1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy M12 and Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, focusing on practical user implications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 FE | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 162 x 77.3 x 8 mm | M12: Taller and thicker, S24 FE: Wider and slimmer. S24 FE might feel more premium and comfortable due to slim profile |
| Weight | 212g | 213g | Virtually identical weight. Minimal difference noticeable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | S24 FE: Slightly larger display, offering a more immersive experience for media consumption and gaming |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2340 | S24 FE: Sharper and clearer visuals, with significantly higher pixel density for crisper text and images. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 385 | S24 FE: Noticeably sharper screen, less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S24 FE: Deeper blacks, better contrast, more vibrant colors, better viewing angles and power efficiency in dark mode. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 FE: Smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1900 nits | S24 FE: Significantly better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. M12 brightness is unknown. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 2400e (4 nm) | S24 FE: Dramatically faster performance, more responsive apps, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 1,600,000 | S24 FE: Significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly better gaming performance. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Xclipse 940 | S24 FE: Superior graphics performance, especially in demanding applications and games. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4700 mAh | M12: Slightly larger battery capacity, potentially longer battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | S24 FE: Faster charging, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless Charging | S24 FE: More advanced features; convenient to use as powerbank or quick charge compatible devices via wireless charging. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2" | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" | S24 FE: Better low-light performance, higher image quality, and slightly better details. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65" | S24 FE: Slightly higher resolution and larger pixels for better selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4" | S24 FE: Additional zoom capability for detailed zoomed shots. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.1" | S24 FE: Higher resolution, capturing more detail in wide shots. |
| Portrait Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12: Dedicated depth sensor for portrait shots. |
| Macro Camera | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12: Dedicated Macro sensor for close-up photography. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps | S24 FE: Much higher quality video recording, with support for 4k@120fps and 8K recording. |
| Video Stabilization | No | Yes | S24 FE: Significantly less camera shake during video recordings. |
| Slow-motion | No | Yes | S24 FE: Slow-motion video recording is supported. |
| DXOMark Score | N/A | Main: 133 (Photo: 136, Video: 125) | S24 FE: Solid camera performance in photos and video. M12 camera performance is untested. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 FE: More recent Android version, with access to latest features and security updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | S24 FE: Faster, more stable wireless connection, with access to 6GHz band. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | S24 FE: Newer Bluetooth version for enhanced connectivity and power efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), Galileo (E1+E5a), NavIC System | S24 FE: More satellite systems for better and faster location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM/eSIM | S24 FE: Added eSIM support for more flexible carrier options. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128GB | 128/256/512GB | S24 FE: More storage capacity options. |
| RAM | 3/4/6GB | 8GB | S24 FE: More RAM for smoother multitasking and handling demanding apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Features | Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancelling Mic | S24 FE: Clearer audio playback and better call quality. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted Fingerprint | Basic fingerprint sensor | M12: A more advanced fingerprint sensor placement. S24 FE fingerprint sensor type is unknown. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S24 FE: Superior screen protection for better scratch resistance. |
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Geomagnetic, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | S24 FE: More sensors for enhanced features and gaming. M12 has basic sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's a breakdown of the key advantages of each phone and their practical implications:
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Slightly larger battery: May offer marginally longer battery life on a single charge.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Some users prefer the convenience of a side-mounted fingerprint sensor over in-display or rear-mounted options.
- Dedicated Portrait and Macro Camera: Offers specialized camera modes that are not present in S24 FE, beneficial for users who like to experiment with close-up or portrait photography.
Practical Implications:
- The slightly larger battery might be beneficial for users who prioritize longer battery life over performance, though it's only a marginal difference.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor is a matter of preference.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen with higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness provides a vastly superior viewing experience with deeper blacks, vibrant colors, and sharp images.
- Massive Performance Boost: The significantly more powerful chipset and GPU offer a substantial increase in speed and responsiveness for all tasks, including demanding apps and gaming.
- Significantly Improved Camera System: Higher-resolution sensors, wider apertures, telephoto lens, and advanced video features (including 8K video and OIS) deliver noticeably better photos and videos across a variety of conditions.
- Faster Charging: Reduced charging times.
- More Advanced Features: Wireless charging, reverse charging, and eSIM support, newer Bluetooth and WiFi standards.
- More RAM and Storage: 8GB RAM for smoother multitasking, up to 512GB of storage for storing more photos, videos, and apps.
- Advanced audio: Stereo speakers and noise canceling microphone.
- Better build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection.
Practical Implications:
- The superior display translates to a more immersive and enjoyable experience for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use.
- The massive performance boost makes the S24 FE ideal for power users and gamers.
- Improved cameras provide significantly better photos and videos, making it a better option for those who value photography.
- Faster charging and advanced features contribute to overall convenience and utility.
- More RAM and storage makes it a future-proof option.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: Lacks modern features, performance and camera quality of the S24 FE.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 FE: Sacrifices slight battery capacity advantage of M12 and dedicated depth and macro cameras.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users with basic smartphone needs. Individuals who primarily use their phone for calls, texts, social media, and light web browsing, who also appreciate a dedicated macro and portrait cameras.
- Use Cases: Everyday communication, casual social media browsing, basic photography, long battery life with basic tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a low-entry price, suitable for very basic users or those on a tight budget, but lacks modern capabilities.
Samsung Galaxy S24 FE:
- Ideal User: Users who want a high-performance smartphone with an excellent display, advanced camera capabilities, and modern features. Users who enjoy gaming, streaming content, and taking high-quality photos/videos.
- Use Cases: Demanding mobile gaming, video editing, photography, high-quality media consumption, users who like future-proof devices.
- Price-to-Value: Delivers excellent value for the features and performance, especially compared to other flagship devices.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions a buyer should consider:
- What is your budget?
- If you are on a very tight budget and only need basic smartphone functions, the M12 might suffice.
- If you have a larger budget and seek a more powerful, capable device, the S24 FE is recommended.
- What is your primary use case?
- If you mostly use your phone for basic communication and occasional social media, and prioritize dedicated depth and macro sensors, the M12 might be adequate.
- If you play mobile games, stream videos, or want to take high-quality photos and videos, the S24 FE is a clear choice.
- How important are modern features to you?
- If you don't care about having the latest features, then the M12 may be enough.
- If you value wireless charging, faster speeds, an excellent display, a modern camera system, and a more modern operating system, the S24 FE is highly recommended.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: If your budget is extremely tight, and you only need a basic device, the M12 is acceptable, though you'll sacrifice modern features and performance.
- Casual User: If your needs are basic but can afford slightly higher priced phone, the S24 FE provides vastly superior performance and a more enjoyable user experience, making it worth the extra cost.
- Power User: For gamers, photographers, and users who need smooth multitasking and a more modern device, the S24 FE is the clear winner.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would unequivocally choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE. While the M12 might have a slightly larger battery, the advantages of the S24 FE are overwhelming. The drastically better display, significantly superior performance, much improved camera system (including telephoto zoom and 8k recording), faster charging, and modern features make it a far more compelling device.
The S24 FE provides a much smoother and enjoyable user experience. The faster performance and superior display alone make it a better investment. Even if the price is higher, the overall value provided by the S24 FE justifies its cost for anyone who values performance, camera quality, and modern features in a smartphone. The S24 FE is the clear choice for anyone looking for a quality all-around smartphone experience.
