Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Xiaomi Poco M4 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Virtually identical size, negligible difference. |
| Weight | 205g | 200g | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is slightly lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.58" | Very similar screen size, no noticeable difference for most users. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2408 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers a significantly sharper display with much more detail, noticeable when viewing text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 401 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G displays text and images with more clarity and less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G's IPS LCD generally provides slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers smoother scrolling and animations, more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both displays have an unknown brightness which is a major disadvantage. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G's chipset offers significantly faster processing, app loading, and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 381,300 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G delivers significantly better performance for gaming and demanding tasks. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G's GPU offers better graphical performance for gaming and video editing. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 13MP | Samsung Galaxy A12 theoretically captures more detailed images in good lighting, but quality depends on sensor and image processing. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/2.2 | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a slightly wider aperture potentially better in low-light conditions, but this also depends on the sensor itself. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 5MP | Samsung Galaxy A12 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens for zoomed-in photos, though the usefulness of a 2MP lens is limited. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | N/A | Samsung Galaxy A12 can capture wider shots, but the quality is limited due to the sensor. |
| Portrait Mode Camera | 2MP | 2MP | Both have similar depth sensors for portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record video at the same quality; acceptable for everyday use |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Continuous shooting, Panorama | 4K Video, Dual camera, Digital image stabilization, Night Mode | Samsung A12 offers versatile shooting modes, while Poco M4 5G focuses on better low-light and video capabilities. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have identical battery capacity; should last for similar durations for most users. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G will charge slightly faster than the Samsung Galaxy A12. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G can be used to charge other devices. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 12 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has a newer OS out of the box and may receive longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 a/b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G offers faster WiFi speeds with ac support |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has a newer version with improved energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G supports more satellite systems, for better location accuracy. |
| Storage & Security | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 64/128GB | Both phones offer similar storage capacities. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 4/6GB | Both phones offer similar RAM options. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has more robust screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G has more sensor functionality for more precise motion sensing. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Dimensity 700 chipset offers significantly better performance than the Helio P35, resulting in faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Sharper Display: The higher resolution (1080p vs 720p) and pixel density (401 vs 270 ppi) make the Poco M4 5G's screen noticeably clearer and more detailed.
- Smoother Experience: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations much smoother than the 60Hz on the A12.
- Faster Charging: While both have the same battery capacity, the 18W charging on the Poco M4 5G is faster than the 15W of A12.
- Newer OS: The Poco M4 5G ships with Android 12, while the A12 ships with Android 10, which may lead to better security and software support.
- Better Screen Protection The Poco M4 5G has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for more robust screen protection against minor impacts.
- Additional Sensors: The Poco M4 5G has more sensor functionality for more precise motion sensing.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Versatile Camera Setup: The quad-camera system (48MP main, ultrawide, telephoto, and depth) offers more creative options than the Poco M4 5G's dual-camera system, but the usefulness of the telephoto and ultrawide lenses may be limited by their lower resolution.
- Potentially better main camera resolution: The 48MP main camera on the A12 can theoretically capture more detail, but this depends on the sensor and image processing algorithms.
- Better Front Camera The 8MP front camera captures more detailed selfies than the 5MP camera on the Poco M4 5G
Trade-offs:
- Poco M4 5G: The camera system is less versatile but offers other advantages like Digital Image stabilization.
- Samsung Galaxy A12: The A12 offers a more versatile camera, but its overall performance is significantly slower than the Poco M4 5G.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Casual users who prioritize a simple, versatile camera setup for everyday use and social media.
- Users with basic needs like browsing, social media, and occasional photos.
- Users on a strict budget looking for a basic smartphone.
- Users who appreciate a variety of camera lenses for creativity without needing the highest quality.
- Users who prefer a better front facing camera for selfies
Use Cases:
- Taking casual photos and videos for social media.
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Everyday communication and basic app use.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users who prioritize smooth multitasking, app responsiveness, and gaming.
- Users who consume a lot of media such as videos, photos, and games, valuing a sharp and smooth display.
- Users who prefer longer software support and the latest Android version.
- Users who want slightly faster charging for a more convenient experience.
- Users who value more precise motion sensing.
- Users who want a more robust phone thanks to better screen protection
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and high-performance applications.
- Watching videos and other media.
- Demanding multitasking with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Using GPS navigation and other sensor-heavy applications.
Price-to-Value: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G generally offers significantly better value for the price, providing much better performance and a better display at a similar price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If gaming, video editing or heavy multitasking are primary activities, the Poco M4 5G is the better choice.
- How important is the camera versatility? If various camera options such as wide-angle and telephoto lenses are needed, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is better (but the image quality is very dependent on the sensor used).
- How important is the display quality? If a sharp, detailed, and smooth display is a top priority, the Poco M4 5G is the superior choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget: If the budget is very tight and camera versatility is more important than performance, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is an acceptable choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Oriented User: If a smooth, responsive phone with good performance and better screen is essential, then the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Balanced Needs: The Xiaomi Poco M4 5G provides the best balance of performance, screen quality, and features.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has its merits with a more versatile camera system, the Poco M4 5G offers a significantly better user experience overall. The performance difference is massive, making everyday tasks smoother and more responsive. Additionally, the better display makes watching videos and browsing more enjoyable. For me, the higher quality display and the overall better performance outweigh the versatility of the camera in the Samsung Galaxy A12. The slightly faster charging and a more robust build are nice bonuses as well. The Poco M4 5G also comes with the latest version of Android, meaning that it will likely get more software updates and will be supported for longer.
