Moto G34's IPS LCD offers potentially better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G34's 120Hz refresh rate provides much smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, although the value is 0 nits which is not realistic. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Moto G34's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 424,100 | Moto G34 has much better performance, allowing for smoother gaming and general use. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Moto G34's GPU is superior, enabling better graphics performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1.00µm | Moto G34's main camera has a wider aperture and larger pixel size potentially improving low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP | Moto G34's selfie camera has higher resolution and could offer more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 offers a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in shots. |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | A12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing more in the frame. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 provides a depth sensor to improve the quality of portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Moto G34 can take close-up photos with its dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record videos up to 1080p at 30fps. |
| DxoMark Score | 90 Main Score | None | A12 has been tested by DxOMark for Mobile camera and achieved an overall score of 90. |
| 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, Dual 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 | Both offer similar features; G34 has some additional capabilities like PDAF, LAF and RAW image capture. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging | Moto G34 charges faster with 20W, reducing charging time. |
| Battery Type | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer | Moto G34's Li-Polymer battery might have a slightly longer lifespan. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | Moto G34 ships with a newer Android version, offering latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Moto G34 supports faster Wi-Fi 6, enabling faster speeds and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Moto G34 has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially improved energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | Both offer identical GPS features for navigation. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both have dual SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Moto G34 offers higher maximum storage option (256GB vs 128GB). |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB/8GB | Moto G34 can be configured with more RAM, enabling better multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 Microphones | Moto G34 offers superior audio with stereo speakers and enhanced audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both have side-mounted fingerprint sensors for quick unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Both phones have the same common sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More Camera Lenses: Offers dedicated telephoto, wide-angle, and depth lenses, providing versatility in photography.
- DxOMark Mobile Camera Score: Has an overall DxOMark Mobile score of 90 although the photo and video subscores are 0. This provides a third-party benchmark for its camera performance.
Motorola Moto G34 Advantages:
- Significantly More Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 695 offers a much better experience in terms of app loading, gaming, and multitasking. The AnTuTu score reflects this huge performance gap.
- Smoother Display: 120Hz refresh rate provides a vastly more fluid user experience compared to the A12's 60Hz.
- Faster Charging: 20W charging is quicker than the A12's 15W, reducing the time you spend plugged in.
- Superior Audio Quality: Stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos significantly enhance the audio experience.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 13, which means better features, security, and a more up-to-date user experience.
- Better Main Camera: Wider f/1.8 aperture and larger pixels capture more light resulting in better low-light performance
- More Storage and RAM Options: Available with 256GB storage and up to 8GB RAM.
- Better connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 for better speed and connectivity
Trade-offs:
- The Moto G34 sacrifices the telephoto, wide-angle and depth cameras of the A12 for a macro lens. Users interested in zoom and wide-angle photos will prefer the A12 whereas users interested in close-up shots will prefer the G34.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize camera versatility, specifically wanting multiple lenses such as telephoto and wide-angle for photography. It's also a phone suitable for users who are less demanding in terms of performance but are happy with a basic smartphone.
- Use Cases: General photography, capturing different perspectives with its multiple cameras, casual social media use, basic browsing.
- Value: Good option for those who want a versatile camera system on a budget, but may be less future proof due to it's older processor.
Motorola Moto G34:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, smooth UI, better audio, and a newer operating system. It is suitable for users who consume a lot of media, do some gaming or who are looking for a snappy general user experience on a budget.
- Use Cases: Gaming, media consumption (videos, music), general use, users who would benefit from stereo speakers and enhanced audio.
- Value: Offers a strong price-to-performance ratio, making it a compelling choice for those wanting a smooth and fast user experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is smooth performance for you? (The Moto G34 is significantly faster.)
- Do you need multiple camera lenses like telephoto and wide angle? (The A12 offers these but at the expense of performance)
- Are stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos, and a more immersive audio experience important to you? (The Moto G34 provides superior audio.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget Photography Enthusiast: If your primary focus is a versatile camera system on a tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy A12 might be suitable due to its extra lenses but you will have to sacrifice on overall performance.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Daily Use: If you prioritize overall performance, a smooth user interface, and a newer Android version, the Motorola Moto G34 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumption: If you watch a lot of videos or listen to music on your phone, the Motorola Moto G34 will provide better audio.
- Scenario 4: Casual User: If you are a casual user and don't demand much from your phone, both phones can suffice although the Moto G34 will feel significantly faster and smoother in daily usage.
My Choice
Given the data, I would choose the Motorola Moto G34. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a more versatile camera system with dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, the Moto G34 offers a superior overall experience that I value more.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chipset offers significantly better performance, which translates to a much smoother and responsive experience in everyday usage, from app loading to multitasking.
- Display: The 120Hz refresh rate provides a vastly superior experience when scrolling and navigating the UI.
- Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos greatly enhance media consumption for more immersive experience.
- Software: The latest Android version (13) ensures that the phone will receive better updates and feature support.
- Battery: The 20W fast charging ensures the phone is ready to go much quicker.
- Future proof: The much more powerful processor, new bluetooth and WiFi standards means this phone will be better supported and usable in the future.
Although I acknowledge the camera versatility of the A12 with its additional telephoto and wide-angle lenses, the increased performance and better user experience of the G34 outweighs the benefits of the extra cameras in my opinion, making the G34 the better choice for me.
