1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | Identical physical size. Both will feel the same in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 205g | 205g | Both have the same weight, offering a similar heft and feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both offer the same viewing area, suitable for media consumption and browsing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Similar screen clarity, but not as sharp as Full HD displays. Text and images may appear slightly less crisp. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Same pixel density, similar perceived sharpness for viewing. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | PLS LCD | Similar color reproduction and viewing angles; might not be as vibrant as AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz | Standard smoothness for general use; some might miss higher refresh rates for gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both are assumed to have poor sunlight visibility, although real-world brightness is unknown due to missing data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 850 is more efficient and powerful than Helio P35, resulting in slightly better app loading and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 117,300 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho offers a bit smoother overall experience, especially for slightly demanding apps. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 generally offers better gaming performance, especially in modern games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor, 0.80 µm pixel size, Samsung S5KGM2 sensor | 48MP, f/2.0, pixel size unknown | Both have comparable main cameras, but A12 has known sensor. Low-light performance might differ slightly. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, pixel size unknown | Both phones should have similar selfie performance; the practical quality will depend on software processing. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, but the practical benefit of the 2MP sensor is limited. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.0 | Galaxy A12 Nacho has a wider aperture on the ultrawide lens, which might perform better in low light. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, with similar image quality. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Galaxy A12 Nacho has a macro lens for extreme close-up shots, a small advantage over Galaxy A12 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No Slow-motion | 1080p@30fps, Yes Slow-motion: 34 fps | Both have basic video recording capabilities; Galaxy A12 Nacho has slow-motion capabilities at 34 fps, a plus. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Not tested | Galaxy A12 only one tested but the photo and video scores seem inaccurate. A12 has a decent camera. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Scene mode, Self-timer | A12 has more shooting modes; A12 Nacho has faster focus with PDAF. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life in practical use, both should easily last a full day. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Both have average charging speed; it will take more than an hour to fully charge from zero. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have batteries that can not be removed by the user. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 11 (upgradeable to 13) | Galaxy A12 Nacho has a newer Android version out of the box and one extra year of OS upgrade. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual Band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Galaxy A12 Nacho supports faster WiFi standards (802.11ac), potentially offering better speeds on compatible networks. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 with more profiles | 5.0 LE with A2DP, LE | Galaxy A12 has more Bluetooth features; Galaxy A12 Nacho is more power-efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Galaxy A12 Nacho offers more precise location tracking with Galileo. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 32/64/128 GB | Both have similar storage options, sufficient for most users but cannot be expanded. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 3/4/6 GB | Similar RAM options; suitable for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both devices lack storage expansion via microSD. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos | Galaxy A12 Nacho has enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos, which should improve experience when using headphones/speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both use same fingerprint technology; it's convenient to unlock the phone. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Screen: Unknown | Screen: Unknown | Both have an unknown level of screen protection, it should be used carefully. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Both feature same essential sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Camera: Includes a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed photos, although its practicality is questionable.
- Additional Bluetooth profiles: Offers more Bluetooth options.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Advantages:
- More efficient and faster chipset: The Exynos 850 offers better general performance and multitasking capabilities.
- Wider aperture on ultrawide camera: The f/2.0 ultrawide lens allows for slightly better low-light images.
- Macro Camera: The dedicated macro camera enables close-up shots, which is a useful feature for some users.
- Better Video Recording: Includes slow-motion video recording at 34fps.
- Faster WiFi: Supports newer WiFi standard.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: For enhanced audio experience.
- Newer Android Version: Comes with Android 11 out of the box and has an additional OS update, ensuring more features and security.
- More precise GPS: Includes Galileo support, providing more accurate location services.
- PDAF (Phase Detection Autofocus): Offers faster focusing for photos and videos
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A12's telephoto lens is a minor advantage, as the quality of the sensor is not that great
- The Galaxy A12 has more Bluetooth profiles which are not used by the average user.
- The Galaxy A12 Nacho’s lack of expandable storage can be limiting for users with large media libraries.
- The Galaxy A12 Nacho's slightly higher price.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers who prioritize basic functionality over high-end features.
- Users who want a standard phone for daily tasks and some basic photography.
- Users who don't need expandable storage.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media usage.
- Everyday browsing and email checking.
- Casual photography.
- Making calls and texting.
- For those who prefer more bluetooth options and don't care about the audio quality.
- Price-to-Value: Offers acceptable performance and basic features at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho:
- Ideal User:
- Users who value performance and a slightly enhanced user experience.
- Those who plan to use their phone for more than basic social media use.
- Users who prioritize better audio and video recording for content creation
- Users who want newer software features and better GPS accuracy
- Users who don't need expandable storage.
- Use Cases:
- Moderate gaming and multitasking.
- Better quality photos and videos with the addition of a macro lens, PDAF, and slow-motion recording.
- Use of GPS navigation, or any activity requiring accurate location tracking.
- More immersive media consumption thanks to Dolby Atmos.
- Price-to-Value: Justifies a slight price increase by offering better performance, newer software, and extra features that matter for some users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone for basic tasks, or will you use it for more demanding activities?
- Camera Requirements: How important are additional camera features, such as macro, or slow motion video?
- Software and Audio: Are you looking for the latest Android features and better audio quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget and Basic Use: If budget is your primary concern and you are only using the phone for calls, social media and web browsing, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is more suitable.
- Scenario 2: Enhanced Performance and Features: If you prioritize performance, better camera features (such as macro lens, PDAF, and slow-motion), and want newer software along with better audio, the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho is a better choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: Although neither of them have amazing cameras, the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho, is slightly better for a casual photography enthusiast, due to the additional macro lens, wider ultrawide angle, and the slow-motion recording.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho.
Here's why:
- Improved Performance: The Exynos 850 chipset is a noticeable step up from the Helio P35, which would make the phone smoother and more responsive in day-to-day tasks. I prioritize that because phones are used for many different functions these days and having a fast phone is important.
- Better Camera Features: The addition of the macro lens, a wider aperture on the ultrawide lens, and slow-motion recording is more useful for creative options. Although it is not amazing, it's better than the Galaxy A12.
- Newer Software: Getting Android 11 out of the box with a promise of an additional year of upgrades will keep the phone relevant for longer.
- Slightly Better Audio and Connectivity: Dolby Atmos and the newer WiFi standard enhance the overall experience.
While the Galaxy A12 has a telephoto lens, I find it to be not that useful with the poor sensor quality. The Galaxy A12 Nacho’s benefits outweigh the telephoto lens, making it the better option overall for me. The price increase is also very small compared to the benefits that this phone offers.
