Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Realme 12 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Realme 12 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 161.5 × 74 × 8.8 mm | Realme 12 Pro is slightly smaller and may feel more comfortable in hand. The A12 is slightly taller and wider, so it is bulkier. |
| Weight | 205g | 190g | Realme 12 Pro is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 12 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area, which can be beneficial for multimedia and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Realme 12 Pro has a significantly sharper display, with noticeably clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 394 | Realme 12 Pro's higher pixel density translates to a more detailed and crisp visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 12 Pro's AMOLED screen provides richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, enhancing the viewing experience, especially for videos and dark-themed apps. It also offers superior power efficiency. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Realme 12 Pro's smoother animations and scrolling enhance user experience, especially noticeable in gaming and fast-paced content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 12 Pro's display is significantly brighter, offering better visibility in outdoor conditions, and under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Realme 12 Pro's chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 574,000 | Realme 12 Pro has much better performance overall. It will handle intensive apps and games, while the A12 might struggle. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 710 | Realme 12 Pro has a more powerful GPU for better gaming and graphics-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 67W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Realme 12 Pro charges significantly faster, reducing downtime, and uses a more advanced battery technology. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.70µm | Realme 12 Pro has a slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, capturing more light, potentially resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.4 | Realme 12 Pro's selfie camera has much higher resolution, leading to more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 32MP, f/2.0, 1/2.74", 0.80µm | Realme 12 Pro's telephoto lens offers much higher resolution and wider aperture, resulting in much better zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a dedicated wide angle lens for wider shots, while the Realme 12 Pro doesn't have a dedicated one. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait shots, while the Realme 12 Pro doesn't have a dedicated one. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.12µm | Realme 12 Pro offers a dedicated wide angle + macro camera for shooting wide angle and close up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps (with EIS) | Realme 12 Pro offers higher-quality video recording with 4K resolution, a wide range of frame rates for different effects, and electronic image stabilization (EIS) for smoother video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 14 | Realme 12 Pro comes with a more recent Android version, with more new features, security enhancements, and potentially longer software update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual band, Wi-Fi 6 | Realme 12 Pro has newer Wi-Fi standard which offers faster speeds, better performance in crowded environments, and lower latency. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | Realme 12 Pro has a newer Bluetooth version offering better efficiency and potentially enhanced audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | Realme 12 Pro supports additional satellite navigation systems, which improves location accuracy, especially in urban environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 256/512GB | Realme 12 Pro provides significantly more storage for apps, photos, and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 8/12GB | Realme 12 Pro offers much more RAM, allowing smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone has expandable storage, so users need to rely on the built-in storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Realme 12 Pro has far superior audio quality with features like Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio and Stereo speakers. The A12 only has basic audio. |
| Security | |||
| Biometrics | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | The Samsung Galaxy A12 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor which can be more convenient depending on the user. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gyroscope | Realme 12 Pro includes a gyroscope, which is useful for certain apps, like games, and VR. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide Angle and Portrait Lens: Offers more versatility in photography with dedicated lenses for ultrawide and portrait shots.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Can be more comfortable for some users.
- Lower Price: Likely available at a lower price point given its age and lower specs.
Realme 12 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, resulting in a much better viewing experience.
- Much Higher Performance: More powerful chipset, GPU, and RAM, resulting in smoother and more responsive performance.
- Superior Camera System: Higher resolution main, selfie and telephoto sensors, alongside 4K video capabilities and better video stabilization.
- Faster Charging: 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the A12's 15W.
- More Modern Software: Comes with a newer Android version and is likely to receive longer software support.
- Better Connectivity: Newer WiFi and Bluetooth technology.
- Superior Audio: Offers Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 12 Pro doesn't have a dedicated wide-angle or depth camera sensor, relying on its primary lens and macro lens for wide-angle and close up photography, and software processing for depth effects.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a basic smartphone at the lowest possible price.
- Users with basic needs: Good for those who primarily use their phone for calls, text, and light social media use.
- Users who prioritize a dedicated ultrawide and depth camera
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Basic web browsing and social media scrolling.
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Casual photography with the option for wide-angle and portrait shots.
Realme 12 Pro Ideal User:
- Users who want the best possible display experience: Ideal for watching videos, playing games, or any other content consumption where good visuals are important.
- Performance-focused users: Those who want smooth and responsive performance for heavy apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: People who want the best camera quality and versatility and want 4K videos.
- Users who want the latest software: People who want their phone to have modern features and receive new updates.
Use Cases for Realme 12 Pro:
- Mobile gaming with high graphics settings.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies with excellent visual quality.
- Heavy multitasking between different apps.
- High quality photography and videography.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A12 provides basic functionality at a budget price point. However, it's quite old now and may not be a good value.
- The Realme 12 Pro offers a significantly superior experience across the board but will likely come at a higher price. It provides a high value for performance and features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider Before Buying:
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the cheapest option or willing to pay more for better features?
- What is your primary use case? Are you a heavy gamer, content creator, or someone who mostly uses basic features?
- Which features do you prioritize? Do you need the absolute best display, camera, or performance, or are you looking for a well-rounded phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If you're on a very tight budget and need a basic phone for calls, texts, and very light social media, the Samsung Galaxy A12 will suffice but it is not the best value proposition. You will be losing out on a lot of performance and features, which is why the Realme 12 Pro is the better choice even if the budget is a little tight.
- If you value a high-quality display, fast performance, and a great camera, and are willing to invest more, the Realme 12 Pro is the clear winner.
- If you absolutely need a dedicated ultrawide camera lens, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is your only choice between these two phones.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 12 Pro without hesitation. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 might be more budget-friendly, the performance and user experience differences are vast. The Realme 12 Pro offers a superior display with AMOLED technology and a 120Hz refresh rate, which are crucial for content consumption and a smoother overall feel. The vastly superior processor, RAM, and storage will ensure that the phone is snappy and responsive for years to come. Furthermore, the vastly superior camera system, 4K video capability, and the faster 67W charging make the Realme 12 Pro a much better device.
Even though I appreciate that the Galaxy A12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens and depth sensor, the Realme 12 Pro offers better overall photo and video quality and versatility with its telephoto and macro lenses, making it better for my needs. While it is true that the A12 is likely to be cheaper, the drop in value for performance is too significant to ignore, making the Realme 12 Pro the better choice.
