Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 161.9 × 73.1 × 7.9 mm | Edge 50 Fusion is noticeably slimmer and more compact, easier for one-handed use and pocketability. M12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 174.9g | Edge 50 Fusion is significantly lighter, more comfortable for extended use and carrying. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Edge 50 Fusion offers slightly more screen real estate for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Edge 50 Fusion has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images and videos. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 393 | Edge 50 Fusion's higher pixel density leads to a visibly clearer display with less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | Edge 50 Fusion's P-OLED offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors compared to M12's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Edge 50 Fusion has a smoother scrolling and animation experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1600 nits | Edge 50 Fusion is much brighter, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright sunlight. Samsung Galaxy M12 brightness is unknown, likely far lower making outdoor viewing difficult. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Edge 50 Fusion's chip is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 776,541 | Edge 50 Fusion demonstrates drastically higher performance in benchmark tests. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 710 | Edge 50 Fusion's GPU is significantly more capable for graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | Edge 50 Fusion's larger sensor and wider aperture should result in better low-light photos and higher quality images with more light. |
| Front Selfie | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.45, 1/3.14", 0.7µm | Edge 50 Fusion captures significantly more detail in selfies, while M12 may struggle in low light due to its lower resolution and slightly narrower aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | M12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens for landscape shots and group photos. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for better bokeh effect in portrait shots. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | M12 has a dedicated macro lens for capturing detailed close-up images. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | N/A | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3", 1.12µm | Edge 50 Fusion uses a single lens to capture wide-angle and macro photos, likely offering better image quality than M12's dedicated lenses. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps | Edge 50 Fusion records sharper videos with higher resolutions and frame rates, also featuring EIS for stabilization and 960fps slow motion, making it more versatile for videography. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Quad camera, PDAF | 4K video, OIS, Dual Camera, Timelapse, Digital Image Stabilisation | Edge 50 Fusion offers more advanced features including OIS for better image stability and 4K video recording. M12 has Quad camera setup while Edge 50 Fusion has dual camera setup. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 68W Fast Charging | Edge 50 Fusion charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups and less downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Edge 50 Fusion can charge other devices, providing extra convenience. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 (upgrade to 17) | Edge 50 Fusion has a newer OS and will receive future updates, providing access to the latest features and security patches. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax) | Edge 50 Fusion has significantly faster and more reliable Wi-Fi capabilities. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Edge 50 Fusion has better power efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | Edge 50 Fusion has more satellite systems for more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Edge 50 Fusion offers the convenience of eSIM for digital carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | Edge 50 Fusion offers more storage options, accommodating larger media libraries. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 8/12GB | Edge 50 Fusion has more RAM, resulting in smoother multitasking and better performance with demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Edge 50 Fusion offers enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos, stereo speakers and noise cancellation for clearer calls and immersive sound. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Both have basic fingerprint sensor security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Edge 50 Fusion has screen protection against scratches and minor impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Features | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Hall | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Edge 50 Fusion has a compass while M12 has Hall sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, and OLED technology with better brightness and refresh rate result in a much better visual experience.
- Much Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset provides drastically better performance for gaming, multitasking, and overall responsiveness.
- Better Camera System: Larger sensor, wider aperture on main camera, higher-resolution selfie camera, and 4K video recording ability.
- Faster Charging: 68W charging significantly reduces charging time.
- Latest Software: Ships with a newer Android version and is expected to receive updates
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.
- eSIM Support: Enables dual SIM flexibility.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide, Macro, and Depth lenses: offers additional camera flexibility for certain shots.
- Potentially Lower Price: M12 is an older device and may be available at a lower price point.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy M12 sacrifices overall performance, display quality, camera performance, and charging speeds for a potentially lower price point.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users who prioritize basic functionality over performance and display quality.
- Users who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging, and light social media.
- Users who want the versatility of dedicated Wide, Macro, and Depth lenses, even at the cost of overall image quality.
Use Cases:
- Basic communication and social media browsing.
- Occasional photography, specifically with a need for wide-angle, macro or depth-of-field photos.
- Users who don't play demanding mobile games.
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion Ideal User:
- Users who want a high-quality display and a smooth user experience.
- Users who enjoy mobile gaming and content creation.
- Users who value camera quality and videography capabilities.
- Users looking for faster charging and future-proof technology.
Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming and entertainment.
- Photography and videography.
- Multitasking and productivity.
- Media consumption in bright environments
- Travelers using mobile mapping and navigation due to the additional satellite support.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: How important is gaming and multitasking performance to you?
- Display Quality: How important are screen resolution, clarity, and brightness?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Tight Budget, Basic Needs: If your budget is extremely limited and you prioritize basic phone functionality, the Samsung Galaxy M12 might suffice, but be aware of the significant performance trade-offs.
- Balanced Performance and Features: For users seeking a much more capable and future-proof device with a superior screen, better performance, and enhanced camera capabilities, the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion is the better choice.
- Gaming/Content Creation Focus: The Edge 50 Fusion is the clear winner for users who play demanding mobile games or who need to record high-quality video due to its superior performance and video capabilities.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 might be tempting for its lower cost, the vast differences in display quality, performance, camera capabilities and charging speed of the Motorola Edge 50 Fusion are too significant to ignore. The superior chipset, significantly better screen technology, faster charging, more capable camera system (including much better video quality) and latest software make it a far more enjoyable and future-proof device for modern use. The Edge 50 Fusion excels in all key aspects of a modern smartphone, making it a worthwhile investment over the M12, providing a much smoother, faster and visually impressive user experience. The only reason to even consider the M12 is if the budget is extremely tight, and all other performance factors can be ignored.
