1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2023-10-16 | The Tab S9 FE+ is significantly newer, potentially offering longer software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5 mm | The Tab S9 FE+ is much larger and thinner, less pocketable but better for media consumption. |
| Weight | 205g | 627g | The A12 is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended handheld use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 12.4" | The Tab S9 FE+ offers a much larger screen, ideal for multitasking, media consumption and creative work. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1600x2560 | The Tab S9 FE+ has a sharper, clearer image due to a higher pixel count. |
| PPI | 270 | 243 | The A12 has a slightly denser display, potentially appearing marginally sharper at normal viewing distances |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | The Tab S9 FE+ uses IPS LCD technology, generally offering better viewing angles and color reproduction compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Tab S9 FE+ has smoother scrolling and animations due to the higher refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness which is not available |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) | The Tab S9 FE+ has a significantly more powerful and efficient processor, leading to better overall performance, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 507,000 | The Tab S9 FE+ will offer drastically faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MP5 | The Tab S9 FE+ has a more powerful GPU, enabling higher graphics settings and smoother gameplay in demanding apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 10090mAh | The Tab S9 FE+ has a much larger battery, potentially lasting significantly longer on a single charge, however, a larger screen also consumes more power. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 45W fast charging, Li-Polymer | The Tab S9 FE+ charges much faster and uses Li-Polymer, which is generally more efficient. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | The Tab S9 FE+ can bypass battery charging for better battery health while plugged in during long gaming sessions. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 12MP | The A12 has a higher megapixel count on its main sensor, which, under ideal conditions, could capture slightly more detail |
| Standard Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.0 | Both have the same aperature, meaning they have similar light capturing abilities |
| Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | The A12 has the sensor size specified, but the S9 FE+ has no available data | |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 8MP | Both phones have similar selfie camera resolution |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP | None | The A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | 8MP | The Tab S9 FE+ has higher resolution for its wide-angle lens, potentially capturing more detailed shots |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | None | The A12 has a dedicated portrait lens for more effective depth of field effects |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | The Tab S9 FE+ can record higher quality 4K videos, ideal for videography. |
| Slow Motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 60 fps | The Tab S9 FE+ can record smoother slow-motion videos. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 90 | Not Tested | The A12 has been tested by DXOMark and scored 90 |
| Camera 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 | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Dual camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | The Tab S9 FE+ offers 4K video recording; the A12 has a more versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto and depth sensor for more advanced photography. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | The Tab S9 FE+ has a significantly newer version of Android, offering more features, security updates, and a better user interface |
| Max OS Version | 12 | 17 | The Tab S9 FE+ will likely receive longer OS support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Wi-Fi 6) | The Tab S9 FE+ offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi speeds with Wi-Fi 6 support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The Tab S9 FE+ uses a newer Bluetooth version, offering better range, stability and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS | The A12 can track more satellites, which can lead to a more accurate GPS signal |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Only the A12 has a SIM slot, allowing two numbers to be used simultaneously. | |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Tab S9 FE+ offers much more storage, which is essential for storing high resolution video, games, and photos. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | The Tab S9 FE+ has much more RAM, meaning it can run more apps simultaneously without performance issues. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for extra storage via microSD |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Tab S9 FE+ provides a more immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos and dual speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have similar biometric security with fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both devices have unknown screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Both have the standard sensors required for everyday use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Has a dedicated telephoto and depth sensor for advanced photography, including portrait mode and zoom functionality, making it more versatile for general photography
- Lighter and More Portable: Significantly lighter and more compact making it easier to handle and carry around.
- Dual SIM Support: Offers dual SIM functionality, allowing for use of two phone numbers.
- More GPS Systems Supported: Can track more GPS satellites.
- Significantly Cheaper: Likely available at a much lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Advantages:
- Significantly Larger and Better Display: Offers a much larger, higher-resolution screen with a smoother refresh rate, ideal for media consumption, multitasking, and creative work.
- Superior Performance: Has a much more powerful processor and GPU, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Much Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Boasts a larger battery capacity and significantly faster charging speeds, providing longer battery life.
- Advanced Audio: Features Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for an enhanced audio experience.
- Newer Technology: Has a much newer Android version, Wi-Fi standard and Bluetooth.
- Larger Internal Storage & RAM: Comes with significantly more internal storage and RAM.
- Bypass Charging: Can bypass battery charging for better health during long gaming sessions.
- 4k Video Recording: Can record 4k video for higher quality content.
Trade-offs:
- Portability: The Tab S9 FE+ is much larger and heavier, making it less convenient for handheld use on the go.
- Camera Capabilities: While the Tab S9 FE+ boasts improved video quality, it lacks the dedicated telephoto and depth sensors found on the A12, making it less versatile for photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a basic smartphone at a lower price point.
- Users prioritizing portability and weight: Those who prefer a lighter, more pocketable device for everyday use.
- Users who want a versatile camera: Users wanting the most versatile camera on a budget device.
- Users who need dual SIM support: Travelers or those managing personal and work numbers.
- Users needing more accurate location: Those that need to use the phone's GPS for navigation or tracking.
Use Cases for Galaxy A12:
- Basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and social media.
- Casual photography where zoom and portrait effects are desired.
- Everyday use for users that prefer lighter devices.
- Navigation and location tracking.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Ideal Users:
- Media consumers: Those who watch a lot of videos, movies, and TV shows.
- Multitaskers: Users who need to work with multiple apps simultaneously.
- Gamers: Those who want to play graphically demanding mobile games.
- Creative professionals and hobbyists: Users who do digital art, graphic design, or note-taking.
- Users that prefer longer battery life and faster charging: Users that need their device to last all day and be able to charge quickly.
- Users that want better audio: Users that want high fidelity audio, Dolby atmos and stereo speakers.
Use Cases for Tab S9 FE+:
- Watching videos, movies, and TV shows on a large, high-resolution screen.
- Productivity tasks such as email, documents, and spreadsheets.
- Gaming with high graphic settings.
- Creative work with a stylus.
- Multi-tasking with several apps simultaneously.
Price-to-Value:
- The Galaxy A12 offers better value for basic usage, dual sim capabilities and for users on a strict budget.
- The Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ justifies its higher price with a substantially superior display, performance, battery, and audio experience for users needing a larger screen and better functionality.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? Is it portability and basic communication, or media consumption, multitasking, and gaming?
- What is your budget? The A12 will be significantly cheaper.
- How important are portability and battery life? The A12 has a much smaller form factor and the S9 FE+ has a much bigger battery.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Conscious User): If your budget is tight and you primarily need a basic phone for calls, texts, and some social media, the Galaxy A12 is the better choice.
- Scenario 2 (On-the-Go User): If portability is a priority, the Galaxy A12 is preferable due to its smaller size and weight.
- Scenario 3 (Media Consumption & Gaming): If you primarily watch videos, play games, or multitask heavily, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ is the much better option due to its larger, higher-quality screen, more powerful processor and much better battery.
- Scenario 4 (Advanced Photography): If you need a versatile camera with more lens options the A12 is the better pick, otherwise, the S9 FE+ has better video recording, if you need the best of both worlds, you may need to look elsewhere.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two devices, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+. While I appreciate the portability and dual sim capabilities of the A12, my primary use cases involve media consumption, multitasking and light gaming which the S9 FE+ is much better equipped to handle with it's bigger, better screen, powerful processor and significantly bigger battery. The vastly superior screen and audio features are also big selling points. The A12 might be the better pick for someone that is only interested in basic phone functions, but if you want the best overall performance and experience, the S9 FE+ is the better choice.
