Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2023-06-05 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is a much newer device with more modern technology. |
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a unique folding design for portability and novelty. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 170.8 × 74 × 7 mm | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is taller and thinner, while the A12 is slightly wider and thicker. The Razr 40 Ultra is more pocketable when folded. |
| Weight | 205g | 184.5g | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.9" | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a larger screen for more immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2640 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers much sharper images and text due to significantly higher resolution. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 413 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a noticeably sharper display with higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | The Motorola Razr 40 Ultra's display type is not specified, the A12 uses an LCD panel. | |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 165Hz | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers much smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1400 nits | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is much more visible in bright sunlight due to significantly higher brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a vastly more powerful processor, leading to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 1,238,000 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers dramatically better performance. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 730 | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU for graphics-intensive tasks and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3800mAh | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a larger battery capacity potentially leading to longer battery life, but real usage will vary. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 30W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra charges much faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless 8W | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers more versatile charging options including reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard Camera | 48MP (f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm, Samsung S5KGM2) | 12MP (f/1.5) | Samsung A12 has a higher resolution, but the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra's wider aperture should result in better low-light performance (though sensor information is missing). |
| Front Selfie Camera | 8MP (f/2.2) | 32MP (f/2.45) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a much higher resolution front camera for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom, but the quality is not likely to be great due to the low megapixel count. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP (f/2.2) | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 includes an additional wide-angle camera for landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP (f/2.4) | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos with background blur. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP (f/2.2) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a combined wide-angle and macro lens, offering versatility in close-up and wide shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@60fps with HDR and EIS | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra can record much higher quality video with stabilization. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), resulting in smoother video recordings. |
| Slow Motion | 30 fps | 120 fps | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra supports higher slow-motion frame rates for more dramatic videos. |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 90 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has been tested by DxOMark, but the scores are relatively low and photo/video scores are unavailable. Motorola Razr 40 Ultra 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 | Time-Lapse, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Vision | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers a significantly more advanced camera system with features like OIS, PDAF, Laser AF, and Night Vision. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradable to 16) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a much newer version of Android with longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/6E, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has much faster and more stable WiFi connectivity. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 (A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP) | 5.3 LE (A2DP, LE) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has the newer Bluetooth version with improved efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, SUPL, Galileo | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has more precise location tracking with additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers eSIM support for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers much more internal storage, essential for photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra offers significantly more RAM for better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has superior audio quality for media consumption and voice calls. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones have similar biometric authentication. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a much more durable screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola Razr 40 Ultra has a more comprehensive set of sensors enabling features like compass, gyroscope and advanced motion sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery Capacity: The A12 has a larger 5000mAh battery, potentially offering longer battery life.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide-Angle Cameras: The A12 includes a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens, providing some versatility in shooting modes even though the sensor resolution is low.
- Lower Cost: The Samsung Galaxy A12 is an entry-level device and will be significantly more affordable than the Razr 40 Ultra.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a unique form factor with a compact footprint when folded and a larger display when unfolded.
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness, leading to a much better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset provides significantly faster performance for all tasks.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher quality front camera and advanced features like OIS, PDAF, and Laser AF result in much better image and video quality.
- Faster Charging: 30W charging is much faster than the A12's 15W.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide enhanced audio quality.
- Newer Software: Ships with Android 13 and is expected to receive more software updates.
- More Storage & RAM: Offers a much larger storage space and RAM, improving multitasking and performance.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi standards and Bluetooth 5.3 for faster and more stable connections.
Trade-offs:
- Battery Trade-off: While the Razr 40 Ultra has faster charging, its smaller battery capacity may result in shorter battery life compared to the Samsung A12 (real-world usage may vary due to more efficient chipset).
- Camera Versatility: Although the A12 has separate telephoto and wide lenses, its low sensor resolution limits the image quality and practical use. The Motorola offers more useful wide angle and macro capabilities in a single lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, first-time smartphone buyers, or those needing a secondary phone with long battery life.
- Use Cases: Basic communication, browsing, casual social media, consuming media at a basic level. Good for light users not concerned with high-end performance.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Strong value proposition for its price point.
Motorola Razr 40 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, social media influencers, users who prioritize high performance, photography, and a premium design.
- Use Cases: High-quality content creation, gaming, immersive media consumption, and advanced multitasking. The foldable form factor makes it ideal for those wanting a compact phone with a big screen.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: High price, but delivers a premium experience and advanced features.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide between these phones:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is the obvious choice. If you have the money, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra provides a substantially better overall user experience.
- How important are high-end performance and features? For users needing top-tier performance, a premium display, and advanced camera features, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra is the clear winner. The A12 is for basic usage.
- What is your usage pattern? If you are a light user or need a basic phone with good battery life, the A12 is sufficient. If you want a device with cutting-edge features and top-tier experience and don't mind paying for it, the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra fits that bill.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: You need a reliable, affordable phone for basic tasks. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12.
- Scenario 2: You want a premium, high-performance phone with a unique design and advanced features. Recommendation: Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
- Scenario 3: You frequently take photos and videos and want the best quality possible. Recommendation: Motorola Razr 40 Ultra.
- Scenario 4: You need a phone with very long battery life and are not concerned about other features. Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12.
My Choice
Given the massive difference in specifications, I would choose the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a budget-friendly option, the Razr 40 Ultra offers a significantly better experience across almost every aspect of a modern smartphone. The significantly faster performance of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, the premium high refresh rate display with excellent brightness, and the superior camera system with better stabilization and video recording all contribute to a far more enjoyable user experience.
The foldable form factor is also a big draw, offering the convenience of a more compact phone when folded and a bigger screen when needed. While battery life may not be as strong as the A12, it compensates with its fast charging capabilities. The price is definitely a factor, but given the performance, features, and overall build quality, I feel the Razr 40 Ultra provides a worthwhile premium experience. If budget was not a concern, the decision would be an easy one.
