1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Realme C35, focusing on practical implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Realme C35 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.4 × 75.6 × 8.1 mm | Realme C35 is noticeably thinner (1.6mm), making it feel sleeker and potentially more comfortable to hold. |
| Weight | 212g | 189g | Realme C35 is 23g lighter, which is a noticeable difference for extended use; less fatigue in hand. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference in screen size (0.1"), likely not noticeable for most users. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2408 | Realme C35 has a significantly sharper display, leading to clearer text and images, and more detailed content. |
| PPI | 270 | 401 | Realme C35 provides a noticeably crisper display with finer detail, improving the visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally provides better color reproduction and viewing angles than PLS LCD, improving overall viewing experience. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | Samsung Galaxy M12 will feel slightly smoother when navigating menus and scrolling through content. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is unknown; unable to comment on outdoor usability. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Unisoc Tiger T616 (12 nm) | Realme C35 has a more powerful chipset and is generally faster in daily tasks and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 230,726 | Realme C35 has significantly better performance for daily tasks and more demanding apps and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MP1 | Realme C35's GPU offers better graphics performance, useful for gaming and graphic-intensive apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/1.8 | Realme C35 has a slightly wider aperture for better low-light performance, though megapixel difference is minimal. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.0 | Realme C35 has wider aperture for better low-light selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy M12 offers wide-angle shots for more inclusive photos of scenery and groups. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | Not Available | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 2MP f/2.4 | Both phones offer a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots. |
| Black & White Lens | Not Available | 2MP f/2.8 | Realme C35 offers a dedicated black and white sensor for artistic shots. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer similar video recording capabilities for standard social media sharing. |
| Features | Quadruple Camera, PDAF | Triple Camera, Digital image stabilization, PDAF, CDAF | Samsung Galaxy M12 offers more cameras but lacks stabilization; Realme C35 offers basic video stabilization and CDAF. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity means comparable battery life for typical use, expected to last a full day. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 18W Fast Charging | Realme C35 charges slightly faster reducing charging times. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Similar Android experience; both support standard apps and services. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Realme C35 supports newer WiFi standard, offering faster speeds, while Samsung has more features such as Direct and Display. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Samsung Galaxy M12 has more audio and device profiles, Realme C35 offers low energy consumption. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both offer options for different needs; higher capacity for more media and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4 GB | Samsung Galaxy M12 can offer better multitasking with 6GB RAM. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Users limited to internal storage, making storage choice important. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | Side-mounted | Side-mounted | Both offer quick and convenient biometric unlocking. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Samsung Galaxy M12 has biometric sensor, while Realme C35 offers more motion tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a slightly smoother scrolling experience.
- Wide-Angle Camera: The inclusion of a dedicated wide-angle lens provides versatility in photography, allowing you to capture more in a single frame.
- Dedicated Portrait Camera: Offers a dedicated depth sensor that can create better bokeh effect.
- More RAM Option: Can have up to 6GB of RAM providing potentially better multitasking
- More Bluetooth Profiles: Offers more profiles like AVRCP, DIP, HFP, HID and more
- Hall Sensor: Included sensor useful for some cases.
Realme C35 Advantages:
- Sharper Display: Significantly higher resolution (1080p vs 720p) and pixel density (401 vs 270 ppi) result in a noticeably clearer and more detailed display.
- Better Performance: Much higher AnTuTu score (230,726 vs 117,341) indicates a faster processor and better overall performance, making it suitable for more demanding tasks and gaming.
- Lighter and Thinner: More ergonomic design for extended handling.
- Better Main Camera Aperture: Wider aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0) potentially allows for better low-light photos.
- Black and White Camera: Offers a dedicated black and white camera for artistic shots
- Faster Charging: 18W charging reduces the time needed to recharge.
- Newer WiFi Standard: 802.11ac provides faster WiFi speeds.
- Digital image stabilization: Offers basic image stabilization.
- Low Energy Bluetooth: Offers Low energy consumption Bluetooth.
- Compass: Includes a compass for navigation.
Trade-offs:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 sacrifices display quality and overall performance for a slightly smoother screen and more camera lenses, but doesn't have image stabilization.
- The Realme C35 excels in display sharpness and performance but lacks a wide-angle camera and dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode; also missing some Bluetooth profiles.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious: Users needing a basic smartphone with a large battery at a budget price.
- Users who value more lenses: Users who value flexibility in photography
- Users who value slightly smoother screen: Users who want a slightly smoother experience.
- Users who value many bluetooth profiles: Users who need many profiles supported.
Use Cases:
- Basic everyday use, calls, social media, browsing
- Users who might need more lenses like ultrawide and portrait.
- Users who prioritize a slightly smoother scrolling experience.
Realme C35 Ideal User:
- Performance-focused: Users who want a snappy phone for everyday use and light gaming.
- Visual-Quality-Focused: Users who prioritize a high-resolution display for better image quality.
- Users who value sleeker design: Users who need thin and lightweight phone.
- Users who need a compass: Users who need a compass for navigation.
- Users who need better wifi: Users that need faster wifi.
Use Cases:
- Multimedia consumption, watching videos, playing games
- Daily productivity, fast app loading, and smooth multitasking
- Users who appreciate a clear, sharp display
- Users who need good battery life
- Users who need faster charging speed
4. Decision Framework
Consider these questions:
- How important is display quality to you? If you value a sharp, detailed display, the Realme C35 is the clear winner.
- How much do you value performance and speed? If you want a faster phone for apps and light gaming, the Realme C35 is recommended.
- Do you value having a wide-angle camera and dedicated portrait mode? If these are important for your photography style, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is the better choice.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User Needing a Reliable Phone: If you are looking for a budget-friendly phone and don't need top-tier performance, and value a smooth screen, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a viable choice.
Scenario 2: Multimedia Enthusiast: If you consume a lot of media, play games, and want a sharp display, the Realme C35 offers a superior visual experience and faster overall performance.
Scenario 3: Photo Lover: If you need more lenses for flexibility, and don't need stabilization, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is better. If you want better camera quality in low light, and do not need more lenses, the Realme C35 is better.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Realme C35. Although I like the smoother screen, the significantly sharper display, better overall performance, and sleeker design of the Realme C35 are more compelling to me. The faster charging and better camera aperture are also factors I would prioritize for my use cases. While I would miss the wide-angle lens, the overall improvements in the screen and performance make it a better choice for my daily usage. The lack of stabilization is a minor trade-off for its other advantages.
