1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco M4 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164 × 76.1 × 8.9 mm | Poco M4 5G is slightly thinner, potentially feeling more comfortable in hand, though the difference is minor. |
| Weight | 212g | 200g | Poco M4 5G is slightly lighter, which may be noticeable over extended use, making it more comfortable to hold and carry around. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.58" | Very similar screen sizes. Difference is unlikely to be noticeable to most users. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1080x2408 | Poco M4 5G offers significantly sharper images and text, making viewing experience better, especially for reading and watching high-resolution content. |
| PPI | 270 | 401 | Poco M4 5G's higher pixel density results in crisper details and less pixelation. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | Poco M4 5G's IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color reproduction. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer a smoother scrolling and animation experience compared to 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | No data available. This makes it impossible to comment on how bright each screen gets, and how visible it may be outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Poco M4 5G has a more powerful chipset, leading to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 381,300 | Poco M4 5G scores significantly higher, indicating a much more responsive and capable device. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 | Poco M4 5G has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming and graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both offer similar battery life, which should be enough for a full day's use for most users. |
| Charging | 15W | 18W | Poco M4 5G charges slightly faster, reducing waiting time to fully charge the device. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Poco M4 5G can charge other devices, albeit slowly, through reverse charging, a helpful feature in emergencies. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm (Samsung S5KGM2) | 13MP, f/2.2 | Galaxy M12 has a higher resolution camera with a wider aperture and larger sensor, which, under good light, should lead to more detailed photos. However, the Poco M4 5G's processing might compensate in some cases. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 5MP, f/2.2 | Galaxy M12 has a higher resolution front camera which may result in slightly more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | N/A | Galaxy M12 offers a wide-angle lens which is beneficial for capturing landscape photos or group shots. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones offer a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photography with a similar aperture. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | Galaxy M12 allows you to capture close-up details with its dedicated macro lens. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer the same standard video recording resolution and frame rate. |
| Features | Quadruple camera, PDAF | Dual camera, Digital Image Stabilization, Night Mode | The M12 offers more flexibility with a quadruple camera system, while the M4 5G offers image stabilization and night mode for better low-light performance. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12 | Poco M4 5G comes with a newer Android version offering potential improvements in performance and security. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | Poco M4 5G supports newer Wi-Fi standards, offering faster speeds and better connectivity. It also supports dual-band and MIMO for more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 LE | Poco M4 5G has a newer, more energy-efficient Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco M4 5G supports more satellite navigation systems, which should give better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both devices offer the same SIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 64/128 GB | Both offer similar storage options, sufficient for most users. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6 GB | Both offer similar RAM options that are suitable for moderate multitasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage, which may be limiting for some users. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic Audio Features | Basic Audio Features | Both devices have the same basic audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both devices have the same basic fingerprint security feature. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Poco M4 5G is more protected from scratches and minor impacts thanks to the Gorilla Glass 3 screen. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Proximity | The Poco M4 5G has a compass, whereas the Galaxy M12 has a hall sensor. Both have a reasonable suite of sensors suitable for most users. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- More versatile camera system: Includes an additional ultrawide and macro lens, offering more flexibility in photography.
- Higher resolution standard camera: Offers 48MP compared to the Poco M4 5G's 13MP, which can capture more detail.
- Larger main camera sensor: The Samsung S5KGM2 sensor is larger and combined with a wider aperture, it should provide better performance in low light scenarios.
Practical Implications: The Galaxy M12 is better suited for users who want a flexible camera system that is good at capturing a variety of shots, such as wide-angle landscapes, close-up macro details, and higher resolution standard photos.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G Advantages:
- Significantly superior performance: The Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset and higher AnTuTu score results in faster and smoother performance, making it better for gaming and multitasking.
- Higher resolution display: The 1080x2408 resolution leads to a sharper viewing experience, better for reading, browsing and viewing multimedia.
- Newer Operating System: Android 12 provides a more modern experience with potential improvements in security and features.
- Faster charging: 18W charging reduces time spent tethered to a wall socket.
- Reverse Charging: Allows the phone to charge other devices if necessary.
- Superior build quality: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen provides increased durability.
- More accurate location data: The inclusion of Galileo provides more options for GPS functionality.
Practical Implications: The Poco M4 5G excels for users who prioritize performance, such as gamers, heavy app users, and those who want a modern user experience. The sharper display makes content consumption more enjoyable.
Trade-offs:
- Galaxy M12: Sacrifices performance for a more versatile camera system. It has a lower resolution screen.
- Poco M4 5G: Sacrifices some camera versatility and potentially some low light photo quality, but offers superior overall performance and display quality.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12:
- Ideal User: Casual photographers, users who value flexible camera options over raw performance, or those who are on a very tight budget.
- Use Cases: Capturing a variety of shots, social media photos with wide angles and macro details, basic social media use, light gaming.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a relatively complete camera system at a lower price point, but may feel slow for more demanding tasks.
Xiaomi Poco M4 5G:
- Ideal User: Performance-focused users, gamers, students, people who stream a lot of video, or anyone who wants a more modern user experience.
- Use Cases: Mobile gaming, multitasking, media consumption, web browsing, smooth everyday use, using it as a secondary battery.
- Price-to-Value: Offers a significant performance boost and better display compared to the Galaxy M12 for a similar price.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What do you prioritize more, camera flexibility or performance? If you value having more shooting options (wide-angle, macro), the Galaxy M12 is better suited to your needs. If you need smooth multitasking and gaming, the Poco M4 5G is the better option.
- How important is display quality? The Poco M4 5G has a sharper, higher-resolution display, which enhances content viewing. If you value visual clarity, the Poco M4 5G has a far superior panel.
- What is your budget? Both phones tend to be targeted at the budget market, and so will be of a similar price. Always make sure to shop around for the best price.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious Casual Photographer: If camera versatility is important and budget is a major concern, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a better option.
- Performance-Oriented User: If smooth performance, better screen clarity and longer-term usability are a priority, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G is the superior choice.
- Daily Driver with Occasional Gaming: For a well-rounded experience, the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G provides a better balance of performance and user experience.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco M4 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 offers a more versatile camera system on paper, the practical advantages of the Poco M4 5G are much more compelling for my needs.
The significantly improved performance offered by the Dimensity 700 chipset, combined with the sharper, higher-resolution display, the newer version of Android, and the slightly faster charging, make the Poco M4 5G a better long-term investment. I prioritize smooth performance and a pleasant user experience, which the Poco M4 5G delivers much better than the Galaxy M12. While I appreciate the flexibility of the extra lenses in the M12, the performance trade-offs make it a less appealing choice for me. The durability of the Gorilla Glass 3 screen also gives me some peace of mind.
