Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Oppo A77
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Oppo A77 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 163.8 × 75.1 × 8 mm | Oppo A77 is slightly thinner and more compact, potentially more comfortable in hand and pocket. |
| Weight | 212g | 190g | Oppo A77 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.56" | Negligible size difference; both offer a similar viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Similar resolution, neither offers particularly sharp visuals; both sufficient for everyday use but not for media consumption. |
| PPI | 270 | 269 | Indistinguishable in daily use; both displays will look similar in terms of sharpness. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Oppo A77's IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and colour accuracy than the PLS LCD on the Samsung M12. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is an unlisted spec so not able to make inferences about screen visibility in direct sunlight |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 810 offers a more modern architecture and better performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 42,000 | Samsung M12 has a higher AnTuTu score. May not mean better daily performance for all users. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Both GPUs are sufficient for basic gaming but neither offer best performance for graphic intensive games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 3200mAh | Samsung M12 has significantly longer battery life for daily usage and extended periods without charging. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | Standard Charging | Samsung M12 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Standard non-removable batteries. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Samsung M12 captures more detailed images, especially in low light due to a wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP, f/2.0 | Oppo A77 offers higher resolution and better low-light performance for selfies due to wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | Not Available | Samsung M12 offers more versatile photography capabilities with an ultra-wide lens. |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP | Not Available | Samsung M12 can capture more compelling portrait-mode photos with depth effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | Not Available | Samsung M12 can capture close-up shots of small subjects. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Similar video recording quality, suitable for basic social media needs. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, Quad Camera | Digital Image Stabilization | Samsung M12 offers more features to better photography like PDAF. Oppo A77 provides digital image stabilization for better videos. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (Upgradable to 14) | Oppo A77 has a newer version of Android with more features and longer update support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n | Oppo A77 supports dual-band Wi-Fi, providing a more stable connection. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 4.1 | Samsung M12 has a newer Bluetooth version with more features. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | Samsung M12 supports more satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 32/64 GB | Samsung M12 offers more storage options for users with large media collections. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 3/4 GB | Samsung M12 offers more RAM for smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Both phones are limited by non-expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both phones have similar audio output capabilities. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both have the same security setup. |
| Build | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Oppo A77 has better screen protection against scratches and drops. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass | Samsung M12 has gyroscope, which is useful for gaming, Oppo A77 has compass for directions. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Battery: 5000mAh provides significantly longer battery life.
- Fast Charging: 15W fast charging is quicker than Oppo A77’s standard charging.
- Versatile Camera System: Quad camera setup with wide-angle, depth and macro lens adds flexibility.
- More RAM and Storage options: Offers more storage with 128 GB options as well as more RAM options at 6 GB.
- GPS with Beidou support: More accurate positioning with the Beidou GPS satellite system.
- Newer Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0 has better connectivity than Bluetooth 4.1
- Potentially Faster Performance: Higher AnTuTu score indicates potential for faster performance and better gaming.
- Additional sensors: Gyroscope allows for better gaming experiences
Oppo A77 Advantages:
- Lighter and Thinner: More portable and comfortable for everyday use.
- IPS LCD Display: Generally better color accuracy and viewing angles compared to PLS LCD.
- Superior OS: Comes with Android 12 (upgradable to Android 14) for newer features and longer support.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and wider aperture for better selfies, especially in low light.
- Dual-Band Wi-Fi: Supports more stable Wi-Fi connections.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection against scratches and drops.
- Digital Image Stabilization: Better video quality due to digital image stabilization.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung M12: Large size & weight, PLS LCD screen
- Oppo A77: Smaller battery capacity, slower charging, less versatile camera system, lower benchmark score
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Users needing long battery life and a versatile camera system, good for travel, casual photography, and media consumption
- Use Cases:
- All-day usage without frequent charging,
- Capturing photos and videos in different scenarios,
- Occasional gaming,
- Users prioritising storage and battery.
Oppo A77:
- Ideal User: Users prioritizing portability, better selfie quality, and a newer Android version, good for students and professionals who are on the go.
- Use Cases:
- Frequent social media use and taking selfies,
- Everyday smartphone use with preference for a lighter device
- Users prioritising a modern OS and screen protection.
Price-to-Value:
- Samsung Galaxy M12 may offer better value for battery life and photography.
- Oppo A77 may be better value for portability and OS.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Battery Life: How important is having a long-lasting battery? (M12 is better)
- Camera: Do you need a flexible rear camera or is a good selfie camera more important? (M12 more flexible; A77 better selfie)
- Portability: How important is it that the phone be light and compact? (A77 is better)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Power User: If you're a power user who needs long battery life, go with the Samsung Galaxy M12.
- Scenario 2: Social Media Enthusiast: If you prioritize selfies and a modern OS, and portability is important, the Oppo A77 is the better choice.
- Scenario 3: Balance: If you want a balance of features with better performance and are okay with a heavier device, then the Samsung Galaxy M12 is preferable
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M12. While the Oppo A77 has a more modern OS and a better selfie camera, the vastly superior battery life of the M12, coupled with its more versatile camera system, makes it a more practical phone for me personally. As a regular user who appreciates having more flexibility with my device I'd rather sacrifice portability for battery and camera capability. I also appreciate the slightly better gaming performance offered by M12. The larger storage options are also a great plus.
