1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | OnePlus 12 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.3 × 75.8 × 9.2 mm | OnePlus 12 is slightly thinner; both phones are similar in size, with the M12 being slightly thicker. The volume difference is negligible. |
| Weight | 212g | 220g | M12 is marginally lighter, which might be noticeable during long periods of use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.82" | OnePlus 12 has a larger display, offering more screen real estate for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3168 | OnePlus 12 has much sharper text, images, and video; noticeably clearer overall display. |
| PPI | 270 | 510 | The display on the OnePlus 12 will be significantly sharper, with less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus 12 provides better contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors than the M12. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus 12 offers slightly smoother scrolling and animations than the M12. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 4500 nits | OnePlus 12 is significantly more visible in bright sunlight, making it a much better choice for outdoor use. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus 12 offers significantly faster performance, handling demanding games and multitasking better than the M12. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 2,110,808 | OnePlus 12 is drastically faster, resulting in a much more responsive and smoother experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 750 | OnePlus 12 has a more powerful GPU, providing much better graphics performance for gaming and other graphics intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5400mAh | OnePlus 12 has a slightly larger battery; potentially provides slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 100W | OnePlus 12 charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Battery Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, 50W wireless fast charging, Non-removable | OnePlus 12 can wirelessly charge and can be used as a power bank to charge other devices. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.6, 1/1.43", 1.12µm | OnePlus 12 has a wider aperture, larger sensor and larger pixel size, suggesting better low-light performance and image quality. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 64MP, f/2.6, 1/2", 0.70µm | OnePlus 12 provides telephoto capability for zoomed shots, missing on the M12. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74", 0.80µm | OnePlus 12's selfie camera offers better detail and potentially improved low-light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | None | M12 provides a wide angle lens that the OnePlus 12 doesn't. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12 has a dedicated macro lens. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | None | 48MP, f/2.2, 1/2", 0.80µm | OnePlus 12 offers a wide angle macro that the M12 doesn't have |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 1080p@480fps | OnePlus 12 provides significantly higher video recording capabilities, including 8K resolution and slow-motion options. |
| Video Stabilisation | No | Yes | OnePlus 12 is better for video recording as it has electronic stabilization |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | OnePlus 12 has a much newer version of Android and is likely to receive more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | OnePlus 12 supports faster, more modern Wi-Fi standards, resulting in better connection speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.4 LE | OnePlus 12 has a newer, more power-efficient Bluetooth version with better audio codec support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus 12 offers more robust and accurate GPS with support for additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | OnePlus 12 offers eSIM support, offering more flexibility for travel. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | OnePlus 12 has significantly more internal storage, allowing for more apps, photos, videos. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12/16/24 GB | OnePlus 12 has significantly more RAM, enabling better multitasking performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation Microphone | OnePlus 12 offers better audio experience through stereo speakers, spatial audio, and better noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Side-mounted finger print | Basic Fingerprint | Samsung Galaxy M12 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor, while the OnePlus 12 offers basic fingerprint sensor |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | OnePlus 12 offers significantly better screen protection against scratches and damage. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic, RGB | OnePlus 12 additionally features: Gravity, Geomagnetic, RGB; Comprehensive sensor suite suitable for advanced features and gaming |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Lower Price: Significantly more budget-friendly.
- Slightly Lighter: Easier to handle for extended periods.
- Dedicated Wide Angle, Macro and Depth Lens: It includes 3 additional lenses, the OnePlus 12 doesn't have.
OnePlus 12 Advantages:
- Superior Display: Higher resolution, refresh rate, brightness, and AMOLED technology result in a much better visual experience.
- Massive Performance Increase: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip provides drastically better performance for all tasks.
- Significantly Improved Camera System: Better main sensor, telephoto lens, and video capabilities offer far better photo and video quality.
- Much Faster Charging: 100W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Wireless Charging & Reverse Wireless Charging: Convenient for charging other devices on the go.
- Modern Software & Connectivity: Latest Android version, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth versions with their benefits.
- More RAM and Storage: Ensures smooth multitasking and generous space for media.
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Offers better audio experience with stereo speakers and noise cancellation
Trade-offs:
- The OnePlus 12 is significantly more expensive than the Samsung Galaxy M12.
- The OnePlus 12 is negligibly heavier than the Samsung Galaxy M12, despite the difference in power.
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 has dedicated lenses for a wide angle shot, depth shot and a macro shot. The OnePlus 12 only has a single lens that does all three.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritize affordability over high-end features.
- Basic smartphone users: Primarily use the device for calls, texts, web browsing, and social media.
- First-time smartphone buyers: A simple, straightforward device at a low price point.
- Users with needs for Macro, depth and wide angle images.
Use Cases for M12:
- Everyday basic usage.
- Secondary phone for work or travel.
- Simple multimedia consumption.
OnePlus 12 Ideal Users:
- Performance enthusiasts: Demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications.
- Photography and videography lovers: Want high-quality photos and videos.
- Multimedia consumers: Enjoy high-resolution video, high-fidelity audio, and smooth animations.
- Power users: Need fast charging, long battery life, and plenty of storage.
- Users that need a very bright display, for use in direct sunlight
Use Cases for OnePlus 12:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional photo and video creation.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple demanding apps.
- Travel and outdoor use where bright display is important
- Daily usage for a user who appreciates the best hardware available.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Excellent value for budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone.
- OnePlus 12: A premium device for those who are willing to pay for top-tier performance, display, camera, and features. The value is high for its class.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If you are on a very tight budget, the Galaxy M12 is the only realistic option.
- What is your primary use case? Basic tasks can be adequately handled by the M12, but advanced usage demands the OnePlus 12.
- How important is camera quality, display quality, and performance to you? If these are crucial, the OnePlus 12 is the clear winner.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, basic usage. The Samsung Galaxy M12 is the most sensible choice.
- Scenario 2: Moderate budget, decent performance. The Samsung Galaxy M12 is still preferable, as the OnePlus 12 would be a waste if performance isn't needed.
- Scenario 3: High demand for performance, excellent camera, and a top-tier experience. The OnePlus 12 is highly recommended.
Personal Choice
Which phone would I choose and why?
Given the specifications and my role as an expert smartphone analyst, I would choose the OnePlus 12. Although it comes at a much higher price point, the sheer improvement in display quality, performance, camera capabilities, and overall user experience makes it a far more compelling device for my preferences and use case.
The significantly higher AnTuTu score, superior AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and higher resolution, faster charging, wireless charging, and vastly improved camera system with multiple shooting modes and better low light performance are key factors. The OnePlus 12 is not only a more capable device but also a more future-proof one due to its better performance and software support. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a decent option for a very basic phone, the difference in quality and features is too big to ignore.
Even if budget constraints were a significant concern, I'd rather consider a slightly cheaper but newer mid-range device than the Samsung M12.
