Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. realme 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 162 × 75.1 × 8.7 mm | realme 8 is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand; Samsung Galaxy A12 is a bit bulkier. |
| Weight | 205g | 191g | realme 8 is noticeably lighter, which can make a difference during prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.78" | realme 8 offers a slightly larger screen, potentially better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1264x2780 | realme 8 has significantly higher resolution, resulting in sharper text and images. |
| PPI | 270 | 450 | realme 8 has significantly higher pixel density, leading to a much sharper and more detailed display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | realme 8's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | realme 8's 120Hz refresh rate provides noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the overall user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness. Note: Brightness information is missing. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | realme 8's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient, resulting in much better overall performance and responsiveness; Samsung A12 will likely lag with demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | N/A | Performance benchmarks unavailable for realme 8, but based on the chipsets, realme 8 is much better. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 732 | realme 8's GPU is significantly more powerful, providing better graphics performance for gaming and other graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a standard camera while realme 8 does not. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a selfie camera, while realme 8 does not. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a telephoto lens, while realme 8 does not. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a wide angle lens, while realme 8 does not. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a depth sensor, while realme 8 does not. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps with OIS, EIS, 1080p@120fps with OIS, EIS | realme 8 can record much higher quality videos at 4K resolution and has better stabilization; Samsung Galaxy A12 lacks advanced recording features. |
| DXOMARK Score | 90 Main, 0 Photo, 0 Video | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 camera scored 90 main score in DxOMark test. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quad, AF, touch, continous, geo, panorama, HDR, face, WB, ISO, exp comp, scene, timer | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a more feature-rich camera experience, with lots of options. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 0mAh | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a significantly larger battery and will likely last much longer. Note: Battery capacity is missing for realme 8. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Samsung Galaxy A12 supports 15W fast charging, allowing for quicker battery replenishment, while realme 8 will take significantly longer to charge. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Standard | Samsung Galaxy A12 has non-removable battery. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, up to 12 | Android 14 | realme 8 has a more up-to-date version of Android, providing better features and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a Wi-Fi standard and feature set. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP, HOGP | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 supports Bluetooth 5.0 and a suite of audio and device control profiles. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 supports more global positioning systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby, Nano SIM | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has dual SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a choice of storage variants |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a choice of RAM variants. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Audio Features | Basic Audio Features | Both offer basic audio capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung Galaxy A12 features a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both have unknown screen protection. Note: Screen protection information is missing for both phones. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Light, Accelerometer | Basic sensors | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a more comprehensive set of sensors, for added functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Offers significantly better battery life due to its 5000mAh battery, potentially lasting through a full day or more.
- Fast Charging: Supports 15W fast charging, reducing charging times.
- Camera Features: Comes with a more feature rich camera with Digital zoom, Quad, AF, touch, continous, geo, panorama, HDR, face, WB, ISO, exp comp, scene, timer
- Connectivity: Includes Dual SIM support and a newer Wi-Fi standard.
- Sensors: Has a comprehensive sensor configuration including a fingerprint sensor, proximity sensor, and an accelerometer.
- More Storage and RAM Options: Comes in different storage and RAM variants.
realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Offers a much better display with higher resolution, pixel density, AMOLED technology, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset provides dramatically better performance for all tasks, including gaming and multitasking.
- Better Video Recording: Shoots 4K video at 60fps with Optical and Electronic Image Stabilization.
- Newer OS: Ships with Android 14, meaning access to the latest features and security updates.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Sacrifices display quality, processing power and video recording for better battery life and fast charging.
- realme 8: Sacrifices features like camera features, battery, fast charging for superior display and performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Who prioritize battery life and want an affordable smartphone.
- Users who need a phone for basic tasks: Such as calling, texting, and light social media use.
- Users who need a camera with more features: This includes Digital zoom, Quad, AF, touch, continous, geo, panorama, HDR, face, WB, ISO, exp comp, scene, timer
Specific Use Cases:
- A backup phone for travel or emergencies.
- A phone for students or seniors who need a simple, reliable device.
- A secondary device for users who require a long-lasting battery.
realme 8 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize visual experience: For media consumption, gaming, and overall smooth UI.
- Performance-oriented users: Who require a responsive device for demanding tasks and gaming.
- Users who want high quality video: For recording vlogs or memorable events.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming enthusiasts who need a phone with a smooth display and powerful processor.
- Users who watch a lot of videos or movies on their phone.
- Users who want to future proof their phones with new updates and software features.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a good price-to-value ratio for users who prioritize long battery life and basic smartphone functionality.
- The realme 8 is a better value for users willing to pay extra for superior display quality, processing power and video recording capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is battery life? If long battery life is a priority, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is the better choice. If you're able to charge more often, the realme 8 might work fine.
- How important is display quality? If you value a vibrant, sharp display with smooth animations, the realme 8 is the better option. For basic browsing and tasks, the display of A12 is suitable.
- How important is performance? If you need a responsive phone for gaming and multitasking, the realme 8 is far superior. If you are not a heavy user, Samsung A12 will be fine.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Long-lasting battery is crucial. Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12.
- Scenario 2: Best possible display and gaming performance. Choose the realme 8.
- Scenario 3: A balance between battery, display and performance but not overly pricey. The choice will depend heavily on the users need, a balanced approach should consider the realme 8 given it's better performance, however, if they need the camera features and a larger battery, the Samsung A12 might be more ideal.
My Choice
I would choose the realme 8. While the Samsung A12 has a great battery, for my personal usage, a better display and superior performance is more important. The 120Hz AMOLED screen of the realme 8 would greatly improve my daily experience from media consumption to social media browsing. The enhanced performance also means that apps will load faster and there will be less lag. Although the battery is smaller, I am usually near a charging source, therefore it would be worth the sacrifice. The vastly improved video recording quality makes it more appealing.
