1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 160.9 × 74.5 × 8 mm | The Moto G82 is slightly smaller, thinner, and easier to handle, especially for one-handed use. The A12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 205g | 173g | The Moto G82 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods and less fatiguing. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size; both offer a large viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Moto G82's higher resolution provides noticeably sharper text and images. Content appears clearer and more detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 402 | The Moto G82's higher pixel density results in a much sharper display, reducing pixelation and improving clarity. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Moto G82's AMOLED screen offers superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and better contrast, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. AMOLED also provides better battery life when using a dark theme. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Moto G82's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother, leading to a more fluid and responsive user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. This specification is invalid. Without real values, brightness is an unknown, but we should not assume they are the same in the real world. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Moto G82's Snapdragon chipset is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The A12 may struggle with demanding applications. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 390,000 | The Moto G82's benchmark score is almost four times higher, indicating drastically superior performance for everyday tasks and intensive use. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | The Moto G82's Adreno GPU is significantly better for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks than the PowerVR in the A12. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Moto G82's wider aperture (f/1.8) allows more light, improving low-light photos. The A12 has a larger sensor but smaller pixel size, while the G82 has a smaller sensor but larger pixel size, which typically provides a better balance of light intake and detail. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.00 µm | The Moto G82 captures more detailed selfies due to the significantly higher resolution. Pixel size is better. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, enabling optical zoom capabilities. The Moto G82 relies solely on digital zoom for magnification which may produce lower quality results when zoomed in. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm | The Moto G82's wide-angle camera captures more detailed scenes, offering a better field of view with a slightly larger pixel size. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The Samsung Galaxy A12 uses a depth sensor for portrait mode photos, enhancing the bokeh effect. The Moto G82 uses software to simulate this. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm | The Moto G82 has a dedicated macro lens, allowing users to capture close-up detail of small objects, while the A12 lacks this feature. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps; No | 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps; Yes | The Moto G82 offers video recording up to 1080p at 60 fps, and video stabilization while the A12 does not, providing higher quality videos and less shaky footage. |
| 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, Triple camera, Optical Stabilization (OIS), 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 | Moto G82 has OIS for less blurry images, especially in low light and PDAF/LAF for faster autofocus. The A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens but may have less quality than the G82 due to lens/sensor limitations. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer the same battery capacity, implying similar battery life under comparable use. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 30W fast charging | The Moto G82 charges much faster, reducing downtime and keeping you powered up quicker. |
Software & Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G82 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 12, upgradable to 13 | The Moto G82 ships with a newer OS, offering more features and up-to-date security patches. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The Moto G82 supports 802.11ac for faster and more stable WiFi. It also includes support for "Wi-Fi Display". |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Moto G82 has a newer Bluetooth version for more efficient and stable connections. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | The Moto G82 has more satellite navigation systems for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | 32GB, 64GB or 128GB | 128GB | The Moto G82 only comes with 128 GB while the A12 has various storage options. |
| RAM | 3GB, 4GB or 6GB | 6GB | The Moto G82 has a minimum of 6GB, making it more suitable for multitasking than some A12 variants. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Moto G82 offers a significantly better audio experience, with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and 2 microphones which allow better audio capture during calls/recordings. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | The Moto G82 has a more comprehensive sensor suite, allowing for better AR experiences and more advanced gaming. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages
- Telephoto lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom.
- Depth Sensor: Offers depth sensing for portrait mode.
- Multiple storage options: 32GB, 64GB and 128 GB storage options.
- Potentially lower price: The older A12 may be available at a lower price point.
Motorola Moto G82 Advantages
- Superior Display: AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, higher resolution and pixel density provides a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chipset offers substantially better overall performance for apps and gaming.
- Better Camera: Wider aperture on the main sensor, a higher resolution selfie camera, OIS, PDAF, and LAF result in sharper, clearer images and video, particularly in low light.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Stereo Speakers & Dolby Atmos: Better overall audio experience.
- More Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Includes a compass, gyroscope, and magnetometer.
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for detailed close-up photography.
- Newer OS: Comes with a newer version of Android offering updated features and security patches.
Trade-offs
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a telephoto lens and a depth sensor, but is significantly inferior in almost every other performance and display aspect. The older software is also a limitation.
- The Motorola Moto G82 lacks the dedicated telephoto and depth sensors but offers a superior overall experience in most other areas. It has no expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability above all else.
- Users with basic needs: Primarily use the phone for calls, texts, and basic social media.
- Users wanting a telephoto lens: If a dedicated optical zoom lens is a priority.
- Users who don't need lots of storage: Options are available that are less than the 128 GB offered by the Moto G82.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing
- Casual photography
- Simple games
- Occasional use of telephoto capabilities
Motorola Moto G82 Ideal User
- Multimedia consumers: Enjoys streaming videos and movies with a high-quality display.
- Gaming enthusiasts: Benefits from the powerful chipset and smooth 120Hz display for gaming.
- Photography enthusiasts: Seeks better camera quality, especially in low light, and more robust video features.
- Users who need faster charging: Values reduced downtime with quicker charging speeds.
- Users who want a better audio experience: Those who want stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Streaming HD videos
- Capturing photos and videos in various lighting conditions
- Using navigation and AR applications
- Demanding mobile applications
- Users who need updated security patches
Price-to-Value
- The Motorola Moto G82 offers a significantly higher value due to its superior display, performance, camera, and features for the price. It represents a more well-rounded smartphone experience.
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 is an older device and this should be reflected in the price, and is better for those that are extremely price conscious and do not require performance or good display/audio.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you are on an extreme budget, then the A12 may be an option.
- How important are performance and display quality? If you value smooth performance, a vibrant display, and fast charging, then the G82 is superior.
- Are specific camera features like a telephoto lens or macro lens more important? If a telephoto lens and depth sensor are more important to you then the A12 is an option. If a Macro lens is preferred, then the G82 is the choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is extremely limited, basic usage: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 if you are only doing very basic tasks and cannot stretch your budget any more.
- Scenario 2: Budget is moderate, value for money is important: The Motorola Moto G82 is the better choice due to its superior performance, better display, camera quality, battery charging, audio features and features in general.
- Scenario 3: Mobile gaming and multimedia consumption: The Motorola Moto G82 is the clear winner for its superior performance, smooth display, and better audio.
- Scenario 4: Photography is important: The Motorola Moto G82 will take better photos due to its superior lens and sensor combination (excluding the lack of telephoto), coupled with its features and OIS, PDAF and LAF support.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Motorola Moto G82 without hesitation. While the Samsung A12 offers a telephoto lens, its overall performance and user experience are significantly inferior. The Moto G82 provides a much more enjoyable and responsive experience with its superior display, significantly faster processing, better camera, better audio and faster charging. The comprehensive sensor suite and newer Android version make the G82 a more future-proof option. The lack of a telephoto lens is a trade-off, but the overall improvements across the board more than compensate for this minor drawback. It represents better value for money and would be more satisfying to use daily.
