1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Huawei nova 12i | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 163.3 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | The Galaxy M12 is slightly larger and thicker, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. The nova 12i is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 212g | 199g | The nova 12i is lighter, which may be more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The nova 12i offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2388 | The nova 12i's higher resolution provides a significantly sharper and clearer image with more detail. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 391 | The nova 12i's higher PPI results in noticeably crisper text and images. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations due to the 90Hz refresh rate. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Neither phone's display brightness is known; potential issue in outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The Snapdragon 680 is more powerful, offering faster app loading and smoother multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 289,000 | The nova 12i scores significantly higher, indicating superior performance in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 | The Adreno 610 in the nova 12i generally provides better gaming performance compared to the Mali-G52 in the Galaxy M12. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Camera (Main) | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.9, 1/1.67", 0.64µm | The nova 12i's main camera has a higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture, likely resulting in better low-light and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | The nova 12i’s selfie camera has a slightly wider aperture, which should allow slightly better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | The Galaxy M12 has an ultrawide lens for capturing wider scenes, which is absent on the nova 12i. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors on both for bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Galaxy M12 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, not available on the nova 12i. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record 1080p video at 30fps, suitable for basic social media. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity for both, suggesting comparable battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 40W fast charging | The nova 12i charges much faster, significantly reducing charging time. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Unknown | The Galaxy M12 has a known OS; the nova 12i's OS is not specified. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The nova 12i supports more WiFi bands including 5GHz Wi-Fi, which is faster. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both use Bluetooth 5.0. The nova 12i has Bluetooth LE for better energy efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The nova 12i has more GPS options, likely offering more accurate location data. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 128/256GB | The nova 12i offers more storage, with a 128GB base and 256GB option. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | The nova 12i has more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and app performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage via microSD. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Ultra-wide and macro lens: Provides more versatility in photography, allowing for more creative shots.
- Known OS: Uses Android 11, offering a clear understanding of the user experience, while the nova 12i OS is not provided.
- Hall Sensor: Additional sensor that may have some specific use case scenarios
- Lower price: Typically found at a lower price point compared to the Nova 12i
Huawei nova 12i Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset offers significantly better performance for everyday use, gaming, and multitasking.
- Higher Resolution Display: The 1080p screen is sharper and more detailed than the Galaxy M12's 720p display.
- Larger Display: 6.7-inch screen offers more immersive viewing.
- Faster Charging: 40W charging is significantly faster than the Galaxy M12's 15W charging, reducing downtime.
- Better Main Camera: The 108MP sensor with larger sensor and wider aperture should produce higher quality photos, especially in low light.
- More RAM: 8GB of RAM improves multitasking and app performance.
- More Base Storage: Comes standard with 128GB of storage, with an option for 256GB.
- More Advanced WiFi: Dual-band Wi-Fi with 802.11ac allows for faster and more reliable connections.
- Better GPS: More satellite navigation options leading to more accurate tracking.
- Lighter and Smaller: More portable than the Galaxy M12
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy M12 offers ultrawide and macro camera lenses, which are not available on the nova 12i.
- The Galaxy M12 has a known operating system (Android 11), whereas the nova 12i OS is not stated.
- The nova 12i lacks an ultrawide and macro lens, thus offering less photography versatility.
- The nova 12i potentially has a higher price tag than the Galaxy M12.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 - Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those seeking a more affordable phone with a decent display and battery life.
- Users who prioritize versatile camera options: Those who value the ability to take wide-angle and macro shots.
- Users comfortable with standard performance: Those who primarily use their phones for basic tasks, such as social media and browsing.
- Users who want a known operating system: The Galaxy M12's Android 11 OS provides assurance on software experience
Use Cases:
- Casual social media browsing.
- Basic photography needs.
- Long battery life for extended use.
- Price conscious buyers
Huawei nova 12i - Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Those who prioritize smooth multitasking, fast app loading, and decent gaming performance.
- Users who value screen quality: Those who consume a lot of media and want a sharp, clear display with a larger viewing area.
- Users who need fast charging: Those who are frequently on the go and need to quickly top up their phone.
- Users that want improved camera quality: Those who need better image quality in low-light conditions,
- Users who prioritize storage space: Those who need larger base storage
Use Cases:
- Demanding gaming and app usage.
- High-quality media consumption.
- Fast charging for quick power-ups.
- Capturing better quality photos
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
How much do you prioritize performance? If you are a heavy user that wants smooth app loading, multitasking, and some gaming, the nova 12i is clearly better with its Snapdragon 680 and 8GB of RAM. If you are a casual user, the Galaxy M12 will be sufficient, albeit slower.
How important is camera versatility vs overall quality? The Galaxy M12 has the advantage of ultrawide and macro lenses. However, the main camera on the nova 12i should capture better-quality photos with more detail and better low-light performance, so if you only use the main camera often, that is preferable.
What is your budget? If you're budget-constrained, the Galaxy M12 may be a more affordable option, but the nova 12i offers much better overall value for the added cost, offering improvements in almost all aspects.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User with a Tight Budget: If you primarily browse social media, watch videos occasionally, and need a reliable phone on a very tight budget, the Samsung Galaxy M12 will suffice.
- Scenario 2: Performance User on a Budget: If you want a smoother, more capable phone for everyday use and some gaming, the Huawei nova 12i is the better option despite a higher cost. The improved performance, screen quality, and charging speed are worth the extra spend.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget: If having a ultrawide and macro lens is your priority, even though the quality is not as good as the nova 12i, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is the only option. However, if better image quality overall is desired, the Huawei nova 12i provides a much better experience, despite the lack of these extra lenses.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two phones, I would choose the Huawei nova 12i. Here's why:
- Significant Performance Difference: The Snapdragon 680 chipset and 8GB of RAM in the nova 12i offer a significantly smoother experience than the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy M12. This is crucial for everyday tasks and demanding apps.
- Superior Display: The higher resolution and pixel density of the nova 12i's screen provides a much more enjoyable viewing experience for content consumption.
- Faster Charging: The 40W fast charging is a huge convenience, allowing me to get my phone charged quickly.
- Better Main Camera: While I may miss the ultrawide and macro lenses from the Galaxy M12, the improved main camera of the nova 12i would be better for most of my photography needs.
- More Storage and RAM: The higher base storage and RAM ensures I have enough space for my apps and files and can multitask effectively without slowing down.
While the Galaxy M12 has a lower price tag and provides a more versatile camera with its ultrawide and macro lenses, the overall experience of using the nova 12i would be a much better one in my opinion due to its vastly superior performance and much better screen quality and charging speeds. The trade-off of missing the ultrawide and macro lenses is acceptable. Given the lack of information on the OS for the nova 12i, it does add a level of uncertainty, but that would be the only concern for me.
