1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Honor 90, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 161.9 × 74.1 × 7.8 mm | The Honor 90 is noticeably slimmer and more compact, making it easier to handle and pocket. The M12 is bulkier and heavier. |
| Weight | 212g | 183g | The Honor 90 is significantly lighter, offering better comfort for extended use. |
| Build | Not Specified | Not Specified | Specific material and build information not available. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Honor 90 offers a slightly larger display, which can be better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1200x2664 | The Honor 90's higher resolution results in significantly sharper images and text. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 435 | The Honor 90 display is noticeably sharper, reducing pixelation and improving clarity. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Honor 90's AMOLED screen provides deeper blacks, better contrast, and more vibrant colors compared to the M12's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Honor 90 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations, enhancing the user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | The Honor 90 screen will be much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight compared to the M12 (whose brightness is not specified, but implied to be far lower due to the comparison). |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 Accelerated Edition (4 nm) | The Honor 90's chipset is significantly more powerful, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 701,227 | The Honor 90 demonstrates vastly superior performance in benchmarks, leading to a snappier overall experience. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 644 | The Honor 90’s GPU offers a significant advantage in gaming and graphics-intensive tasks |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | 200MP, f/1.9, 1/1.4" sensor | The Honor 90's main camera offers far greater detail and image quality, especially in low light and with better dynamic range. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.4 | The Honor 90 will take much higher-resolution selfies with potentially better image quality. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | The M12 provides a dedicated wide-angle lens for capturing expansive scenes. |
| Portrait (Depth) Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have a similar depth sensor for portrait mode. Honor 90 has larger pixel size which could result in more accurate depth information. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The M12 allows close-up shots with the macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 12MP, f/2.2 | The Honor 90 has an ultrawide that doubles as a macro lens, providing versatility. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, EIS | The Honor 90 records in 4K, offering much higher-quality videos and superior video stabilization |
| Slow-motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 960 fps | Honor 90 is able to do slow motion video with 960 fps |
| DXOMark | N/A | 122 (Photo 128, Video 126) | Only Honor 90 camera has been tested, implying a significantly higher camera performance than Samsung M12. |
| Additional Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Panorama | Triple camera, 4K Video, Digital image stabilization, RAW, Front Flash, Night Mode | Honor 90 has significantly more advanced features. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. Actual endurance may vary based on usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 66W fast charging | The Honor 90 charges much faster, reducing downtime and providing convenience. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Different battery technologies are used. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Honor 90 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 13 | Honor 90 runs on a newer version of Android which provides access to the latest features, security updates, and app compatibility. |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | The Honor 90 supports the latest WiFi 6 standard, offering faster speeds and a more reliable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 (LE) | The Honor 90 offers improved range and power efficiency with the newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, BeiDou (B1) | The Honor 90 supports more satellite navigation systems, offering better location accuracy in various areas. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both offer dual-sim support |
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | The Honor 90 comes with a higher storage capacity, enabling users to store more media. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12/16 GB | The Honor 90 has more RAM, ensuring better multitasking and a smoother user experience. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device has external memory card support |
| Audio | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone | Honor 90 offers better audio quality for voice calls. |
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung's side-mounted fingerprint sensor is often preferred for its speed and convenience, the Honor 90 has basic fingerprint sensor. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Samsung has gyro while Honor has compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Advantages of the Honor 90:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED display with significantly higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate offers a vastly better viewing experience, especially for media consumption and outdoor use.
- Much Better Performance: The Snapdragon chipset provides far superior performance for gaming, multitasking, and general use, making the phone feel much snappier and more responsive.
- Advanced Camera System: The 200MP main camera, along with 4K video recording and a versatile wide-angle/macro lens, offers significantly better image quality and versatility.
- Faster Charging: The 66W fast charging capability dramatically reduces charging time.
- More Modern Features: The Honor 90 has a newer version of Android, as well as support for more modern standards such as WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more flexibility for those who need separate ultrawide and close-up lenses.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Some users might need this sensor for certain motion-based apps or games.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: often preferred for speed and convenience.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a lower price point but lacks the high-end display, camera, and performance capabilities of the Honor 90.
- The Honor 90 does not have a dedicated macro lens, which might be missed by some users.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those primarily concerned with affordability and who need a basic smartphone for calling, texting, and light social media usage.
- Users Who Need Specific Lenses: Users who specifically require a dedicated wide-angle and macro lens in their camera setup.
- Users who prefer side-mounted fingerprint sensor: User who prefer the fingerprint sensor at the side instead of in the screen.
Use Cases: Basic web browsing, social media, light gaming, and media consumption. The M12 is suitable for first-time smartphone users or as a backup device.
Ideal Users for Honor 90:
- Multimedia Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality displays for streaming videos, playing games, or viewing photos.
- Camera Lovers: Those who prioritize photo and video quality, and want a versatile camera system.
- Performance-Oriented Users: Those who demand smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and responsive gaming.
- Users who need the latest features: Users who want to utilize the most recent features such as WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2
Use Cases: High-resolution video streaming, heavy gaming, professional photography and videography, seamless multitasking, and demanding applications. The Honor 90 is ideal for users who want a high-end experience without paying a flagship price.
Price-to-Value Ratio: The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a better price-to-value ratio for those on a very tight budget while the Honor 90 provides excellent value for users who prioritize high-end features at a mid-range price point.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide between the Samsung Galaxy M12 and the Honor 90:
- What is your budget? If budget is the most significant constraint, the Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a more affordable option. If you can spend more, the Honor 90 provides a premium experience.
- What are your primary use cases? If you need a basic phone for everyday tasks, the M12 is sufficient. If you're into multimedia, gaming, or photography, the Honor 90 is far superior.
- How important is display quality? If you value a high-resolution display with vibrant colors, the Honor 90 is the clear winner. If you can tolerate a standard LCD panel, the M12 is adequate.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Very Tight Budget:
- Recommendation: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 as it's significantly more affordable.
- Scenario 2: Multimedia and Photography:
- Recommendation: Choose the Honor 90 for its significantly superior display, camera system, and video capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Casual User:
- Recommendation: Consider both. If performance isn't a major issue and budget is a concern, go with the M12. If you want a more premium experience with long-term value, choose the Honor 90.
My Choice and Why
If I had to choose between the two phones, I would choose the Honor 90. Here's why:
The Honor 90 offers a vastly superior user experience in almost every aspect that matters to me in a smartphone. The AMOLED display is a significant upgrade over the LCD panel in the M12, providing far better colors, contrast, and brightness. The performance difference is night and day, the Snapdragon chipset ensuring that apps and games run smoothly. Furthermore, the Honor 90’s camera is more advanced and captures much higher quality photos and videos, especially important for creating content. While the M12 might have some minor benefits in its dedicated wide angle and macro lenses, the overall package of the Honor 90 is more compelling.
Ultimately, for me, the significant improvements in display, performance, and camera quality of the Honor 90 justify the higher price point, especially considering its modern features. The Samsung Galaxy M12 serves a purpose as a budget option, but for anyone seeking a more well-rounded experience, the Honor 90 is the clear winner.
