Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Realme 8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Realme 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 160.6 x 73.9 x 8 mm | Realme 8 is more compact and easier to handle, especially for smaller hands; A12 is bulkier and heavier, which may be less comfortable. |
| Weight | 205g | 177g | Realme 8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Both have large screens suitable for media consumption, but the Realme 8 is slightly more compact |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Realme 8 has a much sharper and clearer display, making text and images appear more detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 411 | Realme 8 offers a significantly crisper display, improving the viewing experience for all types of content. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 8's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors, leading to a superior visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Both have standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is adequate for general use, but lacks the smoothness of higher refresh rate displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 8 is significantly brighter, providing much better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) | Realme 8 offers significantly faster performance for apps, games, and multitasking due to a more powerful processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 409,874 | Realme 8 provides a far smoother user experience, better responsiveness, and improved gaming performance. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G76 MC4 | Realme 8’s GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks much better, resulting in improved gaming and video playback. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer good battery life, though actual usage will vary. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 30W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | Realme 8 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime and improving overall convenience. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Realme 8 captures more detailed images in various lighting conditions and performs better in low-light. |
| Front Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Realme 8 takes higher resolution and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Samsung A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens which can be useful in certain scenarios. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.25 | Realme 8 takes wider shots with more detail. |
| Depth Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Samsung A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 8 includes a macro lens for detailed close-up shots |
| Black & White | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | Realme 8 includes a black and white camera that allows you to take monochrome images. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | Realme 8 records much higher resolution video, offering better clarity and detail, and supports better slow motion capture. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 11 | Realme 8 comes with a newer Android version out of the box, potentially offering a more updated experience and features |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Realme 8 supports newer Wi-Fi standards offering better speed and range. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Realme 8 has a newer Bluetooth version that improves energy efficiency and connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Realme 8 has additional satellite support for potentially better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both offer similar storage options; However, the base models have different storage capacity. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6/8 GB | Realme 8 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and improved performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio | Realme 8 offers superior audio playback quality with Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted | Basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung A12 features a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint reader |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Magnetometer | Realme 8 has more sensors available to allow more features and applications to be used such as augmented reality. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection information is unavailable for both phones. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto camera for zoom capabilities (though limited to 2MP)
- Depth Sensor: Has a dedicated depth sensor which can contribute to better portrait photos
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Easier to access and may be more convenient for some users
- Cheaper price: Generally more affordable than the Realme 8, making it a good budget option
Practical Implications for A12:
- The extra cameras allow a user to take more types of photos, however the camera quality for these sensors are limited
- The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is easier to reach compared to a rear fingerprint sensor
Realme 8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, brightness, and contrast resulting in better visuals.
- Significantly Faster Performance: More powerful processor and GPU for smoother and faster usage, better gaming, and multitasking.
- Better Main Camera: 64MP main camera with a wider aperture results in higher quality images.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution front camera for sharper selfies.
- Dedicated Macro and B&W lens - allows for users to take close-up photos and monochrome shots
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- 4K Video Recording: Allows higher resolution video, better slow motion capture
- More RAM options: Provides smoother multitasking and improved app performance.
- Newer Software: Launched with a newer Android version.
- Hi-Res Audio Support - Provides better sound quality
- More sensors: Has gyroscope and magnetometer to add more features
Practical Implications for Realme 8:
- The better display allows for better color accuracy, contrast, and outdoor visibility
- The better performance allows for smoother use of multiple applications at the same time
- The camera system produces higher quality photos and videos
- Faster charging is more convenient, especially for users who are constantly on the go.
Trade-offs:
- The Realme 8 is more expensive than the Galaxy A12
- The Galaxy A12 has a telephoto and depth camera, but lacks a macro and B&W camera
- The Samsung A12's screen is a PLS LCD, but the Realme 8's is AMOLED
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers: Those seeking an affordable smartphone with a large display and basic functionalities.
- Basic users: Individuals who primarily use their phones for calling, texting, social media, and light browsing.
- Casual photographers: Users who want basic photography features with a telephoto and depth sensor, without demanding high-quality results
Use Cases for Galaxy A12:
- Everyday tasks: browsing, email, social media
- Media consumption: watching videos
- Basic photography for social media
Realme 8 Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users: Those who want a fast and responsive phone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Individuals who enjoy high-quality video and image capture and consumption.
- Users Seeking Better Visuals: Those who want a vibrant display with better outdoor visibility.
- Users Seeking Better Audio: Those who want better quality audio for listening to music
Use Cases for Realme 8:
- Gaming: Smooth performance for popular mobile games.
- High-quality video recording: Capable of recording 4K videos and better slow motion capture
- Media Consumption: Superior visual and audio quality for movies and shows
- Heavy Multitasking: Smooth app switching and background operation.
- General photography and detailed macro shots
- Augmented Reality Applications
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Offers a good price point for basic smartphone functions, suitable for users on a very tight budget.
- Realme 8: Provides significantly better specifications and performance for its price, making it a better value option for those who can afford to spend a little more.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you are looking for the cheapest phone, the A12 is your option. If you are willing to spend more, the Realme 8 is better.
- How important is performance and camera quality? If you want better performance, better camera quality and have the budget to do so, the Realme 8 is better.
- How important is display quality and battery charging time? If you want a better display and quicker charging times, the Realme 8 is better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-constrained User
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12. It’s more affordable and meets the needs of basic users.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User
- Recommendation: Realme 8. Offers a better experience for gaming and multitasking.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Consumer
- Recommendation: Realme 8. Superior display and camera features make it ideal for watching videos and taking photos.
- Scenario 4: User who want better quality sound
- Recommendation: Realme 8. Has better audio quality
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Realme 8. The performance difference is very significant, with the Realme 8 having more than quadruple the benchmark score as the A12. This would translate into a much smoother experience using the phone on a daily basis. The better display is also a large factor. The AMOLED panel on the Realme 8 would be a much better visual experience, with more vibrant colors and more contrast. The better camera system on the Realme 8 would also be more suitable for my use cases, particularly since I take more close up shots which is what the macro lens is for. While the A12 has a telephoto lens, the quality of this sensor is very limited. The faster charging, better audio, and other extra features also makes the Realme 8 a better buy.
Overall, the Realme 8 offers a much better experience for a higher but worthwhile cost. The A12 could still be a viable option if budget is a primary concern, but for anyone who uses their phone regularly, the Realme 8 would be my recommendation.
