1. Specifications Comparison
Design & Build
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | 2021-04-30 | 2022-03-23 | Poco X4 Pro 5G is newer, potentially with longer software support and newer features. |
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.2 × 76.1 × 8.1 mm | Poco X4 Pro 5G is thinner and slightly wider, generally more pocketable and modern feel. |
| Weight | 212g | 205g | Poco X4 Pro 5G is slightly lighter, which can be more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Build Quality (Screen Protection) | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has better screen protection against scratches and accidental drops. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.67" | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers a slightly larger display for more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2400 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a significantly sharper display with more detail, suitable for media consumption. |
| Pixel Density | 270 ppi | 395 ppi | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a noticeably crisper display, making text and images clearer. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers superior blacks, contrast, and color vibrancy. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | Poco X4 Pro 5G provides a smoother scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1200 nits | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers much better outdoor visibility in bright sunlight. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Poco X4 Pro 5G's chipset is more powerful, offering better overall performance and power efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 395,978 | Poco X4 Pro 5G is significantly faster in daily tasks, gaming, and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a more powerful GPU, resulting in better gaming performance. |
| RAM | 3GB/4GB/6GB | 6GB/8GB | Poco X4 Pro 5G generally offers more RAM for smoother multitasking and app performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 108MP | Poco X4 Pro 5G captures much more detailed photos with higher resolution. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.9 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a slightly wider aperture, potentially slightly better in low light. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/2" | 1/1.52" | Poco X4 Pro 5G's larger sensor can capture more light for better overall quality. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 8MP | 16MP | Poco X4 Pro 5G captures higher resolution selfies. |
| Selfie Camera Aperture | f/2.2 | f/2.4 | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a slightly wider aperture. |
| Wide Angle Camera Resolution | 5MP | 8MP | Poco X4 Pro 5G captures slightly more detailed wide-angle shots. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | Yes | No | Galaxy M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | 2MP | Both offer basic macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps, No Slow Motion | 1080p@30fps, 120fps Slow Motion | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers slow-motion video recording. |
| Camera Features | PDAF, Quad Camera | Digital Image Stabilization, Triple Camera, Night Mode, RAW, Manual Focus | Poco X4 Pro 5G has more advanced camera features, including image stabilization, night mode, manual control, and RAW image capture. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, resulting in comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 67W Fast Charging | Poco X4 Pro 5G charges much faster, reducing downtime. |
| Battery Type | Li-Polymer | Li-Ion Polymer | Both batteries are non-removable and use polymer based chemistry. |
Other
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11 | Similar base OS, but differences in custom interfaces (One UI vs. MIUI) may affect user experience. |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b/g/n | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac | Poco X4 Pro 5G supports newer Wi-Fi standards for faster speeds. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | Poco X4 Pro 5G has a newer Bluetooth version with potentially better connectivity. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | Poco X4 Pro 5G supports more satellite systems, for better location accuracy. |
| Storage | 32GB/64GB/128GB | 64GB/128GB/256GB | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers a larger 256GB storage option. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage |
| Audio | Basic | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Poco X4 Pro 5G offers superior audio experience with spatial audio and better microphone quality. |
| Security | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both offer side-mounted fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Ultrasonic proximity virtual | Both offer similar sensor options, with minor additions on each device |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:
- Dedicated Depth Sensor: The M12 has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode photos, a feature not present on the Poco X4 Pro 5G.
- Slightly wider selfie camera aperture: May provide slight advantages for selfie in low light conditions.
Practical Implications:
- The dedicated depth sensor is a hardware feature for better portrait mode shots that the Poco X4 Pro does not have.
- Selfie quality in low light might be better on the Samsung due to the slightly larger aperture.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED, higher resolution, higher pixel density, 120Hz refresh rate, significantly higher brightness.
- Much Higher Performance: Significantly faster chipset and better GPU.
- Faster Charging: 67W charging vs. 15W.
- Higher Resolution Main Camera: 108MP vs. 48MP.
- Better Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones.
- Newer Wi-Fi Standards: Faster and more efficient Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Newer Bluetooth Version: Bluetooth 5.2 for more efficient connectivity.
- Slow-Motion Video: 120 fps slow-motion video recording
- Advanced Camera Features: Digital Image Stabilization, Night Mode, RAW image capture and Manual Focus.
- Larger Storage Option: Up to 256 GB of internal storage available
- Better Build Quality: Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection
Practical Implications:
- The superior display results in a significantly better viewing experience with sharper images, vibrant colors, smooth scrolling, and excellent outdoor visibility.
- The faster chipset and GPU provide smoother performance in day-to-day usage, multitasking, and gaming.
- The fast charging significantly reduces battery charging time, a very important feature for most users.
- Higher resolution camera and better image processing enables high quality photos.
- Dolby Atmos audio provides a much better multimedia experience.
- The newer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology offers faster connectivity speeds and lower latency.
- Slow-motion videos adds flexibility for content creation.
- Advanced camera features offers better control for photography enthusiasts.
- Larger internal storage allows for more content to be saved locally.
- Better build quality enhances the durability of the device.
Significant Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy M12 trades superior display and performance for a slightly better depth sensor, which may be useful to users that take a lot of portraits.
- Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G lacks a dedicated depth sensor, and it also has a smaller aperture for its selfie camera, but offers significantly better overall performance and a superior user experience due to it's superior display, performance, audio, charging and camera capabilities.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Those looking for a basic smartphone at the lowest possible price point.
- Users focused on basic tasks: Browsing, social media, and casual photography where high performance or top-end image quality are not key requirements.
- Users who value portrait mode: Users who take a lot of portrait style photos.
Specific Use Cases:
- First-time smartphone users: Simplicity and affordability are key.
- Older adults: Straightforward interface and basic functions.
- Secondary phone: For basic communication and emergency use.
Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G Ideal User:
- Multimedia consumers: Those who enjoy watching videos, playing games, or using social media on their phone.
- Performance-oriented users: Those who want smooth, fast operation with less lag and better gaming experience.
- Photography enthusiasts: Those looking for high-quality photos, advanced camera features, and slow-motion video capabilities.
- Users that prioritize better battery charging speeds: Those who want the fast charging capabilities of a modern smartphone.
- Users who want better build quality: Users that need a device with better protection against screen scratches.
Specific Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming: Smooth performance and high refresh rate display for competitive gaming.
- Content creation: High-resolution photos, slow-motion video, and advanced camera features.
- Media consumption: Immersive viewing experience with the AMOLED display, better audio with Dolby Atmos, and good battery life.
- Power users: Those who need a phone that can handle multitasking and demanding applications with ease.
- Professional or active people: Those who want better screen brightness to be able to use the device in the outdoors, as well as a device that charges quickly.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers to Consider:
- What is my budget? The Samsung Galaxy M12 is typically more budget-friendly.
- How important are display quality, performance, and camera capabilities? The Poco X4 Pro 5G far surpasses the M12 in these aspects.
- Do I need fast charging or better build quality? The Poco X4 Pro 5G offers significantly faster charging and screen protection.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: "I need a basic phone on a very tight budget." Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M12 is suitable, if the display and performance quality are not a priority.
- Scenario 2: "I want the best possible viewing experience and performance for everyday use." Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G is the better choice because of its superior display, performance, audio, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: "I want a good camera, with the ability to take high quality pictures, slow-motion videos and I like to capture as much details as possible." Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G is the best choice for this scenario, due to its high resolution main camera sensor, digital image stabilization and 120 fps slow motion support, among other features.
- Scenario 4: "I take a lot of portrait photos and I care about those the most". Recommendation: Samsung Galaxy M12 can be considered but the overall performance and lack of advanced features would make it less desirable than the Poco X4 Pro 5G.
- Scenario 5: "I want a device that will last longer and will be more durable". Recommendation: Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G is better in this case due to the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen protection.
My Choice:
Based on my analysis, I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro 5G. While the Samsung Galaxy M12 might be a bit more budget friendly, the Poco X4 Pro 5G provides an overwhelmingly superior user experience in almost every way.
The significantly better display (AMOLED, higher resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, higher brightness), much faster performance, quicker charging, more advanced camera features, and overall better build quality (Gorilla Glass 5) make it a far more compelling device for most users. The lack of a dedicated depth sensor on the Poco is a minor drawback considering the other advanced features that the device offers. For any user that cares about performance, camera quality, display, audio, and battery, the Poco X4 Pro 5G is clearly the superior choice.
