1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 163.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm | Negligible difference in size; both are similarly sized phones. |
| Weight | 205g | 195g | The Poco M4 Pro 5G is slightly lighter (10g), which may feel more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | The Poco M4 Pro 5G has a slightly larger display, which might be preferable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | The Poco M4 Pro 5G has a significantly sharper display; text and images will be much clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 399 PPI | Poco M4 Pro 5G will appear much sharper and more detailed, with noticeably clearer text, and images, and improved visual quality. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Poco M4 Pro 5G’s IPS LCD typically offers better viewing angles and more accurate colors than the PLS LCD of the A12. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Poco M4 Pro 5G will feel smoother in everyday use, with less stuttering when scrolling and switching apps. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness, meaning the same outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) | Poco M4 Pro 5G's chipset is much more powerful, leading to significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 438,700 | The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers significantly superior performance, which translates to a smoother and faster user experience. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Poco M4 Pro 5G’s GPU allows for higher graphical fidelity and better frame rates in games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery life, depending on usage. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 33W Fast Charging (Li-Ion Polymer) | The Poco M4 Pro 5G charges much faster, minimizing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both devices have similar non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Poco M4 Pro 5G has a slightly wider aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0) and higher resolution, but the A12 has a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, unknown µm | 16MP, f/2.45, 1.00µm | The Poco M4 Pro 5G's selfie camera has a significantly higher resolution, resulting in more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A12 has a dedicated telephoto lens, which offers slightly more optical zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Poco M4 Pro 5G's ultrawide lens provides greater detail in photos and videos. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The A12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, which might offer better background blur. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, Slow-mo 60fps | The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers better video recording options, including higher frame rate and slow motion. |
| DxOMark | 90 (Mobile) | Not tested | The Samsung A12 has a DxOMark Mobile score of 90 with a photo and video score of 0. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (Up to 12) | Android 11 (Up to 12) | Poco M4 Pro 5G launched with a newer version of Android, but both phones can be upgraded to Android 12. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The Poco M4 Pro 5G supports the newer 802.11ac standard for faster and more stable Wi-Fi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Poco M4 Pro 5G has a more energy-efficient version of Bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Poco M4 Pro 5G supports more satellite systems, potentially for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both devices support using two SIM cards simultaneously with dual standby. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 64/128/256GB | The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers more internal storage with a maximum of 256GB. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 4/6/8GB | The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers more RAM options, leading to better multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | The Poco M4 Pro 5G has far superior audio with Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res audio, Stereo speakers and a dual microphone for better sound quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both devices offer the same basic fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 Pro 5G is more durable thanks to the screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity | The Poco M4 Pro 5G has a more extensive set of sensors suitable for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Telephoto Lens: Offers limited optical zoom capabilities.
- Dedicated Portrait Lens: Provides a dedicated depth sensor to achieve better background blur.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Lens: Slightly wider aperture for the selfie camera might provide slightly better low-light shots.
- Larger Main Camera Sensor: Larger sensor may capture slightly more light in general.
- DxOMark Score: Has an overall DxOMark mobile camera score of 90.
Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Much faster processor, leading to better overall responsiveness.
- Sharper Display: Higher resolution and pixel density for a much clearer visual experience.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate results in smoother animations and scrolling.
- Faster Charging: 33W fast charging is much quicker than 15W.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: Offers more detailed selfies.
- Better Audio Features: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, and Dual microphones provide a far superior audio experience.
- Wider Main Camera Aperture: The main camera has a wider f/1.8 aperture, likely improving low-light performance.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle: 8MP wide-angle lens offers higher resolution.
- Video Recording: Better video recording capabilities with higher frame rate options and slow-motion.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers superior screen protection.
- More RAM Options: Up to 8GB RAM for more effective multitasking.
- More Storage Options: Available with up to 256 GB of internal storage.
- Newer WiFi and Bluetooth Standards: Offers faster and more efficient connectivity.
- More Sensors: Comes with gyroscope and compass for more advanced functionality.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A12: The phone offers a dedicated telephoto and portrait sensor, but falls behind significantly in almost every other area. The overall user experience will not be as smooth as the Poco M4 Pro.
- Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G: Lacks a dedicated telephoto and portrait sensor, and has a smaller main camera sensor size.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Basic users: Those who use their phones for basic tasks and don't need a lot of power or advanced features.
- Camera-Focused Users (Limited): Users who need basic telephoto and depth sensing features.
- Budget-Conscious: Those who want a very affordable smartphone and are willing to sacrifice performance.
- Users not concerned with screen quality: Those who prioritize battery over image quality.
Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Basic calling, texting, and social media browsing.
- Casual photography with some zoom and portrait effect capabilities.
- Long battery life.
Ideal User for Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those who want a smooth and responsive phone experience.
- Media Consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos, playing games, and browsing the web.
- Camera Enthusiasts: Users who want a capable camera and good video features.
- Users Seeking Premium Features at a Lower Price: Those looking for great value for their money.
Use Cases for Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G:
- Gaming and multitasking.
- High-quality video consumption and recording.
- Capture high quality photos and videos.
- Everyday phone usage with a smoother experience.
Price-to-Value:
The Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G offers significantly better value for the money, providing a much superior performance and user experience at what is typically a very small difference in price. The extra cost is justified in the improved quality of the display, the power of the chipset, and the quality of the audio experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? If you prioritize smooth multitasking and gaming, the Poco M4 Pro 5G is the clear winner.
- How important is display quality? If you value a sharper and smoother display, the Poco M4 Pro 5G is the better choice.
- How important is versatility in the camera system? If you need the flexibility of a telephoto and depth sensor then the A12 might be better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Use - If your budget is extremely tight and your use is limited to very basic functions, the Samsung Galaxy A12 could be considered.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Media Consumption - If you value performance, a great screen, and immersive audio, the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Casual Photography and Basic Zoom - If the ability to have telephoto zoom and depth sensors is most important to you, then the A12 might be better, but keep in mind the overall camera quality is not as good.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 Pro 5G. The significantly superior performance, much better display, faster charging, enhanced audio, and more extensive sensor suite provide a much more enjoyable and versatile user experience. While it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, the advantages in almost every other area of the device make it the clear choice. The Poco M4 Pro 5G offers a much higher value and it's a better phone for the price. The A12 comes with many trade-offs and while it might be okay for basic users, the Poco M4 Pro 5G offers a better overall experience.
