Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 162.9 × 76 × 8.9 mm | Similar size; the A12 is slightly taller, but negligible in daily use. |
| Weight | 205g | 208.4g | Both are similar in weight, feeling comparable in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a slightly more immersive viewing experience due to the larger screen. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ display is much sharper, making text and images clearer and more detailed. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 395 ppi | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has noticeably crisper visuals, important for reading and media consumption. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has superior color reproduction, contrast, and viewing angles. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers significantly smoother scrolling and animations for a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 900 nits | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is much easier to see in bright sunlight. The A12 will be very difficult to use outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 573,100 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is significantly more powerful, leading to noticeably better overall performance. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a better gaming experience with smoother graphics and higher frame rates. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both provide similar battery life, depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 120W fast charging, Li-Polymer | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ charges much faster, reducing downtime significantly. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm pixel size | 200MP, f/1.65, 1/1.4", 0.56µm pixel size | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ captures much more detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.45 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ captures more detailed selfies, though the Samsung has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Telephoto lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung A12 has a telephoto lens, for zoomed-in shots, though often lower quality. |
| Wide Angle lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm pixel size | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a slightly wider field of view, capturing more of the scene. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung A12 has a dedicated depth sensor, though the quality is often not high. |
| Macro lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm pixel size | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a dedicated macro lens for closeup photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ captures much higher quality videos with significantly more flexibility for slow motion. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers superior video stabilization resulting in less shaky videos. |
| DxOMark Score | Mobile: 90 (Photo: 0, Video: 0) | Mobile: 113 (Photo: 117, Video: 117) | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has significantly higher photo and video quality with dramatically superior performance. |
| Software | |||
| Operating System | Android 10, max 12 | Android 12, max 14 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a newer and more feature-rich operating system that is also upgradeable to a later Android version. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual Band | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Dual Band, Wi-Fi 6 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ has a slightly more energy efficient connection and better quality audio output |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both offer dual-sim functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 128/256GB | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers greater internal storage capacity. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 8/12GB | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers better performance with heavier apps and multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phones supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ provides a more immersive and enjoyable audio experience with superior speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers more screen durability and scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a more comprehensive sensor suite for additional functionality. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto and Depth Camera: Offers slightly more camera versatility with dedicated telephoto and depth sensor for zoom and portrait shots. Note these are generally of lower quality than the main or wide angle cameras.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ Advantages:
- Superior Display: OLED, 120Hz, higher resolution and brightness for a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor and more RAM which translates into better gaming and multitasking performance.
- Superior Camera Quality: Higher resolution main sensor, ultrawide and dedicated macro lenses capture more detailed photos and video.
- Faster Charging: 120W charging will dramatically reduce charging time.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- Newer Software and Connectivity: Newer Android version and support for Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth versions.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection for more durability.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: Gyroscope and compass.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ omits the dedicated depth sensor and telephoto lens, although the overall image quality is still superior due to the better hardware.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light social media.
- Use Cases:
- Basic daily communication.
- Casual web browsing and social media.
- Occasional photo capture in good lighting.
- Users who need a telephoto and portrait camera but are not too concerned with quality.
- Price-to-Value: More budget-friendly, but offers less performance and fewer features.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+:
- Ideal User: Users seeking a mid-range smartphone with excellent performance, camera quality, display, and faster charging.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and demanding apps.
- High-quality photography and video recording.
- Multimedia consumption (movies, videos).
- Users wanting a good experience in all categories.
- Price-to-Value: Higher price, but provides much more value due to superior specifications.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much am I willing to spend on a new phone?
- Performance Needs: Do I need a phone for demanding tasks or just for basic functions?
- Camera Importance: How important is high-quality photo and video for my use case?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User - If budget is the primary concern and needs are very basic, the Samsung Galaxy A12 is a more affordable option.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Multimedia User - If performance, display quality, and camera capabilities are important, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a much better experience and a higher value proposition.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast - The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the clear choice, offering a superior camera setup and 4k recording capabilities.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+.
Reasoning: The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offers a vastly superior user experience across almost all categories. The better display alone is a massive upgrade, making media consumption and everyday use more enjoyable. The performance difference is significant, making the phone much more responsive and capable of handling demanding tasks. The camera system is also dramatically better, capturing much more detailed and higher-quality images and videos. The significantly faster charging is a huge advantage, as I prefer a phone that can recharge very quickly. While it comes at a higher price point, the overall value offered by the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ significantly outweighs its cost. While the Samsung A12 has the slight advantage in a few specific camera features, the image quality overall is much lower and therefore I find the Xiaomi to be a clear winner.
