1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | Very similar physical size. Differences are negligible in daily use. |
| Weight | 205g | 196g | The A02s is slightly lighter, which might be preferable for users who prioritize a lighter feel, especially during long usage periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size providing the same viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Identical resolution; both offer the same level of detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 270 | Both phones have similar sharpness. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | PLS LCD | Both use the same display technology, which means similar color reproduction and viewing angles, with decent but not top-tier display quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness; no high-refresh-rate for extra smoothness. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have identical brightness. This is concerning; the phones probably have a non-zero peak brightness and that information is missing. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | The A12's Mediatek chip offers noticeably better performance, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 74,800 | The A12 has a significantly higher score indicating better performance overall, including smoother app operation. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 506 | The A12's GPU is more capable, providing a slightly better gaming experience. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2, 0.80µm | 13MP, f/1.8, Unknown, Unknown | The A12's higher resolution should result in more detailed photos, especially in good lighting. The A02s' wider aperture may perform slightly better in low light, however, sensor model and pixel size info is missing. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, Unknown, Unknown | 5MP, f/2.2, Unknown, Unknown | The A12's selfie camera offers more detail, leading to better quality selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | None | The A12 has an additional telephoto lens; offers optical zoom or a zoomed portrait mode. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2, Unknown, Unknown | None | The A12 has an additional wide-angle lens, useful for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | Both phones offer similar capabilities for depth effects in portraits. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4, Unknown, Unknown | The A02s offers a macro lens; useful for taking detailed close-up shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both phones offer the same standard video recording. |
| DXOMARK Score | 90 (Mobile) 0(photo), 0(video) | Not Available | A12 has a better camera quality score |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Continuous shooting, White balance settings, Exposure compensation | Triple camera, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF) | A12 has more versatile shooting options, while A02s has faster focusing. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should provide similar battery life with the same capacity. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Both support the same fast charging speed, ensuring similar charging times. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have non-removable batteries. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Both phones will end up with the same OS versions and features. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual Band, Hotspot, Direct | 802.11b/g/n, Hotspot, Direct, Display | The A12 has Dual-Band support which will offer slightly faster and more stable wifi connections. The A02s has Wi-Fi Display which allows screen mirroring |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, HOGP | 4.2, A2DP, LE | The A12 has a newer Bluetooth, and more features leading to better audio connections with other devices. The A02s utilizes Bluetooth Low Energy for longer lasting connections |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The A02s supports more satellite systems, potentially leading to better location accuracy in some areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones support two SIM cards, with dual standby functionality allowing for better flexibility in call management |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 32/64 GB | The A12 offers a larger 128GB variant for more storage, which is useful for users with lots of media/apps. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 3/4 GB | The A12 is available with 6 GB of RAM for improved multitasking, while the A02s has a maximum of 4GB |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both provide similar audio capabilities |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic security features | The A12 offers additional fingerprint authentication for more convenient unlock, while the A02s relies on basic methods (pin/pattern). |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Proximity, Accelerometer | The A12 offers more sensor options for additional features (eg: biometric security). |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Mediatek Helio P35 chipset and higher AnTuTu score lead to smoother app performance, multitasking, and gaming.
- Better Camera: Higher resolution main camera (48MP), dedicated wide-angle and telephoto lens provide more versatility and detail. Also has a slightly better selfie camera.
- More RAM/Storage Options: Available with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, offering a better experience for power users.
- Enhanced Security: Includes a fingerprint sensor for easier and more secure unlocking.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Bluetooth version (5.0), and dual band WiFi support.
- Camera Quality: The A12's camera has been tested for image quality, the A02s hasn't
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Lighter: Slightly lighter at 196g compared to 205g, which some users may prefer.
- Macro Lens: A macro lens on the A02s is useful for close-up photography.
- GPS: Additional Galileo support can lead to better location accuracy.
- WiFi Display: Screen mirroring function is useful for sharing content to external displays.
- Slightly Wider Aperture Main Camera: Slightly wider f/1.8 aperture should perform slightly better in low light conditions.
Trade-offs:
- The A12 offers better performance, camera versatility, security, and storage/RAM options but is heavier.
- The A02s is lighter, has slightly better GPS and macro lens but sacrifices processing power, camera quality, and security.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Those who value performance, better camera quality, and security in a budget phone.
- Use Cases:
- Social media users who need good quality photos/videos.
- Casual gamers who appreciate smooth performance.
- Users who multitask and run multiple apps.
- Users who want fingerprint security.
- Price-to-Value: The A12 offers a more noticeable performance boost for the price. It will be a more satisfying user experience for those that want a reliable phone in this range.
Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize a lightweight phone, basic functionality, and battery life over performance and camera quality.
- Use Cases:
- Basic smartphone users who mainly use the phone for calls, texts, and light web browsing.
- Users who want a secondary device.
- Users who need macro photography capabilities.
- Users who often navigate using maps.
- Price-to-Value: The A02s is a good price for those on an extreme budget. It can perform the most basic smartphone operations reliably.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- Performance needs: How important is smooth performance and multitasking to your daily use?
- Camera quality: Do you require a versatile camera system with good quality photos and videos?
- Security Preferences: Is having a fingerprint sensor important for security and convenience?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: User prioritizes performance and camera quality for social media and casual gaming; the Samsung Galaxy A12 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2: User needs a basic, lightweight phone for calls, texts, and general navigation. Doesn't value top performance and security, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is a good option.
- Scenario 3: User wants a secondary device that is lightweight and reliable. The Samsung Galaxy A02s is sufficient and cost-effective.
What I would choose and why:
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A12. Although both phones have their merits, the A12 offers a more well-rounded experience for the average user. The significantly better processor ensures a smoother experience, more storage and RAM options will allow the phone to last longer and run more applications. Although, the A02s is lighter and has a macro lens, these aren't enough to make me choose it over the much better all-round performance of the A12. The camera on the A12 is also much better, especially for those that wish to take photos using their smartphone. Additionally, the fingerprint sensor adds a layer of security that the A02s lacks. Therefore the A12 is a much better option for the average user.
