1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mm | 159.9 × 73.9 × 8.1 mm | Note 12S is more compact and easier to handle, while the A12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 205g | 176g | The Note 12S is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for long periods of use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.43" | Negligible difference; both provide ample screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Note 12S has a significantly sharper and clearer display, resulting in better clarity for text, images, and video. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 409 | The Note 12S display is noticeably sharper with a higher pixel density. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Note 12S offers superior color vibrancy, deeper blacks, and better contrast, enhancing overall viewing experience, especially with dark mode, the A12's LCD screen is less vibrant and has poorer contrast. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | The Note 12S has smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid visual experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Note 12S is much more visible in outdoor and bright sunlight conditions. The A12's brightness is not specified but is likely much lower |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | The Note 12S has a much more powerful processor, leading to better app loading speeds, smoother multitasking and better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 412,400 | The Note 12S is significantly faster in everyday tasks and demanding applications like games. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Note 12S has a superior GPU, providing a better gaming and graphics processing experience. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life for a full day of normal use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Note 12S charges much faster, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Note 12S can charge other devices and accessories. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 108MP | The Note 12S captures more detailed photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.8 | The Note 12S performs better in low-light conditions. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.52" | The Note 12S captures more light and details for better picture quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | The Note 12S captures sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | The A12 has slightly better low light performance for selfies, while the 12S is likely better in brighter scenarios. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP | None | The A12 can zoom slightly using the telephoto lens while the 12S relies solely on digital zoom |
| Wide-Angle Lens | 5MP | 8MP | The Note 12S captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP | None | The A12 can capture depth information for better bokeh/portrait effect. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP | The Note 12S captures detailed close up photos of small objects |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both are similar but the Note 12S has slow motion. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Digital Image Stabilization | The Note 12S will have more stable video recording |
| Slow Motion Video | No | 120fps | The Note 12S can capture slow motion video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, max version 12 | Android 13 | The Note 12S comes with a more recent version of Android, potentially offering better features, security, and performance. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11a/b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The Note 12S supports newer and faster WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | The Note 12S uses a newer and potentially faster, more reliable Bluetooth standard. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The Note 12S uses an additional satellite system for more precise location tracking. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 64/128/256GB | The Note 12S can have up to double the storage of the A12, providing more space for photos, videos, and applications. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 6/8GB | The Note 12S has more RAM, resulting in better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for additional storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Note 12S provides a better and more immersive sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | The Note 12S screen is more resistant to scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic Proximity Sensor | The Note 12S has a more complete array of sensors, for more features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- Telephoto Lens: Offers a dedicated zoom capability, although limited to 2MP.
- Depth Sensor: Dedicated sensor for portrait photography.
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Supports a wider range of Bluetooth profiles.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Advantages:
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Helio G96 chipset provides much better performance for gaming, multitasking, and everyday tasks.
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness offers a much better visual experience.
- Better Camera: The 108MP sensor captures more detail and performs better in low-light conditions. It also has a macro lens.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging greatly reduces charging time, increasing usability.
- More Modern Software: The Note 12S comes with Android 13 out of the box, offering better features, security, and performance.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Offers up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Provides a better audio experience.
- Better Screen Protection: Features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for increased durability.
- More Sensors: Includes a compass and gyroscope, offering more capabilities.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy A12's slight advantage in low light selfie performance.
- The Galaxy A12 has a dedicated depth sensor and telephoto camera, while the Note 12S has a macro camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a basic, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks with no special requirements.
- Users needing a Telephoto camera: Users that want to be able to zoom in on objects with a dedicated camera.
- Users needing a dedicated depth sensor: Those that want to improve their portrait photography with dedicated hardware.
Use Cases for Galaxy A12:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Casual photography in well-lit environments.
- General mobile use without heavy gaming or multitasking.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S Ideal User:
- Performance-conscious users: Those who want a smooth, responsive smartphone for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who value a high-quality camera system with good detail, and low-light performance.
- Media Consumers: Users that enjoy watching videos and movies on their smartphone and benefit from stereo speakers and a vibrant AMOLED display.
Use Cases for Redmi Note 12S:
- Mobile gaming, video editing, and other intensive tasks.
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos in various environments.
- Watching high-quality videos and movies on the go.
- Users who value battery life and fast charging.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Redmi Note 12S offers a much better price-to-performance and features ratio. It provides significantly more performance, superior display quality, and better camera capabilities for the money. The Galaxy A12 is only appealing due to its lower price which comes with a huge sacrifice in performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your primary use case? (Basic tasks vs. gaming/photography)
- How important is display quality? (Basic LCD vs. Vibrant AMOLED)
- How important is performance? (Smooth experience vs. budget focus)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-constrained with basic needs: If your budget is extremely tight and you only need a phone for very basic tasks, the Galaxy A12 might be acceptable, but is not recommended.
- Scenario 2: Balanced performance and features: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is highly recommended if you want good performance, a great display, a capable camera, and fast charging.
- Scenario 3: Mobile gaming and performance enthusiast: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S is the clear choice because of its much more powerful processor and graphics card.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12S. The performance difference between the two phones is enormous, and that makes the overall experience on the Xiaomi phone much better. The AMOLED display is also a huge step up and provides much better image quality. The Note 12S also has a better camera, and faster charging, which makes it the better overall phone by a wide margin.
The only reason to choose the Samsung Galaxy A12 is if your budget is extremely low. However, I don't think the minimal savings are worth the huge trade off in performance, display, and camera quality.
