1. Specifications Comparison
Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro | Practical Impact |
---|---|---|---|
Design | |||
Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 160.9 × 75 × 8.2 mm | Poco F6 Pro is more compact and slimmer, likely more comfortable in hand and pocket. The M12 is noticeably bulkier. |
Weight | 212g | 209g | Negligible difference, both feel similarly weighted in hand. |
Display | |||
Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco F6 Pro offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3200 | Poco F6 Pro has significantly sharper visuals, better for detailed text, images, and videos. M12 display is noticeably less sharp. |
PPI | 270 | 526 | Poco F6 Pro offers significantly clearer display with higher pixel density for sharper images. |
Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Poco F6 Pro's AMOLED offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast, more vibrant experience overall. It also has better energy efficiency for dark themes. |
Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco F6 Pro has slightly smoother scrolling and animations. |
Brightness | 0 nits | 4000 nits | Poco F6 Pro is significantly better visible in bright outdoor conditions. |
Performance | |||
Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Poco F6 Pro will be significantly faster and more responsive in all tasks. |
AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 1,642,770 | Poco F6 Pro performs exceptionally faster, handling demanding apps, multitasking and games with ease. M12 will struggle with heavy usage. |
GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 740 | Poco F6 Pro's GPU delivers much better graphics performance for gaming. M12 may have limitations on graphics-intensive apps. |
Battery | |||
Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life, though this will vary based on screen usage and performance demands. |
Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 120W Fast Charging | Poco F6 Pro charges much faster, minimizing downtime. The M12 takes significantly longer to charge. |
Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable, Xiaomi P2 fast charging chip, Xiaomi G1 battery management chip | Poco F6 Pro allows charging other devices. It also has better charging efficiency and battery health management. M12 has very basic battery features. |
Camera | |||
Standard Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | Poco F6 Pro captures slightly more detailed standard photos. |
Standard Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.6 | Poco F6 Pro performs better in low light and offers shallower depth of field. |
Standard Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.55" | Poco F6 Pro's larger sensor gathers more light for better low light performance and overall image quality. |
Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | Poco F6 Pro's selfie camera captures more detailed selfie photos. |
Wide Angle Lens Resolution | 5MP | 8MP | Poco F6 Pro's wide angle lens captures more detailed wide angle photos |
Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP | None | M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait shots, while the Poco F6 Pro may not offer the same quality. |
Macro Lens Resolution | 2MP | 2MP | Both have similar macro camera capabilities. |
Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Poco F6 Pro can record much higher resolution videos and has more advanced video recording features and stabilization technology. |
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 | Flicker sensor, Noise reduction, 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Triple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Continuous autofocus, Manual focus, Phase detection autofocus (PDAF), Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | Poco F6 Pro has more advanced features like image stabilization and RAW capture, along with 8k video recording. |
Software | |||
OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | Poco F6 Pro has a more up-to-date operating system with newer features and security updates. |
Connectivity | |||
Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Poco F6 Pro supports newer and faster Wi-Fi standards, offering better performance and stability. |
Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 LE | Poco F6 Pro has a more recent Bluetooth version with improved efficiency and features. |
GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), NavIC System, QZSS (L1 + L5) | Poco F6 Pro has a more comprehensive GPS system for better accuracy in location tracking. |
Storage | |||
Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256/512/1024 GB | Poco F6 Pro offers significantly more storage capacity for media and apps. |
RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 12/16 GB | Poco F6 Pro offers vastly more RAM, leading to smoother multitasking and overall performance. |
Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
Audio | |||
Quality | Basic Audio Features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | Poco F6 Pro provides a much more immersive and higher quality audio experience. |
Security | |||
Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a more ergonomic fingerprint sensor in the side compared to a standard one |
Sensors | |||
Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Poco F6 Pro has more sensor options which enhances its performance for gaming and different applications and better tracking. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: Offers a dedicated 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots, which is missing in Poco F6 Pro.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Provides a more ergonomic fingerprint scanner.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro Advantages:
- Superior Display: Significantly higher resolution, pixel density, brighter AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate provides a much better viewing experience.
- Exceptional Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset offers vastly better performance than the Exynos 850 for all tasks, including gaming.
- Faster Charging: 120W fast charging drastically reduces charging time.
- Advanced Camera System: Higher resolution main and selfie camera, wider aperture, larger sensor and advanced video recording features.
- More Storage and RAM: Offers significantly more internal storage and RAM for better multitasking and storage.
- Up-to-date Software: Runs on a newer version of Android (14) with future updates (17).
- Superior Connectivity: Supports newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standards for faster and more reliable connections.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide a superior audio experience.
- More comprehensive GPS: Supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy.
- Extra Battery Features: Features reverse charging, dedicated fast charging chip and battery management chip for better battery performance.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12: While it offers a depth sensor, it compromises significantly on performance, display quality, charging speeds and camera performance.
- Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro: Lacks a dedicated depth sensor, which might affect portrait photos, and features a less ergonomic fingerprint sensor.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those who need a very basic smartphone for calls, messaging and simple apps.
- Users with very light usage: Individuals who are not demanding on performance or display quality.
- Users who prioritize a depth sensor in the camera: Users who are concerned with the quality of portrait photos will like the depth sensor.
Use Cases:
- Basic web browsing, social media, and video watching
- Simple mobile games
- Backup phone for calls and basic tasks.
- For users who prioritize affordability over performance.
Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro Ideal User:
- Power users: Demanding users who need fast performance, and excellent display quality.
- Gamers: Those who play graphic-intensive games will appreciate the fast chipset, powerful GPU and high refresh rate display.
- Photographers: Users who want high-quality pictures and videos with lots of features.
- Media consumers: Individuals who watch videos and consume a lot of media will benefit from the enhanced audio and visual experience.
Use Cases:
- High-performance mobile gaming, multitasking, and running demanding applications
- High quality photo and video recording, and editing.
- Immersive multimedia consumption with high refresh rate screen, vibrant colors and enhanced audio.
- Work tasks requiring fast performance, and large storage.
Price-to-Value:
- The Samsung Galaxy M12 is positioned as an entry-level smartphone with a lower price tag and its value is in its budget pricing for a very basic functionality.
- The Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro offers a premium experience at a higher price point, delivering excellent performance, display and features, and its value is in its flagship-level experience at a competitive price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
What is your budget?
- The M12 is a budget phone with compromises, while F6 Pro is a premium smartphone.
What is your primary use case?
- If your usage is very basic, then the M12 may suffice, otherwise, the F6 Pro is better.
Which features are most important to you?
- If display and performance matter most, the F6 Pro is the clear choice. If a dedicated depth sensor for portraits is a must, M12 is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Casual User on a Tight Budget: If you need a very basic smartphone for calls and messaging and you have a limited budget, then the Samsung Galaxy M12 may be sufficient. However, you will compromise on performance, display, and camera quality.
- Scenario 2: Performance-Focused User: If you're a gamer, a heavy multitasker, or someone who needs a smooth, high-performance experience, the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro is the clear choice.
- Scenario 3: Photo/Video Enthusiast: If you frequently take photos and videos and want the highest quality with advanced features, the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro's camera and video capabilities will suit you better.
- Scenario 4: Media Lover: If you prioritize display quality, vivid colors, and great audio, the AMOLED screen and Dolby Atmos stereo speakers of the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro are worth the investment.
My Choice
I would choose the Xiaomi Poco F6 Pro. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 serves a purpose for extremely basic use, the Poco F6 Pro offers an exponentially better user experience in almost every aspect that matters to a modern smartphone user. The significantly better display quality, vastly superior performance, much faster charging, and more advanced camera system make it a worthwhile investment. The additional features, such as the much faster Wi-Fi, better Bluetooth, stereo speakers, and higher storage, further solidify its position as the superior device. Even though it's more expensive, the overall value and the premium experience it provides are far greater, making it the preferable choice for me. I personally value performance, display, camera and media consumption over price as a factor in a phone, so the Poco F6 Pro serves that purpose better.