1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Motorola Moto G35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2024-09-25 | Motorola Moto G35 is significantly newer, likely having more up-to-date features. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 166.3 × 76 × 7.8 mm | Moto G35 is taller, slightly wider, and noticeably thinner. The M12 is bulkier and may feel less comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 188g | Motorola Moto G35 is lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.72" | Moto G35 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Moto G35's higher resolution results in sharper, clearer images and text. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 392 PPI | Moto G35's higher pixel density leads to a significantly sharper display. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Moto G35's IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction than the M12's PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Moto G35 provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Motorola Moto G35 offers much better visibility in bright, sunny conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Unisoc T760 (6 nm) | Moto G35's Unisoc T760 is built on a newer process and generally performs better. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 423,297 | Motorola Moto G35 offers significantly better overall performance, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MP4 | Motorola Moto G35's GPU is more powerful, supporting better graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery life; however, usage may still vary. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Moto G35 charges slightly faster. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Moto G35 has a slightly higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.8 | Moto G35's wider aperture allows it to capture more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/2.76" | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger sensor size, potentially capturing more light. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | Moto G35 captures more detail in selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.45 | Galaxy M12's wider aperture may capture slightly more light in selfies. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 5MP | 8MP | Moto G35 captures higher-resolution wide-angle photos. |
| Macro Lens | Yes | No | Samsung Galaxy M12 features a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) Lens | Yes | No | Samsung Galaxy M12 features a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | Motorola Moto G35 records videos at much higher resolution. |
| Slow-motion Video | No | Yes, 120fps | Moto G35 offers slow-motion recording capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Moto G35 ships with a much newer version of Android. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Moto G35 supports newer Wi-Fi standards including 5GHz, offering faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both feature Bluetooth 5.0; Moto G35 has lower energy consumption. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Moto G35 supports additional satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM + eSIM | Moto G35 supports eSIM for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Moto G35 offers more storage options. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/8 GB | Motorola Moto G35 offers more RAM for smoother performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic Features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Motorola Moto G35 offers a more immersive audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both feature a convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Motorola Moto G35 has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Motorola Moto G35 has an additional compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Macro Lens & Depth Sensor: The dedicated macro and depth lenses offer more creative shooting options and better portrait mode performance.
- Slightly Larger Main Camera Sensor: The larger sensor (1/2") can potentially capture slightly more light, which could be beneficial in low-light conditions.
- Slightly Wider Selfie Aperture: Can potentially allow for better low-light selfies.
Motorola Moto G35 Advantages:
- Significantly Higher Performance: The AnTuTu score is almost 4 times higher, meaning much faster performance for daily tasks and gaming.
- Significantly Higher Display Quality: Much higher resolution, pixel density, better display technology, and higher refresh rate provide a better viewing experience, especially for media.
- Much Brighter Display: Much better visibility outdoors under sunlight.
- Much Newer OS: Comes with Android 14 out of the box, ensuring a more modern software experience and potentially longer update support.
- Much Better Main Camera: With higher resolution, wider aperture, and higher quality video recording (4K).
- Enhanced Audio Quality: The Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers offer a better audio experience.
- eSIM Support: Offers eSIM capability, making it more versatile for travelers and those with multiple numbers.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers better screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy M12 has dedicated macro and depth cameras, which the Moto G35 lacks, offering more creative control over close-up and portrait shots. However, the higher overall camera quality of the G35 may compensate for these in everyday situations.
- The Galaxy M12 has slightly better low-light selfie camera (due to a wider aperture), whereas the Moto G35 captures higher detail due to a higher resolution selfie camera.
- Samsung Galaxy M12 uses two nano sims for dual sim usage, while the Motorola Moto G35 combines a nano sim and an eSIM.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious Users: Users who prioritize affordability and want a decent phone for basic tasks without spending too much.
- Users who like photography: The macro lens and depth sensor appeal to those who enjoy creative photography.
- Users who prioritize long-lasting battery: Although both phones have the same capacity, the less power hungry Samsung chipset, could lead to longer battery life.
Use Cases for Galaxy M12:
- Basic social media use and communication
- Casual photography and macro shots
- Long battery life for all day usage
- Basic smartphone use
Motorola Moto G35 Ideal Users:
- Performance Seekers: Those who want smooth performance for daily tasks, multitasking, and some gaming, without having to pay premium prices.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who value a sharp, vibrant display for watching videos and browsing.
- Mobile Photographers: Users who prioritize main camera quality and want to shoot high-quality videos and photos.
- Users who want to record memories in high quality: Users who enjoy filming videos in high resolutions, and capturing slow motion footage.
- Modern Technology Enthusiasts: Users who appreciate having a recent Android OS, fast charging, and modern features.
Use Cases for Moto G35:
- Smooth multitasking, app usage, and gaming
- Enjoying high-quality video and multimedia content
- Capturing high-resolution photos and videos
- Taking selfies with good detail
- Utilizing latest Android software features
- Fast charging for quick battery replenishment.
- Immersive audio with Dolby Atmos
- Dual sim with eSIM.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
The Motorola Moto G35 offers a better price-to-value ratio, giving users many more features and much better performance for not much of an increase in cost, based on typical prices in this range.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance Needs: Do I need a phone that can handle demanding apps and games smoothly, or am I mostly concerned with basic tasks?
- Multimedia Experience: How important is a high-resolution, bright display for watching videos and browsing?
- Camera Preference: Do I need a dedicated macro lens and depth sensor, or is better main camera quality more important?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Budget - If the budget is the primary concern and needs are basic, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is acceptable.
- Scenario 2: Performance & Multimedia Focus - For those who want better performance, sharper display, enhanced audio, and modern features, the Motorola Moto G35 is the superior choice.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiasts - If you are interested in macro photography and portrait mode, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is the slightly better choice, however, the overall camera quality of the Motorola Moto G35 is higher.
Personal Choice:
If I had to choose, I would pick the Motorola Moto G35. The drastically improved performance, higher resolution and brightness display, and overall much higher camera quality are significant advantages that outweigh the presence of a macro lens on the Samsung Galaxy M12. The Moto G35 is a more modern phone, having been released much later, and offers much more for everyday use. It is superior in all aspects, and has better future proofing, with a more modern android version, better performance and better display technology. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos and Stereo Speakers also provide a more immersive audio experience. While the macro lens on the Galaxy M12 is a nice feature, it doesn't justify choosing an otherwise inferior phone, in my opinion.
