1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 162.3 × 78.6 × 9.1 mm | A12 is slightly taller but narrower, M35 is wider. Both are similarly thick. Minimal difference in overall feel. |
| Weight | 205g | 222g | A12 feels lighter, more comfortable for longer use, M35 is heavier making it feel more robust. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference, both offer a large screen experience |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | M35 has significantly sharper text, images, and videos, resulting in a clearer display compared to A12. |
| PPI | 270 | 390 | M35 offers crisper visuals, less pixelation, and a higher quality viewing experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | M35 has better contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | M35 screen animations and scrolling appear smoother, providing a more fluid user interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits. The brightness information is missing, making it hard to compare. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | M35 is significantly more powerful, apps load faster, multitasking is smoother, and overall performance is much better. M35 also has better power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 578,500 | M35 will offer a much more responsive experience in everyday tasks and will handle graphically intensive games much better than the A12. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MP5 | M35 can handle more demanding graphics, resulting in better gaming and media playback. A12 may struggle with newer games. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Lens (Rear) | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80 µm pixel size, Samsung S5KGM2 | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 1.00 µm pixel size, Sony LYT-600 | M35 has better low-light performance because of wider aperture and larger pixel size, and also 2 more megapixels. M35's sensor and lens setup will perform better. |
| Selfie Lens | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | M35 captures higher detail and potentially better low light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens which provides some optical zoom capabilities, missing on M35. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | M35 captures higher resolution wide angle shots. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode, missing on M35. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | M35 can take macro shots with the dedicated lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No stabilization; Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps with EIS, 720p@480fps with EIS; Slow-motion: Yes, 480 fps | M35 records higher quality videos (4K) with image stabilization and higher slow-motion capabilities, resulting in smoother and more professional-looking videos. |
| DxOMark | Mobile: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Not tested | The A12 has a score of 90 on DxOMark for Mobile camera. The M35 has not been tested on the platform. |
| 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 | 2x2 OCL, Pro Video Mode, 4K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, AutoFraming, Autofocus, Touch focus, All Pixel Omni- Directional PDAF, NPU AI Engine, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, Night Mode, RAW 12 bits, DOL HDR | M35 offers a significantly more feature-rich camera system with image stabilization, pro video mode and AI enhancements. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 6000mAh | M35 likely offers much longer battery life, reducing the need for frequent charging. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | M35 charges significantly faster, saving time spent plugged in. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both have similar battery features. |
Software and Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10, max Android 12 | Android 14 | M35 has a newer OS, it is more up-to-date and receives more future upgrades. A12 is outdated in terms of its software. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, dual-band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, dual-band, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | M35 supports faster WiFi speeds, better performance in congested areas and more features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3, Apt-x, LDAC, Apt-x Adaptive | M35 has newer Bluetooth technology, resulting in a faster and more stable connection, plus better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | M35 offers better location accuracy due to more satellite support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Both offer dual SIM capability for managing multiple numbers. |
Storage, Audio & Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy M35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | M35 offers more storage capacity allowing users to save more data locally, more apps and media. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | M35 offers more RAM which leads to smoother multitasking and better performance under load. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone can have its storage expanded. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | M35 provides a more immersive audio experience for music and movies with the stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a fingerprint sensor for basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | Unknown screen protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | M35 screen is more resistant to scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Hall, Geomagnetic | M35 has a more comprehensive set of sensors for better gaming and advanced feature support. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages
- Lighter: The A12 is significantly lighter (17g), potentially more comfortable for prolonged use.
- Telephoto and depth lens: Comes with a dedicated telephoto and depth sensor, which the M35 lacks.
Samsung Galaxy M35 Advantages
- Significantly Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, AMOLED panel, and 120Hz refresh rate offers superior visual quality.
- Much Better Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset offers much higher performance in benchmarks.
- Better Camera: Superior sensor, wider aperture, larger pixel size, higher resolution video, OIS, and EIS offers improved photo and video quality and overall camera experience.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: 1000mAh larger battery and faster 25W charging for longer usage and less downtime.
- Stereo Speakers with Dolby Atmos Provides a much better audio experience compared to A12
- More RAM & Storage: Comes with 6/8 GB of RAM and 128/256 GB of storage versus A12's lower storage and RAM options.
- Newer OS: Android 14, it is more up-to-date and receives more future upgrades.
- Enhanced Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Better build quality The M35 uses Gorilla Glass Victus which is more scratch and impact resistant.
- More sensors M35 comes with a more comprehensive suite of sensors.
Trade-offs
- Weight: The M35 is heavier than the A12, which might be less comfortable for long use.
- Telephoto and depth camera: The M35 does not have a dedicated telephoto and depth sensor
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Ideal User: Users on a very tight budget who need basic smartphone functionalities.
- Use Cases: Basic web browsing, messaging, casual social media use, and calls. Good for users who prioritize lighter phone and a dedicated depth/telephoto camera.
- Price-to-Value: Provides basic functionality but is outdated, with lower resolution display and much lower performance.
Samsung Galaxy M35
- Ideal User: Mainstream users who want a well-rounded smartphone experience with good performance, display quality, and camera capabilities.
- Use Cases: Daily use, multitasking, gaming, photography, videography, media consumption, and anyone who appreciates smoother UI animations.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a much more premium experience with a better display, performance, camera, and battery life for a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions
- Budget: What is your maximum budget, and are you willing to spend more for premium features?
- Primary Use: What will you primarily use your phone for (e.g., basic calls, social media, gaming, photography)?
- Longevity: How long do you plan to keep your phone, and are future OS updates important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget: If budget is the primary concern and only basic features are needed, the Galaxy A12 is a cheaper choice but with major trade-offs.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Experience: If you want good performance, a better screen, a better camera, and are willing to spend a bit more, the Galaxy M35 is a better option.
- Scenario 3: Performance and Media: If performance and media consumption are critical, the Galaxy M35, with its better display, stereo speakers and more powerful processor is the superior option.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M35. Despite being slightly heavier and missing a telephoto lens, its overall advantages far outweigh its drawbacks. The significantly better display with AMOLED and 120Hz refresh rate, vastly superior performance, a much better camera, larger battery, faster charging, newer Android version, more storage, better connectivity, and enhanced audio features make it a significantly better phone for modern usage. The A12 might be an option for someone on a very strict budget who has a specific need for a dedicated telephoto and depth sensor, but the overall user experience with the M35 would be far superior.
