1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 157.8 × 76.2 × 7.6 mm | M12 is taller and thicker, making it feel bulkier. S23+ is slimmer and more pocketable. |
| Weight | 212g | 196g | S23+ is lighter, more comfortable for extended use. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | S23+ has significantly better screen protection against scratches and drops. M12 screen protection unknown. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Minimal difference; both are comfortable for media consumption. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | S23+ has a much sharper display, with finer detail and clearer text. |
| PPI | 270 | 393 | S23+ has a noticeably crisper and sharper image. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S23+ offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, more vibrant colors, better viewing angles, and more efficient dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S23+ provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S23+ is dramatically brighter, offering much better visibility in direct sunlight. M12 brightness is unknown. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | S23+ offers significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and is more future-proof. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 1,508,732 | S23+ has vastly superior performance for demanding tasks and games. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 740 | S23+ delivers far better graphics performance, crucial for gaming and graphics-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", Samsung S5KGM2, 0.80µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", Samsung GN5, 1.00µm | S23+ captures more light, leading to better low-light performance, slightly higher detail and overall better image quality. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2, Samsung S5K3LU | S23+ takes higher-resolution selfies with slightly better detail. |
| Telephoto | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", Samsung S5K3K1, 1.00µm | S23+ offers optical zoom capabilities for better clarity when zooming, which M12 lacks. |
| Wide Angle | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX564, 1.40µm | S23+ captures significantly wider shots with much more detail. |
| Depth | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait effects, which S23+ achieves through software. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12 allows for dedicated close-up macro shots, missing from S23+. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | S23+ offers vastly superior video capabilities, including 8K recording, better stabilization, and higher frame rates. |
| DxOMark | Not Tested | Mobile: 133 | S23+ has been tested and reviewed for its camera performance. |
| Features | PDAF, HDR, etc. | OIS, RAW, Night Mode, etc. | S23+ has advanced features like optical image stabilization, RAW capture, and Night Mode, resulting in better photos and videos. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4700mAh | M12 has a slightly larger battery; the real-world difference may be minimal given the different power requirements. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S23+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, Wireless Charging | S23+ offers convenient features such as wireless charging, reverse wireless charging (charge other devices), and bypass charging while gaming. |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | S23+ has a more recent OS with newer features, better security, and longer software update support. |
| WiFi | 802.11n | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | S23+ supports faster, more efficient Wi-Fi standards. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | S23+ has a newer Bluetooth version with better power efficiency and potentially better audio codecs. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S23+ has more accurate location tracking due to support for additional satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | S23+ offers eSIM support, enabling digital carrier switching. |
Storage, Audio & Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S23+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Storage | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | S23+ offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos, and other files. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 8 GB | S23+ offers better multitasking performance with its higher RAM. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | Basic Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | S23+ delivers higher quality and immersive audio. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | S23+ offers a basic fingerprint sensor; M12 offers a side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | S23+ offers a more comprehensive sensor suite including a barometer and a compass. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Slightly larger battery: Offers marginally better battery life on paper (5000mAh vs 4700mAh) but the difference in real-world use depends on individual usage patterns.
- Dedicated depth and macro lenses: For users interested in close-up and portrait photography.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Some users prefer this over an in-display sensor.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Advantages:
- Vastly Superior Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers a huge performance boost, enabling seamless multitasking, demanding games, and a much faster user experience.
- Significantly Better Display: The AMOLED panel with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness provides a much more enjoyable viewing experience, especially outdoors.
- Superior Camera System: Better low-light performance, optical zoom, and higher quality video recording make it a more versatile choice for photography and videography.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: 45W fast charging and wireless charging greatly improve usability.
- Advanced Software & Connectivity: Newer operating system, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3 offer more features, better performance, and greater future-proofing.
- Significantly More Storage & RAM: More internal storage and RAM for better app storage and performance.
- Enhanced Audio: Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers provide an immersive and enjoyable audio experience.
- Premium Build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 provides robust protection.
Practical Implications & Trade-offs
- Performance: The S23+ is in a completely different performance tier. The M12 is suitable for basic tasks, while the S23+ excels at everything. The performance difference will be noticeable in everyday use.
- Display: The difference in display quality is night and day. The S23+ has a vibrant, sharp, and bright screen, whereas the M12's display is considerably lower in quality.
- Camera: The S23+ is significantly better for all types of photography and videography, including low-light and zooming.
- Battery and Charging: The S23+ has slightly smaller battery capacity (but this might not translate to a real-world difference) but charges much faster. Wireless charging adds further convenience.
- Software: The S23+ offers a much better software experience with a newer OS and more features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Primarily focused on affordability and basic smartphone functions.
- Users with basic needs: Those who prioritize calls, messaging, and social media browsing, and don't require demanding applications or gaming.
- Users who want macro and depth cameras: Those who take lots of close-up shots and portraits.
- Users who prefer a side fingerprint sensor.
Specific Use Cases:
- Basic communication and browsing.
- Casual social media use.
- Budget-conscious first-time smartphone buyers.
- Users who prioritize long-lasting battery life above all other features.
- Users needing macro or portrait mode cameras.
Samsung Galaxy S23+ Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value high-quality photos and videos with advanced features.
- Media Consumers: Those who want the best possible viewing experience for videos and games.
- Users who prioritize speed and responsiveness in a smartphone.
- Users who prefer premium audio and build quality.
- Users who need eSIM and wireless charging.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-resolution content consumption.
- Demanding applications and multitasking.
- Business professionals who need a reliable and high-performing phone.
Price-to-Value Considerations
- The M12 is a budget-friendly option, while the S23+ is a high-end device.
- The S23+ provides a much better experience in terms of performance, display, camera, and features, justifying its higher price tag.
- The M12 is suitable if the budget is very limited but entails significant compromises across all key aspects.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The M12 is considerably cheaper, while the S23+ is a premium phone.
- What are your primary uses for the phone? Basic usage vs. demanding tasks?
- How important are camera quality, display quality, and performance? These areas are vastly different between the two phones.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight budget, basic use: If the budget is very limited, the M12 might be acceptable, but users should be prepared for compromises on performance, display, and camera.
- Scenario 2: Mid-range budget, balanced performance: In this scenario, it would be more beneficial to seek other alternatives, as the M12 is a budget device.
- Scenario 3: Prioritizing performance, camera, and display: The S23+ is the clear choice, providing a vastly superior user experience in all of these areas.
- Scenario 4: Photography focus, but with budget constraints: A device with good quality camera and performance would be better than M12; other options are available with better price-to-value ratio.
My Choice and Why
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S23+.
Here's why:
- Performance: I prioritize a smooth, responsive user experience. The massive performance difference makes the S23+ a significantly better device. I often use multiple apps, play games, and appreciate fast loading times. The M12 simply wouldn't cut it for me.
- Display Quality: I value a high-quality display for content consumption. The AMOLED screen of the S23+ with its higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness is far superior for media consumption, browsing, and general use. The M12's display would be a noticeable downgrade.
- Camera: I enjoy taking pictures and videos, and the significantly better camera system of the S23+, with its improved low-light performance, optical zoom, and video capabilities, is a major draw. The S23+ has many additional features such as OIS, RAW and night mode which are important for photography.
- Future-Proofing: I prefer a phone that will last me for several years. The S23+, with its more advanced chipset, newer software, and superior features, is more likely to remain relevant longer than the M12.
- Overall Experience: The S23+ simply provides a much more premium and complete experience. The faster charging, wireless charging, better audio, and advanced connectivity also matter significantly.
While the M12 has a lower price tag and slightly larger battery, the compromises in other areas are too significant for my needs and preferences. The S23+ offers a dramatically better experience across all the key aspects of a smartphone, justifying its higher price for me. The S23+ provides a complete and premium package that aligns with my requirements.
