Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Samsung Galaxy A24 4G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Samsung Galaxy A24 4G, focusing on practical implications for users:
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 162.1 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm | The M12 is slightly taller and thicker but has a smaller width. The A24 is wider, thinner and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 195g | The A24 is noticeably lighter (17g), making it more comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. |
| Build | Standard | Standard | Both have a standard smartphone build, likely with plastic bodies. Durability and feel are not specified. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.5" | Both have the same screen size, providing a similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | The A24 has a significantly sharper display with more pixels. Text and images will appear clearer. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 396 PPI | The A24 has a noticeably higher pixel density, resulting in sharper images and less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | The A24's AMOLED display offers deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, and better power efficiency, especially when using dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both have a smooth 90Hz display, making scrolling and animations feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1000 nits | The A24 offers dramatically better outdoor visibility and is easily viewable under direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) | The A24's chipset is newer and more powerful, offering faster processing and better efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 411,900 | The A24 provides much higher performance. Expect smoother app loading, better multitasking, and improved gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 | The A24's GPU provides superior graphics processing capabilities. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, indicating similar potential battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The A24 charges considerably faster, reducing the amount of time spent tethered to a charger. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Neither battery can be replaced by the user. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Rear Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8 | The A24 has a slightly higher resolution and wider aperture, potentially capturing more light and better low-light shots. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2 | The A24 has a higher resolution selfie camera, resulting in sharper images. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Both phones have identical wide angle lens. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | No | The M12 has an additional depth sensor for portrait mode, which the A24 lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both have same macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps; No EIS, No Slow-mo | 1080p@30fps with EIS, Yes Slow-mo @ 120fps | The A24 supports EIS and slow motion video, making video recording on A24 superior |
| Camera Features | Quad camera | Triple camera, OIS, EIS | The A24 features optical image stabilization (OIS) which greatly enhances picture and video quality. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 (Upgradable to 17) | The A24 has a more recent version of Android and the promise of future upgrades providing better software and security. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | The A24 supports dual band and newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better range. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | The A24 has a newer Bluetooth version with low energy (LE), improving battery efficiency and connection stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The A24 supports more satellite systems, providing more accurate location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both have dual SIM support, allowing two SIMs to be used simultaneously. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 128GB | The A24 comes only in 128GB while the M12 has multiple storage options. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 4/6/8GB | The A24 provides more RAM (up to 8GB), enhancing multitasking capabilities and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A24 4G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Basic audio features | Basic audio features | Both are similar in terms of basic audio performance. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both have basic fingerprint biometric security. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | The A24 adds a compass for better navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages
- Slightly Thinner Profile: The M12 is slightly thinner, which some may prefer in hand.
- Depth Sensor: The M12 includes a dedicated depth sensor, potentially aiding in portrait mode photography, which the A24 lacks.
- Slightly Taller: Some users might prefer the taller design
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G Advantages
- Superior Display: The AMOLED screen with higher resolution and brightness is a major upgrade, offering a much better viewing experience.
- Better Performance: The more powerful chipset and GPU provide significantly faster performance for apps, multitasking, and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 25W charging is much faster than the M12's 15W, reducing charging time.
- Better Cameras: The main camera has a wider aperture for better low-light photography, OIS, and EIS for both image and video, while the selfie camera is a higher resolution.
- Newer Software: Comes with Android 13 out of the box, with the promise of future updates.
- More Accurate Positioning: GPS with support for more satellite navigation systems.
- Lighter: A 17-gram weight difference may not be noticeable for all, it improves the user experience.
Trade-offs
- The Galaxy M12 has an older chipset, less sharp display, slower charging and lacks the latest software. However, it offers an additional depth sensor and a slightly thinner body profile, which some users might prefer.
- The Galaxy A24 lacks a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode but its other camera features are superior.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those seeking a very affordable smartphone for basic tasks.
- Light Users: Users who primarily browse the web, send messages, and make calls.
- Users Who Prioritize a Depth Sensor: Some users may prefer having a depth sensor for portrait mode photography.
Users Who Prefer Thinner Phones: The M12 is slightly thinner than the A24, which some users might prefer.
Use Cases:
- Basic day-to-day use, including calls, texts, and browsing.
- Occasional social media use and light photo taking.
Samsung Galaxy A24 4G Ideal User
- Users who want a Good Display: Users who want the most vibrant colors, deep blacks and high brightness display on a budget phone.
- Users who want Good Performance: Users who want good gaming and multitasking capabilities on a budget phone.
- Users who want Fast Charging: Users who don't want to wait a long time for the phone to charge.
- Users who want the latest Software: Users who want the latest features, performance and security updates from Android.
- Photography Enthusiasts on a Budget: Those who prioritize a good main and selfie camera, image stabilization and good low light performance.
Users who want Better Navigation: Users who need the best GPS and location tracking on a budget phone.
Use Cases:
- Regular social media usage, including video streaming and content creation.
- Moderate to heavy gaming.
- Photography and videography with a desire for good quality.
- Daily usage requiring good battery life and fast charging.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider:
What is your primary use case?
- If you need a basic phone for calls and light browsing, the M12 suffices.
- If you require better display, performance and cameras for more demanding tasks the A24 is the way to go.
How important is display quality and brightness?
- If viewing your screen in sunlight is important and better display is a priority, the A24 is far superior.
- If you are going to use it mainly indoors, and the display quality is not a priority the M12 may be sufficient.
How much do you prioritize speed and responsiveness?
- If you need faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance the A24 is the obvious choice.
- If you are on a tight budget, then the M12 is an affordable option.
Scenario-Based Recommendations
- Scenario 1: Budget User: If your budget is extremely tight and your use case is very basic, the M12 is an affordable choice. However, the A24 is still superior and is well worth the investment.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User: For daily use, including social media, streaming, and some light gaming, the A24 is the better option due to its superior display, performance, and camera.
- Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast on a Budget: If you prioritize photography and videography but are on a budget, the A24 offers superior image quality, stabilization and video recording capabilities, making it the better choice.
- Scenario 4: Performance User: For users who need a fast and responsive phone with good multitasking performance, the A24's more powerful processor and GPU is a much better choice.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A24 4G. While the M12 is more affordable, the A24 offers a significantly better overall experience that justifies the price difference. Here's why:
- Display: The AMOLED display on the A24 is a game-changer. It offers vibrant colors, deeper blacks, and much better outdoor visibility. This improvement alone makes a huge difference in daily usage.
- Performance: The A24's Mediatek Helio G99 chipset provides a much smoother and faster experience. This is important for everyday use and light gaming, ensuring that the phone feels responsive and capable.
- Camera: The improved main and selfie cameras, along with optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) for video and photography, make the A24 a better choice for capturing photos and videos.
- Software: The A24's Android 13 with the promise of future updates provides an updated user experience and makes the phone feel future proof.
- Charging Speed: The 25W fast charging is a valuable feature, particularly when compared to the M12's 15W charging.
- GPS: The better and more accurate GPS is a plus for day to day usage
While the M12's depth sensor may seem advantageous to some, the A24's advantages in display, performance, camera quality, software and charging speed make it the superior choice in nearly every other aspect. The A24 offers a more modern, versatile, and enjoyable user experience, making it well worth the extra investment over the older and less capable M12.
