Samsung Galaxy M12 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 30, 2021 March 30, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 120.74 cm³ 99.49 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.07 "/g 3.63 "/g
Weight 212 g 183.5 g
Height 164 mm 165.7 mm
Width 75.9 mm 76 mm
Thickness 9.7 mm 7.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Black
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Ice Blue
  • Mint Green
  • Onyx Gray

Display

Screen Size 6.5 " 6.67 "
Resolution 720 x 1600 1080 x 2400
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 81.9 % 85.3 %
Pixel Density 270 PPI 395 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A 450 nits
HBM Brightness N/A 700 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 118.34 mAh/in² 112.39 mAh/in²
Battery Density 41.41 mAh/cm³ 50.26 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Exynos 850 (8 nm) Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 685 (6 nm)
CPU Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) Octa-core (4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Mali-G52 Adreno 610

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0 USB Type-C 2.0, OTG

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 11 13
Maximum OS Version 14

Comparison Summary

Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy M12Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4GPractical Impact
Design
Launch Date2021-04-302023-03-30The Redmi Note 12 4G is a newer device by almost 2 years, likely benefiting from more recent software and hardware advances.
Dimensions164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm165.7 x 76 x 7.9 mmThe Redmi Note 12 4G is slightly taller and significantly thinner, making it feel more modern and possibly more comfortable to hold. The Galaxy M12 is thicker and has a larger overall volume.
Weight212g183.5gThe Redmi Note 12 4G is noticeably lighter, which is better for prolonged use and carrying in your pocket.
Display
Size6.5"6.67"The Redmi Note 12 4G offers a slightly larger screen, which can be better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution720x16001080x2400The Redmi Note 12 4G has a much sharper display, resulting in clearer text and images.
Pixel Density270 PPI395 PPIThe Redmi Note 12 4G's higher pixel density means a significantly more detailed and crisp viewing experience.
TechnologyPLS LCDAMOLEDThe Redmi Note 12 4G's AMOLED screen offers superior colors, contrast (deeper blacks), and energy efficiency, especially with dark mode enabled.
Refresh Rate90Hz120HzThe Redmi Note 12 4G's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations smoother and more responsive.
Brightness0 nits1200 nitsThe Redmi Note 12 4G is dramatically brighter, ensuring better visibility in direct sunlight. The Galaxy M12's display information is missing, making comparison hard.
Performance
ChipsetExynos 850 (8nm)Snapdragon 685 (6nm)The Snapdragon 685 in the Redmi Note 12 4G is a more modern and powerful chip, likely offering better performance and energy efficiency.
AnTuTu Score117,341338,900The Redmi Note 12 4G has significantly better performance, translating to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
GPUMali-G52Adreno 610The Adreno 610 in the Redmi Note 12 4G is a more capable GPU, which will perform better in graphically intensive tasks like gaming.
Camera
Main Camera48MP, f/2.0, 1/2"50MP, f/1.8, 1/2.76"The Redmi Note 12 4G has a slightly higher resolution and a wider aperture (f/1.8), which should result in better low-light performance. The Galaxy M12 has a larger sensor size which can improve low light.
Selfie Camera8MP, f/2.213MP, f/2.45The Redmi Note 12 4G has a higher resolution selfie camera, which can capture more detailed selfies. The Galaxy M12 has a wider aperture for better low light.
Wide Angle Lens5MP, f/2.28MP, f/2.2, 1/4"The Redmi Note 12 4G has a higher resolution wide-angle camera, enabling more detailed wide shots.
Depth Sensor2MP, f/2.4NoneThe Galaxy M12 has a dedicated depth sensor that may improve portrait photos.
Macro Lens2MP, f/2.42MP, f/2.4Both phones have a 2MP macro lens, so macro photo performance will likely be similar.
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fpsBoth record video at 1080p at 30fps, no significant difference.
DxOMarkN/A63 (Mobile)The Redmi Note 12 4G has a camera score of 63 on DxOMark Mobile, while the Galaxy M12 has not been tested. It suggests the Redmi Note has a much better camera.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh5000mAhBoth phones have the same battery capacity.
Charging15W33WThe Redmi Note 12 4G charges significantly faster, reducing waiting time.
FeaturesNon-removableReverse, Non-removableThe Redmi Note 12 4G offers reverse charging, enabling it to charge other devices.
Software
OSAndroid 11Android 13The Redmi Note 12 4G runs on a more recent version of Android, which generally provides better performance, security, and access to newer features. It is also upgradable to Android 14.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n802.11a/b/g/n/acThe Redmi Note 12 4G supports 5GHz Wi-Fi (802.11ac), potentially offering faster internet speeds.
Bluetooth5.05.0 LEBoth have Bluetooth 5.0 with minor feature differences.
GPSGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeidouGPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, GalileoThe Redmi Note 12 4G supports Galileo for potentially more precise location tracking.
SIMDual SIM, Dual StandbyDual SIM, Dual StandbyBoth phones have the same dual SIM capabilities.
Storage
Internal32/64/128 GB64/128/256 GBThe Redmi Note 12 4G offers more internal storage options, especially a 256 GB variant which is great for users who keep a lot of media and apps.
RAM3/4/6 GB4/6/8 GBThe Redmi Note 12 4G has more RAM, which makes it better at multitasking and handling resource-intensive applications.
ExpandableNoNoNeither phone has expandable storage.
Other
AudioBasic featuresBasic featuresBoth have similar audio capabilities.
SecuritySide fingerprintSide fingerprintBoth phones offer side-mounted fingerprint sensors.
Build QualityUnknown Screen ProtectionGorilla Glass 3The Redmi Note 12 4G has better screen protection with Gorilla Glass 3.
SensorsFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, GyroscopeFingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, GyroscopeRedmi Note 12 4G adds a compass sensor for more accurate location and navigation capabilities.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G Advantages:

  • Superior Display: AMOLED technology, higher resolution, pixel density, refresh rate, and brightness provide a much better visual experience.
  • Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 685 chipset and higher AnTuTu score mean faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming.
  • Faster Charging: 33W charging dramatically reduces charging time compared to the Samsung's 15W.
  • More Modern Software: Android 13 offers a better user experience and access to newer features (upgradeable to Android 14)
  • Larger Storage Options: A 256GB storage option is available, better for those with large media libraries.
  • Lighter Build: Easier to handle and more portable.
  • Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 provides better protection against scratches and minor drops.
  • Galileo GPS Support: Better location accuracy.

Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages:

  • Dedicated Depth Sensor: May offer slightly better portrait mode photos.
  • Larger Main Camera Sensor: Slightly larger sensor on the main camera could perform better in some low-light situations, although the smaller aperture limits its effectiveness.
  • Wider Aperture on Selfie Camera: May result in slightly better low-light selfies, although the resolution is lower.
  • Gyroscope Sensor: Both phones include it.

Trade-offs:

  • The Samsung Galaxy M12 sacrifices a lot in display and performance for a lower price and is now quite outdated.
  • The Redmi Note 12 4G doesn't have a dedicated depth sensor, but compensates with better software and processing power.
  • The Galaxy M12 is thicker and heavier.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy M12:

  • Users with a tight budget seeking a basic smartphone for everyday tasks (calls, texts, basic browsing).
  • Users who prioritize battery life and don't need high performance.
  • Users who want a larger camera sensor for better low light photography.
  • Users who prioritize a dedicated depth sensor for portrait photos.

Use Cases:

  • Basic communication and social media.
  • Light web browsing and email.
  • Simple photography and video recording.

Ideal User for Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G:

  • Users who value a high-quality display for media consumption and gaming.
  • Users who want a smoother and more responsive smartphone experience.
  • Users who want faster charging capabilities.
  • Users who want more storage capacity for their files, photos, and apps.
  • Users who want more RAM for better multitasking performance.
  • Users who want more future-proof software with Android 13 (upgradeable to Android 14).

Use Cases:

  • Watching videos, streaming, and playing mobile games.
  • Multitasking between apps efficiently.
  • Taking high-quality photos and videos.
  • Frequent social media use.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Samsung Galaxy M12 is likely more budget-friendly, but the Redmi Note 12 4G provides a much better experience for the extra cost.
  2. How important is the display quality? If a high-quality display is a priority, the Redmi Note 12 4G is clearly the better choice.
  3. How much do you value performance? For smoother and faster performance, the Redmi Note 12 4G has a considerable advantage.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget-Conscious User: If your budget is extremely tight, and you only need a basic smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is an option (but not recommended due to its age and the inferior user experience)
  • Average User: The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G offers much better value with its superior display, performance, and faster charging capabilities.
  • Power User/Media Enthusiast: The Redmi Note 12 4G is ideal with its AMOLED display, faster processor and larger RAM.

My Choice and Explanation

I would choose the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 4G.

The reason is simple: it offers a significantly better user experience across almost all key aspects. The AMOLED display is a major upgrade, providing vastly superior visuals for everyday tasks and media consumption. The vastly improved processing power ensures that the device feels fast and responsive, making multitasking and gaming enjoyable. The faster charging is a very practical advantage, and the more modern Android version is a welcome addition. Although the Galaxy M12 has some advantages in its camera system, the overall performance, display, and modern software of the Redmi Note 12 4G far outweigh these. The Redmi Note 12 4G represents much better value for money, making it the sensible choice for the vast majority of users. The Galaxy M12 is too old and lacks the performance and features to be recommended in 2024.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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  • Mobile technology analysis
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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.