Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Samsung Galaxy A23
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 165.4 × 76.9 × 8.4 mm | A23 is slightly taller and wider, A12 is a bit thicker. Difference in hand feel is minimal. |
| Weight | 205g | 195g | A23 is 10g lighter, which may be slightly noticeable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference; both are good for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2408 | A23 has a significantly sharper display with more detail, better for reading text and viewing images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 400 | A23's higher pixel density results in a noticeably clearer and less pixelated image. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | PLS LCD | Both offer similar LCD viewing experiences. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | A23 provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same brightness output, but this information seems to be inaccurate and is not usable |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | A23's Snapdragon is significantly more powerful, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 401,000 | A23 has significantly higher performance in benchmarks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 | A23 has a more powerful GPU, better for graphics-intensive apps and gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A23 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | A23's bypass charging allows for direct power to the device when plugged, reducing heat during gaming |
| Camera | |||
| Standard (Rear) | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76" sensor | A23 has slightly better low-light performance due to wider aperture. A12 has slightly larger sensor. |
| Selfie | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar selfie camera performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated Telephoto lens which provides better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Both have the same wide-angle capability. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensor performance. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | A23 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up photos. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization | 1080p@30fps, Yes stabilization | A23 has electronic image stabilization (EIS) leading to smoother videos. |
| Slow-Motion | No | Yes, 120 fps | A23 can capture slow-motion videos. |
| DxOMark Score | 90 (Mobile, Photo:0, Video:0) | Not Tested | A12 has a basic camera rating. No usable DxOMark score is provided for A23. |
| 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, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | A23 has Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), improving photo and video quality. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | A23 has a newer OS with longer update support, implying greater longevity. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual Band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | A23 supports newer WiFi standard, offering ; Samsung Galaxy A12 additionally supports: Dual band |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | A23 has a newer version of Bluetooth with Low Energy consumption, offering potential for better connectivity and battery usage |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A23 has more satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM usage. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | A23 offers options for more storage, while the A12 comes in a 32GB variant which is not found on the A23. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB | A23 has better memory configurations which is better for multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phones support external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Similar audio quality for both. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Same biometric security for both. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | A23 has better screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | A23 has more sensors for better functionalities like advanced navigation and enhanced gaming experience. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A23 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 680 offers substantially improved processing and graphics performance, making the phone feel much faster and smoother.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density lead to a noticeably clearer and more detailed screen.
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience.
- Faster Charging: The 25W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Camera Features: OIS and PDAF result in higher quality photos and videos, with smoother recordings
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for close-up photography.
- More Advanced Sensors: Inclusion of Compass, Gyroscope and Barometer greatly improves navigational capabilities
- Newer OS: Ships with a newer Android version, offering longer support and feature updates.
- Bypass Charging: Capability to directly power the device while gaming
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom shots.
- MAP Bluetooth profile: Message Access Profile which may be useful to some users
- Potentially Lower Cost: Being an older model, it might be available at a lower price point, however, this would depend on the availability in the used market.
Trade-offs:
- The A23 has a better overall camera system, but lacks a dedicated Telephoto lens.
- The A12 may be cheaper, but sacrifices significant performance and display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A23:
- Ideal User: Individuals who need a reliable, fast device for daily tasks, media consumption, and light gaming. Users who value a good camera system.
- Use Cases:
- Daily social media browsing, navigation and video watching.
- Taking photos and videos for social sharing.
- Casual gaming.
- Users who value long-term software support and app compatibility.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: Offers very good value for the performance improvements, especially with the superior display and camera.
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Users on a very tight budget, or those who primarily use the phone for basic communication and do not require high performance. Those who desire a dedicated telephoto lens may find this phone suitable.
- Use Cases:
- Making phone calls and sending text messages.
- Basic web browsing and email checking.
- Occasional social media use.
- Users who desire a dedicated telephoto lens may find this phone suitable.
- Price-to-Value Ratio: May be good for users looking for an extremely affordable option, but the performance is significantly lower than the A23.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a new smartphone?
- Performance Needs: Do you require a smooth, fast experience for multitasking and gaming?
- Camera Requirements: How important is it to have a good camera system for photos and videos?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User with Basic Needs: If your budget is very tight and your needs are limited to basic communication, the A12 might suffice. However, the A23 offers a far better user experience with little extra cost.
- Scenario 2: Casual User Wanting a Reliable Experience: The A23 is a much better option. The greatly improved performance will result in a much more pleasant overall experience, and the better camera will improve photos.
- Scenario 3: Users Seeking Enhanced Gaming and Media Consumption: The A23 is vastly superior due to its powerful chipset, higher refresh rate display and faster charging.
- Scenario 4: Users who need high quality photos with telephoto zoom: The A12 is more suitable for these specific users due to its dedicated telephoto lens.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Samsung Galaxy A23. The improvements in performance, display quality, charging speed, camera capabilities and longer software support make it a far superior choice, and its minor increased cost is worth the performance and experience benefits. The only advantage the A12 has is the dedicated telephoto lens, but for almost all other purposes, the A23 is superior.
