Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Oppo Reno8
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Oppo Reno8 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 160.6 × 73.4 × 7.7 mm | Oppo Reno8 is noticeably slimmer and more compact, making it easier to handle and pocket. The M12 is larger and may feel bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 179g | Oppo Reno8 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Both have similar screen sizes, with M12 being marginally larger. The size difference is unlikely to be a major factor for most users. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Oppo Reno8 provides a sharper, clearer image with more detail. Text and images appear crisper, making for a better visual experience. |
| PPI | 270 | 411 | Oppo Reno8's higher pixel density results in a visibly sharper display. Individual pixels are less noticeable, enhancing viewing quality. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Oppo Reno8 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency for dark themes, especially useful for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both phones provide smooth scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | Oppo Reno8 has significantly better outdoor visibility. The M12's display would be difficult to use in direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) | Oppo Reno8 provides substantially faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 699,576 | Oppo Reno8 offers a vastly superior performance, suitable for demanding applications and games. M12 is limited to basic use. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G77 MC9 | The Oppo Reno8 has much better graphics processing power, leading to smoother gameplay and overall improved performance in graphically intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.7, 1/1.56" | Oppo Reno8 has a slightly higher resolution, a wider aperture, and larger sensor leading to better low-light performance and overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.4, 1/2.74" | Oppo Reno8 provides significantly more detailed selfies, although the M12 has a wider aperture, which might be negligibly better in some low light situations |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/4" | Oppo Reno8 has a slightly higher resolution wide-angle lens, which could capture more detail. Both are limited for high quality wide angle photos. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, but this does not always translate into good quality bokeh effect. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro capabilities, which are generally basic. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps | Oppo Reno8 offers significantly better video quality with 4K recording, 1080p@60fps and 120fps, and stabilization. |
| DXOMark | N/A | Mobile:112, Photo:121, Video:112 | Oppo Reno8 has a tested camera rating showing solid performance in both photo and video recording. The M12 has not been tested. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger battery, which might lead to longer battery life under similar usage patterns, but is negated by an older and less efficient chip. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | Oppo Reno8 charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | Oppo Reno8 has a more recent OS version, providing newer features, better security, and likely longer software support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Oppo Reno8 supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster and more stable connections, specifically Wi-Fi 6. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | Oppo Reno8 has a newer Bluetooth version for better energy efficiency and audio codec support (aptX, LDAC, SBC, AAC) for better quality and more stable connection |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5) | Oppo Reno8 supports more satellite systems, potentially improving location accuracy, especially in challenging environments. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | Oppo Reno8 has more storage options, offering more space for apps and media. The base version of Oppo Reno8 has more storage than even the highest storage version of the Samsung Galaxy M12. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Oppo Reno8 provides much more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and better handling of demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Both lack expandable storage via SD card. |
| Other | |||
| Audio | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation, Stereo Speakers | Oppo Reno8 delivers better audio with stereo speakers, and clearer call quality with noise-cancellation features. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Basic fingerprint | The M12 has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Both provide basic biometric security. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Hall, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | The M12 has a Hall sensor, while the Reno8 has a compass. Both are generally very good for sensor-based applications, but if you need the compass, Oppo is the better choice |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Slightly larger battery: Offers a larger 5000mAh battery, potentially resulting in longer battery life.
- Dedicated depth sensor: Has a depth sensor that enables a portrait mode but it doesn't necessarily provide quality results.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Many users find this sensor to be more convenient.
- More Affordable: M12 is a budget option, making it more affordable for price-sensitive users.
Oppo Reno8 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with significantly higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and superior color reproduction, for a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly higher performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset offers far better performance for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications.
- Far superior camera: Better main and selfie cameras, with better low light performance, higher quality video recording and wider capabilities.
- Much Faster Charging: 80W charging allows for incredibly fast battery top-ups.
- Better Software: Runs a newer version of Android with likely more updates.
- Superior Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, for faster and more stable connections.
- Stereo Speakers: Better audio quality for media and calls, along with a noise-cancelling microphone.
- Much More Storage and RAM: Comes with much more storage and RAM in the base version than the highest version of the M12.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 is a more affordable, entry-level device and is not comparable to the Oppo Reno8 which provides much more in terms of performance and features
- The Oppo Reno8, while superior in many aspects, is the more expensive device.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those primarily needing basic smartphone functions.
- Use Cases: Casual web browsing, social media, light app usage, calls and texting. Good for users who prioritize battery life above all else.
- Price-to-Value: Provides basic functionality at a lower cost.
Oppo Reno8:
- Ideal User: Users who want premium features and performance, including gamers, media consumers, and photography enthusiasts.
- Use Cases: Gaming, high-quality photo and video capture, multitasking, smooth app performance, enjoying media consumption.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a premium experience with significant benefits in display, performance, and camera but at a higher price point.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone? The Samsung Galaxy M12 is far more affordable.
- Performance Needs: Do you need a phone for basic tasks or for gaming and heavy multitasking?
- Display Importance: Is a high-quality display with vibrant colors and high resolution important to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget User): If you are on a very tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic communication and browsing, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is an adequate choice.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Focused): If you want excellent performance for gaming and apps, prioritize a great display, and a top-quality camera, the Oppo Reno8 is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If you want a decent camera, superior video quality, a higher quality screen, and fast charging, the Oppo Reno8 is the better option at a higher price point.
What I Would Choose and Why
Based on the comprehensive analysis, I would choose the Oppo Reno8. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly larger battery and a more budget-friendly price, the advantages of the Oppo Reno8 are far more significant and provide a much more superior user experience.
Here's a detailed breakdown of my rationale:
Display Quality: The AMOLED display with its high resolution and brightness alone is a game-changer. The sharp clarity and vibrant colors make the Oppo Reno8 a pleasure to use for any visual task, whether it's browsing the web, watching videos, or looking at photos. The M12's LCD, on the other hand, falls far short of the mark.
Performance: The performance difference between the two phones is substantial, with the Oppo Reno8 outperforming the M12 by a considerable margin. The Dimensity 1300 chipset makes the Reno8 feel snappy and responsive in daily use, handles multitasking effortlessly, and offers much better performance in gaming scenarios. The M12's Exynos 850 struggles to keep pace with demanding applications.
Camera System: The Oppo Reno8’s significantly superior camera system with a higher resolution primary lens and selfie lens, better low-light capabilities, and 4K video recording makes it a more versatile tool for photography. I often take a lot of pictures and videos, and the Oppo Reno8 will do a much better job.
Charging Speed: The 80W fast charging on the Oppo Reno8 is a huge convenience and is a feature that I would often use, offering a much faster way to get back up and running.
Future Proofing: With its more powerful processor, superior connectivity (WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3), more RAM, more storage and more up-to-date software (Android 12 with updates up to 14), the Oppo Reno8 will be useable and enjoyable for a much longer period of time, making the higher investment worthwhile.
While the price is certainly higher, the Oppo Reno8 is a significant upgrade in terms of user experience. For a user like me, who values performance, camera capabilities, a top-notch display, and faster charging, the Oppo Reno8 represents a much better value proposition. The trade-off of a slightly smaller battery is easily offset by the superior performance, charging speed, display quality, and overall user experience.
