1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Realme 10 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 159.9 × 73.3 × 8 mm | Realme 10 is more pocketable and comfortable for one-handed use due to being smaller and thinner. |
| Weight | 212g | 178g | Realme 10 is significantly lighter, making it easier to hold for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.4" | Both have very similar screen sizes, a negligible 0.1" difference. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2400 | Realme 10 has a sharper, more detailed display; noticeable difference in text clarity and image sharpness. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 411 | Realme 10 offers noticeably clearer images and text due to higher pixel density, making content look crisper. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 10 has superior color reproduction, deeper blacks, better contrast and improved power efficiency for dark themes compared to PLS LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both provide smooth scrolling and animations; not a differentiator between these two. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | Realme 10 has much better visibility in direct sunlight, making outdoor usage far more pleasant. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | Realme 10 has a more powerful chip for faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 401,886 | Realme 10 offers significantly better performance (over 240%) in CPU, GPU and AI tasks; more future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Realme 10’s GPU is more capable for gaming and graphics-intensive tasks, resulting in a smoother experience. |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Main Camera | 48MP f/2.0 (1/2" sensor) | 50MP f/1.8 (1/2.76" sensor) | Realme 10 has slightly higher resolution and wider aperture but a smaller sensor. M12 has the larger sensor which usually implies better light gathering for low light conditions. |
| Front Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.45 (1/3.06" sensor, 1.00µm pixels) | Realme 10's selfie camera captures higher detail and has a larger sensor and pixel size, leading to better low light performance. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated wide angle lens providing more versatile shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for a better portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Black & White Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | Realme 10 has a black and white sensor which may produce artistic monochrome photos. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record at similar quality; Realme 10 offers slow motion recording at 120fps. |
| Camera Features | Quadruple camera, Continuous shooting | Dual camera, Digital Image Stabilization | M12 offers a more versatile shooting experience with its quadruple camera, while the Realme 10 offers Digital image stabilization for better video quality. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have similar battery capacities for comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 33W fast charging | Realme 10 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Realme 10 has the newer version of Android, potentially offering more features and better security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Realme 10 supports newer Wi-Fi standards, including 5GHz for faster speeds; offers dual band support. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Realme 10 has the newer Bluetooth version for better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Realme 10 offers more accurate location tracking via more satellite systems. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128/256 GB | Realme 10 offers more storage options, especially higher 256GB variant. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/8 GB | Realme 10 has more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming (8GB option vs 6GB). |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Hi-Res Audio, 2 microphones | Realme 10 offers better audio quality and improved voice capture for calls/recordings. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both offer basic fingerprint sensor for security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Realme 10 offers a superior screen protection from scratches and accidental damage. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Realme 10 has more versatile sensor suite, including compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- More Versatile Camera System: Offers a quadruple camera setup including wide angle, macro and depth sensors allowing for more diverse photography options.
- Potentially better low light main camera: The main sensor on the M12 is larger which implies better light gathering.
Realme 10 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, pixel density, brightness and better colors providing much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: Much faster processor with higher benchmark scores.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging significantly reduces charging times.
- Better Selfie Camera: Higher resolution and larger pixel size for improved quality especially in low light.
- Newer Software: Ships with newer Android 12 out of the box.
- Superior Audio: Includes Hi-Res Audio and two microphones for better audio playback and call quality.
- More Storage and RAM: Higher storage options and RAM allowing for more apps and faster multitasking.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wifi and Bluetooth versions for faster connections, more features and more stable performance.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better protection against scratches.
- More Sensors: Includes compass for more versatile sensor use cases.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Loses out on processing power, display quality, charging speed, and selfie camera quality. However offers a more versatile camera system.
- Realme 10: Lacks additional camera sensors for more versatile photography which some users may find limiting.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Prioritize affordability and prefer more versatile camera capabilities.
- Users who prioritize different photography: Those who prefer a wide angle, macro and portrait mode, more diverse photo taking experience over performance.
Use Cases:
- Everyday tasks and social media browsing.
- Casual photography where the wide angle lens is frequently used.
Realme 10 Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Value speed and smooth multitasking experience.
- Multimedia Lovers: Prioritize a high-quality display for watching videos and browsing photos.
- Mobile Gamers: Benefit from the more powerful processor and better GPU.
- Users wanting a modern feature set: Desire fast charging, better display, latest software, and superior audio quality.
Use Cases:
- Gaming, especially graphically intensive titles.
- Watching videos and streaming content.
- Heavy multitasking with multiple apps running simultaneously.
- Users who require fast charging and good battery life.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Realme 10 offers a much better value considering the significant advantages in display, performance, and charging speed. The higher price can be justified given the dramatic increase in performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How much do I value display quality and viewing experience? (Realme 10 is the clear winner for screen quality)
- How important is performance for gaming and multitasking? (Realme 10 is superior for smooth performance)
- How important is camera versatility to me? (Samsung M12 offers more camera versatility with different lenses, while the Realme 10 offers higher quality selfie camera)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget-Conscious Casual User): If the budget is the main concern and camera versatility is important then Samsung M12 is the better pick.
- Scenario 2 (Performance and Entertainment User): If performance, display quality, and fast charging are priorities then Realme 10 is the much better choice.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced User): If both price and quality are equally important, then Realme 10 offers a better overall balance of features and is a better value for the price.
Personal Recommendation
If I were to choose, I would pick the Realme 10. Despite not having a wide angle camera like the M12, the significantly superior display quality, performance, and faster charging make it a much better overall experience. The improved display alone is a compelling reason, since that is the primary interface you see all the time. The much faster processor will also greatly improve my daily usage experience and ensure that the phone feels smoother and more responsive for longer, especially if I plan on using it for a long time. The ability to charge much faster is also an important feature for the modern, on-the-go usage. While a wide angle camera is a useful feature, I would prefer higher quality photos and selfies in the primary camera.
