Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Tecno Spark 10 Pro
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Tecno Spark 10 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 168.4 × 76.2 × 8.4 mm | Tecno is taller and slightly less thick; minimal practical difference in daily use. |
| Weight | 205g | 208g | Both have similar weight; neither will feel noticeably heavier than the other. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | Tecno provides a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption and gaming, but less compact for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2460 | Tecno has a much sharper display, leading to clearer text and images. The A12's screen may appear pixelated in comparison. |
| PPI | 270 | 396 | Higher PPI on the Tecno means sharper images and text, crucial for comfortable reading and detailed content viewing. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS typically offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS, resulting in better color reproduction on the Tecno. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Tecno's 90Hz refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, a more pleasant user experience, especially noticeable in gaming and UI. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, however both values are incorrect, neither are 0 nits |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Mediatek Helio G88 (12nm) | Tecno has a more powerful chipset that leads to faster app loading, better multitasking, and more capable gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 253,628 | Tecno performs significantly better in benchmarks, indicating a much smoother overall experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 MC2 | Tecno's GPU provides better graphics performance for gaming and other graphically demanding tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery life; expected to last through a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 18W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | Tecno charges slightly faster and uses a Li-Polymer battery, which tends to be more stable than Li-Ion. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/2.0 | 50MP | Tecno offers slightly higher resolution main camera (50MP vs 48MP); however, missing sensor model information makes an accurate comparison difficult |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 32MP | Tecno offers a significantly higher resolution selfie camera, better for higher quality self portraits and video calls. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | Not present | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto lens which allows for optical zoom capabilities; a feature the Tecno is missing |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | Not present | Samsung has a dedicated ultra-wide lens which allows for wider scenic shots; a feature the Tecno is missing |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both have the same resolution for depth sensing for portrait mode; results expected to be comparable |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Tecno can record video at a higher resolution (1440p); both capture video at 30fps. |
| DxoMark Score | 90 (Mobile) | Not tested | Samsung's camera is rated; however, scores are very low; No similar test for Tecno means comparison cannot be made |
| Camera Features | Quadruple Camera | Triple Camera, PDAF, Front Flash | Tecno offers Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) for faster focus, and Front Flash for better selfies in low-light, Samsung offers an extra lens |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 13 | Tecno runs on a newer version of Android, potentially offering better features, security, and more recent app compatibility. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Tecno supports faster Wi-Fi standards (802.11ac), meaning potentially faster speeds on compatible networks and support for Wi-Fi Display |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 (Full) | Bluetooth 5.0 LE | Samsung has additional Bluetooth profiles; Tecno offers Low Energy (LE) Bluetooth, which improves power efficiency |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS | Samsung has more satellite support (GLONASS, Beidou), leading to potentially more accurate location tracking; however, this is highly dependant on region. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Tecno offers more internal storage at base level, a significant advantage for users who store a lot of photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | Tecno has a greater amount of RAM, leading to better multitasking and smoother running of apps and games. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, which means the internal storage is all the user will have. |
| Other | |||
| Security | Side fingerprint sensor | Side fingerprint sensor | Both phones have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, providing convenient and secure unlocking. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Tecno has a compass which can be helpful for navigation and map orientation; however, this isn't a necessary feature for many users. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Additional Camera Lenses: Offers a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens, enhancing versatility in photography.
- More GPS Support: Supports GLONASS and Beidou satellite systems in addition to GPS leading to potentially more accurate tracking (however this is region dependent).
- Bluetooth Profiles: Supports a larger number of Bluetooth profiles for different device types.
Practical Implications:
- The extra camera lenses allows for more creative photography and flexibility in different scenarios; however, they are of limited quality and have a low resolution.
- The additional GPS support can provide better location accuracy in areas with weak satellite signals if available.
- Wider range of Bluetooth profiles allows for more potential device support, but it won't have any impact if you only use basic devices.
Tecno Spark 10 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Display Resolution and Refresh Rate: Much sharper display with smoother scrolling and animations.
- Superior Performance: More powerful processor (Helio G88) with significantly higher benchmark scores, leading to a snappier, faster device.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: 32MP front camera for sharper, clearer selfies.
- Larger Base Internal Storage & More RAM: 128GB base storage and 8GB RAM, better for multitasking and storing more data.
- Faster Charging: 18W charging for quicker battery refills.
- Newer OS: Comes with Android 13, offering a more up-to-date user experience and security.
- Faster Wi-Fi: Supports 802.11ac for potentially faster Wi-Fi speeds and Wi-Fi Display.
- Front Flash: Features a front flash for better selfies in low light conditions.
Practical Implications:
- Higher resolution and refresh rate make the screen much more enjoyable to use for browsing, gaming, and media consumption.
- Faster processor and more RAM allows for better multitasking, faster app loading times and smoother performance.
- Higher-resolution selfie camera takes better quality photos for social media and calls.
- More storage means less need to worry about running out of space for your apps and media.
- Faster charging reduces downtime spent waiting for the battery to fill up.
- Newer OS brings with it an updated UI, features and security.
- Faster Wi-Fi means faster downloads and access to online services.
- Front flash greatly improves selfie quality in low light.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Offers a wider range of camera lens options and more satellite GPS tracking, but has an older OS, a lower resolution display and significantly less powerful performance.
- Tecno Spark 10 Pro: Lacks the additional telephoto and wide-angle lenses and has less satellite tracking; however, offers significant upgrades to display, performance, storage, and operating system.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize the ability to take a variety of types of photos with different lenses despite lower resolutions and quality.
- Individuals who do not require high performance or gaming capabilities and primarily use their phone for basic tasks.
- Users who prefer a phone that offers a wide range of Bluetooth support.
- Users who are familiar with Samsung UI and do not mind using an older phone.
Use Cases:
- Casual photography using the different lenses.
- Basic communication and social media usage.
- Users with a tight budget who still need a functional smartphone.
Tecno Spark 10 Pro Ideal User:
- Users seeking the best display quality for browsing, streaming, and gaming at this price range.
- Users who want fast performance and smooth multitasking capabilities without spending too much.
- Those who want to take high quality selfies and video calls.
- Users who prefer larger storage capacities for their media.
- Individuals who prioritize the latest Android features.
- Users who want to stream to other devices via Wi-Fi Display.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding applications.
- Watching high-resolution videos and movies.
- Frequent social media and selfie usage.
- Multi-tasking between several apps.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Likely to be available at a lower price due to its age; it's an option for budget-conscious users, but it lacks modern performance and features.
- Tecno Spark 10 Pro: Offers a superior value proposition with significantly upgraded display, performance, and features at its price point; offers more for your money.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my primary use case for the phone? (e.g., gaming, photography, social media, basic use)
- How important is display quality and smoothness to me?
- How important is up-to-date software and future proofing for the phone?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Basic User: If your primary concern is a low price and you only need basic functionality, the Samsung A12 is an option but be aware of the significant performance downgrade.
- Multimedia and Performance Focused User: If you watch a lot of videos, browse the web, play games, or use multiple apps at once, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro is the better choice.
- Photography Focused: The Samsung A12 offers more variety in its camera lens set up; however, the quality is questionable. If the priority is selfie quality, then the Tecno Spark 10 Pro is the better option.
My Choice
Given the specifications and practical implications, I would choose the Tecno Spark 10 Pro.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: The higher resolution and 90Hz refresh rate offer a much more enjoyable and smoother user experience, especially for everyday tasks and media consumption.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Helio G88 chipset and 8GB of RAM provide a substantially snappier and more responsive experience, making multitasking and gaming more enjoyable and faster.
- Modern Software and Features: Running on Android 13, I'd have a more up-to-date OS, with better security, and performance optimizations.
- Better Value: The Tecno Spark 10 Pro provides significant upgrades in key areas (display, performance, storage) for the price, making it a much better value proposition than the Samsung A12.
- Practical Tradeoffs: While the Samsung A12 offers an additional wide-angle and telephoto lens, the Tecno's much better main camera and selfie camera, alongside the other advantages, make it a more practical option.
While the Samsung A12 has its merits, the Tecno Spark 10 Pro offers an experience that I believe is superior for the vast majority of users due to its display, performance, storage and software.
