1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Realme 11 Pro | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 161.7 × 73.9 × 8.2 mm | M12 is bulkier and less pocketable. Realme 11 Pro is slimmer and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 212g | 183g | Realme 11 Pro is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | Realme 11 Pro has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive experience for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2412 | Realme 11 Pro's display is significantly sharper, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 394 | Realme 11 Pro offers much finer detail and crisper visuals. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Realme 11 Pro boasts superior color reproduction, deeper blacks and better viewing angles. More power efficient for dark mode usage. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Realme 11 Pro offers smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | Realme 11 Pro is dramatically better for outdoor visibility and bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Dimensity 7050 (6 nm) | Realme 11 Pro's chipset offers superior processing power, smoother multitasking, faster app loading and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 540,800 | Realme 11 Pro provides significantly higher overall performance (361% higher), leading to a more fluid user experience and is more future-proof. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Realme 11 Pro's GPU offers superior gaming and graphics rendering capabilities. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/2.0 | 100MP f/1.75 | Realme 11 Pro captures significantly more detailed images with better low-light performance due to the larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 16MP f/2.45 | Realme 11 Pro captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy M12 offers more versatility for wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | Not available | Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Comparable macro lens performance between the two phones. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120/480/960fps | Realme 11 Pro offers much higher video recording quality, frame rate options and includes EIS stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 67W fast charging | Realme 11 Pro charges much faster, allowing for quick top-ups. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | Realme 11 Pro has a newer version of Android out of the box and is expected to get more updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax | Realme 11 Pro supports faster WiFi speeds and more efficient connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | Realme 11 Pro has a newer and more power-efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Realme 11 Pro supports a wider range of satellite systems for improved location accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256/512 GB | Realme 11 Pro provides significantly more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | Realme 11 Pro offers significantly more RAM, enhancing multitasking performance. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | Realme 11 Pro offers more immersive and better quality audio. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Basic | Samsung Galaxy M12 features a more advanced and convenient side mounted sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Depth Sensors: Offers more versatility in photography with wide-angle shots and better portrait modes.
Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Considered by some as more intuitive and convenient than front/rear mounted ones.
Lower Price Point: Likely more affordable, making it suitable for budget-conscious users.
Realme 11 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel, higher resolution, higher pixel density, higher refresh rate, and significantly higher brightness offer a much more vibrant and sharper viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Dimensity 7050 chipset provides substantially faster processing power and better overall performance for demanding tasks like gaming and multitasking.
- Better Main Camera: Higher resolution and larger sensor size, resulting in better low-light performance.
- Faster Charging: The 67W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
- More Advanced Video Recording: 4K resolution, higher frame rate options, and Electronic Image Stabilization.
- Better Audio Quality: Features Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers for a more immersive sound experience.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Greater storage capacity for media and files and much more RAM for better multitasking.
- More modern software: Comes with Android 13 and will likely receive more updates
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Trades performance and display quality for camera versatility, and a likely lower price point.
- Realme 11 Pro: Forgoes the dedicated wide-angle and depth camera sensors for better performance and display.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier features.
- Users seeking camera versatility: Values having wide-angle and portrait depth sensors.
- Basic smartphone users: Suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and calls.
Realme 11 Pro Ideal Users:
- Performance-oriented users: Prioritizes speed and smoothness for gaming and multitasking.
- Multimedia enthusiasts: Values a high-quality display for media consumption.
- Frequent photographers: Benefits from the higher resolution main camera, superior low-light capability, and 4K video.
- Users who value fast charging: Needs quick battery top-ups throughout the day.
- Users wanting a modern software experience: Will get a newer version of Android and more updates.
Specific Use Cases:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Good for casual photography, basic app usage, and browsing.
- Realme 11 Pro: Excellent for gaming, streaming movies, demanding apps, capturing higher-quality photos and videos, and enjoying immersive audio.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Offers a basic smartphone experience at a budget-friendly price point.
- Realme 11 Pro: Provides high-end features and performance, justifying a higher price tag.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If the budget is very tight, the Galaxy M12 is more affordable.
- What do you prioritize, performance or versatility? If you want the best display, performance, and video capabilities, choose Realme 11 Pro. If you value a wide-angle lens and have a limited budget, Galaxy M12 might be sufficient.
- How important is the display quality and responsiveness? The Realme 11 Pro has a superior display (AMOLED, High Resolution, High Brightness), which makes a big difference in the viewing experience.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Focused): If your budget is very limited and you need a basic phone for calls, social media, and a bit of casual photography, the Samsung Galaxy M12 might be suitable.
- Scenario 2 (Performance Matters): If you want a phone for gaming, multitasking, and consuming media with a high-quality display, the Realme 11 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3 (Balanced approach): If you want a balanced approach with a better camera and good overall experience without the highest specs but with a focus on photography, the Samsung Galaxy M12 can also be a good choice with its additional camera features (wide angle and portrait).
My Choice
I would choose the Realme 11 Pro.
Here's why:
The Realme 11 Pro offers a significantly superior user experience in almost every aspect that I value in a smartphone. The AMOLED display with its higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness is a major draw, especially for media consumption and outdoor usage. The performance jump from the Exynos 850 to the Dimensity 7050 is substantial, leading to a much smoother and more responsive experience. The fast charging is a huge convenience, and the improved video recording capabilities (4K with stabilization) are important for capturing memories in high quality.
While I acknowledge the wide-angle lens and depth sensor of the M12 have appeal, those don't weigh as heavily against the dramatically better experience in all other aspects that the Realme 11 Pro provides. For my personal use cases, the screen quality, performance, and battery charging speed of the Realme 11 Pro are significantly more important.
