Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 163.3 × 77.9 × 8.9 mm | S22 Ultra is slightly wider and thinner, M12 has a larger overall volume. S22 Ultra may feel more premium in hand due to thinner design. |
| Weight | 212g | 228g | M12 is noticeably lighter, potentially more comfortable for long use. S22 Ultra is heavier, possibly conveying a more solid feel. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S22 Ultra has a slightly larger screen, which is better for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1440 x 3088 | S22 Ultra has significantly sharper images and text with a much higher resolution, making for a much better viewing experience. |
| PPI | 270 | 500 | S22 Ultra offers much crisper visuals and finer detail compared to the M12. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S22 Ultra has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, resulting in a much more enjoyable viewing experience especially in high contrast content. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S22 Ultra provides smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S22 Ultra is vastly superior for outdoor visibility, the M12's screen will struggle in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | S22 Ultra's chipset is significantly faster, allowing for smoother multitasking and more demanding applications and games. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 1,023,311 | S22 Ultra offers significantly faster performance, better gaming, and a much more responsive user experience. The M12 is significantly slower. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 (ARM Mali-G52) | Xclipse 920 - Europe (AMD Xclipse 920) | S22 Ultra has a much more powerful GPU, essential for modern games and graphically intensive apps. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacities; battery life should be comparable for similar use. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S22 Ultra charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging 15W, Reverse Wireless Charging 4.5W, Non-removable | S22 Ultra offers more versatile charging features, including wireless and reverse wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm | S22 Ultra captures more detail, better low-light performance with larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Telephoto/Portrait | N/A | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S22 Ultra offers optical zoom and portrait capabilities, M12 has no dedicated telephoto lens. |
| Selfie | 8MP, f/2.2, unspecified µm | 40MP, f/2.2, 0.70µm | S22 Ultra captures much higher-resolution selfies and video, much better detail and clarity. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/4.9, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S22 Ultra offers a dedicated telephoto lens, allowing for greater zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2, unspecified µm | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | S22 Ultra offers better wide-angle shots with more detail and a larger sensor. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, unspecified µm | N/A | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, while S22 Ultra relies on software processing. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, unspecified µm | N/A | M12 has a dedicated macro lens while the S22 Ultra lacks it. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps; No; Slow-motion: No, 30 fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps with HDR, EIS, Stereo Sound; Yes; Slow-motion: Yes, 960 fps | S22 Ultra has vastly superior video capabilities, offering higher resolutions and frame rates, better stabilization and slow motion recording. |
| DxOMark | N/A | Mobile: 131, Selfie: 135 | S22 Ultra has been benchmarked for camera quality, with a high overall score. |
| Camera Features | Basic Features | 4K/8K Video, OIS, Optical Zoom, Laser AF, RAW, Night Mode | S22 Ultra offers many more advanced camera features. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 (upgradable to 16) | S22 Ultra has a newer OS and will receive future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (WiFi 6) | S22 Ultra offers faster WiFi with WiFi 6. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 LE | S22 Ultra has a newer, more energy-efficient Bluetooth standard with enhanced audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S22 Ultra supports more satellite systems for better accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | S22 Ultra offers eSIM support for greater flexibility. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | S22 Ultra offers far greater internal storage options. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8/12 GB | S22 Ultra offers much more RAM, ideal for heavy multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise Cancellation Microphone, Stereo Speakers | S22 Ultra offers superior audio features and quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor | Basic Fingerprint Sensor | M12 has a side mounted fingerprint sensor, S22 Ultra's is unspecified. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unspecified | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22 Ultra offers superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S22 Ultra has more sensors, useful for more advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: The M12 is significantly lighter (16g difference), making it more comfortable for extended use.
- Affordability: The M12 is likely to be considerably more affordable, offering basic smartphone functionality at a budget price.
- Dedicated Macro Lens & Depth Camera: Offers dedicated lenses for close-up shots and portrait mode, features not present in S22 Ultra.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: May be preferred by some users over an in-display or back-mounted sensor.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: The S22 Ultra has a significantly higher resolution, AMOLED technology, higher refresh rate and much higher brightness resulting in much better screen quality.
- Massive Performance Difference: The S22 Ultra’s chipset is multiple times faster and more responsive, with a much more powerful GPU.
- Professional Grade Camera System: Offers vastly superior photo and video capabilities with higher resolutions, better sensors, optical zoom, and advanced features, vastly outperforming the M12.
- Advanced Features: Includes wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and a more advanced software feature set.
- Future-Proof: Newer chipset, OS and more RAM make the S22 Ultra significantly more future-proof.
- Better Connectivity: Supports newer WiFi and Bluetooth standards.
- Superior Build: Better screen protection with Gorilla Glass Victus+.
- Superior Audio: High quality audio with stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos support
Trade-offs:
- The S22 Ultra is significantly heavier and thicker than the M12.
- The S22 Ultra lacks a dedicated macro lens.
- The S22 Ultra will be considerably more expensive than the M12.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious buyers needing basic smartphone functions.
- Users who prioritize a lightweight device for comfortable daily use.
- Individuals who rarely use their phone for demanding tasks or gaming.
- Users who prefer side-mounted fingerprint sensors.
- Users who take casual pictures and videos and do not need advanced features.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing and social media.
- Making calls and sending messages.
- Light app usage and casual gaming.
- Users who need a secondary phone on a budget.
- Users who need a long lasting budget friendly device.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Ideal User:
- Tech enthusiasts who desire top-tier performance, best display, and advanced camera capabilities.
- Professional users who need a phone for high-quality media creation.
- Users who want the best mobile gaming experience.
- Users who prefer future-proof devices with advanced software.
- Users who need the best camera features and image quality.
- Users who need wireless charging and other modern features.
Specific Use Cases:
- High-end mobile gaming and multitasking.
- Professional-level photography and videography.
- Demanding applications and workflows.
- Media consumption with vibrant and high-resolution displays.
- Users who require the best quality phone available.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The M12 provides essential functionality at a budget price, suitable for those primarily concerned with cost.
- The S22 Ultra offers cutting-edge technology and exceptional performance, making it worthwhile for users willing to pay a premium for the best smartphone experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget? (The M12 is significantly more affordable.)
- What are my primary use cases? (Basic use vs. demanding tasks, media creation vs. basic pictures)
- What features are most important to me? (e.g., camera quality, screen quality, performance, battery features, design)
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-Conscious User: If you primarily need a basic phone for calls, messages, and light browsing and cost is the main factor, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a suitable choice.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User: If you need a phone for demanding tasks, high-end gaming, and superior camera capabilities, and your budget is high, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the clear winner.
- Scenario 3: Mixed Use User: If you need good performance, a great camera, and some advanced features but are willing to spend a little more but not break the bank, consider looking at the mid range market. Both phones would not be ideal.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. My decision is based on the following factors:
- Superior Display: As someone who consumes a lot of media, the high-resolution AMOLED display with high brightness and 120Hz refresh rate would make a significant difference in my daily use.
- Performance: I often multitask and play graphically demanding games, so the powerful chipset and ample RAM are essential for a smooth user experience.
- Professional Camera Capabilities: I enjoy taking photos and videos, and the S22 Ultra's camera system is far superior in every aspect, offering versatility and high image quality.
- Future Proofing: The newer software will mean the phone will get updates for longer, along with the better chipset will make it last for longer overall.
- Advanced features: The extra features such as wireless charging, reverse charging and superior audio will be very useful on a daily basis.
While the S22 Ultra is significantly more expensive, the vast differences in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and overall user experience justify the premium price for my needs. The M12 is a good phone for basic use on a budget, but the S22 Ultra is the better option if you can afford it and are looking for a premium and feature-rich smartphone.
