1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Nokia G42 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2023-06-28 | Nokia G42 is significantly newer, likely with longer software support. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 165 × 75.8 × 8.6 mm | Similar size, Nokia G42 is slightly thinner and more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 205g | 193.8g | Nokia G42 is lighter, noticeable with extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Virtually identical screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Minimal difference, similar sharpness on both. |
| PPI | 270 | 269 | Negligible difference, similar pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD offers better viewing angles and potentially more accurate colors compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Nokia G42 has smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both are the same which is unknown, will likely make the phone not useable in broad daylight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Nokia G42 offers much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance due to a significantly more powerful chip. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 380,000 | Nokia G42 is significantly faster in benchmarks, confirming the performance difference in daily use. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Nokia G42 provides better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life for both phones, but results may vary by usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 20W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Nokia G42 charges faster; Li-Polymer potentially lasts longer and more efficiently. |
| Charger | Not mentioned in box | No charger in box | Nokia G42 does not include a charger, requiring a separate purchase. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Lens | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor, 0.8µm pixels, Samsung S5KGM2 | 50MP, f/1.8 | Nokia G42 has a slightly better sensor with a wider aperture for better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Nokia G42 has a wider aperture, potentially better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, useful for zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a wide-angle lens for more versatility. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nokia G42 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar video quality on both. |
| DxoMark | Main: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Not Tested | Samsung Galaxy A12 camera has a middling score; no comparative scores for Nokia G42 are available. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Continuous shooting, Face detection | Triple camera | Samsung has more camera features, Nokia has more focused camera array. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 13, upgradable to 14 | Nokia G42 has a significantly newer OS and will receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Nokia G42 supports faster and more modern Wi-Fi standards including WiFi 6 (802.11ax). |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Nokia G42 has newer and more efficient Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Nokia G42 has more accurate GPS due to Galileo support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Samsung Galaxy A12 can use two SIM cards simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB | Nokia G42 only has 128GB variants; Samsung offers different models of storage. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB | Nokia G42 is available with either 4GB or 6GB RAM while Samsung has a 3GB option. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage via MicroSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | 2 microphones | Nokia G42 has better voice capture. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Nokia G42 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nokia G42 has more sensors, enabling advanced features like better orientation sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto and Wide Angle Cameras: Offers a more versatile camera system with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, good for those who like to experiment with photos.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows users to use two SIM cards simultaneously, convenient for travel or managing personal and work numbers.
- Available with smaller storage options: The Samsung Galaxy A12 has 32 and 64GB storage options while the Nokia G42 is only available in 128GB
Practical Implications: The Samsung Galaxy A12 is better for users who take a lot of photos and need flexibility with lenses. The Dual-SIM is useful if you need 2 numbers running simultaneously. It is also a more affordable option if the 128GB storage is not needed
Nokia G42 Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 480+ 5G chip offers much better performance for app loading, multitasking, and gaming, leading to a smoother user experience.
- Superior Display: The IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate offers better viewing angles and smoother scrolling.
- Newer Software and More Updates: Comes with Android 13 and will receive more updates, ensuring a more modern experience.
- Faster Charging: 20W charging allows for quicker battery replenishment.
- Better Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1, providing faster wireless speeds and more efficient connections.
- Better Camera Sensor: Nokia G42 has a slightly better sensor with a wider aperture for better low-light performance on standard lens.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers better screen protection,
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- More Sensors: Compass and Gyroscope offer better orientation and spatial awareness, especially useful for AR or gaming
Practical Implications: Nokia G42 offers a smoother experience due to its significantly better performance, higher refresh rate, and more modern software.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: The older chipset and less responsive display may result in a less fluid user experience.
- Nokia G42: It has limited camera features compared to the Samsung and has only one sim card slot. It also does not include a charger in the box so one would need to be purchased separately.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone with versatile camera options, and needs dual SIM card capabilities.
- Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and basic communication.
- Users who want to experiment with photography using the telephoto and wide-angle lenses.
- Users who need to manage multiple numbers with dual sim card functionality.
Nokia G42:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance and a smooth user experience, and want a longer-lasting device with up-to-date software.
- Use Cases:
- Smooth multitasking and quick app loading.
- Casual gaming.
- Users who watch videos and value a smoother display.
- Users who want an up to date phone that will be updated for a long time.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- How important is performance for you? If smooth performance is critical, then the Nokia G42 is the clear winner.
- Do you prefer a versatile camera or a focus on standard performance? If a telephoto and wide-angle lens is needed, the A12 has the best options. Otherwise, the Nokia G42 will do the job perfectly with its higher MP and wide aperture standard lens and its Macro lens for close up shots.
- How important is the newest software and faster charging? If you want a phone with the newest software and faster charging, you should go for the G42.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Tight Budget
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12, if dual sim capability is needed and the price is lower.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User
- Recommendation: Nokia G42 due to its much better performance, and more up to date software.
- Scenario 3: User who needs multiple lenses
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12 due to its telephoto and wide angle lenses.
My Choice
I would choose the Nokia G42. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has some advantages like the dual sim and additional lenses, the performance gap between the two phones is too significant to ignore. The Nokia G42's significantly faster Snapdragon 480+ 5G chipset, combined with the smoother 90Hz display, more up to date software, faster charging, and better build quality provides a much better overall user experience. Although the omission of a charger is a negative, the overall benefits outweigh this. For a daily driver, the smoother experience of the Nokia G42 and the longer software support make it the more sensible and future proof choice. I don't use dual sim capabilities and I can manage without the extra lenses, so the extra performance, and the more up to date software are more important for my use case.
