Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Samsung Galaxy A35
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy A35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 161.7 × 78 × 8.2 mm | A12 is slightly taller and thicker, A35 is wider. Both are similar in size, with minimal real-world handling impact. |
| Weight | 205g | 209g | Both phones have very similar weights, which users will not notice much difference in practical usage. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Almost identical screen size. Marginal difference, unlikely to be noticeable for most users. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | A35 has much sharper and clearer display due to higher pixel density, better for text and image clarity. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 390 | A35 will have sharper, more detailed images and text. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | A35 offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, superior viewing experience, more efficient for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | A35 will have smoother scrolling and animations, making the UI feel more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, with neither phone having a specified brightness level. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | A35 is significantly faster with a more modern processor; apps load faster, smoother multitasking, better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 578,500 | A35 offers drastically superior performance, much smoother experience across all apps and tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MP5 | A35 has much better graphics processing capabilities for gaming and graphically intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.96" | A35 likely to have better low-light performance due to wider aperture and larger sensor, slightly higher resolution. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | A35 will take clearer, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A12 has a dedicated telephoto camera, which the A35 lacks. |
| Wide Angle lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | A35 will have better wide-angle photos, capturing more detail and a wider field of view. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos, the A35 doesn't |
| Macro lens | N/A | 5MP, f/2.4, 1.12 µm pixel size | The A35 has a dedicated macro camera for detailed close-up photos, the A12 doesn't |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60fps with EIS | A35 supports higher resolution and offers smoother video recording with EIS. |
| DXOMark Score | Main: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Main: 104, Photo: 107, Video: 110 | A35 has significantly better camera performance overall, in both photos and video. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should have similar battery life, a full day for most users. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | A35 will charge significantly faster, reducing the time spent plugged into an outlet. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, up to 12 | Android 14, up to 18 | A35 has the latest software with more features and security updates, longer software support |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | A35 supports faster Wi-Fi speeds (WiFi 6), better for streaming and online gaming. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | A35 supports newer Bluetooth version for more reliable connections and audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | A35 has more satellite systems for more accurate location data. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | A35 offers significantly more internal storage, better for storing more apps, photos and videos. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | A35 offers more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device allows external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | A35 will offer a richer, more immersive audio experience, better for media consumption. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | A12 uses a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the A35 has a basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The A35 uses superior glass protection for its screen, while the A12's screen protection is unknown. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope; Proximity: Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The A35 has an advanced sensor suite compared to the A12, which includes a Gyroscope, Hall, Geomagnetic and Ultrasonic proximity virtual sensor. This allows for more advanced features in apps and games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: The A12 includes a telephoto lens, offering optical zoom capabilities.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The A12 also includes a depth sensor for improved portrait photos.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: The A12 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Samsung Galaxy A35 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and better color accuracy.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor and GPU, leading to a smoother user experience and better gaming performance.
- Improved Camera System: Better main, wide-angle and selfie cameras, and has macro lens. Supports 4K video recording, has more advanced video stabilization. Higher DxOMark scores reflect this.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging will fill the battery faster.
- Latest Software: Ships with Android 14, promising longer software support.
- Better Connectivity: Faster Wi-Fi standards and improved Bluetooth.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio.
- Improved Build Quality: The A35 has superior screen protection.
- Advanced Sensors: The A35 has an advanced sensor suite for use with AR apps and games.
- More Storage: More internal storage as base offering, with double available on the high end model (128/256GB vs 32/64/128GB)
- More RAM: More RAM as a base offering, with more available on the high end model (6/8GB vs 3/4/6GB).
Trade-offs:
- The A12 has dedicated Telephoto and Depth sensors for photos, while the A35 has superior performance and display with a more advanced sensor suite for apps and games.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who primarily need a basic smartphone for calls, messages, social media, and some casual photography.
- Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks like browsing, email, and messaging.
- Light social media use.
- Occasional casual photography, with a preference for zoom capabilities.
- Users who prioritize having dedicated telephoto and depth sensors for photography.
- Price-to-Value: Suitable for users on a very tight budget, but offers less overall performance and fewer features.
Samsung Galaxy A35:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, and camera capabilities but still want value for their money.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming.
- Heavy social media use.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Multitasking between apps.
- Enjoying media consumption with better audio experience.
- Users who want longer software support.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a better value for money compared to the A12 due to its enhanced features, although comes at a higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A12 will be more affordable, but the A35 offers much better performance for a reasonable price increase.
- What are your primary usage needs? If you're looking for basic tasks and occasional photos, the A12 might suffice. For more demanding use, the A35 is significantly superior.
- How important are display and camera quality to you? If you value a great visual experience and better camera capabilities, the A35 is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Basic User: If your primary needs are making calls, sending messages, and light web browsing, and you are on a strict budget, the A12 is an option. However, for even slightly more demanding users the A35 will be a much better choice.
- Media Consumer: If you frequently watch videos, listen to music, or play games, the A35's superior display, speakers and performance make it the obvious choice.
- Photography Enthusiast: The A35 offers a better main camera with higher resolution, a wider aperture and better low light performance, making it much more suitable for photography enthusiasts, while the A12 has telephoto and depth sensors.
- Performance-Oriented User: The A35 is the better option due to its drastically superior performance.
Final Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A35. Despite the lack of Telephoto and Depth lenses, the A35 is superior in almost every other aspect. The AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate is a significant upgrade for daily use and media consumption. The drastically better performance, superior main and selfie camera, faster charging, enhanced audio, and longer software support of the A35 make it a much more compelling choice for most users, even if it comes at a higher price. Although the A12 has a more advanced fingerprint sensor, the other improvements offered by the A35 greatly outweigh this. The A35 offers significantly better value due to its superior performance and feature set.
