Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The Z Fold4 offers a unique, larger screen experience when unfolded, transforming from a phone into a small tablet. The M12 is a standard, traditional smartphone form factor. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 155.1 × 130.1 × 6.3 mm (Unfolded) | The M12 is taller and thicker, while the Z Fold4 is wider when unfolded and more compact when folded. This affects single-handed use and pocketability. |
| Weight | 212g | 263g | The M12 is significantly lighter, making it more comfortable for extended use. The Z Fold4, being heavier, might feel more substantial but can be less comfortable for long periods. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 7.6" | The Z Fold4's larger display offers a more immersive viewing experience, better for multitasking, media consumption, and gaming. The M12's smaller screen is more compact. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1812x2176 | The Z Fold4's higher resolution provides a much sharper and clearer image. The M12's display will look less detailed. |
| PPI | 270 | 373 | The Z Fold4 has a noticeably sharper display due to its higher pixel density. Text and images appear clearer. The M12 will have slightly more visible pixels. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | The M12 has a PLS LCD screen, which offers reasonable quality. The Z Fold4's screen technology is not specified, which limits a comparison. | |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Z Fold4's higher refresh rate results in smoother scrolling and animations. The M12's 90Hz display is still fairly smooth but less so than the Fold4. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones are rated at 0 nits of peak brightness, which is not typical, and might indicate missing data. This would require further research. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) | The Z Fold4's chip is significantly more powerful, providing faster performance for all tasks including gaming, video editing and general app responsiveness. The M12 will handle basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications. |
| Antutu Score | 117,341 | 1,232,800 | The Z Fold4 has a vastly higher AnTuTu score, indicating superior performance and responsiveness. It will be much better for demanding applications. The M12 will feel less snappy. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 730 | The Z Fold4's Adreno 730 GPU is much more powerful, providing better graphics performance, especially in gaming. The M12's Mali-G52 is less capable. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4400mAh | The M12 has a larger battery, likely resulting in longer battery life. However, this is also dependent on screen size and other factors. The Z Fold4 may drain slightly faster due to the larger, higher resolution screen. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 25W fast charging | The Z Fold4 charges faster, reducing the time spent plugged in. The M12 has slower charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 9W | The Z Fold4 has more charging options and can wirelessly charge other devices. The M12 only has wired charging and a non-removable battery. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm | The Z Fold4's main camera has a wider aperture and larger sensor resulting in superior low light performance. The larger pixels also capture more light. Both cameras provide detailed images. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm | The Z Fold4 captures more detailed selfies with slightly better low-light performance, thanks to its larger pixels. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm | The Z Fold4 offers optical zoom capabilities, allowing users to get closer to subjects without significant loss of quality. The M12 does not have a telephoto lens. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | 13MP, f/2.2, 1/3.06", 1.12µm | The Z Fold4's wide-angle lens captures more detailed and wider shots, while the M12's wide-angle lens is less capable. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The M12 provides portrait depth information but the camera itself is very low resolution for this purpose. The Fold4 does not have this dedicated camera lens. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | None | The M12 offers a dedicated macro lens for close up images but again the low resolution of the camera will mean less detailed results. The Fold4 does not have this dedicated lens. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | The Z Fold4 offers much higher quality and more versatile video recording capabilities, including 8K, high frame rate options, and advanced stabilization. The M12's video recording is basic. |
| DXOMark | None | Mobile: 124 (Photo: 131, Video: 122) | The Z Fold4 has been tested by DXOMark and has scored well for camera and video performance, which is a notable advantage. The M12 has not been tested and should score significantly lower. |
| 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 | 4K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, Laser AF, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Laser autofocus (LAF), Dual front camera, Under display camera, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | The Z Fold4 offers more advanced photography features such as optical zoom, stabilization, RAW capture and Night Mode. The M12 offers some features, but is very limited in comparison. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, with possible upgrade to 16 | The Z Fold4 has a newer version of Android and potential upgrade to Android 16, benefiting from the latest features and security updates, the M12 has an older version and will likely stop receiving major updates. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax | The Z Fold4 supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standards like WiFi 6 (802.11ax), providing better speeds and performance. The M12 is limited to older WiFi standards. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | The Z Fold4 has a more recent Bluetooth version, offering better energy efficiency, security, and potentially higher bandwidth. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Z Fold4 supports more satellite systems, which can result in more accurate positioning and faster location fixes. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | The Z Fold4 has eSIM support which allows digital switching of carriers, while the M12 supports two physical SIMs. |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | The Z Fold4 offers significantly more storage, which is essential for large media libraries and apps. The M12 offers a fraction of this, and users may need to rely more on cloud storage. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12 GB | The Z Fold4 has much more RAM, enabling seamless multitasking and smoother performance, even with demanding applications. The M12 will struggle with heavy multitasking and applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, meaning the internal storage is all you will get. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Stereo Speakers | The Z Fold4 provides a more immersive and higher quality audio experience, thanks to stereo speakers and Dolby Atmos technology. The M12 has basic audio output without enhancements. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor | Both phones offer similar side-mounted fingerprint sensors for quick and secure access. |
Build Quality
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | The Z Fold4 has superior screen protection against scratches and damage, the M12 has an unspecified screen protection. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | The Z Fold4 has more sensors, making it better for augmented reality applications and precise atmospheric tracking using the barometer. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Lower Price: The M12 is significantly more affordable.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for prolonged use.
- Larger Battery: Likely offers better battery life.
- Dedicated Macro Lens: Provides a simple lens for taking detailed close up images.
- Dedicated Depth Lens: Provides a simple depth sensor for basic portrait photography.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 Advantages:
- Foldable Design: Offers a unique larger screen experience.
- Superior Display: Larger, higher resolution, higher refresh rate, and sharper image.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster processor and graphics, smoother performance for all tasks.
- Better Camera System: More versatile with higher quality sensors, optical zoom, and advanced features.
- Faster Charging and Wireless Charging: More charging options and faster speeds.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos.
- Better Connectivity: Newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards, more accurate GPS.
- More Storage & RAM: Larger capacity, excellent for heavy multitasking.
- Superior Screen Protection: Better protection from scratches and damage.
- More Sensors: Better for augmented reality applications.
- eSIM support: Allows for digital carrier switching.
Trade-offs
- M12: Offers greater battery life, but at the cost of significantly lower performance, much lower camera quality, much smaller screen with lower resolution and no advanced features.
- Z Fold4: High cost and heavier, but excels in display, performance, camera capabilities and has a unique foldable form factor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users who need a basic smartphone for essential tasks such as calling, texting, browsing, and light social media.
- Use Cases: Primary phone for users with minimal tech requirements, secondary phone, or for users who prioritize battery life. Suitable for users who prefer a standard phone design.
- Price-to-Value: Very affordable, offering decent value for basic functionality, but not recommended for more demanding users or if camera quality and performance is important.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4:
- Ideal User: Tech enthusiasts, professionals who need a productivity device, heavy smartphone users, media consumers, gamers, and users who appreciate innovative design and premium features.
- Use Cases: Multitasking, gaming, professional photography/videography, media consumption, on-the-go productivity, and for users who appreciate cutting-edge technology and innovative design. The unique form factor makes it ideal for reading or using 2 apps simultaneously.
- Price-to-Value: Expensive but offers high-end performance and features that are not available in any other smartphone, excellent value for power users but only worth the money if these specific features and capabilities are essential.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend on a smartphone?
- Performance Needs: What kind of tasks do you primarily use your smartphone for (basic vs. demanding)?
- Desired Features: Which features are most important to you (e.g., camera quality, large screen, long battery life, premium build)?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy M12 for its low price and basic functionality.
- Power User: Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 for its powerful performance, unique display, advanced camera system and extensive features.
- Casual User: The Samsung Galaxy M12 is suitable but if budget is not an issue the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 is a premium experience.
- Camera Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 due to the significantly more versatile camera system with higher quality sensors and advanced features.
Personal Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4. While significantly more expensive, the leap in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and unique foldable form factor are compelling. As someone who frequently uses a smartphone for a mix of tasks, the larger display is a massive benefit, while the improved camera system offers far superior image and video capture abilities. The M12 would be too basic and not meet my performance and feature requirements. For me, the added expense is worth the significantly enhanced user experience, making the Z Fold4 the better choice.
