1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho, focusing on practical implications:
Design
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2021-08-09 | A12 Nacho is a slightly newer model. |
Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm | M12 is slightly thicker and has a larger volume, potentially feeling bulkier in hand. |
Weight | 212g | 205g | A12 Nacho is slightly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and one-handed operation. |
Display
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Identical screen size for both phones. |
Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 720 x 1600 | Both have the same HD+ resolution, which is adequate for daily use but not as sharp as FHD displays. |
PPI | 270 | 270 | Both have the same pixel density, resulting in similar sharpness. |
Technology | PLS LCD | PLS LCD | Identical display technology; expect similar color reproduction and viewing angles. |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 60Hz | M12's 90Hz refresh rate offers a smoother user experience, especially when scrolling and gaming. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness is not specified, making outdoor visibility unclear for both. |
Performance
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Exynos 850 (8nm) | Both have identical chipsets, offering similar performance for everyday tasks. |
AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 117,300 | Nearly identical benchmark scores indicate very similar performance profiles. |
GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 | Both use the same GPU, meaning comparable graphics performance. |
Battery
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have a large battery capacity, providing long battery life for typical use. |
Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 15W fast charging, Li-Ion | Similar charging speed. Li-Polymer in M12 may offer a slight advantage in longevity. |
Features | Non-removable | Non-removable | Batteries are not user-replaceable on both devices. |
Camera
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2 | 48MP, f/2.0, Unknown Sensor | Both have similar main cameras for decent photos in good lighting; M12 sensor is known, A12 Nacho is not specified. |
Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls. |
Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.0 | A12 Nacho has a slightly wider aperture for potentially better low-light wide-angle shots. |
Portrait (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth sensors for bokeh effects. |
Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Identical macro lenses for close-up shots. |
Video | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 1080p@30fps, No stabilization, Slow-motion: Yes, 34 fps | Both capture video at 1080p, 30fps, but A12 Nacho has slightly better slow-motion features. |
Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance, ISO, Exposure, Scene, Self-timer | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Geotagging, HDR, Face detection, Scene mode, Self-timer | M12 offers slightly more advanced camera settings; A12 Nacho does not. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Smoother Display: 90Hz refresh rate offers a noticeably smoother experience compared to the A12 Nacho's 60Hz.
- More Camera Features: Offers more manual controls and additional features like continuous shooting and panorama mode.
- Gyroscope Sensor: Includes a gyroscope for enhanced motion tracking, beneficial for certain games and AR applications.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho Advantages:
- Slightly Lighter Design: The 7g difference might be noticeable during prolonged usage.
- Wider Aperture for Wide-Angle Lens: May offer better performance in low-light wide-angle shots (f/2.0 vs f/2.2).
- Slow-Motion Video: Slightly better slow motion capabilities (34 fps vs 30 fps).
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Provides a more immersive audio experience.
- Updated Wifi: Supports newer WiFi standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Software Updates: Higher version support
Trade-offs:
- M12's Advantages come at the expense of being slightly thicker and heavier, while A12 Nacho trades a bit of display smoothness for the other advantages.
- Camera: While the M12 has more options, their practical impact for basic photography may not be huge to the average user, while the wide angle lens advantage in A12 Nacho may be preferable.
- The software of the A12 Nacho is better, supporting a newer version of android.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Casual gamers, multimedia consumers, users who value a smoother display, users who want more control over camera settings.
- Use Cases:
- Browsing social media with smoother scrolling.
- Playing games where the 90Hz refresh rate provides a more responsive feel.
- Taking photos with a more configurable camera app.
- AR applications that require a gyroscope.
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho:
- Ideal User: Everyday users focused on basic tasks, those who value a lighter and thinner design, users who value enhanced audio, and users who want the latest software.
- Use Cases:
- Daily communication (calls, messages, emails).
- Consuming media with enhanced audio
- Casual photography with a good wide-angle lens.
- Users who want the latest software with long term support
- Users who prefer a lighter phone for all-day use.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions to help buyers decide:
- How important is display smoothness?
- If a smoother visual experience (90Hz) is crucial, choose the Galaxy M12.
- If a standard 60Hz display is acceptable, consider the Galaxy A12 Nacho.
- Is a lighter phone a priority?
- If a lighter and thinner profile is more important, the Galaxy A12 Nacho is a better choice.
- If those trade offs are not important, the Galaxy M12 is also viable.
- Is audio experience or longer software support a priority?
- If enhanced audio with Dolby Atmos is important, choose the Galaxy A12 Nacho.
- If long term software support is important, choose the Galaxy A12 Nacho.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual Gamer: Choose the M12 for the 90Hz screen and gyroscope.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: The A12 Nacho is suitable for basic tasks with a slightly more compact feel, Dolby Atmos audio and better long term support.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast (Basic): M12 has more camera features, but A12 Nacho has wider aperture lens. It is a trade off depending on user needs.
My Choice
If I were to choose between the two, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho. While the 90Hz screen of the M12 is a nice-to-have feature, the A12 Nacho offers a few practical advantages that I value more. The slightly lighter design will make it more comfortable for extended use, and the wider aperture of the wide-angle lens should result in better photos in low-light conditions, which I often experience. The better audio experience from Dolby Atmos and the slightly better slow-motion recording are also small, but valuable advantages. The longer software support will keep the phone more relevant for longer. Although both have the same chip and similar performance, these small, yet important advantages makes the A12 Nacho the better choice for me.