Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Motorola Moto G85
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.6 mm | Moto G85 is slightly smaller and significantly thinner, making it more comfortable to hold and pocket. |
| Weight | 205g | 171g | Moto G85 is substantially lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less fatiguing to carry. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Moto G85 has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Moto G85 has a much sharper and clearer display with significantly more detail, making text and images look crisp. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 395 PPI | Moto G85 displays significantly sharper text and graphics, especially noticeable when viewing smaller details. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Moto G85 has significantly better colors, contrast and black levels offering a richer, more vibrant visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Moto G85's smoother scrolling and animations make the interface feel more responsive, reducing perceived lag. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Moto G85's display is vastly brighter, offering excellent outdoor visibility even in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 (6 nm) | Moto G85's processor is significantly faster, providing smoother app performance, multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 475,000 | Moto G85 offers dramatically better performance, making the phone feel significantly more responsive for most tasks, and more future-proof. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Moto G85's GPU offers much improved gaming performance and smoother graphics rendering in demanding applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP (f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm) | 50MP (f/1.79, 1/2", 1.0µm) | Moto G85's main camera likely captures slightly more detailed images in ideal conditions, and has better low-light capabilities. |
| Selfie Camera Res. | 8MP (f/2.2) | 32MP (f/2.4, 0.7µm pixel size) | Moto G85 captures significantly more detailed selfies; Samsung Galaxy A12 has a slightly wider aperture for slightly better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers limited optical zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP (f/2.2) | 8MP (f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size) | Moto G85 has a higher-resolution ultra-wide lens that captures more detailed landscapes or group photos. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 includes a depth sensor for better portrait mode effects |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Motorola Moto G85 offers better video quality due to its superior digital stabilization. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 90 | 88 | Samsung Galaxy A12 achieved a slightly higher score of 90 points but Motorola Moto G85 performed better in video and photo tests |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Dual camera, Digital zoom, Digital image stabilization, 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, RAW | Moto G85 includes more advanced autofocus and stabilization technologies, plus RAW image capture. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 30W Fast Charging | Moto G85 recharges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
Other Features
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Moto G85 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | Motorola Moto G85 offers a much newer and up-to-date OS with latest features and security enhancements |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Moto G85 has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connectivity with newer standards |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Moto G85 has more efficient Bluetooth for lower power consumption |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Moto G85 offers better location accuracy thanks to additional satellite support |
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Motorola Moto G85 offers more storage space, especially in higher-tier configurations |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Motorola Moto G85 offers smoother multitasking due to more available RAM |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Motorola Moto G85 offers enhanced audio quality with better immersion |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Motorola Moto G85 has better protection against scratches and impacts |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola Moto G85 has more sensors, enabling a wider range of features, including gaming and navigation |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Moto G85 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Larger, higher-resolution P-OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and much higher brightness, providing a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 chipset offers much better performance, resulting in smoother multitasking and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution selfie and wide-angle cameras, coupled with features like OIS, PDAF and LAF make it a more versatile imaging tool.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the A12.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 14, while Samsung A12 launched with Android 10, offers a more up-to-date user experience
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers improve the audio experience significantly.
- Improved Build: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection for the screen.
- More Sensors: Additional compass and gyroscope enables more functionality.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens and Depth Sensor: The A12 includes a dedicated Telephoto lens and depth sensor for portrait mode effects, which might appeal to users who use those features regularly.
- Lower Cost The older generation A12 may come with a much lower price tag
- Wider aperture on selfie camera: The A12 has slightly better low-light selfie capabilities
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12's advantage in Telephoto Lens and Depth Sensor is overshadowed by the Motorola Moto G85's vastly superior overall camera quality and performance.
- The A12's lower cost is offset by its significantly inferior display, performance, and features compared to the Moto G85.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Motorola Moto G85:
- Users who prioritize a high-quality display for media consumption, gaming, and browsing.
- Individuals who need a phone that is responsive and capable of smooth multitasking.
- Users who want a good camera with more advanced features.
- People who value fast charging.
- Users who seek an up-to-date software experience.
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and casual browsing.
- Users who specifically value a telephoto lens for its optical zoom capabilities.
- Users who don't require demanding performance or high-quality graphics.
- Users who prefer a slightly wider aperture on the front-facing camera.
Specific Use Cases:
- Motorola Moto G85:
- Watching movies and videos on a vibrant display.
- Playing graphically intensive games.
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, including low-light settings.
- Using the phone for productivity with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Using the device for navigation.
- Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Making calls and sending texts.
- Casual photography where quality is not a major concern.
- Users who want optical zoom capabilities, and/or depth sensing on a low budget.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Motorola Moto G85 offers significantly better value due to its superior performance, display, camera, and features.
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 might appeal to extremely budget-conscious users, but the compromises are significant.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is display quality? (Moto G85 offers a vastly superior screen.)
- What level of performance do you require? (Moto G85 is much faster for demanding tasks.)
- What is your photography priority? (Moto G85 offers better all round photography and videography, while the A12 has a telephoto lens and depth sensor for portrait mode.)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Media Consumption: If you watch videos or play games frequently, the Motorola Moto G85's P-OLED display and performance make it a clear winner.
- Scenario 2: Performance Demands: If you multitask, play demanding games, or need a responsive phone, the Moto G85 is the far superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Basic Use on a Budget: If your needs are basic, and cost is the only limiting factor, then the Samsung Galaxy A12 may be acceptable, but be aware that its overall performance will be much lower than the Moto G85.
- Scenario 4: Photography Enthusiast: If you need the best photography and videography experience available in this price bracket then the Motorola Moto G85 is the better choice.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally select the Motorola Moto G85. The differences are not just incremental; they represent a fundamental leap in user experience. The significantly superior display, vastly improved performance, better camera quality, and faster charging make the Moto G85 a much more capable and enjoyable device to use. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 might be appealing for its lower price, the compromises made in terms of screen quality, performance and overall user experience make it a poor investment in the long term. The Moto G85 offers a better overall experience across all use-cases, and will be the more sensible choice for the majority of users who need a modern smartphone with modern features.
