1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 162.8 × 75.4 × 8.6 mm | Poco F5 Pro is slightly more compact, though the difference is minimal. A12 is slightly thicker. |
| Weight | 205g | 204g | Both phones feel almost identical in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco F5 Pro has a slightly larger viewing area for content consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3200 | Poco F5 Pro offers significantly sharper and more detailed visuals; text and images will be noticeably clearer. |
| PPI | 270 | 526 | Poco F5 Pro's higher pixel density results in a much crisper display, less visible pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F5 Pro has better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, as well as better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Poco F5 Pro offers smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1400 nits | Poco F5 Pro is much more usable in bright sunlight, screen is far more visible outdoors. A12 brightness isn't reported so we can't know for sure, we assume it is a typical low brightness LCD. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | Poco F5 Pro offers vastly superior processing power for demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 1,317,798 | Poco F5 Pro performs significantly faster, with a smoother overall experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 730 | Poco F5 Pro has a much more powerful GPU for graphic-intensive tasks and games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 64MP, f/1.79 | Poco F5 Pro captures more detailed images and performs better in low-light due to wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Poco F5 Pro takes higher-resolution selfies, although the A12 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a telephoto lens, allowing for some optical zoom, though image quality is likely not great. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Poco F5 Pro has a slightly higher resolution wide-angle lens. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP, f/2.4 | Poco F5 Pro has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | Poco F5 Pro can capture much higher quality videos and supports high frame rates for slow-motion. |
| DXOMark | 90 (Mobile), 0 (Photo), 0 (Video) | Not Available | A12 has been tested with a low score. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, etc. | Flicker sensor, OIS, 4K/8K video, etc. | Poco F5 Pro offers more advanced camera features, including stabilization, RAW capture and night mode, as well as better video quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5160mAh | Both should offer similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 67W fast charging, 30W wireless | Poco F5 Pro charges much faster and has wireless charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, Upgradable to 12 | Android 13 | Poco F5 Pro has a newer OS version out of the box, likely providing a more modern experience and updated security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Poco F5 Pro has newer, faster Wi-Fi standards for improved connectivity speeds and reliability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | Poco F5 Pro features the latest Bluetooth for better power efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F5 Pro supports a wider range of satellite systems for more accurate location services. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 256/512GB | Poco F5 Pro offers significantly more storage capacity, suitable for users who store a lot of media. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 8/12GB | Poco F5 Pro has much more RAM for smoother multitasking and handling more demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phones offer storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F5 Pro has superior audio quality with enhanced features, better spatial audio and better immersion with stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | A12 fingerprint sensor is more convenient, although both offer biometric security |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco F5 Pro has superior screen protection which is more scratch resistant. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Poco F5 Pro has more sensors for advanced features like precise orientation, AR, and gaming capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated telephoto lens, although of low resolution, for some optical zoom capability.
- Depth Sensor: Includes a dedicated depth sensor for slightly better portrait mode effects.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Considered more convenient by some users.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Offers dramatically faster processing with a top-tier chipset, resulting in smoother and faster performance for all tasks.
- Far Superior Display: Features a much sharper AMOLED screen with vibrant colors, better brightness, and smoother refresh rate.
- Advanced Camera System: Has a higher-resolution main sensor, ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Capable of recording videos up to 8k.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Charges significantly faster and has wireless charging capabilities, which is very convenient.
- More Storage and RAM: Provides significantly more storage and RAM for better multitasking and storage of apps and media.
- Enhanced Audio: Offers significantly improved audio quality with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers.
- Newer OS: Runs Android 13, which ensures better performance and security.
- Better Connectivity: Uses newer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi standards for improved connection stability and speeds.
- Better Build Quality: Superior screen protection from Gorilla Glass 5, offers increased durability.
- More Sensors: Has a compass and gyroscope, which are essential for accurate navigation and AR apps.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A12 has a telephoto lens and depth sensor, although image quality is likely very basic.
- The Poco F5 Pro lacks a dedicated telephoto lens and depth sensor.
- The A12 is using an old version of Android and is unlikely to receive further updates.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritize affordability above all else and have limited need for high performance.
- Basic smartphone users: Primarily need a phone for calls, texts, simple social media, and basic web browsing.
- Users who prioritize battery life: The combination of moderate specs and larger battery provides adequate all-day usage.
- Users that need a telephoto lens (even though the quality isn't the best)
Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, emails).
- Casual browsing and social media use.
- Simple photography in good lighting conditions.
- Long battery life without heavy usage.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Want high-end performance for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Value superior display quality, excellent audio, and a capable camera system.
- Tech-savvy users: Appreciate the latest features and technologies.
- Users who value a better user experience
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and other high-performance apps.
- High-quality photography and videography.
- Extensive media consumption (streaming, gaming).
- Demanding tasks and heavy multitasking.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: Offers a low-entry price point but lacks advanced features.
- Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro: Provides flagship-level performance and features at a more accessible price than premium competitors, making it a high-value proposition for power users.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? The A12 is much more affordable than the Poco F5 Pro.
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone that can handle demanding games, heavy multitasking, and other high-performance tasks?
- Usage Scenarios: What do you primarily use your phone for (basic communication, casual usage, multimedia, demanding tasks)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If your budget is very tight, and you need a phone for basic tasks only: The Samsung Galaxy A12 will be adequate but offers a basic user experience.
- If you need a capable smartphone, and you are on a budget, but not on the lowest tier: The Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the best option due to its significantly superior performance, display, and features.
- If you want the best possible smartphone experience (for the lowest possible price) and don't mind not having a telephoto lens: The Poco F5 Pro provides a premium user experience at a mid-range price.
What I Would Choose and Why!
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro. The difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall user experience is so vast that it makes the Samsung Galaxy A12 seem outdated in comparison.
Here's why:
- Performance: The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset in the Poco F5 Pro is generations ahead of the Helio P35 in the A12. This means that the Poco F5 Pro will handle every task smoothly, from browsing the web to playing intensive 3D games. The A12, on the other hand, would struggle with anything more than basic tasks.
- Display: The AMOLED display on the Poco F5 Pro is a game changer. It offers superior colors, contrast, and brightness, resulting in a much more immersive viewing experience. The higher refresh rate also makes scrolling smoother, which is very noticeable in everyday use.
- Camera: The camera system on the Poco F5 Pro is significantly more capable, with a higher resolution sensor, wide-angle lens, and 4K/8K video recording. Even though it lacks a telephoto lens and depth sensor, the overall camera experience is far superior.
- Features: The Poco F5 Pro offers much more advanced features such as 67W fast charging, 30W wireless charging, Dolby Atmos stereo speakers, and a more comprehensive set of sensors. All these combined contribute to a far more feature-rich experience.
While the Galaxy A12 has a telephoto lens and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, these advantages do not offset the massive advantages of the Poco F5 Pro. The A12, is a very basic phone.
In short, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro provides a significantly better experience in nearly every aspect. The value it offers is exceptional considering the price.
