Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2024-07-24 | The Z Fold6 is a significantly newer device, likely offering longer software support and newer features. |
| Foldable Design | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold6 can unfold into a tablet-like device, offering a much larger screen, while the A12 is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm (unfolded) | A12 is taller and thicker but narrower than the unfolded Z Fold6, making it easier to hold with one hand. Z Fold6 is very wide when unfolded, better for viewing content but less portable. |
| Weight | 205g | 239g | The A12 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and easier to carry. The Z Fold6, due to its size and foldable design, is noticeably heavier. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 7.6" | The Z Fold6 offers a much larger screen for immersive viewing, gaming and multitasking. The A12 is more compact and pocketable. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1856x2160 | The Z Fold6's higher resolution leads to much sharper images, text, and videos. The A12 display will look less detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 374 | The Z Fold6 offers significantly sharper display quality, with higher clarity. The A12 screen might appear more pixelated. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | Unknown | The A12's LCD screen will not produce the same quality images and colors as newer AMOLED displays, the technology for the Z Fold6 is missing in provided data. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Z Fold6 screen will appear much smoother, especially while scrolling and gaming. The A12 will have more noticeable motion blur. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both have the same brightness according to the information provided, which is likely incorrect, as both devices have peak brightness values. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Z Fold6 chipset is significantly faster, resulting in much better app loading times, gaming performance, and overall responsiveness. The A12 may struggle with demanding tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 2,200,000 | The Z Fold6 provides a drastically higher level of processing power; The A12 will be slower in almost all tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | The Z Fold6's GPU is much more powerful, allowing it to handle graphics-intensive tasks and games easily, while the A12 will struggle significantly with modern games. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/1.8 | The Z Fold6 is likely to perform better in low light due to its wider aperture, and will also take sharper pictures. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | The Z Fold6 offers slightly higher resolution for selfies, with a negligible aperture difference. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 10MP, f/2.4, 1.00µm pixel size | The Z Fold6 has a much more usable telephoto lens that has the ability to zoom without losing too much image quality, unlike the A12. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | The Z Fold6 can capture much wider and detailed wide angle photos. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A12 has a depth sensor for portrait mode, while the Z Fold6 relies on software processing. This is a minor advantage for the A12 in some situations. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps | The Z Fold6 can record much higher quality video with advanced features, while the A12 is limited to basic 1080p recording. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 90 | 133 | The Z Fold6 has a significantly higher camera quality overall compared to the A12. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | The A12 may have slightly better battery life due to its larger capacity. However, the Z Fold6's more efficient chip might counteract this in real world usage. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | The Z Fold6 charges faster and also provides wireless and reverse charging options which is missing on the A12. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | The Z Fold6 has more advanced features including bypass charging and wireless charging. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 14 | The Z Fold6 ships with a much newer version of Android, and it is likely to receive software updates for longer than the A12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Z Fold6 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, enabling faster speeds, better performance and lower latency, while also offering additional features. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | The Z Fold6 has a newer and more efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Z Fold6 has better GPS capabilities, which is beneficial for navigation and location-based apps. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | The Z Fold6 supports eSIM for convenient digital carrier switching, while the A12 doesn't have this option. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Z Fold6 has significantly higher storage capacity options for storing more files, apps, and media compared to the A12. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12 GB | The Z Fold6 has a much larger RAM, which enables smoother multitasking and better overall system performance compared to the A12. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither of the phones support expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Z Fold6 offers immersive audio experience with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. The A12 has only basic audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones use fingerprint sensors for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | The Z Fold6 screen is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 offering better protection from scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Z Fold6 has additional sensors which offers more advanced features for gaming and environmental data. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The A12 is significantly lighter and thinner than the unfolded Z Fold6, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and easier to carry in a pocket.
- Larger Battery: The A12 has a larger battery capacity (5000mAh vs 4400mAh) which may translate to slightly longer battery life, depending on usage patterns.
- Depth Sensor for Portrait Mode: The dedicated depth sensor could potentially produce slightly better bokeh effect in portrait photos.
- More affordable price: The A12 is a low-budget phone, making it much more affordable than the Z Fold6.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Advantages:
- Foldable Design with Large Display: The foldable design of the Z Fold6 transforms the phone into a tablet-like device with a large 7.6" screen, which is ideal for multitasking, gaming and media consumption.
- Superior Performance: The cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides much higher processing power and graphics performance.
- Much Better Display: The Z Fold6 has a much higher resolution, pixel density, and 120Hz refresh rate, resulting in a vastly superior visual experience.
- Advanced Camera System: The Z Fold6 has a better main camera, selfie camera, telephoto, and wide-angle cameras, coupled with significantly advanced video capabilities, and superior DxOMark score.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: The Z Fold6 supports faster 25W wired charging, and it also offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: The Z Fold6 has a newer Android version and also offers newer WiFi and Bluetooth versions and enhanced GPS capabilities.
- More Storage and RAM: The Z Fold6 offers significantly higher storage and RAM for smoother performance and more extensive file storage.
- Stereo Speakers and Dolby Atmos: The Z Fold6 offers immersive audio quality and better separation with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos.
- Premium Build Quality: The Z Fold6 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Z Fold6 is significantly more expensive than the A12.
- The A12 is much more compact and lighter than the Z Fold6 when unfolded.
- The A12 has a depth sensor which is missing in the Z Fold6.
- The A12 has a much larger battery capacity.
- The Z Fold6 is considerably heavier and bulkier, especially when folded.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks, browsing, calling, texting, and casual social media. People who value portability and lighter devices.
- Use Cases: Basic calling, texting, browsing, social media, basic photography, simple games, media consumption, and general productivity.
- Price-to-Value: Offers good value for the price if you're on a very tight budget and don't require high performance or premium features.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, power users, professionals, and people who want a device capable of heavy multitasking, mobile gaming, video editing, content creation, and immersive media experiences.
- Use Cases: Multitasking with multiple apps, mobile gaming, creating and editing videos, professional mobile work, consuming high-quality content, taking professional photos, and taking advantage of advanced features.
- Price-to-Value: Offers incredible performance and premium features but at a very high cost. It's a flagship device that justifies its price only if you utilize its capabilities.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's your budget? The price difference between these two phones is extreme, it would be a great starting point for your decision.
- How important is performance? If you're a power user or a mobile gamer, the Z Fold6 is the only option to consider here. Otherwise, if your needs are less demanding, then A12 would be the better option.
- How much are you willing to compromise on portability? If you're seeking a compact, lightweight phone that's easy to carry and use with one hand, the A12 is the best option. If you prefer a big screen that you use for multitasking, and you're willing to carry a bigger, heavier phone, then Z Fold6 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If you're on a tight budget and only need basic features for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a suitable option.
- Multitasking and Gaming Enthusiast: If you require top-tier performance, the ability to run multiple apps smoothly, play demanding games, and desire a big screen, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the clear winner, as long as you can afford it.
- Content Creator: If you are a creator that requires a great camera for photography and videography, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is the better option due to its much superior performance in all of the categories.
- Traveler: If you want a compact phone that is easy to handle and pocket, and not heavy, then the Samsung Galaxy A12 would be the better choice. If you would rather have a big screen to view content and use maps while traveling, then the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is better.
Personal Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 without a second thought, and here's why:
- Performance is Paramount: As a tech enthusiast, I prioritize performance. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Z Fold6 is in a completely different league than the Helio P35 in the A12. This translates to smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and the ability to play all modern games on the highest settings.
- Large Screen and Multitasking: The Fold6's foldable design with the larger screen is extremely appealing. I multitask a lot, and having a larger screen to work with is a game-changer. It allows me to manage emails, documents, and social media side-by-side, making me more productive on the go.
- Superior Camera: I value a good camera, and the Z Fold6 offers a much better camera system. The higher resolution sensors, wider apertures, and enhanced video capabilities would be invaluable to me.
- Future-Proofing: The Z Fold6's newer software, faster connectivity, and premium build quality will ensure a longer lifespan and better performance over time.
While the A12 is lighter, cheaper, and might have slightly better battery life, these advantages do not outweigh the Z Fold6's superior performance, display quality, and versatility for my needs. The Z Fold6 is more of a long-term investment in a device that I know will meet my demands for years to come.
