Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A12 vs. ZTE Blade V60 Design
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2020-12-21 | 2024-06-01 | The ZTE is significantly newer (3.5 years), likely with more modern features and software. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | 164.2 x 75.3 x 8.6 mm | The ZTE is slightly slimmer and a touch narrower, making it potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 205g | 198g | The ZTE is lighter by 7g, which could be noticeable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Very similar screen sizes. The 0.1" difference is likely imperceptible for most users. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Practically the same; both offer HD+ visuals. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 267 PPI | Negligible difference; both are standard HD displays. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD on the ZTE typically offers slightly better viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 90Hz | ZTE's 90Hz display results in smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare, as brightness data is unavailable. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The ZTE's Unisoc chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 103,000 | 240,000 | The ZTE's vastly superior score indicates much better overall performance for daily tasks and gaming. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The ZTE's Mali-G57 MP1 offers better graphics processing, improving gaming performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have identical battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | 22.5W fast charging, Li-Polymer | The ZTE charges significantly faster with its 22.5W capability and Lithium-Polymer battery which is generally more durable. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 50MP, f/1.8 | ZTE's main camera has a slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, likely resulting in slightly better low-light performance. Sensor Model is missing for ZTE. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP | Both phones feature similar selfie cameras. |
| Telephoto Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not Available | Samsung has a dedicated telephoto camera which could be useful in some cases. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | Not Available | Samsung has a dedicated wide angle camera which could be useful in some cases. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have similar depth sensors for portrait shots. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Identical video recording capabilities. |
| DxOMark Mobile Score | 90 | Not Available | Unable to compare image quality objectively, as ZTE does not have a rating |
| Features | Quadruple camera, Digital zoom, etc. | Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, PDAF, etc. | ZTE has Digital image stabilization, and PDAF providing smoother videos and faster focus. Samsung has a more versatile camera setup. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (upgradable to 12) | Android 13 | ZTE has the newer and more feature-rich version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual band, etc. | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Dual band, etc. | ZTE supports 802.11ac standard offering faster WiFi speeds. ZTE also offers Wi-Fi Display which can be useful. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, etc. | 5.0 LE, A2DP, LE | Both offer Bluetooth 5.0 but with different support profiles. The ZTE features low energy consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | The ZTE has better GPS location accuracy due to the additional Galileo support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Dual SIM, Dual Standby | Both phones offer dual SIM support for managing multiple numbers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256 GB | The ZTE has significantly more internal storage, which is great for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6 GB | Both phones offer similar RAM options. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which could be limiting. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X | The ZTE has better audio processing for enhanced sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for basic security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Screen: Unknown | Screen: Unknown | No information is available for screen protection of both phones. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The ZTE has more sensors useful for compass, gaming, and other applications. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:
- More versatile camera setup: Offers a dedicated telephoto and wide-angle lens for more shooting options.
- Established Brand: Samsung is a well-known brand with more mature ecosystem.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Advantages:
- Significantly higher performance: The Unisoc T606 and Mali-G57 offer substantially better performance for all tasks.
- Faster Charging: The 22.5W charging is faster and Li-Polymer is more durable and safer than the 15W charging with Li-Ion battery on the Samsung.
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate provides a noticeably better viewing experience.
- More storage: 256 GB of internal storage is great for media lovers.
- Newer software: Comes with Android 13, providing the latest features and updates.
- Better audio: DTS/DTS X for enhanced sound experience.
- Better connectivity: Wi-Fi ac for faster wireless internet speeds.
- More sensors: Gyroscope and compass provide more functionality.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung has a more versatile camera system (telephoto, wide angle) but the ZTE’s main camera is better with the wider aperture.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone and don't require high performance or cutting-edge features. Users that want more versatile camera systems may choose this phone.
- Use Cases: Basic browsing, social media, calls, casual photography. It is also preferable to those invested in the Samsung Ecosystem.
- Price-to-value: Offers decent value at the lower end of the smartphone market.
ZTE Blade V60 Design:
- Ideal User: Users looking for a budget phone with good performance, smooth display, and modern features.
- Use Cases: Everyday multitasking, light gaming, streaming, photography, and users needing faster charging.
- Price-to-value: Offers a better price-to-performance ratio, especially considering the superior performance, display, and storage compared to the Samsung.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the absolute cheapest phone (Samsung), or are you willing to spend a bit more for improved performance (ZTE)?
- How important is performance? Do you need a phone that can handle multitasking and games smoothly (ZTE), or are you okay with basic performance (Samsung)?
- Which features matter most? Do you prioritize camera versatility (Samsung), or display quality, faster charging and storage capacity (ZTE)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use, Tight Budget: If you need a simple phone for basic tasks and your budget is very limited, the Samsung Galaxy A12 will do the job, but the performance will be significantly lower than the ZTE.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Value: If you want better performance, a smoother display, more storage, and faster charging without breaking the bank, the ZTE Blade V60 Design is the better option.
- Scenario 3: Versatile Camera: If you need a telephoto and wide angle lens, the Samsung is the only option.
What I would choose and why!
Given the clear performance advantages, notably faster charging, smoother display, significantly better processor, better GPU, and newer software, I would choose the ZTE Blade V60 Design. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a more versatile camera system with its telephoto and wide angle lens, the overall user experience of the ZTE would be much better for a similar price point. The ZTE provides a more fluid, responsive experience for everyday tasks, media consumption, and gaming which are much more important than the extra cameras for most users, this coupled with the larger storage, newer Android and faster charging would make for a much better experience overall.
