1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Honor 50, focusing on practical implications:
Design
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 160 × 73.8 × 7.8 mm | The Honor 50 is significantly thinner and slightly smaller overall, making it more comfortable for one-handed use and pocketable. The M12 is bulkier. |
Weight | 212g | 175g | The Honor 50 is noticeably lighter, which is preferable for extended use and portability. The M12 feels heavier in hand. |
Build | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones screen protection technology is unknown. |
Display
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
Size | 6.5" | 6.57" | Both have similar screen sizes. Minimal real-world difference. |
Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | The Honor 50 has a significantly sharper and clearer display, resulting in better text clarity, image quality, and overall viewing experience. |
Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 392 | The higher pixel density on the Honor 50 leads to a noticeably crisper and more detailed display. Individual pixels are less noticeable. |
Technology | PLS LCD | OLED | The Honor 50's OLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast compared to the M12's PLS LCD. This translates to a more vibrant and engaging visual experience. |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The 120Hz refresh rate on the Honor 50 provides smoother animations and scrolling, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones' brightness information is missing, making it impossible to compare in this aspect. |
Performance
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 778G in the Honor 50 is significantly more powerful, offering much faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 582,766 | The Honor 50's much higher AnTuTu score indicates vastly superior performance in real-world use. Expect a substantial difference in overall speed and responsiveness. |
GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 642L | The Adreno 642L in the Honor 50 provides significantly better graphics performance, leading to smoother gameplay and faster rendering of graphics-intensive applications. |
Camera
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
Main Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.52", 0.70µm | The Honor 50's higher resolution sensor with a larger size and wider aperture allows for capturing more detailed images with better low-light performance. |
Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/3.14", 0.70µm | The Honor 50 has a significantly higher-resolution front camera, which is better for sharper selfies and video calls. |
Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | The Honor 50 captures more detailed wide-angle shots. |
Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar performance in depth effects. |
Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar performance in macro shots. |
Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps with EIS | The Honor 50 can record in 4K, offering much higher video quality, and offers more frame rates for smooth, professional-looking videos with stabilization. The M12's video capabilities are quite basic. |
Slow Motion | No, 30fps | Yes, 240fps | The Honor 50 offers a dedicated slow-motion video mode, enhancing creative video capabilities. |
Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, WB settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, WB settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Honor 50 offers a wider array of advanced camera features, including digital image stabilization, ultra stable video, RAW capture, night mode and continuous auto focus. |
Battery
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 50 | Practical Impact |
Capacity | 5000mAh | 4300mAh | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a larger battery, potentially offering longer battery life between charges. |
Charging Speed | 15W | 66W | The Honor 50 charges significantly faster, meaning less time tethered to a charger and more time using the phone. |
Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | The Honor 50 has a reverse charging feature that can be used to charge other devices. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Honor 50 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, OLED technology, and 120Hz refresh rate result in a significantly better viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset offers vastly superior performance in everyday tasks and gaming.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution sensors, wider apertures, and 4K video recording capabilities. Provides more detailed, high quality images and videos.
- Much Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
- More Advanced Features: Includes 4K Video, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode, Hi-Res Audio, reverse charging, and a more advanced Wi-Fi standard.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers a potentially longer battery life.
- Lower Price Point: Typically, the M12 is more affordable.
- More comprehensive Bluetooth profile support: Support for A2DP, AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID, HSP, MAP, PAN, OPP, PBAP/PAB, and HOGP.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung M12 prioritizes battery life with slower charging, while the Honor 50 favors performance and faster charging with smaller battery.
- The Honor 50 has premium features, while the M12 provides more basic functionality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a basic smartphone with a long battery life.
- Light Users: Individuals who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make calls.
- Users Prioritizing Battery: Those who need their phone to last all day without needing to be charged.
Specific Use Cases:
- A secondary phone for emergencies or travel.
- A basic device for elderly users or those new to smartphones.
- A budget-friendly option for a first smartphone.
Ideal User for Honor 50:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want a fast and responsive phone for gaming and heavy multitasking.
- Media Consumers: Those who value high-quality displays for watching videos and browsing photos.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a good camera for capturing high-quality images and videos.
- Users needing Fast Charging: Those who need a quick charge while on the go.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming, video editing, and other performance-intensive tasks.
- Enjoying high-resolution media content (movies, videos, photos).
- Content creation, vlogging, and social media photography.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The M12 offers basic functionality at a lower price, making it good for those on a very tight budget.
- The Honor 50 offers significantly better performance and premium features at a higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If the budget is very tight, the M12 may be the only option.
- How important is performance and gaming? If you need a powerful device, the Honor 50 is the clear choice.
- What is your priority: battery life or display quality and speed? The M12 offers longer battery life while the Honor 50 prioritizes a superior display, speed and charging.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic Usage: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and browsing, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is sufficient.
- Scenario 2: Performance and Multimedia: If you want smooth performance, a high-quality display, and excellent camera capabilities, the Honor 50 is the better option.
- Scenario 3: On a Budget: If the budget is very limited, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is the more cost effective choice, but the user will have to accept that it will be noticeably less powerful and slower.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Honor 50. Although the Samsung Galaxy M12 has a larger battery, the Honor 50 is superior in almost every other aspect, most notably the display quality and performance. For me, the better screen, much faster performance, and superior camera outweigh the slightly shorter battery life. The quick charging also mitigates the battery size difference significantly. The premium features offered by the Honor 50 such as 4K Video, Digital image stabilization, Ultra stable video, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, RAW, Night Mode, and Hi-Res Audio justify the additional cost, making it a much better user experience overall. I would value a high quality screen and camera for my daily usage.