Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Samsung Galaxy M52 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy M52 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.2 × 76.4 × 7.4 mm | M52 5G is significantly thinner and slightly taller/wider, feeling more modern in hand. M12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 173g | M52 5G is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use and portability. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | M52 5G offers a slightly larger viewing area, enhancing media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | M52 5G provides a much sharper and clearer picture with significantly more detail. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 393 PPI | M52 5G's higher PPI results in less pixelation and a more refined visual experience. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | M52 5G's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, along with better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | M52 5G's 120Hz provides slightly smoother scrolling and animations, although the difference may not always be immediately noticeable. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 800 nits | M52 5G is significantly brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight and bright outdoor conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | M52 5G's chipset offers drastically higher performance, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 589,200 | M52 5G is significantly faster in all aspects of use, being over 400% faster based on the scores. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 642L | M52 5G’s GPU is significantly more powerful, resulting in superior gaming performance and graphics rendering. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2 | 64MP, f/1.8, 1/1.97", Samsung GW3 | M52 5G's main sensor offers higher resolution, a wider aperture, and slightly larger sensor which translates to better photos in low-light and improved overall image quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP, f/2.2 | 32MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", Sony IMX616 | M52 5G offers much higher selfie camera resolution, capturing more detailed self-portraits. |
| Wide Angle Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | Not available | M12 has a dedicated wide-angle lens, allowing for wider landscape shots. |
| Portrait Mode Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | 5MP, f/2.4 | M52 5G offers slightly better depth sensing for portrait mode effects. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not available | M12 has a dedicated macro lens for close up photography. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | Not Available | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", Sony IMX258 | M52 5G has a combined wide-angle and macro lens that could offer more versatile shooting capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | M52 5G can record higher-resolution 4K video, leading to much better video capture quality. |
| Slow Motion | No | Yes, 240 fps | M52 5G offers slow-motion capture for creative videography. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life in normal use. |
| Charging | 15W | 25W | M52 5G charges considerably faster, reducing downtime. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, Upgradable to 13 | M52 5G offers potentially longer software support lifespan with upgrade to Android 13. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | M52 5G supports more modern Wi-Fi standards for faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 | Both have similar features |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | M52 5G offers more accurate and reliable location tracking due to additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support two SIM cards at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128 GB | M52 5G is only available with 128 GB storage. M12 has storage options of 32, 64, or 128 GB. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 6/8 GB | M52 5G offers a larger RAM option, improving multitasking and reducing lags. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports microSD card expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | Basic | Dolby Atmos, 2 microphones | M52 5G delivers improved audio quality and better voice recording. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Both phones use a side mounted fingerprint reader. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | M52 5G offers much better screen protection, reducing risk of scratches and cracks. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Hall | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Similar sensor configurations on both phones, M12 offers Hall while M52 offers Geomagnetic sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Wide-Angle and Macro Lenses: Offers more photographic versatility for capturing wide landscapes and detailed close-ups.
- Lower Price: Usually comes at a lower price point making it more accessible.
- Hall Sensor: Provides additional functionality for accessories and certain applications, though its practical usage is fairly limited in most cases.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness for a significantly better viewing experience.
- Significantly Faster Performance: The Snapdragon 778G chipset offers much faster processing speed, making the phone smoother, more responsive, and capable of handling demanding applications and games.
- Higher Quality Cameras: Higher resolution sensors, wider aperture, and better image processing resulting in better photos and videos, especially in low-light.
- 4K Video Recording and Slow-Motion: Offers higher video quality for content creation and the ability to capture creative slow-motion video.
- Better connectivity: newer WiFi standards and additional satelite systems for more accurate GPS.
- Dolby Atmos: Better audio quality and sound capture with spatial sound and two microphones.
- Faster Charging: Reduced charging time with 25W charging.
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for screen protection.
- Longer Software Support: Potentially longer software support with updates up to Android 13.
Trade-offs:
- The Galaxy M12 compromises performance and display quality for a lower price.
- The M52 5G lacks dedicated macro and wide angle lenses but offers a combined solution.
- Neither phone supports expandable storage.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users with basic needs, such as calling, texting, light social media browsing, and casual photography.
- Use Cases:
- Basic daily tasks.
- Users looking for the lowest price option.
- Users who value a wide-angle and macro camera for specific photo needs.
- Price-to-Value: Suitable for users who prioritize affordability over high performance and top-tier features.
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and better overall user experience.
- Use Cases:
- Gaming.
- Multimedia consumption.
- Mobile content creation (photos/videos).
- Multitasking and productivity.
- Users who frequently use their phone outdoors.
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent performance and features for its price range, making it a better value for users wanting a more premium experience without top end prices.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much am I willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Primary Use: What do I use my phone for the most? (e.g., casual use, gaming, photography, etc.)
- Longevity: How long do I plan to use this phone? (Software support)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget & Basic Needs: If you have a very limited budget and primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and basic social media, the Galaxy M12 could suffice.
- Scenario 2: Balanced Usage with Multimedia Consumption and Some Gaming: If you want a smooth user experience, better display quality, improved camera capabilities and intend to use the phone for watching videos, light gaming, and social media, the Galaxy M52 5G is a significantly better choice.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Photography Enthusiast: The Galaxy M52 5G offers better overall camera performance, though it may not have dedicated wide-angle or macro lenses. The M12 has these dedicated cameras.
- Scenario 4: Performance Driven User: The Galaxy M52 5G is the clear winner with its significantly faster chipset.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy M52 5G. While the M12 has a lower price tag and dedicated wide angle/macro lenses, the overall experience offered by the M52 5G is superior in almost every other aspect. The significantly better display (AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, brightness), the drastically faster performance provided by the Snapdragon 778G chipset, superior main camera, better video capabilities (4K and slow motion), faster charging, better build quality and even better audio are all important to me in terms of usability. The additional software support for future Android versions is also a plus for phone longevity. Although, both lack expandable storage, the 128 GB is sufficient for my use case. While the M12 is suitable for a user with basic needs, the M52 5G offers a much better overall experience and would be my preferred choice even at a slightly higher price.
