1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Asus Zenfone 8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 148 × 68.5 × 8.9 mm | M12 is larger and bulkier, making the Zenfone 8 more pocketable and comfortable for single-handed use. |
| Weight | 212g | 169g | Zenfone 8 is noticeably lighter, reducing hand fatigue during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 5.9" | M12 provides a larger viewing area, better for media consumption; Zenfone 8 is more compact for easier handling. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Zenfone 8 offers much sharper images and text due to its higher resolution. |
| PPI | 270 | 446 | Zenfone 8's higher pixel density results in significantly clearer and more detailed visuals. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Zenfone 8 has superior display tech, with deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Zenfone 8 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1100 nits | Zenfone 8 screen is much more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Zenfone 8 provides much faster performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming due to its flagship processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 891,700 | Zenfone 8 offers a dramatically superior user experience in terms of responsiveness and speed. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 660 | Zenfone 8's GPU is much more powerful, delivering significantly better graphics performance for games. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.7", 0.8µm | Zenfone 8 captures more detailed images with better low-light performance due to its larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.45, 1/2.93", 1.22µm | Zenfone 8's selfie camera captures more detailed images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm (Wide Angle + Macro) | M12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, but Zenfone 8 has a combined ultrawide/macro lens with better specifications. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor which helps in portrait mode. Zenfone 8 does not have one. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | M12 has a dedicated macro lens. Zenfone 8 has a combined ultrawide/macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@120fps, HDR, EIS | Zenfone 8 can capture far more detailed video and more features like HDR & EIS. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | Zenfone 8 video recording is more stable. |
| Slow-motion | No | Yes, 480 fps | Zenfone 8 offers a much more comprehensive slow-motion video capability. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | 116 (Mobile), 120 (Photo), 118 (Video) | Zenfone 8 has a good overall rating according to dxomark, while Samsung M12 has no ratings. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4000mAh | M12's larger battery may offer longer battery life, but actual usage varies. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 30W fast charging | Zenfone 8 charges significantly faster. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 (upgradable to 13) | Zenfone 8 is confirmed to have an upgrade to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | Zenfone 8 supports faster and more reliable Wi-Fi connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Zenfone 8 has a newer Bluetooth version for better audio quality and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Zenfone 8 has more GPS bands for higher accuracy and reliability. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | Zenfone 8 has larger storage options, useful for storing more photos, videos, and apps. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB/12GB/16GB | Zenfone 8 has significantly higher RAM options, offering improved multitasking capabilities. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which could be a limitation for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise cancellation microphone, 3 microphones | Zenfone 8 offers a superior audio experience with better speakers, noise cancellation, and Hi-Res Audio support. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | M12 has a more convinient side-mounted sensor. Zenfone 8 sensor type is not specified. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Zenfone 8 has significantly superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Zenfone 8 offers a compass sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may offer longer battery life, which is good for users who need all-day power without frequent charging.
- Dedicated Depth Sensor & Macro Lens: Offers more versatility in its camera system with a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode and macro lens.
- Potentially Lower Price: Likely to be more affordable, making it attractive for budget-conscious consumers.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: A side-mounted fingerprint sensor provides convenience.
Asus Zenfone 8 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 888 chipset provides vastly superior performance, making the phone faster and smoother for all tasks.
- Better Display: The AMOLED display offers higher resolution, better color accuracy, and higher brightness, resulting in a more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Much Better Camera: Significantly better camera sensor on the main and selfie camera. More professional video capabilities.
- Faster Charging: 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus provides superior screen protection.
- Newer Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 offers faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers, Hi-Res audio and noise cancelling microphone improves the audio experience.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher RAM capacity for better multitasking and higher internal storage.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 trades performance, display quality, and camera capabilities for a larger battery and lower price.
- The Asus Zenfone 8 trades a smaller battery and a higher price for a premium experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life and need a large screen. Great for casual users who prioritize price and don't require high-end performance.
- Use Cases:
- Basic social media browsing
- Watching videos
- Casual gaming
- Longer battery life without frequent charging
Asus Zenfone 8:
- Ideal Users: Performance-oriented users, those who prioritize a high-quality display, camera, and a smooth user experience. Ideal for users that like high-end specifications in a smaller form factor.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- Photography and videography
- Heavy multitasking
- Demanding apps
- Enjoying high-quality multimedia content
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The M12 is likely much cheaper while the Zenfone 8 is a more premium phone.
- How important is performance? If you need a phone that can run games smoothly and handle heavy multitasking, the Zenfone 8 is the only choice.
- Do you prioritize battery life, or a high-quality screen, camera, and faster performance? The M12 has better battery, while Zenfone 8 has a much better screen, camera and performance.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If your budget is tight and you need a phone for basic tasks with long battery life, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a practical option.
- Performance Seeker: If you require a fast, smooth experience with a high-quality display, camera, and build quality, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the better choice.
- Multimedia Enthusiast: If you plan to watch a lot of video and play games then the Asus Zenfone 8's better display and performance make it a much better option.
- Photography Lover: For those that want to capture high quality photos and videos, the Asus Zenfone 8 is much better.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would go for the Asus Zenfone 8. The massive differences in performance (AnTuTu score of 891,700 vs 117,341) and display quality (AMOLED vs LCD, 446 PPI vs 270 PPI) would make the user experience vastly different. While the Samsung M12 has a larger battery, I am more than willing to trade a little bit of battery life for a much smoother experience with the Zenfone 8. I also value the much better camera, superior audio and build quality, and the smaller form factor which will result in better practicality.
