1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is noticeably slimmer and more compact, likely feeling more comfortable in hand and easier to carry. The Galaxy M12 is taller, wider and thicker making it bulkier overall. |
| Weight | 212g | 197g | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is lighter by 15g, making it more comfortable for extended use and less tiring to hold. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1220x2712 | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has significantly sharper text and images, resulting in a much clearer viewing experience compared to the Galaxy M12. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 446 PPI | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's display appears much more crisp and detailed. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | P-OLED | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra will have more vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles, overall a better visual experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra will offer noticeably smoother scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience, especially in fast-paced games. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2500 nits | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has significantly better visibility in bright sunlight, making it more practical for outdoor use. The Galaxy M12's brightness is not provided, but it is unlikely to compare to this spec. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's chipset is significantly more powerful and efficient. Expect much better overall performance, smoother multitasking, faster app loading and better gaming experience. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 1,523,879 | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra scores 1199% higher than the Galaxy M12, indicating a major performance difference. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 735 | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has a much more capable GPU, resulting in significantly better gaming performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.3", 2.00µm | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra will likely produce significantly better photos, especially in low light, due to its larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/1.9, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's selfie camera is much higher resolution and has a wider aperture, meaning much more detailed and better low-light selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 64MP, f/2.4, 1/2", 0.70µm | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra can capture zoomed shots with better clarity than the Galaxy M12, which lacks a telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's wide angle will produce much higher quality wide photos. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, but this is a basic implementation. The Motorola will use its main camera and software for this which is likely higher quality given all other differences. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated macro lens, but the quality will be quite basic. The Motorola lacks this sensor but will still be capable of close-up photos via the main sensor. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@960fps | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers much higher quality video recording, along with slow-motion video up to 960fps. |
| Stabilization | No | Yes | Motorola offers electronic image stablization, providing a smoother video recording. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Main: 146, Photo: 150, Video: 134 | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's camera is rated by DXOMark as overall very high performing, while the Samsung Galaxy M12 has no rating. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger battery and may offer slightly longer battery life, depending on usage scenarios. This is less likely due to the much higher power of the Motorola. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 125W Fast Charging | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra charges significantly faster, enabling you to quickly get back to using the phone. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, 50W wireless charging, 10W reverse wireless charging | Motorola offers more versatile charging options, including wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has a much newer OS with the latest features and likely longer software support. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra supports the newest WiFi standards, offering much faster download and upload speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra features a newer version of Bluetooth for a faster connection, more power efficient connectivity and more codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra offers significantly greater GPS accuracy with support for newer GPS systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has the advantage of an eSIM for carrier flexibility, while the Samsung Galaxy M12 can use two physical SIM cards at the same time. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 512GB/1024GB | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has significantly more internal storage for media, apps, and files, while the Galaxy M12 has far more limited storage. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 12GB/16GB | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has far more RAM, resulting in much smoother multi-tasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, 3 microphones | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra provides a more immersive and higher quality audio experience. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both phones have fingerprint sensors, but the Motorola specification lacks the word "side-mounted". We cannot be certain the sensor is less convenient. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has much better screen protection, improving durability. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has all the same sensors in the Galaxy M12, with the addition of a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Potentially Longer Battery Life: The slightly larger battery capacity may offer better endurance compared to the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra, although the more powerful CPU in the motorola likely outweighs the battery advantage of the Samsung.
- Dual SIM Flexibility: Uses two physical Nano SIM cards simultaneously, which is useful for those who need two different numbers without an eSIM.
- More Affordable: It is older and is likely to be a far more affordable phone.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Offers a basic macro camera for close-up shots which the motorola lacks, although image quality is not as good as the main camera on the Motorola.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, higher pixel density, OLED panel, and 144Hz refresh rate provide much better visual quality and smoothness.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset offers vastly superior processing power for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming.
- Much Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie cameras with larger sensors and wider apertures, along with a telephoto lens, vastly outperforms the Galaxy M12, with very good image quality based on DXOMark testing.
- Advanced Video Recording: Offers much higher quality 4K video and 1080p slow motion up to 960fps.
- Faster Charging: 125W fast charging allows for much faster battery top-ups.
- Wireless Charging: Includes 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging for added convenience.
- More Modern Software: Ships with Android 14 (with planned upgrades to 17), offering the newest features and security updates.
- Faster Connectivity: Supports the latest Wi-Fi standards, and has more GPS systems.
- Significantly more storage: Comes with at least 512GB of storage, which is a huge advantage over the basic 32GB-128GB of the Galaxy M12.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and three microphones for much better audio quality.
- Premium Build: Uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus which will provide better protection against scratches and drops.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Battery Trade-off: While the Galaxy M12 may offer slightly better battery life due to its larger capacity, it's likely that the motorola offers an equivalent usage time, thanks to the more efficient processor, as well as extremely fast charging.
- Price: The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is a much newer flagship and will be considerably more expensive than the budget-focused Galaxy M12.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those looking for a basic smartphone at a low price point, prioritising function over cutting-edge features.
- Users with Basic Needs: Those who primarily use their phone for calling, texting, browsing, and light social media.
- Users with Dual SIM Needs: People who need two physical SIM cards for personal and work use.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and email
- Casual social media use
- Making and receiving calls
- Basic photography (acceptable in good lighting)
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Ideal User:
- Performance Enthusiasts: Users who want a powerful smartphone for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Multimedia Lovers: Those who prioritize a high-quality display, audio and camera for media consumption, content creation and gaming.
- Power Users: People who need fast charging, wireless charging, and a premium user experience.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who want a versatile camera for high-quality stills and video.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming
- Professional photography and videography
- Watching high-resolution content
- Heavy multitasking with demanding apps
- Content creation
- Extensive travel with high reliance on GPS
- Users who need a future-proof phone
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Offers a basic, affordable experience. The value for money is very good for the basic user.
- Motorola Edge 50 Ultra: Presents a premium, high-performance experience and excellent build quality. It is more expensive but provides a superior user experience and advanced features which will be appreciated by demanding users. The value for money is good within its price bracket.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- What is your budget? The price difference between these phones will be significant.
- What are your primary uses? Do you need basic function, or do you demand high performance?
- How important are advanced features? Do you need fast charging, wireless charging, high-quality camera, the newest Android OS, and so on?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User on a Budget: If you need a phone primarily for calls, texts, and light browsing on a very limited budget, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is suitable.
- Scenario 2: Casual User: If you want a phone for social media and some gaming, with a better experience and a slightly higher budget, the Samsung is still suitable.
- Scenario 3: Power User/Multimedia Lover: If you want high performance, excellent camera quality, a premium display, and fast charging, then the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the only logical choice.
My Choice
Given my knowledge and experience, I would choose the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra without hesitation.
Reasons:
- Performance: The performance difference is massive and it will have a noticeable impact on daily use, especially for multitasking and gaming.
- Display: The display of the Motorola is significantly superior, providing an overall more enjoyable experience.
- Camera: The camera system on the Motorola offers vastly better photo and video quality than the basic camera on the Galaxy M12, and would be far more suitable for a variety of shooting conditions.
- Software and Connectivity: The newer software version and updated connectivity options on the Motorola are important for long term use.
- Future Proofing: The Motorola is a newer flagship phone, and would be more future-proof.
While the Samsung Galaxy M12 is cheaper and has slightly better battery life on paper, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra's significant advantages in all other areas make it the clear choice for someone who wants a premium smartphone experience. The difference in performance and features is so vast that the Motorola is worth the extra investment.
