1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 30 Neo | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 152.9 × 71.2 × 7.8 mm | The Edge 30 Neo is significantly more compact, fitting better in smaller hands and pockets; The M12 is larger and bulkier, less comfortable for single-hand use. |
| Weight | 212g | 155g | The Edge 30 Neo is noticeably lighter, more comfortable for extended use and carrying. The M12 is heavier, feeling more substantial but potentially tiring over time. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.28" | The M12 has a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption, while the Edge 30 Neo is more compact, aiding single-hand use and portability. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | The Edge 30 Neo's display will appear significantly sharper with much more detail, offering a better viewing experience with clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 419 | The Edge 30 Neo has a much sharper display, noticeably clearer. The M12's screen will look less sharp, especially for text and detailed images. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | The Edge 30 Neo's P-OLED display has superior contrast, colors, and deeper blacks than the M12's LCD, resulting in a more vibrant and immersive experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Edge 30 Neo offers smoother scrolling and animations than the M12, making the user interface feel faster and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical peak brightness at 0 nits which is concerning and might need to be clarified with further testing or data. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Edge 30 Neo has a much more powerful chipset, allowing for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance, offering a better and more responsive overall experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 425,200 | The Edge 30 Neo's significantly higher score means a much faster phone. The M12 will struggle more with demanding tasks and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 (ARM Mali-G52) | Adreno 619 (Qualcomm Adreno 619) | The Edge 30 Neo's GPU is far more capable, providing a significantly better graphics performance, enhancing gaming and other graphics-intensive applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4020mAh | The M12's larger battery should provide longer battery life for basic tasks; how long depends on optimization. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 68W fast charging, 5W wireless | The Edge 30 Neo will charge much faster, potentially making a big difference in daily use for quickly topping up the battery. The wireless charging adds convenience. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Wireless charge 5W | The Edge 30 Neo offers wireless charging, which makes it easier to charge wirelessly compared to the M12. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.70µm | The Edge 30 Neo has a higher-resolution sensor with a wider aperture for better low-light performance; expect sharper, more detailed photos overall. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4, 0.70µm | The Edge 30 Neo takes significantly higher resolution selfies, better quality self-portraits, and video. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | The M12 has a dedicated wide angle lens for capturing wider scenes; the Edge 30 Neo lacks a dedicated wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, providing background blur effect; the Edge 30 Neo lacks a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The M12 has a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots; the Edge 30 Neo lacks a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 13MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm | The Edge 30 Neo has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing wider scenes with Macro capabilities; the M12 lacks this. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 1080p@30/60/120fps, Yes stabilization, Slow-motion: Yes, 120 fps | The Edge 30 Neo offers smoother video at higher frame rates with image stabilization and slow-motion features. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF | Dual camera, OIS, LAF, PDAF, Digital Image Stabilization | The Edge 30 Neo offers optical image stabilization, laser auto focus, and digital stabilization which is superior for video and low-light photos. The M12 offers a Quadruple camera system which is not necessarily better than a dual camera system, it really depends on the user and the use cases. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 15) | The Edge 30 Neo has a newer version of Android with longer support, while the M12 is limited to an older version and may not receive future upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The Edge 30 Neo supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standards, offering better Wi-Fi performance, while the M12 only supports older versions. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The Edge 30 Neo has a newer Bluetooth version which may offer slightly better connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | Both have similar GPS, though the Edge 30 Neo has additional compatibility with SUPL and Galileo for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both devices offer dual SIM support allowing users to use two different sim cards at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Edge 30 Neo has more internal storage capacity, which is crucial for storing more apps, photos, and videos, with higher storage capacity variants compared to the M12. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | The Edge 30 Neo has more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and more apps to stay open in the background, making the user experience much better. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for expandable storage, making internal storage more important. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Edge 30 Neo offers a much better audio experience, with Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers providing better immersion for audio and video content. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | The Samsung M12 has a more advanced fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones have similar screen protection technology |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Both phones have a comprehensive sensor suite, however the Motorola Edge 30 Neo has an additional compass sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Advantages:
- Superior Display: P-OLED, higher resolution, higher pixel density, and a 120Hz refresh rate offer a much sharper, vibrant, and smoother visual experience.
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 695 chipset provides dramatically faster performance for all tasks, from simple browsing to gaming and multitasking.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 68W fast charging and 5W wireless charging add significant convenience and reduce charging time.
- Better Cameras: Superior main camera and selfie camera produce higher-quality photos with greater detail and better low-light performance. Also, OIS will help provide better videos.
- Newer Software & Support: Comes with Android 12 and is upgradable to 15.
- Better Audio Quality: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience.
- More Modern Features: Features like Laser Autofocus, Wide angle and Macro combo camera, and Wireless Charging give it better capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The larger 5000 mAh battery potentially offers longer battery life.
- Wide Angle Camera: The dedicated wide angle lens offers flexibility to capture wider scenes.
- Macro Lens: The dedicated macro lens offers flexibility to capture close up shots.
- Slightly larger screen: 6.5" vs the 6.28".
Trade-offs:
- M12: The larger battery comes at the cost of a heavier and bulkier design, lower quality display and significantly worse performance.
- Edge 30 Neo: The battery is smaller compared to the M12, and is lacking a dedicated wide angle lens, macro lens, and portrait lens.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola Edge 30 Neo Ideal User:
- Performance-Focused Users: Individuals who prioritize speed, responsiveness, and a smooth user experience, whether gaming, multitasking, or using demanding applications.
- Media Consumers: Users who watch videos, stream content, or browse social media frequently will benefit from the superior P-OLED display, quality audio, and smoother refresh rate.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who want better photos and selfies, especially in low-light conditions, will appreciate the upgraded cameras and stabilization.
- On-the-Go Users: People who prioritize fast charging and appreciate the convenience of wireless charging, along with a lighter phone.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a lower-cost phone with basic functionality and a larger battery.
- Basic Users: People with basic needs such as calling, texting, and occasional browsing.
- Long Battery Life Focus: People who prioritize a larger battery at the expense of performance.
- Photography User Those who prefer having the wide, macro, and depth cameras.
Specific Use Cases:
- Edge 30 Neo:
- Gaming: The powerful chipset, smoother display, and stereo speakers offer a better gaming experience.
- Content Creation: The better camera, video, and processing power makes it suitable for creating social media content.
- Everyday Productivity: The fast performance, multitasking capabilities, and fast charging make it better for everyday use.
- Galaxy M12:
- Basic Communication: Ideal for making calls, sending texts, and light web browsing, if battery life is prioritized.
- Simple Media Consumption: Suitable for watching videos and listening to music, if display quality and performance isn't a priority.
- Occasional Photography: Takes decent photos for social media, if the user prefers dedicated wide, macro, and depth cameras.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- How important is performance to you? (Do you need a fast phone for gaming, multitasking, or demanding apps?)
- How important is display quality? (Do you prioritize a vibrant, sharp display for watching content, or is a basic display acceptable?)
- How important is fast charging and convenient charging? (Do you prefer wired fast charging or the convenience of wireless charging?)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- If Performance & Display are Top Priorities: Choose the Motorola Edge 30 Neo. It excels in these areas, providing a much smoother, more enjoyable experience.
- If Long Battery Life & Lower Price are Critical: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12. It prioritizes battery life and a more affordable price.
- If Balanced Features & Good All-Around Value are Desired: The Motorola Edge 30 Neo still provides better overall value. While the battery is not as big, it has fast charging to compensate, and the other superior components make it the better choice.
Personal Choice and Justification
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would overwhelmingly choose the Motorola Edge 30 Neo.
My Reasoning:
The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is simply the better phone in almost every category that matters to me. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger battery, the advantages the Edge 30 Neo offers significantly outweigh that.
Performance: The difference in processing power between the Snapdragon 695 and the Exynos 850 is vast. The Edge 30 Neo would offer a much smoother and more enjoyable experience in everyday use, and be capable of handling intensive tasks. This is essential for me as I use my phone for a variety of tasks like work, content consumption, and gaming.
Display: I value a quality display for my content consumption. The OLED panel, the higher resolution and refresh rate, and higher pixel density of the Motorola Edge 30 Neo are crucial. The Samsung's display simply does not compare.
Camera: The camera on the Edge 30 Neo is noticeably better. The higher resolution main and selfie cameras, combined with Optical Image Stabilization will help ensure better quality images and videos.
Charging: Fast charging is a must-have for my daily usage, and the Edge 30 Neo’s 68W fast charging is a massive improvement over the M12's 15W. Additionally, the 5W wireless charging offers a lot of convenience.
Software: The newer version of Android and future updates are important for security and features.
While I acknowledge the slightly larger battery in the Samsung Galaxy M12, the Edge 30 Neo will be the superior option for me due to the much better display, performance, and camera. The difference in the day-to-day user experience is simply too big to ignore.
