1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm | The S21 FE is noticeably more compact and thinner, making it easier to handle and pocket. The A12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 205g | 177g | The S21 FE is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The S21 FE offers better screen protection against scratches and drops, improving long-term durability. The A12 screen protection is not listed. |
| Foldable | Standard | Standard | Both are standard, non-foldable phones. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Similar screen sizes, negligible difference in daily use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | S21 FE has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos. The A12's resolution may appear pixelated in comparison. |
| PPI | 270 | 403 | S21 FE's higher pixel density provides a significantly crisper viewing experience with more detail. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S21 FE’s AMOLED panel offers deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. The A12's LCD display is generally less visually appealing. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S21 FE has a much smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more fluid user experience. The A12 display will feel less responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1300 nits | S21 FE's display is much brighter, making it significantly easier to see outdoors in bright sunlight. The A12's screen will be very difficult to see in bright light. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | S21 FE has a vastly superior chipset, resulting in significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and much better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 103,000 | 923,836 | S21 FE's benchmark score is dramatically higher, reflecting its much faster overall performance for demanding tasks like gaming and editing. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 660 | S21 FE's GPU is far more powerful, enabling high-end graphics for gaming and demanding apps. The A12 will struggle with graphically intensive games. |
| RAM | 3 GB / 4 GB / 6 GB | 6 GB / 8 GB | S21 FE generally has more RAM options and ensures better multitasking and smoother app switching, especially with the 8GB variant. The A12 may have performance issues with multiple apps open. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.80µm | S21 FE has a larger sensor and wider aperture, capturing better low-light photos with more detail and less noise. A12 main camera has higher resolution, which doesn't necessarily mean a better picture. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | None | 8MP, f/2.0, 1.00µm | S21 FE has a dedicated telephoto/portrait lens for zoomed and portrait photos, offering more versatility. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 0.80µm | S21 FE's selfie camera is much higher resolution, resulting in clearer, more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, but this is a less useful lower-resolution sensor |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | The A12 has a wide-angle lens, while the S21 FE lacks a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a depth sensor, used for portrait mode effects, though results are often inferior to software-based bokeh on higher-end phones. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | S21 FE features a combined wide-angle/macro lens providing additional shot versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No; Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps with EIS, HDR; Yes; Slow-motion: Yes, 960 fps | S21 FE provides dramatically higher quality video with 4K recording, better stabilization, slow motion capture and additional features like HDR and EIS. |
| DxOMark Mobile | 90 | 117 | S21 FE has a much higher overall camera rating, with notably better photo and video scores. |
| DxOMark Selfie | N/A | 127 | S21 FE has a high selfie camera rating, indicating a high quality for front-facing pictures and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A12 has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life on a single charge with light usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | S21 FE has faster charging, getting back to full capacity quicker. |
| Features | Non-removable | Wireless charging, reverse charging, Non-removable | S21 FE offers wireless charging, reverse charging, providing added convenience. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10, max 12 | Android 12, max 16 | S21 FE has a newer OS, and is likely to receive longer software support and feature updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual band, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, Wi-Fi MiMO | S21 FE has Wi-Fi 6 support, offering faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks. Additional support for Wi-Fi Display and MiMO. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP, HOGP | 5.0 LE, A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, LE, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP, ANT+, APT-x, SBC | S21 FE has Bluetooth LE, and additional audio codecs, offering more efficient connections and improved audio quality with compatible devices. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | S21 FE has support for Galileo, resulting in more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both support dual SIM usage simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | S21 FE has higher base storage options, allowing more photos, videos, and apps without needing to worry about space. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | S21 FE has significantly more RAM and will be better for multitasking, keeping more apps running in the background. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, so you're limited to the built in memory. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S21 FE provides superior audio with enhanced spatial audio, clearer calls, and a more immersive experience. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. A12 has a more convenient side-mounted sensor |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S21 FE has a more comprehensive sensor suite supporting additional advanced features, augmented reality, and accurate environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: Has a slightly larger 5000mAh battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life for lighter use.
- Wide Angle Lens: It has a wide-angle lens and a Telephoto lens for additional shooting options
- Side Mounted Fingerprint sensor: Better fingerprint placement for security
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Better Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, higher brightness, 120Hz refresh rate, and better outdoor visibility, resulting in superior visuals.
- Much Faster Performance: Significantly more powerful processor and GPU for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Superior Camera: Better main camera with larger sensor, dedicated telephoto/portrait lens, and a much better selfie camera. Shoots high-quality 4k video with much more features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster 25W charging and supports wireless charging for convenience.
- More Advanced Features: Better connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6, and additional audio features.
- More software support: Newer operating system with more software support and updates.
- Better Build Quality: Offers screen protection and is significantly lighter
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers.
- More Sensors: Includes additional sensors (Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer) providing more functionality for apps, games, and user experiences.
Trade-offs:
- The A12 trades performance and display quality for a potentially longer battery life and lower price.
- The S21 FE 5G trades a marginally smaller battery for significantly higher performance and more advanced features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a basic smartphone for calls, texting, and browsing at the lowest cost.
- Users with minimal needs: Those who do not need high performance, high-quality photos or videos, or advanced features.
- Users who prioritize battery life: Those who need a phone that can last a full day with basic usage, without focusing on resource intensive activities.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media consumption.
- Casual photography and video recording in good lighting.
- Light gaming that does not require high-end graphics or processing power.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G Ideal User:
- Performance Seekers: Those who want a fast phone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize high-quality photos and videos with great low-light performance, a variety of lenses and video features.
- Users who value the visual experience: Those who want a bright, sharp, and vibrant display with smooth animations.
- Users who value features and long-term use: Those who want a phone with additional features such as wireless charging, a more durable build, and software updates.
Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming, running graphics-intensive apps.
- High-quality photography, video recording, vlogging and content creation.
- Watching videos and movies, enjoying a high-quality visual experience.
- Extensive daily use with multiple apps and heavy multitasking.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is a strict constraint, the A12 is the less expensive option.
- How do you use your phone? Do you prioritize performance, camera quality, or battery life?
- How important are premium features? Do you need wireless charging, 120Hz display, or advanced camera options?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks and you have limited funds.
- Scenario 2: Balance of Cost and Performance: The S21 FE is worth the extra money if you want to have the benefit of a better screen and significantly better performance but are trying to not pay for the newest flagship device.
- Scenario 3: Photography, Performance, and Features: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G if you prioritize camera quality, smooth performance, and a higher-end user experience.
My Choice:
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G.
While the A12 has a slightly larger battery and is more affordable, the advantages of the S21 FE are too significant to ignore. The vastly superior display, dramatically better performance, more capable camera, faster charging, and additional features make it a much more compelling choice for anyone who values a premium smartphone experience. I'd rather trade a slightly smaller battery for the S21 FE's significant benefits, as it offers a much smoother and more enjoyable overall experience. The S21 FE is a more future-proof device, and I believe it provides better value over its lifespan. The increased price is justified by the features and performance offered and provides a much better user experience.
