Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Oppo A55
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Oppo A55 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2021-10-01 | Oppo A55 is a newer model by about 5 months, potentially having some newer software optimizations. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 163.6 × 75.7 × 8.4 mm | Oppo A55 is slightly thinner and more compact, likely feeling better in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 212g | 193g | Oppo A55 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for longer use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.51" | Both have very similar display sizes, essentially identical for practical use. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Identical resolution means the same sharpness. |
| PPI | 270 | 270 | Identical pixel density, offering the same level of clarity. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | Samsung M12's 90Hz offers smoother scrolling and animations, a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not available for both phones. This is a significant limitation. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G35 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 is built on a more efficient process, but the Helio G35 has a much higher benchmark score |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 379,800 | Oppo A55 has a much higher AnTuTu benchmark score, suggesting significantly better overall performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | PowerVR GE8320 | Different GPUs, but the Oppo A55's GPU paired with its overall AnTuTu score will lead to better gaming |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 10W fast charging | Samsung M12 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Samsung M12's main camera has a significantly higher resolution, potentially capturing more detail, and a wider aperture which is better in low light. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.0 | Oppo A55 selfie camera has a wider aperture, potentially performing slightly better in low light. |
| Wide Angle lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung M12 has a dedicated ultra-wide lens for capturing more in a scene. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for portrait mode, should produce similar results. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro lenses, offering similar close-up capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No Slow-mo | 1080p@30fps, 120fps slow-mo | Both record at 1080p, but Oppo A55 offers a slow-motion feature at 120fps |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Both come with Android 11. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Oppo A55 supports faster Wi-Fi standards, including dual band and 802.11ac. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Oppo A55 has a newer version, generally offering better power efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Oppo A55 supports more satellite systems, potentially for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128GB | 128 GB | Oppo A55 has a 128 GB storage capacity as its base model, the same as the max for the M12 |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | Oppo A55 generally has more RAM, better for multitasking and future-proofing. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports microSD storage expansion. |
| Other | |||
| Security | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both have similar fingerprint sensor technology, offers basic biometric security |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Screen protection details are unavailable for both phones. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Hall | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Gravity, Geomagnetic | Both phones have similar sensor suites, but they both have additional sensors for more advanced features |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel more fluid.
- Faster Charging: 15W charging is quicker than the Oppo A55's 10W.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: A higher resolution of 48MP may allow for sharper, more detailed photos.
- Dedicated Ultra-Wide Lens: Offers a dedicated ultra-wide lens for more creative photography.
Oppo A55 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The AnTuTu score indicates a huge difference in performance, offering faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming capabilities.
- Better Bluetooth Standard: Bluetooth 5.1 LE offers better power efficiency and stability.
- Superior Display Technology: IPS LCD panel generally provides better color accuracy and viewing angles.
- More RAM: 8 GB option makes for better multi-tasking.
- More Satellite Systems for GPS: Increased accuracy in location data.
- More advanced WiFi: Dual-band and 802.11ac support for faster speeds.
- Slow-motion Video Recording: 120fps slow-motion.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers smoother scrolling but comes at the cost of less powerful performance and less capable display technology.
- The Oppo A55 provides a superior overall performance and better display technology but lacks the 90Hz refresh rate and faster charging speed.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who value a smooth display for social media and browsing.
- Use Cases:
- Casual media consumption (YouTube, social media)
- Daily tasks like messaging and emails
- Users who prioritize a fluid display experience.
- Users who want a wide angle camera.
Oppo A55:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, a great display, and overall responsiveness.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming, especially light to mid-level games
- Multitasking between several apps
- Users who frequently switch between apps
- Users who prefer taking photos in low light
- Users who need more accurate GPS.
- Users who would like slow-motion video recording.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is smooth display performance for you? (90Hz refresh rate of M12 vs 60Hz of A55)
- How important is overall performance for gaming and multitasking? (AnTuTu scores reveal a performance gap)
- How important is low-light photography? (Consider the wider aperture of the Oppo A55's selfie camera, and the wider aperture and higher resolution of the M12's main camera)
- Do you need a wide angle lens? (Only the M12 has this feature)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User: If you mostly browse, check social media, and watch videos, the Samsung M12 is an okay choice. But the better performance and overall package of the Oppo A55 makes it a worthwhile upgrade even for casual users.
- Scenario 2: Gamer: If you play mobile games or use resource-intensive apps, the Oppo A55's superior performance is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photographer: The M12 has a higher resolution main camera and the addition of a wide angle lens, which may sway some buyers to choose it over the Oppo. The better low-light capabilities of the A55's selfie camera, paired with its overall quality, is a positive selling point.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would select the Oppo A55. While the 90Hz refresh rate of the Samsung M12 is appealing for its smooth scrolling, the significantly superior performance of the Oppo A55, as highlighted by its drastically higher AnTuTu benchmark score, is more crucial for my needs. I value a phone that can handle multitasking, app loading, and even some light gaming without any lag. The better Bluetooth standard, better display technology, higher RAM option, and enhanced GPS accuracy are additional benefits that would improve my overall user experience. The better low light capabilities of the selfie camera on the A55 and the overall performance is a worthy trade-off for the wide-angle lens and slightly higher resolution main camera on the M12, as the A55 is the better all-around device for my purposes.
Although the screen protection for both phones are not listed, the A55 seems to have the better package for my use case.
