Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Nokia G11
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Nokia G11 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2022-03-24 | Nokia G11 is a newer model, likely having some updated software and design elements. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 164.6 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm | M12 is thicker (9.7mm vs 8.5mm), making the G11 slightly slimmer. M12 is slightly larger overall. |
| Weight | 212g | 189g | Nokia G11 is significantly lighter, offering better comfort during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both displays will offer similar sharpness. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Both will offer a similar level of pixel density, resulting in a comparable display quality |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally provides wider viewing angles and better color accuracy than PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide a smoother scrolling experience compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness not provided. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 has a smaller fabrication process (8nm vs 12nm), typically leading to better energy efficiency and potentially a slight performance boost. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 253,300 | Nokia G11 demonstrates significantly better performance, suggesting it will be snappier for apps and general usage, and will offer better gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 (ARM Mali-G52) | Mali-G57 MP1 (ARM Mali-G57) | Nokia G11's GPU is newer, providing improved graphics performance, particularly noticeable in gaming. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5050mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacity, expecting similar battery life for typical usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 18W fast charging | Nokia G11 charges slightly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion | Li-Polymer is generally considered a slightly safer battery technology than Li-Ion. |
| In Box Charger | Not provided | 10W | Nokia G11 provides a charger in the box, while it is unclear if M12 does. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", S5KGM2, 0.80µm | 13MP, f/1.8, pixel size not provided | Samsung M12 has higher resolution (48MP vs 13MP), for more detailed photos. Nokia G11 has a wider aperture(f/1.8 vs f/2.0), better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Nokia G11 has a wider aperture, likely resulting in brighter selfies, especially in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy M12 has the advantage of a wide-angle lens for more versatile shots. |
| Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar depth-sensing capabilities. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer similar video recording quality, suitable for social media. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF | Triple camera, Front Flash | M12 has more camera lenses, with PDAF offering fast focusing. G11 has a front flash, beneficial for selfies in low light, it is unclear what kind of lenses M12 has. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both run Android 11, but future updates may vary. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n, Dual-band | Nokia G11 supports 5GHz Wi-Fi for faster speeds, while Samsung M12 supports Wi-Fi Direct for direct connections with other devices. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0, various profiles | 5.0 LE | Samsung M12 supports more Bluetooth profiles. Nokia G11 supports Bluetooth Low Energy (LE). |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Nokia G11 has better GPS with Galileo for more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano) | Both support Dual SIM functionality. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 32GB/64GB | Samsung M12 offers a higher maximum storage option, potentially preferred by users storing lots of media. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 3GB/4GB | Samsung M12 offers more RAM (up to 6GB) for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | Not available | Not available | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Features | Basic | 2 microphones | Nokia G11 offers better audio recording quality for calls and voice notes with two microphones |
| Security | |||
| Biometric | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both offer similar side-mounted fingerprint security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Neither screen protection is known, both offer basic screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer | Samsung Galaxy M12 includes a Gyroscope, which is useful for motion-based games and apps. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Wider Storage Options: Offers a 128GB option, suitable for those with many media files.
- More RAM Option: Up to 6GB of RAM for smoother multitasking.
- Wide-Angle Camera: Offers a 5MP wide-angle camera for more versatile photography.
- Gyroscope: Has a gyroscope sensor for motion-sensing apps.
- More Bluetooth profiles: Supports a wider range of bluetooth profiles.
- PDAF: Phase detection autofocus provides faster focusing for the main camera.
- More camera lenses: Offers more lenses in the main camera.
- Li-Polymer: Uses a safer battery technology.
Nokia G11 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Antutu benchmark score is more than double of the M12
- Faster Charging: 18W charging compared to 15W for faster recharge times.
- Newer Device: Released almost a year later.
- Superior Display: Utilizes IPS LCD technology, generally better than the PLS LCD.
- Lighter Build: Easier to handle and carry due to being 23g lighter.
- Better Main Camera Aperture: Offers better low-light performance with a wider f/1.8 aperture.
- Better Selfie Camera Aperture: Offers wider f/2.0 aperture for brighter low-light selfies.
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi: Supports 5GHz Wi-Fi for faster network speeds.
- Better GPS: Includes Galileo support for better location accuracy.
- 2 Microphones: Better sound recording.
- Front Flash: Allows better front facing shots in low light.
- Includes Charger: Includes a 10W charger in the box.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung M12: Sacrifices some performance and camera low-light capability for storage, RAM and wider angle lens.
- Nokia G11: Sacrifices wide-angle camera and some RAM and storage for performance, camera low light capability and a better screen.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Users who prioritize having more storage on the phone for media, without using cloud storage.
- Users who enjoy taking photos with the wide-angle lens.
- Users who play games or use apps that require a gyroscope.
- Users that want to have more multitasking capabilities with the 6 GB ram.
Use Cases:
- Storing large photo and video libraries directly on the phone.
- Capturing wide-angle landscape shots and group photos.
- Playing motion-based games or using AR apps.
- Users who need the wider variety of Bluetooth profiles.
- Users who prefer a safer Li-Polymer battery.
Nokia G11 Ideal User:
- Users who value a snappy and responsive phone experience.
- Users who want a phone with a good balance of performance, camera quality, and battery life.
- Users who value fast charging and lighter devices.
- Users who prioritize better audio quality.
- Users who are constantly in low light environments that take a lot of photos.
Use Cases:
- Daily tasks like web browsing, social media, and app usage.
- Mobile gaming for casual users
- Better location accuracy while traveling.
- Better audio recording for notes or calls.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Performance vs Storage and RAM: Do you prioritize a fast, smooth experience, or do you need a lot of storage and ram capacity?
- Camera Versatility vs. Low Light: Do you need a wide angle camera or better low-light selfies and main camera performance?
- Size and Weight: Is a lighter, slimmer phone more important than a heavier phone with more storage?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
For the Casual User: If you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, and prioritize a better performance and screen, the Nokia G11 is the better option. The slightly faster charging and lighter build are additional perks.
For the Media Enthusiast: If you store a lot of media on your phone and do a lot of multitasking, the Samsung Galaxy M12 would be a more suitable option due to it's increased storage and RAM options. It is also a better option for those that like to have a wide angle camera.
For a Gamer: The Nokia G11 is a better option with its newer CPU, improved GPU and better Antutu score.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Nokia G11. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 has advantages in storage, RAM options and the wide-angle lens, the Nokia G11 wins in many other areas. The biggest advantage is the huge difference in performance, this ensures the phone is more snappy and overall a better experience. The IPS display, better low-light camera performance, lighter design, and slightly faster charging and dual band wifi also make it a better choice for my needs. I do not use the wide angle camera often, and do not mind the lower storage capacity. Finally, the fact that the Nokia G11 is almost a year newer makes it an easy choice.
