Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. OnePlus Nord CE 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm | A12 is larger, slightly bulkier and less pocketable than Nord CE 5G. Nord CE 5G is thinner and easier to handle |
| Weight | 205g | 170g | Nord CE 5G is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.43" | Nearly identical screen sizes, negligibly different in daily use. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Nord CE 5G has a significantly sharper display with more detail, better for viewing photos, videos, and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 410 | Nord CE 5G display appears much sharper and less pixelated, improving visual clarity. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Nord CE 5G offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Nord CE 5G has smoother scrolling, transitions, and animations, leading to more fluid overall experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 700 nits | Nord CE 5G provides better outdoor visibility in direct sunlight and bright environments. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Nord CE 5G offers significantly faster performance, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading and improved gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 385,000 | Nord CE 5G is much more powerful and responsive across everyday tasks and demanding applications. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 | Nord CE 5G handles graphics-intensive tasks, like gaming, far better than the A12. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Nord CE 5G captures more detailed images with better low light performance due to a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Nord CE 5G produces higher resolution selfies with more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.25 | Nord CE 5G captures higher resolution wider shots, slightly wider aperture on A12 |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode with more depth of field. |
| Black & White Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Nord CE 5G has a dedicated black & white lens, better for creative shots |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, EIS | Nord CE 5G allows for 4K video recording with electronic image stabilization for high quality video. |
| DXOMark - Main Score | 90 | 84 | A12 scores slightly higher overall |
| DXOMark - Photo Score | 0 | 89 | Nord CE 5G performs significantly better in photo tests. |
| DXOMark - Video Score | 0 | 80 | Nord CE 5G performs significantly better in video tests. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A12 has slightly larger battery for longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 30W | Nord CE 5G charges much faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 11 (up to 13) | Nord CE 5G has a newer OS and likely to get more Android updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Nord CE 5G supports newer, faster WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 | Nord CE 5G supports newer, more power-efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, NavIC System | Nord CE 5G has more satellite support for better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 128/256GB | Nord CE 5G offers significantly more internal storage for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 6/8/12GB | Nord CE 5G offers more RAM, enhancing multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which could be a limitation for some users. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Basic | Noise Cancellation Mic | Nord CE 5G offers a noise cancelling microphone that offers clearer calls. |
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic Fingerprint sensor | A12 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Nord CE 5G has additional compass and gyroscope sensors for more accurate motion tracking and augmented reality experiences. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Slightly larger 5000mAh battery may offer marginally longer battery life than Nord CE 5G.
- Telephoto & Depth Lens: Dedicated telephoto and depth lenses provide more versatility in camera modes.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Offers slightly more advanced biometric security
- Slightly higher Main Camera DxOMark Score: Although photo and video scores of Nord CE 5G are far better, this means that in some situations, A12 can take slightly better photos.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness providing a noticeably better visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor and graphics leading to smoother multitasking and improved gaming.
- Better Camera Quality: Higher resolution sensors, better low-light performance, and 4K video recording.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers double storage and RAM options for better performance and long-term storage needs.
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards with more satellite GPS support
- Better Audio: Includes a noise cancellation microphone
Trade-offs:
- A12: Lower performance and screen quality are a trade-off for a slightly larger battery and telephoto lens.
- Nord CE 5G: No dedicated telephoto or depth lens, and slightly smaller battery capacity than A12.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritizing affordability over cutting-edge features.
- Users Needing Long Battery Life: Who need a device that can last a full day without needing to be charged.
- Users who prefer a side-mounted fingerprint scanner.
- Users looking for a basic phone with a functional camera and some flexibility with camera lenses.
- Basic users: Who prioritize daily tasks like calling, texting, and light social media usage.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G is ideal for:
- Users Wanting a Superior Display: Prioritizing a vibrant, sharp, and smooth screen.
- Power Users: Who need smooth multitasking, good gaming performance and 5G connectivity.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Who value good quality images, better low-light performance and video recording.
- Users Who Need Fast Charging: Those who need their phone charged quickly.
- Users who need ample storage: Users that value the extra storage provided.
- Users who want the best possible audio experience
Use Cases:
- A12 excels at: Basic daily tasks, long battery life for travel, basic photography, and budget-friendly communication.
- Nord CE 5G excels at: High-quality media consumption, gaming, social media, photography, fast charging, and 5G connectivity.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? Is affordability the top priority, or is better performance and display quality worth a higher price?
- How important is display quality and performance? Will you be consuming a lot of media or playing games, or will you primarily be using the device for basic tasks?
- What are my photography needs? Do you value a dedicated zoom lens, or is overall photo and video quality more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the biggest factor: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12. It provides the basic smartphone functionality at a lower cost and with a larger battery
- Scenario 2: Display and performance are key: Choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. It offers significantly better performance, display quality, and camera capabilities, although it may cost more
- Scenario 3: Need a good balance of features and price: If you can stretch the budget, choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. The increase in price provides value through the quality of the features, and performance of the device.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 5G.
While the Samsung A12 offers a larger battery, its advantages are overshadowed by the Nord CE 5G's superior display, significantly better performance, significantly better camera quality, faster charging, and enhanced connectivity. As someone who values a smooth and responsive user experience, high-quality media consumption, and good photography, the Nord CE 5G aligns with my priorities better. The price difference is justifiable for the significant performance and feature upgrade, making it the better long-term choice for me, especially with its noise cancellation microphone.
