1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 158.5 × 75.9 × 7.7 mm | S24+ is more compact, thinner and easier to handle. M12 is bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 196g | S24+ is lighter and more comfortable to hold for extended periods. |
| Build | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (screen) | S24+ offers superior scratch and drop resistance. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.7" | S24+ offers slightly more screen real estate for immersive viewing. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3120 | S24+ display is significantly sharper and clearer, showing finer details. |
| PPI | 270 | 513 | S24+ has much higher pixel density, resulting in crisp text and images, and avoiding pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | Unknown | Unable to assess the practical difference without knowing S24+ display technology |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24+ display has smoother animations and less motion blur, beneficial for gaming and scrolling. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24+ screen is much easier to view in direct sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24+ chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launches, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| Antutu Score | 117,341 | 1,639,695 | S24+ has dramatically better performance, handling demanding tasks with ease. M12 struggles with heavy applications. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 750 / Xclipse 940 | S24+ GPU is superior for graphics-intensive tasks like gaming and video editing. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | S24+ captures more detailed images with better low-light performance due to larger sensor and wider aperture. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 12MP, f/2.2 | S24+ captures sharper and more detailed selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | S24+ allows optical zoom, providing closer shots without loss of detail. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.4µm | S24+ captures wider scenes with more detail. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12 includes a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode, but overall quality may be lower than S24+ software processing. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | M12 can take close-up shots using a dedicated macro lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@30fps, 1080p@240fps | S24+ offers significantly higher video recording quality, features like HDR, EIS, and slow motion. |
| Features | Quad camera, PDAF | Triple camera, OIS, RAW, Night Mode, 8K Video | S24+ has more advanced camera features, including optical stabilization and RAW image capture, useful for demanding photographers. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4900mAh | Similar battery capacity, expected similar battery life under similar usage |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 45W fast charging, 15W wireless | S24+ charges much faster, and offers wireless and reverse wireless charging, adding convenience. |
| Features | Non-removable | Non-removable, Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Wireless Charging, Reverse wireless | S24+ offers convenient features like bypass charging to avoid battery stress when plugged and reverse wireless charging for accessories. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, WiFi 6E | S24+ has access to much faster speeds, lower latency, reduced interference |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | S24+ has a more modern standard with better power efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | S24+ has access to more satellite systems, providing more accurate and reliable positioning. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano/eSIM) | S24+ offers greater flexibility with eSIM support. |
Storage & RAM
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512 GB | S24+ offers significantly more storage for apps, photos, videos and large files. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12 GB | S24+ can handle more demanding multitasking and applications with ease. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for storage expansion. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24+ | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audio | Basic | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24+ offers superior audio experience with noise cancellation and stereo sound. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic Fingerprint sensor | M12 features a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24+ runs on a newer Android version with the latest features and security updates. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Fingerprint, Barometer | S24+ has more sensors, including Barometer, Compass, which are useful for advanced apps, gaming and navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Lower price: Likely a significantly more affordable option.
- Dedicated Depth & Macro lenses: Offers dedicated lenses for specific photography use cases, although overall quality may be lower than S24+.
Samsung Galaxy S24+ Advantages:
- Significantly superior performance: Much faster processing speed, better multitasking, and superior gaming performance.
- Dramatically better display: Higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and refresh rate for a superior viewing experience.
- Much better camera system: Superior sensors, telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, and advanced features for better image and video quality.
- Faster charging: Supports significantly faster wired charging and wireless charging.
- More advanced connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, better GPS, and eSIM support.
- More storage and RAM: Offers more built-in storage and RAM, allowing for more apps and smoother multitasking.
- Better build quality: Uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for improved screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- Price: The Galaxy S24+ is a much more expensive phone.
- M12 has a dedicated Macro and Depth lens which are missing on the S24+
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for daily tasks like calls, texts, browsing, and social media. People who want to take the occasional photos or videos, but don't require high quality output.
- Use Cases:
- Budget-friendly option for first-time smartphone users.
- Backup phone or secondary device.
- Users who prioritize battery life over performance.
- Price-to-Value: Good value for very basic use cases, but lacks high-end features, and could become obsolete faster.
Samsung Galaxy S24+:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize performance, camera quality, and overall user experience. Demanding users who consume a lot of media and play games.
- Use Cases:
- Photography enthusiasts who want high-quality images and videos.
- Gamers who need smooth and responsive performance.
- Users who need fast performance for multitasking and demanding apps.
- Professionals who require a reliable device for work-related tasks.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for users willing to pay a premium for top-tier features and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The price difference is likely significant. Can you afford the S24+ or is the M12 more within your budget?
- How important is performance and speed? Do you need a phone that handles demanding apps and games, or are basic tasks sufficient?
- How important is camera quality? Do you need high-quality photos and videos, or are basic pictures enough?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Basic User, Limited Budget: If you only need a phone for basic tasks and have a very limited budget, the Galaxy M12 is a reasonable option.
- Scenario 2: Balanced User: If you want to take the occasional photo, and are OK with basic performance, but also want a good battery life the M12 might suit you.
- Scenario 3: Performance & Camera Enthusiast: If you are a power user who demands the best performance, camera quality, and overall user experience, the Galaxy S24+ is the clear choice.
Personal Decision
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24+ without hesitation.
Here's why:
- Future-Proofing: The S24+'s powerful processor, large RAM, and advanced features will ensure it remains relevant and performs well for years to come. The M12's budget chipset will likely start to show its age much sooner.
- Superior Display: The dramatic difference in display quality makes a huge impact on daily use. The S24+ offers a significantly more enjoyable viewing experience.
- Camera Excellence: As someone who takes a lot of photos and videos, the superior camera system of the S24+ is invaluable. Features like OIS, RAW, and 4K/8K video are very important to me.
- Overall Experience: The faster charging, better connectivity, and superior build quality of the S24+ will contribute to a much better user experience overall.
While the Galaxy M12 is more affordable, the S24+ offers a much better experience across nearly every aspect of smartphone usage, and this is worth the price premium to me. It's a phone that would not only serve my needs now but also continue to do so effectively for many years.
