Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Motorola One 5G Ace
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola One 5G Ace | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9 mm | Motorola is slightly larger, might feel bulkier in hand/pocket. |
| Weight | 205g | 212g | Samsung is slightly lighter, may feel more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Motorola has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Motorola offers a much sharper display, noticeably clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 393 | Motorola's display will appear significantly sharper and more detailed. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Motorola has a better display technology with potentially better viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both offer standard smoothness, no difference in display fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both offer standard brightness, no difference in outdoor visibility (note: this is likely a data error) |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) | Motorola offers significantly faster performance for apps, gaming, and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 330,000 | Motorola performs significantly better in benchmarks, translating to a smoother and more responsive user experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Motorola's GPU is much more capable, resulting in better graphics and gaming performance. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP, f/2.0 | 48MP, f/1.7 | Motorola's wider aperture (f/1.7) should perform better in low-light situations. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.2 | Motorola takes higher resolution selfies, resulting in more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung offers optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Motorola captures slightly more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung's extra lens gives a portrait mode option |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Motorola offers close-up shots with its macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps | Motorola can record higher-resolution videos, leading to sharper and more detailed footage. |
| Video Stabilization | No | EIS | Motorola includes electronic stabilization for smoother video, better for action shots |
| Slow Motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 60 fps | Motorola can record higher framerate slow motion videos, more dramatic slow-mo shots. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar all-day battery life for most users. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Both have the same charging speed, requiring a similar amount of time to recharge. |
| In-box Charger | Not specified | 10W rapid charger | Motorola comes with a 10W charger, potentially a convenience, though both support 15W charging |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, max v12 | Android 10 | Samsung gets up to Android 12 whereas Motorola is limited to Android 10 |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Motorola has faster Wi-Fi capabilities for improved network speeds and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Motorola's Bluetooth 5.1 offers better range, speed and power efficiency. |
| SIM | Dual SIM | Single SIM | Samsung can support two sim cards simultaneously; a convenience for travel or multiple numbers |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 64/128GB | Both have similar maximum storage but Samsung has a 32GB base model. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 4/6GB | Motorola and Samsung offer similar RAM capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone can be upgraded with an SD card, which can be limiting for some users. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Rear-mounted | Side placement may be more convenient for some users; Both offer fast unlock |
| Audio | Basic audio features | 2 Microphones | Motorola likely offers better call quality and audio recording |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola has extra sensors: compass is useful for navigation and gyro is needed for more advanced gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dual SIM Support: Allows using two SIM cards simultaneously, useful for travelers or users with personal and work numbers.
- Telephoto lens: Offers optical zoom capability
- Portrait Mode Depth lens: Offers a depth sensor to produce a bokeh effect
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May be more convenient for some users due to its location.
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 750G chipset provides much faster performance for apps, gaming, and overall usage.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density result in a noticeably clearer and more detailed screen.
- Better Camera Performance: The wider aperture on the main camera and the higher resolution of the selfie camera result in better low-light and higher detail images.
- 4K Video Recording: Supports recording higher-resolution videos, better for vlogs and high-quality moments.
- Advanced Video Features: Includes EIS for video stabilization and higher frame rate slow-motion capture.
- 5G Connectivity: Offers faster download and upload speeds over 5G networks
- Macro Lens: Offers macro photography
- Extra sensors: Includes Compass and Gyroscope sensors
Trade-offs:
- The Motorola sacrifices the telephoto and portrait lens for overall performance, display, and video improvements
- The Samsung has a telephoto lens but lacks the superior display and performance of the Motorola
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Users who need dual SIM functionality.
- Budget-conscious buyers who value the option of expandable storage.
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint sensor
- Users that need a telephoto lens
Use Cases:
- Basic everyday smartphone tasks
- Users who need an additional phone for a secondary number
- Casual photography
Motorola One 5G Ace Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize smooth performance and multitasking.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming and high-quality media consumption.
- Users who want better camera quality for photography and videos.
- Users who want future proofing with 5G connectivity
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- High-quality video recording and viewing
- Demanding application use
- Those that want better audio and additional sensors such as a compass and gyroscope
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance: Do you prioritize smooth and fast performance for apps and gaming?
- Camera: Do you want the best possible camera quality for photos and videos?
- Connectivity: Is dual SIM capability important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you need a basic phone and dual SIM is essential, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is an acceptable low cost choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance User): If you value fast performance, high-quality display and video, the Motorola One 5G Ace is the clear better option despite the loss of the additional camera lenses on the Samsung.
- Scenario 3 (Photography User): If you need versatility with various lenses, the Samsung offers the additional telephoto and depth lens; however, if overall quality is the priority, the Motorola offers better overall image quality.
My Choice
I would choose the Motorola One 5G Ace. Although the Samsung has dual SIM and some additional camera lenses, the vast improvements in performance, display quality, video capabilities, and 5G connectivity of the Motorola far outweigh those benefits for me. The Motorola offers a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience overall and for this reason is the better choice.
