Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy A34 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 161.3 × 78.1 × 8.2 mm | A34 is shorter & thinner, M12 is narrower. A34 might feel more comfortable in hand |
| Weight | 212g | 199g | A34 is slightly lighter, less tiring during prolonged use |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size for daily use |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | A34 has significantly sharper display, better for viewing text and high-resolution content |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 390 PPI | A34 provides a much crisper image, enhancing viewing experience |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | A34 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, better color reproduction & improved outdoor visibility |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | A34 has smoother scrolling and animations, slightly better for gaming |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Unable to compare as brightness values are not specified |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm) | A34's chipset is more powerful and efficient, faster app loading & better multitasking |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 532,300 | A34 offers considerably better performance, especially for gaming and demanding apps |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G68 MC4 | A34 provides better graphics performance, resulting in smoother gameplay and faster processing of graphic-intensive tasks |
| Camera | |||
| Rear Standard | 48MP f/2.0 | 48MP f/1.8 | A34's wider aperture allows more light, resulting in better low-light photos |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.2 | 13MP f/2.2 | A34 captures higher detail in selfies |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 5MP f/2.2 | Comparable performance in wide-angle photos |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | 5MP f/2.4 | A34 produces better quality depth effect for portraits |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | Not available | M12 can capture detailed close-up images, a feature absent on A34 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 4K@30fps | A34 records higher resolution video with stabilization, better quality and more creative options |
| DXOMark Score | Not tested | 92 (Mobile) | A34 has been tested with good overall score, indicating better photo and video quality than M12 |
| Camera Features | Quad, PDAF | Triple, OIS, 4K Video | A34 has OIS, better for stabilization, and 4k video recording capabilities |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life for typical use |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | A34 charges significantly faster |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | A34 is on a newer version of Android, with access to new features and better security updates |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | A34 has newer WiFi standards for potentially faster and more reliable connections |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | A34 has a newer version for better energy efficiency and faster speeds |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A34 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 128GB/256GB | A34 offers more internal storage options, better for storing more content |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | A34 has higher RAM, smoother multitasking, and better overall performance |
| Expandable Storage | Not Available | Not Available | Neither phone can expand storage |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | A34 offers a more immersive audio experience |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | M12 has side mounted sensor while A34 has basic, not specified location |
| Other | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual, Fingerprint | A34 features additional sensors suitable for advanced features and gaming |
Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Macro Lens: Offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography, which the A34 lacks.
- Potentially Lower Price: Being an older and lower-spec device it is likely to be cheaper.
- Side Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May be more convenient to access than a basic sensor.
Samsung Galaxy A34 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, better colors, and higher refresh rate. This translates to a significantly better viewing experience, especially for media consumption.
- Significantly Higher Performance: A more powerful chipset and GPU provide much faster processing, better multitasking, and smoother gaming.
- Better Camera System: While both have a 48MP main sensor, the A34's wider aperture, higher-resolution selfie camera, and 4K video recording give it a considerable edge. It also benefits from Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for smoother videos and photos.
- Faster Charging: 25W fast charging means less time plugged into a charger.
- More Modern Software: Ships with a newer version of Android and likely to have longer software support.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers offer a far more immersive audio experience.
- More RAM: Offers 6 or 8 GB of RAM compared to 3/4/6 on M12.
- More Storage: Offers 128 or 256GB of storage compared to 32/64/128GB on M12.
Trade-offs:
- Macro Lens: The A34 lacks a dedicated macro lens, which might be a drawback for users who frequently take close-up photos.
- Potentially Higher Price: The A34 is likely to be more expensive, reflecting its superior features.
- Fingerprint Sensor: The M12 has a side-mounted sensor, which some users may prefer over the unspecified sensor on A34.
User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for daily tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use. Users that frequently take close up photos.
- Use Cases: Suitable for those who want a large screen and decent battery life for basic tasks and light gaming. Can be used as a secondary phone for calls and messaging.
- Price-to-Value: Offers basic features at a low price point, which will appeal to users focused on value over performance.
Samsung Galaxy A34:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize display quality, performance, and camera capabilities. Suitable for multimedia consumption, mobile gaming, and users who use their phone as a primary device.
- Use Cases: Ideal for watching videos, playing games, taking high-quality photos and videos, and performing multitasking. Its better audio also enhances the multimedia experience.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent value for the money, providing premium features at a mid-range price point.
Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? If budget is the primary concern, the M12 might be a suitable choice.
- How important are display quality and performance? If the quality of visuals and smooth performance are key, the A34 is clearly the better option.
- What are your camera priorities? If you need a macro lens, the M12 has it. For all other areas of photography (wide, portraits, video), the A34 is superior.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: Choose the Galaxy M12 for basic functions and longer battery life with the downside of not getting the premium camera, performance, and display found in the A34.
Scenario 2: Media Consumer: Choose the Galaxy A34 for an improved viewing experience (superior screen, stereo speakers, higher resolution, and refresh rate).
Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer/Performance User: Choose the Galaxy A34 for its more powerful chipset, more RAM, better GPU, faster charging, higher refresh rate, and newer software.
Scenario 4: Photography enthusiast: Choose the Galaxy A34 for its better all-around camera setup (except for macro).
Personal Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy A34.
The Samsung Galaxy A34 offers a significantly better user experience across most aspects that are important to me. The superior AMOLED display, with its higher resolution and refresh rate, would provide a much more enjoyable visual experience for media consumption and daily use. The substantially more powerful chipset and increased RAM would make the phone feel much snappier and more capable when multitasking and gaming, and I also value the faster charging and significantly better camera system, specifically the 4K video recording capabilities with stabilization as well as overall photo quality. Although the macro lens on the M12 is an interesting feature, the overall camera benefits on the A34 outweigh this specific use case. I also prefer the newer version of Android. For me, the benefits of the A34 justify the likely higher cost compared to the M12.
