1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2023-02-17 | The S23 Ultra is significantly newer, benefitting from advancements in technology and software. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm | S23 Ultra is slightly wider, might feel a bit less comfortable for one-handed use, but has a similar overall feel due to similar height and thickness. |
| Weight | 205g | 234g | A12 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use; S23 Ultra feels more substantial, which some users may prefer. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S23 Ultra offers slightly more screen real estate, beneficial for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3088 | S23 Ultra display is significantly sharper with much higher detail, ideal for viewing text, images, and videos, A12 will appear much less crisp. |
| PPI | 270 | 500 | S23 Ultra has a much higher pixel density, resulting in a clearer, crisper display, important for detailed viewing |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S23 Ultra's AMOLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making media consumption significantly more enjoyable compared to the A12's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S23 Ultra offers noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, making the user experience feel much more fluid and responsive compared to the A12's standard 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S23 Ultra is significantly brighter, allowing for much better visibility outdoors in direct sunlight compared to the A12, which may struggle in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | S23 Ultra has a much more powerful chipset, leading to far superior app loading times, multitasking, and gaming performance, the A12 will feel sluggish by comparison. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 1,521,862 | S23 Ultra has dramatically higher benchmark score, indicating significantly better overall performance and responsiveness across all applications and tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 740 | S23 Ultra has a superior GPU, resulting in smoother gaming and faster graphics processing. The A12 is not suited to more demanding games or high-resolution graphics work. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life for general use given they have wildly different power draw from the screen and processor. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 45W fast charging, Li-Polymer | S23 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime; Li-Polymer batteries are generally considered more durable over time compared to Li-Ion. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | S23 Ultra's bypass charging allows for gaming while plugged in without putting extra strain on the battery. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", 0.60µm | S23 Ultra captures much more detailed images with higher resolution and a larger sensor, better low light performance, wider aperture (more light in), the A12 is significantly less impressive. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | N/A | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S23 Ultra has dedicated telephoto/portrait camera, enabling optical zoom and better portrait photos, whereas A12 has to rely on digital zoom and software bokeh effects. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU | S23 Ultra offers a higher resolution selfie camera with presumably better sensor, leading to sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 12MP, f/4.9, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S23 Ultra's telephoto lens has dramatically more resolution allowing for zoomed shots at much higher fidelity, The A12's low resolution is mostly useless. |
| Wide Angle lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | S23 Ultra's wide-angle captures more detailed wide shots with a wider sensor and better quality in low-light. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor, potentially for slightly better depth mapping in portraits, but these are likely lower quality than what the S23 can produce. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No; Slow-motion: No | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/960fps; Yes; Slow-motion: Yes | S23 Ultra supports much higher resolution video recording, more frame rate options and higher quality slow motion, offering better video recording capabilities with image stabilisation. |
| DXOMark | Main: 90, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | Main: 140, Photo: 0, Video: 0 | S23 Ultra scores higher in camera tests (specifically main camera), meaning better overall image and video quality. |
| Camera Features | Basic Features | Extensive Features | S23 Ultra has advanced features like OIS, phase detection autofocus, and RAW capture, giving more control and producing significantly better results over the A12's basic offerings. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 (upgradable to 17) | S23 Ultra has a much newer OS, offering access to the latest features, security updates, and a more optimized user experience; It will also get much longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | S23 Ultra has faster Wi-Fi, leading to better connectivity speeds and more reliable performance on modern Wi-Fi networks; It is more future-proof. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | S23 Ultra has the latest Bluetooth version for better range, speed, and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S23 Ultra provides more accurate and faster location tracking by supporting additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S23 Ultra has eSIM support allowing for more flexible use of multiple mobile plans or carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | S23 Ultra offers significantly more internal storage, better for storing photos, videos, and apps with no option to expand, the A12 offers much less, and cannot be expanded. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | S23 Ultra offers much more RAM, improving multitasking capabilities and preventing slowdown with heavy usage. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, meaning that buyers should choose sufficient storage at purchase. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation mic, Stereo Speakers | S23 Ultra provides higher quality sound with better clarity, louder sound and noise cancellation for calls, and stereo speakers for a more immersive experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The A12's side mounted fingerprint sensor might be more convinient for some users. The S23 Ultra's sensor is in the screen. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | S23 Ultra offers significantly better screen protection, making it more durable against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S23 Ultra includes a wider array of sensors, enabling more precise motion sensing and features for navigation and fitness tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Lower Price: The A12 is significantly more affordable, making it a good budget-friendly option.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for users who prefer a lighter device and easier prolonged use.
- Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users might prefer the ease of access of a side-mounted sensor.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, brightness and superior technology (AMOLED), resulting in a much better viewing experience.
- Much Better Performance: Significantly faster chipset, much more RAM, and better GPU for smoother, more responsive performance in all tasks, especially gaming.
- Superior Camera System: Much higher resolution main camera, dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lenses, offering much better image quality and versatility.
- Much Better Video Recording: Support for 8K, 4K at higher framerates, slow-motion, and enhanced stabilization features.
- Faster Charging: The S23 ultra charges much quicker than the A12.
- Modern OS & Features: Runs on a much newer version of Android with more future OS upgrades, advanced connectivity, and a wide array of modern features.
- Better Audio Quality: Hi-Res audio with noise cancellation microphone and stereo speakers for a richer audio experience.
- Enhanced Security: Basic fingerprint security, but with a superior screen protection.
- Wider Array of Sensors: Enables more precise motion sensing, fitness tracking, and navigation
Trade-offs:
- S23 Ultra: The trade-off is the significantly higher price and heavier weight.
- A12: The trade off is the slow processor, low-resolution display, and very limited camera performance.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who prioritize affordability and a basic smartphone experience.
- Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Simple social media browsing.
- Light web browsing.
- Casual photo taking in good lighting conditions.
- Users who need a very light phone for portability.
- Value Proposition: Suitable for users who need the most basic functions and cannot afford more expensive devices, or are not worried about quality, speed, or performance.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra:
- Ideal User: Power users, photography enthusiasts, gamers, and those who want a flagship experience with the best performance, display and camera available.
- Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional-grade photography and videography.
- Heavy multitasking and resource-intensive apps.
- Enjoying high-quality media consumption.
- Users who want a device that can provide the best experience possible.
- Value Proposition: Premium device with top-of-the-line performance, camera, and display quality, which justifies its higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? (A12 is budget, S23 Ultra is premium)
- Performance Needs: Do you need a device that can handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing or basic everyday use? (A12 for basic, S23 Ultra for demanding tasks)
- Camera Importance: How important is photo and video quality to you? (A12 is basic, S23 Ultra is high-end)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12, as it provides basic smartphone functionality at a very low price.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Budget, Everyday Use
- Recommendation: Neither of these phones. Consider a mid-range phone with a balance of features and price.
- Scenario 3: High-End Performance, Best Camera
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, as it offers top-of-the-line performance and an unmatched camera experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would absolutely choose the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The differences in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and future-proofing are so significant that they overwhelmingly justify the higher cost for anyone looking for a proper smartphone experience. The S23 Ultra is a top-tier device, whereas the A12 is a budget-level phone that is slow, has low display quality, and limited camera. For my use cases, I require a phone that is fast, has good battery life, an excellent display and camera, and offers modern features and software support, none of which the A12 can provide. Although the A12 is a cheaper option, it's not a compelling choice compared to the vastly superior experience offered by the S23 Ultra.
