1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Realme C31 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.7 × 76.1 × 8.4 mm | Realme C31 is slightly taller, wider but thinner, may feel less bulky. |
| Weight | 212g | 197g | Realme C31 is noticeably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size, similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1600 | Both offer the same level of detail; sharpness is basic, suitable for general use. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 270 PPI | Identical sharpness. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Realme C31's IPS LCD may offer slightly better viewing angles and color accuracy. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | Samsung M12 provides smoother scrolling and animations, leading to a more responsive feel. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have unknown max brightness. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Realme C31's chipset is manufactured using a less efficient 12nm process compared to the Samsung's 8nm, this has an impact on power consumption and overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 224,223 | Realme C31 offers significantly better performance for apps, multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Realme C31 has better graphics performance, impacting gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0 | 13MP, f/2.2 | Samsung M12 has higher resolution for better detail and a wider aperture for potentially better low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Samsung M12 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Samsung M12 has an ultra-wide lens for more versatile photography. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Samsung M12 has dedicated depth sensor for better portrait photos |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar macro capabilities for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | N/A | 2MP, f/2.8 | Realme C31 offers a dedicated black and white sensor, better for black and white photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both record similar quality videos, adequate for social media. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, PDAF, HDR | Triple camera, CDAF, PDAF, Digital Image Stabilization, HDR | Samsung M12 has one more camera lens, while the Realme C31 has digital image stabilization and different autofocus tech. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both should offer similar battery life, good for a full day of moderate use. |
| Charging | 15W | 10W | Samsung M12 charges faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Similar software experience, may have minor UI differences. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11b/g/n | Similar Wi-Fi capabilities, Samsung also supports Wi-Fi Direct & Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Samsung M12 has additional Bluetooth profiles, while Realme has Low Energy support. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Realme C31 has better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both support two SIM cards. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 32/64GB | Samsung M12 has a 128GB variant for users with higher storage needs. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 3/4GB | Samsung M12 has a 6GB variant, offering smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither has expandable storage, consider storage requirements carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Basic | Both offer similar audio performance. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both have fingerprint scanners, similar security. |
| Build | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | No information available for comparison. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung M12 includes additional sensors. Realme includes digital compass |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: The 90Hz refresh rate provides a more fluid user experience compared to the standard 60Hz display on the Realme C31.
- More Versatile Camera System: The inclusion of a wide-angle and depth sensor on top of the standard lens provides greater flexibility for photography and more features.
- Faster Charging: The 15W charging provides faster charging of the device compared to the 10W of Realme C31
- Wider variety of storage options: The device has options of 32 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB storage, as well as RAM options of 3GB, 4GB and 6GB. This gives users a wider choice for their specific needs.
Realme C31 Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Unisoc chipset offers significantly better performance in benchmarks, making it smoother for everyday use and more suitable for gaming.
- Lighter and Thinner: The device is thinner and lighter making it more comfortable to handle.
- Better Location Accuracy: Supports Galileo for more precise location tracking.
- Black and white Lens: Has dedicated Black and white camera.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: You get a smoother display and more camera features but sacrifice overall performance and handling.
- Realme C31: You gain performance and handling, but lose some camera versatility, and the display is less fluid.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Casual users who prioritize a smooth scrolling experience.
- Photography enthusiasts at a budget who enjoy taking diverse types of photos.
- Users who value smoother animations and a more fluid experience.
- Users who would use extra storage space.
Specific Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Browsing social media and websites where the 90Hz display is a noticeable advantage.
- Taking various types of photos (wide-angle, portraits, etc).
- Users who require higher RAM for moderate multitasking needs.
- Users who would want faster charging.
Realme C31 Ideal User:
- Performance-focused users who need a smooth experience with more demanding apps and casual gaming.
- Users who prefer a lighter device for longer usage.
- Users who value accuracy with navigation and location-based apps.
- Users who are looking for the best value.
Specific Use Cases for Realme C31:
- Playing casual games where the better GPU and AnTuTu score show their strengths.
- Using GPS and map-based apps for navigation where Galileo support is beneficial.
- Daily use where the lighter form factor makes handling more comfortable.
- Users who are looking for a cost-effective and high performance device.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- Realme C31 generally offers a better price to performance ratio.
- Samsung Galaxy M12 offers value with its smoother display and camera versatility, but may cost slightly more.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Prioritize performance or display smoothness? If gaming or demanding apps are frequent, Realme C31 is better. If you browse more and value a fluid display, choose the Samsung.
- Is camera versatility important, or do you need a camera that focuses on performance? Samsung Galaxy M12 has additional camera lenses, while Realme C31 offers better image processing and low light performance.
- What are the storage requirements? If more storage is needed, the Samsung M12 has a higher storage option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1 (Budget Gamer): Choose the Realme C31 for its better performance at a similar cost.
- Scenario 2 (Casual Social Media User): Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 for the smoother 90Hz display, if you would like better photos with the wide angle and portrait sensors.
- Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast on a budget): Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 due to its versatile camera system, and variety of different lenses.
- Scenario 4 (Value Seeker): Choose the Realme C31 for its better overall performance, and additional features for the cost.
My Choice
If I had to choose between these two devices, I would go with the Realme C31. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly smoother display and a more versatile camera system, the significantly better performance of the Realme C31 and its lighter build are more important to me. I prefer the snappy responsiveness for daily use and the overall speed for all my apps. The inclusion of better GPS and the dedicated black and white camera are a bonus. While a 90Hz display would be nice, the difference is not that significant for me compared to the increased performance that the Realme C31 provides.
