Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Google Pixel 7
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Google Pixel 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 155.6 × 73.2 × 8.7 mm | The Pixel 7 is significantly more compact, making it easier to handle and pocket. The M12 is larger and bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 197g | The Pixel 7 is lighter, offering better comfort for extended use. The M12 feels heavier and might be less comfortable for long periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Google Pixel 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.3" | The M12 has a slightly larger screen, which might be preferable for media consumption. The Pixel 7's screen is slightly smaller but may be easier for one-handed use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Pixel 7 has a much sharper display with more detail, providing a clearer and more enjoyable viewing experience. The M12's display may appear less crisp. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 416 PPI | The Pixel 7's higher pixel density results in significantly sharper text and images, making the viewing experience noticeably better. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Pixel 7's AMOLED screen offers superior color accuracy, deeper blacks, and better contrast. It's more vibrant and has better viewing angles compared to the M12's LCD screen. The Pixel 7 also has better power efficiency with dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones have a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, which should provide a fluid experience for scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1400 nits | The Pixel 7 is much brighter, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. The M12's brightness is unknown, likely significantly lower, and would be difficult to use outdoors in bright conditions. |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Pixel 7 has superior scratch and damage resistance due to its Gorilla Glass Victus protection, while screen protection is unknown for M12. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Google Pixel 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) | The Pixel 7’s advanced chipset allows for significantly faster processing, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding apps and games. The M12's chipset is less powerful, and will likely struggle with intensive tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 827,033 | The Pixel 7's benchmark score is far superior, translating to a noticeably faster and more responsive user experience. The M12 is much slower and will lag with more demanding applications and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G710 MP7 | The Pixel 7's GPU is significantly more powerful, offering better gaming performance and graphics processing capabilities. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | The Pixel 7 with more RAM will offer smoother multitasking, allowing you to switch between apps without slowdowns. The M12, with its lower RAM options, will likely struggle more with multiple apps running simultaneously. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Google Pixel 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | The Pixel 7 has a slightly higher resolution, potentially offering a little more detail in photos. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.85 | The Pixel 7’s wider aperture allows more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.31" | The Pixel 7’s much larger sensor captures significantly more light, resulting in superior image quality, especially in low light. |
| Main Camera Pixel Size | 0.80 µm | 1.20 µm | The Pixel 7's larger pixel size helps capture more light, enhancing low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 10.8MP | The Pixel 7 captures slightly more detailed selfies, potentially leading to better image quality. |
| Wide-Angle Camera Resolution | 5MP | 12MP | The Pixel 7's wide-angle camera produces significantly more detailed images, making it better for group photos and landscapes. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Camera | 2MP | Not Available | M12 has dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. Pixel 7 uses computational algorithms for portrait. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | Not Available | M12 has dedicated macro lens for close up shots. Pixel 7 does not have this feature. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps (with HDR, OIS, EIS), 1080p@120/240fps (with HDR, OIS, EIS) | The Pixel 7 records video at much higher quality, with better stabilization and more frame rate options for slow-motion video. The M12 is limited to basic 1080p recording. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes (OIS & EIS) | The Pixel 7 has superior image and video stabilization (OIS & EIS), resulting in much smoother videos even when the camera is moving. The M12 does not have stabilization. |
| Slow Motion | No | Yes (240fps) | Pixel 7 offers far superior slow-motion capture capabilities (240 fps) compared to the M12 (no slow-motion). |
| DXOMark Scores (Mobile) | Not Available | Overall: 140, Photo: 145, Video: 143 | The Pixel 7 has been tested by DXOMark and given high scores. The M12 has no rating. |
| DXOMark Scores (Selfie) | Not Available | Overall: 138, Photo: 134, Video: 144 | The Pixel 7 has been tested by DXOMark and given high scores. The M12 has no rating. |
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom, Quadruple Camera, Autofocus, etc. | 4K Video, Dual Camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, etc. | The Pixel 7 has more advanced camera features like optical image stabilization, 4K video and RAW capture. The M12 offers basic features and a macro/depth sensor. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Google Pixel 7 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4355 mAh | The M12 has a slightly larger battery, which could translate to longer battery life under similar usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 20W Fast Charging, 23W Wireless Charging | The Pixel 7 charges faster with both wired and wireless options. The M12 has slower wired charging. |
| Battery Features | Non-Removable | Non-Removable, Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging, No charger in box | The Pixel 7 is more versatile with wireless and reverse charging, but does not include a charger in box. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery potentially offers longer battery life, suitable for users who prioritize endurance.
- Lower Cost (Likely): The Galaxy M12 is an entry-level device, meaning it would cost significantly less than the Pixel 7, which is a flagship device.
- Dedicated depth and Macro Lenses: It offers separate lenses for portrait mode and macro shots that pixel 7 lacks.
- Included Charger: It comes with a charger in the box, which can be a convenience for some buyers
Google Pixel 7 Advantages:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with higher resolution, brightness, and pixel density offers a much better viewing experience with vibrant colors and sharper details.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Tensor G2 chip provides much faster processing speeds, making it suitable for demanding tasks, gaming, and multitasking.
- Much Better Camera System: Superior main, wide angle and selfie cameras that capture more light, more detail, better stabilization, with better low light performance and advanced features such as 4K video, and slow motion.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: Faster-wired charging, plus it offers convenient wireless charging.
- More Modern Software: Comes with a newer Android version and is guaranteed to receive updates, offering enhanced features and security.
- More Refined Audio Features: Stereo speakers with 3 microphones make for clearer audio quality.
- Improved Build Quality: Superior screen protection.
- More Sensors: Features that support the use of more advanced software and gaming features.
- Faster Wireless Standards: It supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, offering faster speeds and more efficient connections.
Trade-offs:
- Size and Weight: The Pixel 7 is more compact and lighter, which might be a preference or disadvantage depending on the user. The M12 is bulkier but could feel more robust to some.
- Battery Life vs. Performance: The Pixel 7 sacrifices a slightly smaller battery for much higher performance, while the M12 prioritizes battery endurance with a weaker chipset.
- Camera Versatility: While the M12 offers depth and macro lenses, the Pixel 7 overall offers a better camera system due to its much superior main sensor and processing, which is reflected in its high DXOMark scores.
- Price: The Pixel 7 will be significantly more expensive than the M12, reflecting the high-end specs and features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a basic smartphone for everyday tasks and prioritize battery life.
- Users who value a larger screen: Ideal for media consumption, if the low resolution is not a concern
- Users who want a basic smartphone with a macro and depth lens: Those who enjoy taking a variety of photos with an affordable phone.
- Those who want to take calls, send texts, browse the web, and use social media without needing high-end performance.
Specific Use Cases:
- Long battery life for basic use throughout the day.
- A reliable phone for older users or those new to smartphones.
- A secondary phone with a long-lasting battery.
- Simple tasks like reading emails, listening to music and browsing the web.
Google Pixel 7 Ideal Users:
- Users who value top performance and a smooth experience: Those who multitask, play games, and use demanding apps.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those who want a high-quality camera system for photos and videos.
- Users who want a premium, modern smartphone experience: Those who want a good display, great performance, and the latest software.
- Users who enjoy content and media consumption: The higher resolution and superior color display make for an excellent content consumption experience.
Specific Use Cases:
- Taking high-quality photos and videos, even in low light.
- Playing graphics-intensive games smoothly.
- Multitasking between several applications seamlessly.
- Watching media with a high resolution display and stereo audio.
- Professional use cases that may require the use of a high end smartphone.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers good value for the money as an entry-level phone, emphasizing battery life. The Google Pixel 7 comes at a higher price point, but offers high-end specifications, making it worth it for those who will use those features.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? The Galaxy M12 is considerably more affordable, while the Pixel 7 is a high-end device.
- What are my primary use cases? Do you need a phone mainly for basic tasks and battery life, or for high performance, photography, and multimedia?
- How important is display quality and camera performance? The Pixel 7 excels in both areas, while the M12's display and camera are basic.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Use and Long Battery Life: If you mainly need a phone for calls, messaging, and basic browsing, and you want a device that will last all day on a single charge, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a suitable option.
- Scenario 2: High Performance and Photography: If you want a powerful phone with an excellent camera, smooth multitasking, and a top-tier display, the Google Pixel 7 is the clear winner, even with a higher price.
- Scenario 3: A Balance of Performance and Battery: If you need something in between the two, neither phone would be suitable. You might consider other phones with a decent camera, large battery, and better performance than the M12, but not as high performance as the Pixel 7.
My Choice
Given my use cases and priorities, I would choose the Google Pixel 7.
Here's why:
- Superior Display: As someone who consumes media and browses a lot, the much better AMOLED display of the Pixel 7 is a huge factor.
- Top-Tier Performance: I often run demanding apps and multitask, so the performance difference is essential to me.
- Excellent Camera Quality: As an enthusiastic photographer, the Pixel 7's camera capabilities and features would be significantly more valuable.
- Modern Software Experience: I like the experience of using a well refined and modern android.
- Wireless Charging: It is very convenient.
While the Pixel 7 is more expensive, the drastically better experience in key areas like display, performance, and camera makes it the better option for me despite the smaller battery. The cost is justified by the huge upgrade in the overall smartphone experience.
