1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and the Infinix Note 12 G96, focusing on practical implications:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.6 × 76.8 × 8 mm | The Infinix is slightly taller and wider, but it is noticeably thinner and therefore may feel more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 185g | The Infinix is significantly lighter, which will make it more comfortable to use for extended periods and easier to carry around. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The Infinix has a slightly larger screen, offering more viewing area for media and games, although this difference is not too significant. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Infinix's display is considerably sharper, providing a much clearer and detailed viewing experience, especially noticeable with text and high-resolution images. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 393 ppi | The Infinix screen will appear much less pixelated and much sharper compared to the Samsung. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The Infinix has far superior display quality with deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | The Samsung offers smoother animations and scrolling, providing a more fluid user experience. The Infinix will appear slightly less smooth. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 650 nits | The Infinix display is significantly brighter, making it much more usable outdoors in sunlight. The Samsung display is not specified, meaning its brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | The Infinix's chip is faster and more powerful, leading to better app performance and smoother multitasking, and can handle more demanding apps. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 307,000 | The Infinix performs significantly better, leading to faster app loading, smoother operation, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The Infinix has a better GPU, resulting in better graphics performance for games and other visually intensive applications. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | The Infinix's camera captures slightly more detailed images, but this difference isn't always noticeable. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.6 | The Infinix has a wider aperture, enabling better low-light performance and shallower depth of field for portrait shots. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | The Samsung sensor is larger, which generally implies better light gathering for improved low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | The Infinix takes much sharper and detailed selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.0 | The Infinix selfie camera is slightly better in low light, creating shallower depth of field. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Yes (5MP) | No | The Samsung allows you to capture a wider field of view. |
| Macro Lens | Yes (2MP) | No | The Samsung lets you take close-up shots of small subjects. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1440p@30fps | The Infinix can record higher resolution videos, resulting in better quality and more detail. |
| Slow Motion Video | No, 30 fps | Yes, 120 fps | The Infinix is capable of high quality slow motion recording. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, PDAF | Triple camera, Digital Image Stabilization, Manual Focus, Night Mode | The Samsung has additional camera features: Quadruple camera, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting. The Infinix has additional features: Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Manual focus, Night Mode. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones will have a similar battery life, with usage variance depending on usage patterns. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | The Infinix charges much faster, getting you back up and running in much less time. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Infinix Note 12 G96 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 11 | Android 12 | The Infinix runs on a newer Android version, which generally leads to better performance and newer features. |
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz | The Infinix supports dual-band WiFi, which generally allows for faster speeds and more reliable connection |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Infinix has a slightly newer version of bluetooth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS | The Samsung provides more precise location data. |
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB | Both phones offer similar storage options, so there is not much practical impact. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 4GB/6GB/8GB | The Infinix generally offers more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and gaming performance, particularly with 8GB variants. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, so users must be careful with the amount of storage they use. |
| Audio | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X, Stereo Speakers | The Infinix has significantly better audio quality, providing a more immersive experience. |
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have a fingerprint sensor in the same location, giving similar ease of use. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the major advantages of each phone and the practical implications of these differences:
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate offers a slightly smoother user experience.
- Wider Field of View: The wide angle lens offers extra versatility in the camera.
- Close up Photography: The Macro lens gives the user another option for photography.
- More precise GPS: Supports GLONASS and Beidou for more precise location data.
Practical Implications:
- The smoother display makes general navigation and scrolling more enjoyable. The wide angle and macro lenses offer further photography options.
Infinix Note 12 G96 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and better outdoor visibility.
- Significantly Better Performance: Faster chipset and higher AnTuTu score result in a much smoother and more responsive experience, especially with apps and games.
- Better Camera: The front and main camera are much more detailed.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging significantly reduces the time needed to charge.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and DTS/DTS X support provide much better audio.
- More RAM: Options for 8GB configurations give smoother multitasking.
Practical Implications:
- The superior display dramatically enhances media consumption and general usage, especially outdoors. The faster performance translates to more responsive day to day use and a better gaming experience. The better camera will result in clearer, more detailed images. Faster charging gets the device back to full battery much quicker.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly smoother display and more versatile camera options, but sacrifices display quality, performance, charging speed, and camera quality.
- The Infinix Note 12 G96 sacrifices the smoother display and camera versatility for much better display quality, faster performance and faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Users on an extremely tight budget: Where cost is the major consideration.
- Users who prioritize a smoother display: If a slightly more fluid user interface is the priority, and performance, charging speed, display quality is not as important.
- Users who value Wide Angle and Macro Photography
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks such as browsing the web, social media, and calls.
- Casual media consumption without high demands for visual quality.
- Users who are unlikely to play heavy games.
Ideal Users for Infinix Note 12 G96:
- Users who prioritize display quality and performance: Those who value vibrant visuals, faster app loading, and smoother multitasking.
- Mobile gamers: Those who need strong performance for smooth gameplay.
- Users who value faster charging.
- Users who value higher quality audio.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on a mobile device.
- Watching videos and other forms of media.
- Multi-tasking between different apps and programs.
- Photography where high quality images are required.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Based on specifications alone, the Infinix Note 12 G96 offers a significantly better price-to-value ratio due to its superior display, performance, and charging speed. It provides a much better overall user experience for a similar price, unless the specific camera and display features of the Samsung are prioritized.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
- How important is display quality to you? If you value deep blacks, vivid colors, and outdoor visibility, the AMOLED screen of the Infinix is superior. If a slightly smoother display is more important, then the Samsung may be a better choice.
- What is your primary use case? If it's basic tasks and casual use, the Samsung may suffice. If you plan to game or do a lot of multitasking, the Infinix is a better choice.
- What is your budget? If budget is the overriding factor, then the Samsung will be the cheaper option, but if you are able to afford the Infinix, it will be a better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Extremely Budget Conscious: If you are on a very tight budget, the Samsung might be the more affordable option and will still give a usable experience.
- Scenario 2: Performance Matters Most: If you want a smooth and responsive experience with gaming or heavy multitasking, the Infinix is the clear winner due to its superior processor, GPU, and RAM options.
- Scenario 3: Media Consumption and Camera Quality: If you prioritize high-quality display for watching media, or desire a better quality camera, the Infinix is much better.
- Scenario 4: Specific camera requirements: If you specifically require a wide-angle or macro lens for the camera, then the Samsung is the only choice.
My Choice
Based on the provided specifications, I would choose the Infinix Note 12 G96.
Reasons:
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen is a significant upgrade over the PLS LCD, offering a vastly better visual experience for day-to-day use, media consumption, and gaming. The higher brightness will make the device much more usable outdoors.
- Much Better Performance: The Helio G96 chipset paired with the Mali-G57 MC2 GPU and up to 8GB of RAM will provide a much smoother and more responsive experience for general navigation, multitasking, and gaming. The AnTuTu scores reflect this significant difference in performance.
- Faster Charging: The 33W fast charging will reduce the amount of time that the device is plugged in, a major convenience.
- Better Camera: The camera will capture more detailed images and video than the Samsung.
- Better Audio: The better audio will result in a more immersive media experience.
While the Samsung offers a smoother 90Hz refresh rate and wider field of view and macro camera options, the benefits of the Infinix far outweigh these features for most use cases. The Infinix provides a better experience in terms of display quality, performance, charging speeds, camera quality, and audio quality. The only exception being if the wide angle and macro camera lenses of the Samsung are specifically required by the user.
