1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 147 × 70.6 × 7.6 mm | S24 is significantly smaller, easier to handle with one hand, and more pocketable. A12 is bulkier and heavier. |
| Weight | 205g | 167g | S24 is much lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and carrying around. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S24's screen is more resistant to scratches and drops, increasing long-term durability. A12's protection is not listed |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.2" | A12 has slightly larger screen, beneficial for media consumption, but S24's is still good enough and more compact. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | S24's higher resolution offers much sharper images, text, and videos, resulting in a more detailed and enjoyable viewing experience. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 416 PPI | S24's higher PPI means sharper images, less pixelation, and a smoother visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | Unknown | S24 display has unknown technology, while A12 uses standard PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S24's 120Hz refresh rate results in smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming, making the experience much more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24's much higher brightness provides significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, making outdoor use much more pleasant. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24's chipset is vastly more powerful, delivering significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. S24 offers much more future proofing. |
| Antutu Score | 103,000 | 1,639,695 | S24's much higher score shows its drastically superior performance for all tasks, from basic browsing to high-end gaming. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 750 | S24’s GPU will handle graphically intensive games and tasks much better, resulting in higher frame rates and smoother experience. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | S24's larger sensor and wider aperture will result in better low-light performance, better image quality with more detail, and more natural background blur. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 12MP f/2.2 | S24 takes higher quality selfies with more detail. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 10MP f/2.4, 1/3.9" sensor | S24's dedicated telephoto lens will provide much better zoomed pictures. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 12.2MP f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor | S24's wide angle lens capture much more detail with a larger viewing angle in group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP depth sensor | None | A12's dedicated depth sensor allows for better portrait mode with more natural depth effect. S24 relies on software depth mapping. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No Stabilisation | Up to 8K@24/30fps with HDR, EIS and Stereo Sound | S24 offers significantly higher video resolution, more stable footage, and better audio recording, making it suitable for professional-quality recording. |
| 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 | Night Mode 2.0, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, 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, RAW | S24 offers more camera features for both photo and video, leading to creative freedom and better image quality. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | A12's larger battery has potential for longer battery life, but S24's processor is more efficient. Actual endurance will vary depending on usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | S24 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable | S24 can be used as a power bank for other devices and bypass the battery, while gaming to reduce battery degradation. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 14 (up to 21) | S24 offers a newer OS, longer support, and better features. |
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual band, 6E | S24 has much faster WiFi speed, better network performance and access to 6 GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | S24 offers better and more stable Bluetooth connectivity, along with better audio codecs |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, (L1+L5) | S24 offers more accurate location tracking with better satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano / eSIM) | S24 offers eSIM support, convenient for switching carriers, and dual SIM. |
| Storage | 32/64/128 GB, No expandable | 128/256/512 GB, No expandable | S24 has much more internal storage, beneficial for photos, videos, and apps. Neither have expandable storage. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | S24 has significantly more RAM for much smoother multitasking and demanding applications. |
| Audio | Basic audio | Stereo speakers, noise cancellation | S24 provides a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and clearer voice with noise cancellation |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | S24's fingerprint sensor is basic, but A12 has a side-mounted one which is considered more advanced. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, proximity, accelerometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S24 offers a more comprehensive sensor suite, which is beneficial for more features like augmented reality or sensor-based games. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: Larger 5000mAh battery could offer longer usage time. However, this is not certain due to the efficiency of the S24's processor
- Dedicated depth sensor This is better for portrait mode in theory, and makes the photos seem less processed
- Side mounted fingerprint sensor This is considered more advanced
Samsung Galaxy S24 Advantages
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers dramatically faster processing, graphics, and AI capabilities.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, brightness and 120Hz refresh rate provide a smoother, clearer and more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Much Improved Cameras: Better image quality in all conditions, especially low-light, with advanced features such as optical zoom, OIS, 8K recording, and more.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging reduces downtime compared to A12's 15W charging.
- Modern Features: Offers more advanced connectivity, including newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, better sensors, reverse charging, and more RAM & storage.
- Better Build Quality: It has much more screen protection for daily usage and more durable.
- More Future Proof: The chipset, OS, and camera system make it a much more future proof device.
Trade-offs
- Battery Size vs. Performance: The A12 has a larger battery capacity, but it is unlikely to provide much better battery life due to a less efficient processor.
- Price: S24 will be significantly more expensive than the A12.
- Dedicated depth sensor: S24 does not have this, and relies on software, which may be less effective than a dedicated depth sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User
- Budget-conscious users: Those needing a basic smartphone for calls, texts, social media, and casual browsing.
- Users prioritizing battery life: If battery life is the highest priority, and they do not mind poor performance, this may be a contender
- First-time smartphone users: It's straightforward and easy to use for beginners.
- Users less concerned about camera quality or performance: Those not requiring high-end photography or mobile gaming.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ideal User
- Users seeking high performance: Demanding users who need a phone for gaming, multitasking, and running resource-intensive apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who value a high-quality camera with advanced features for both photo and video.
- Users wanting a premium display: People who appreciate a vibrant, sharp, and smooth display for media consumption and everyday use.
- Power users: Those who require modern connectivity, fast charging, and a future-proof device.
- Professionals: Users who would take advantage of the professional-grade camera system, video capabilities, and high performance.
Specific Use Cases
- Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Basic social media and web browsing
- Everyday calls and messaging
- Simple photography
- Use for a backup phone
- Basic media consumption
- Samsung Galaxy S24:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Professional-quality photography and videography
- Demanding multitasking with multiple apps
- Professional and student use
- Travel and outdoor usage
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones is massive. This is the first and most important question to ask.
- What is your primary use case? Will you primarily use it for basic tasks or demanding applications like gaming and video editing?
- How important is camera quality, display quality, and performance to you? Are these features essential for your daily use?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy A12 is the more practical choice. It's suitable for essential tasks and saves money if you do not need high performance.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Decent Performance
- Recommendation: Neither device is a good fit. The A12 will be slow, and the S24 would be expensive. You would need to look at another device.
- Scenario 3: High Budget, Top Performance
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 is the best fit. It delivers the premium performance and features you desire.
- Scenario 4: Photography Focus
- Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy S24 is the far superior choice. Its camera system surpasses the A12 in every aspect.
- Scenario 5: Battery Life Focus
- Recommendation: This is not a simple question as it depends how they are being used. If only basic tasks are performed, the A12 may last longer, however the S24 may have similar battery life due to the power efficiency, and is more useful in all other areas.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. While the A12 has a larger battery on paper and a side mounted fingerprint sensor, the S24 is much more superior in all other areas, and is a much more modern, powerful, and capable device. Its advanced features such as a 120Hz display, much better camera, high performance chipset, along with modern features such as reverse charging, make it an excellent daily driver for many years. While the A12 may be cheaper, the overall user experience provided by the S24 would be well worth the cost.
