Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2024-01-24 | S24 Ultra is significantly newer, likely with better software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm | M12 is slightly taller and thicker, S24 Ultra is wider but thinner. M12 has a larger volume |
| Weight | 212g | 232g | M12 is lighter, potentially more comfortable for extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S24 Ultra offers a slightly larger screen for a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3120 | S24 Ultra has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images. |
| Pixel Density | 270 PPI | 505 PPI | S24 Ultra will display much crisper details compared to the M12 |
| Technology | PLS LCD | S24 Ultra is expected to have an AMOLED/OLED screen, which would offer better contrast and colors than the PLS LCD on the M12. The technology is not specified for the S24 Ultra | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | S24 Ultra has a smoother display, making animations and scrolling feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2600 nits | S24 Ultra will be much more usable outdoors in bright sunlight. The M12 would be difficult to view in similar conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) | S24 Ultra offers significantly higher performance for all tasks, including gaming, multitasking, and app loading. It is much more powerful. |
| Antutu Score | 117,341 | 1,814,869 | S24 Ultra has vastly superior benchmark performance, indicating a much smoother experience across all operations. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 750 | S24 Ultra's GPU is significantly more powerful, providing better graphics for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones should offer similar battery life based on capacity alone, but real-world use will differ based on chipset efficiency and screen usage. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging, Li-Polymer | 45W fast charging, Li-Ion | S24 Ultra charges much faster, reducing waiting time. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, 15W wireless charging, 4.5W reverse wireless charging | S24 Ultra offers more charging options, including wireless and reverse wireless charging as well as bypass charging for gaming while charging |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm | 200MP, f/1.7, 1/1.3", 1.00µm | S24 Ultra has much higher resolution, wider aperture, and a larger sensor, resulting in significantly better image quality in all conditions. |
| Telephoto + Portrait | N/A | 50MP, f/2.4, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | S24 Ultra has a dedicated Telephoto camera which greatly enhances portraits and zoomed in photos |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2, pixel size not specified | 12MP, f/2.2, pixel size not specified | S24 Ultra has a higher resolution front camera for better selfies. |
| Telephoto lens | N/A | 10MP, f/3.4, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S24 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for better zoom capabilities. |
| Wide Angle lens | 5MP, f/2.2, pixel size not specified | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | S24 Ultra has a better wide-angle camera, capturing more detail. |
| Portrait mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size not specified | N/A | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor while S24 Ultra relies on AI for portrait mode depth, which is generally superior. |
| Macro lens | 2MP, f/2.4, pixel size not specified | N/A | M12 has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots while S24 Ultra lacks this feature |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, HDR, EIS, Stereo sound | S24 Ultra offers much better video recording quality, higher resolution, improved stabilization, and more versatile recording modes. |
| DxoMark | N/A | Mobile: 144, Photo: 144, Video: 137 | S24 Ultra has a much better camera as measured by DxOmark. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Quadruple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer | Night Mode 2.0, 4K/8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW | S24 Ultra has additional features like OIS, Optical Zoom, 8K video recording and RAW capture for more professional-grade photography and video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | S24 Ultra has a newer OS, offering latest features, security updates, and a longer update life. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/n 5GHz/ac/ax/6E | S24 Ultra supports much faster and more reliable WiFi, including newer standards like WiFi 6 and 6E. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 LE | S24 Ultra has a newer version of Bluetooth, which is more power-efficient and offers better audio quality with features like LDAC. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1 + L5) | S24 Ultra offers more accurate and faster location tracking by supporting more satellite systems. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM / eSIM + Nano SIM / eSIM) | S24 Ultra has eSIM support, which provides flexibility in switching carriers. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | S24 Ultra offers much more internal storage, for users with large media libraries or large apps. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12 GB | S24 Ultra has much more RAM, allowing for smoother multitasking and more resource intensive apps. |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither supports external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S24 Ultra has better audio quality with noise cancellation and stereo speakers |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | M12 features a side mounted fingerprint sensor, S24 Ultra features a basic fingerprint sensor, likely an in screen sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Armor | S24 Ultra has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | S24 Ultra has a more comprehensive suite of sensors, including a compass and barometer |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Lower Price: The M12 is significantly more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Lighter Weight: The M12's lighter weight may be more comfortable for some users during extended use.
- Macro Lens: The M12 has a dedicated macro lens for close up shots, which the S24 Ultra lacks.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The S24 Ultra's newer and much more powerful chipset provides a significantly smoother, faster, and more responsive experience for all tasks.
- Significantly Better Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness result in a much clearer, smoother, and more vibrant display, especially in outdoor conditions.
- Superior Camera System: The S24 Ultra has much higher resolution sensors, more lenses, and better features like OIS and 8K video, leading to significantly improved image quality, versatility, and overall photography performance.
- Faster Charging: The S24 Ultra's 45W charging significantly reduces charging time compared to the M12's 15W. It also offers wireless and reverse charging options.
- Newer Software: Android 14 on the S24 Ultra offers the latest features and security patches.
- Advanced Connectivity: The S24 Ultra supports faster WiFi standards, Bluetooth 5.3 LE, and more satellite navigation systems.
- Larger Storage and RAM: Much greater internal storage and RAM provide a more future-proof device, suitable for resource-intensive apps and multitasking.
- Better Audio: Stereo speakers and noise-canceling microphones offer better audio quality.
- Better Build Quality: Includes Corning Gorilla Glass Armor screen protection.
Significant Trade-offs:
- The S24 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the M12.
- The S24 Ultra is heavier than the M12.
- The M12 has a dedicated macro lens while the S24 Ultra lacks this.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal Users:
- Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for daily tasks.
- Users who prioritize a lighter phone for comfortable extended use.
- Users with basic camera needs and don't require high-quality photography.
- Those who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging, and light social media.
Use Cases for M12:
- Primary communication device for calls and messaging.
- Casual web browsing and social media use.
- Basic multimedia consumption (videos, music).
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Ideal Users:
- Users who demand high performance, especially for gaming and multitasking.
- Photography and videography enthusiasts who require the best possible image quality.
- Users who want the latest features and technology in their smartphone.
- Users who need a phone that can perform well in all lighting conditions, especially outdoors.
- Professionals who need a powerful smartphone for productivity tasks.
Use Cases for S24 Ultra:
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Professional photography and videography.
- Demanding productivity tasks such as video editing, document creation and advanced spreadsheets.
- Outdoor usage where bright display and superior image quality is important.
- Long-term use where software support and speed are critical.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: What are your typical use cases? Do you need high performance for gaming or photography, or are basic tasks enough?
- Camera Importance: How important is camera quality to you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Tight Budget, Basic Needs: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12. It provides all the basics for communication and casual use at a low price.
- Scenario 2: Moderate Budget, Mainstream Use: Consider phones other than the M12, which may offer a more balanced performance than the M12 for a slight increase in price.
- Scenario 3: High Budget, Performance & Camera Priority: Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. It offers best-in-class performance, camera, and features with very few compromises.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
While the price difference is significant, the S24 Ultra's vastly superior performance, display, camera, and overall features make it the clear choice for my needs. As someone who frequently uses their phone for gaming, photography, and productivity, I value the performance and quality enhancements it offers. The enhanced experience far outweighs the cost for my use case. Although the M12 may be good for a budget phone, for the long term, the S24 Ultra would offer a much smoother experience and be future proof for many more years than the M12.
