Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Samsung Galaxy A23
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A23 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2022-03-25 | The A23 is a newer model, likely offering more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 165.4 x 76.9 x 8.4 mm | The A23 is slightly taller and wider but significantly thinner and lighter, potentially making it more comfortable to hold. The M12 feels bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 195g | The A23 is noticeably lighter, making it easier to carry and use for extended periods. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2408 | The A23 has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text, images, and video. The M12 will appear less detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 400 | The A23's higher pixel density will provide a significantly crisper and more detailed visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | PLS LCD | Both use the same panel type, so base image quality is similar. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer a smoother scrolling experience compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Peak brightness not available for both models. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | The A23's Snapdragon chipset is more powerful and efficient, offering better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 401,000 | The A23 is significantly faster in real-world use, with faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 | The A23's GPU is more powerful and provides better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer a similar battery capacity, suggesting similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | The A23 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable | The A23's bypass charging can help preserve battery health when gaming or using the phone plugged in. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76", 0.64µm | The A23 has a slightly higher resolution main camera with a wider aperture, potentially better in low-light conditions despite smaller sensor and pixel size. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Both have similar front-facing cameras, so selfie quality should be comparable. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Identical specs for wide-angle lens, offering same wide angle images. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar depth cameras will produce comparable portrait mode photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have similar macro lens cameras. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No Stabilisation | 1080p@30fps, Yes Stabilisation | The A23 offers video stabilization resulting in smoother and less shaky videos. |
| Slow Motion | No, 30 fps | Yes, 120 fps | The A23 can record slow-motion videos at a higher frame rate for a more dramatic effect. |
| Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, OIS, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection | The A23 has optical image stabilization (OIS) for sharper images and videos, especially in low light. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 14) | The A23 has a newer Android version out of the box and will receive OS upgrades, leading to the latest security patches and features. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The A23 supports faster and more reliable 5GHz WiFi bands and newer 802.11ac standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | The A23 has a more power-efficient Bluetooth version with additional features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A23 supports more satellite systems, offering more accurate and reliable location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Both phones offer dual SIM capabilities for using two numbers simultaneously. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | The A23 has a larger base storage, the same max storage, and better storage options for most users. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6 GB | Both offer options for smooth multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, this should be considered carefully. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both phones have similar audio quality with no particular advantage. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both devices feature a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for quick and convenient unlocking. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | The A23 provides significantly better screen protection against scratches and impacts. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | The A23 offers a wider array of sensors, making it more suitable for certain gaming and advanced use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A23 Advantages:
- Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 680 chipset offers a much faster and smoother experience than the Exynos 850, translating to quicker app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming.
- Superior Display: Higher resolution and pixel density make the display noticeably sharper and clearer, with better image quality overall.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging significantly reduces the time to fully charge the phone.
- Better Camera Features: Optical image stabilization (OIS) enhances photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 12, which can be upgraded to Android 14, providing access to newer features and security updates.
- Improved Connectivity: Supports 5GHz WiFi and newer Bluetooth 5.1 for faster wireless connections.
- Better Build Quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides superior screen protection.
- More Sensors: The A23 includes a barometer and compass, along with an advanced ultrasonic proximity sensor.
Practical Implications:
- The A23 will feel more responsive and fluid in day-to-day use.
- Images and videos will appear much sharper and detailed on the A23.
- The A23 will charge much faster, reducing the wait time.
- Photos and videos taken on the A23 will be of noticeably better quality.
- The A23 is more future-proof due to software updates and will be supported longer.
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Larger Sensor: Main camera has a larger sensor size which can improve low light performance, although the A23 might compensate with its wider aperture.
- Potentially Lower Price: The M12, being older, may be available at a lower price point, making it an option for budget-conscious users.
- Slightly Larger Pixel Size: This can sometimes lead to slightly better low-light performance depending on processing.
Practical Implications:
- The M12 might be slightly better in specific low light scenarios due to the sensor size.
- The M12 may appeal to those on a very strict budget.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Performance: The M12's performance is significantly inferior to that of the A23.
- Display Quality: The M12's lower resolution display is less enjoyable for content consumption.
- Charging Speed: The M12's 15W charging is much slower than the A23's 25W charging.
- Software Support: The M12 has older Android software and will not receive as many updates, reducing future functionality.
- Screen Protection: The M12's screen protection is unknown and might be more prone to scratching and damage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy A23:
- Everyday Users: People who want a reliable phone for everyday tasks, such as social media, web browsing, and communication, without significant performance issues.
- Media Consumers: Users who enjoy watching videos and browsing content and want a sharp and clear display.
- Casual Gamers: Individuals who play mobile games occasionally and want decent performance, good visuals, and an adequate battery.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers Who Value Performance: People who want the best performance and features for their budget.
- Photo/Video Takers: Users who want decent camera performance including stabilization for taking photos and videos on the go.
Use Cases:
- Smooth multitasking, fast app launching, and improved overall responsiveness.
- Enjoying higher quality videos and sharp image quality.
- Playing games smoothly and reliably.
- Capturing better quality photos and videos.
- Longer-term device usage due to software support.
Ideal Users for Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Budget-Constrained Users: People who have a very tight budget and just need a basic smartphone.
- Users Who Prioritize Battery Life: For users who need a long-lasting battery and don’t require top-notch performance.
- Users Who Primarily Use The Phone For Basic Tasks: People who make calls, send texts, browse the web, and do very light social media activity.
Use Cases:
- Basic phone usage with a focus on long battery life.
- Occasional use of social media and web browsing.
- Basic camera use.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The Samsung Galaxy A23 offers a significantly better value due to its superior performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and newer features. Despite a potentially higher price, the overall experience is far superior, which might justify the increased investment.
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a more affordable option but comes with significant compromises, therefore a worse value per dollar spent.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
How important is performance and responsiveness to you?
- If you want smooth multitasking and fast app loading, the A23 is the clear winner. If you are very light user the M12 can be considered.
How important is display quality?
- If you consume a lot of video content or value a sharp display, the A23 is better. The M12 has an adequate screen but inferior resolution.
How important is camera quality?
- If you take photos and videos, the A23 offers better overall quality and stabilisation. M12 might be slightly better in low-light due to a larger sensor.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Performance and Quality are top priority: Choose the Samsung Galaxy A23 for superior performance, display quality, better camera features, and overall user experience.
- Scenario 2: Budget is the main concern and basic functionality is sufficient: The Samsung Galaxy M12 might be suitable but with the understanding that the experience will be very basic and noticeably slower.
- Scenario 3: Looking for a balance between cost and performance: The Samsung Galaxy A23 offers the best value for the money due to the significant performance gains.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A23. The significant improvements in performance, display quality, camera features, and software updates make it a much more compelling option for almost any user. Although it may cost more upfront, the improved user experience, smoother performance, and better camera quality will make the extra cost worthwhile in the long run. The added screen protection, faster charging, and better connectivity are also crucial elements that contribute to a superior overall package. The A23 provides a far better value for the money despite its slightly higher price tag, because it will last longer and will provide a much better user experience.
