1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 164 × 75.9 × 9.7 mm | 164.2 × 75.3 × 8.6 mm | ZTE Blade V60 Design is slightly slimmer and may feel more comfortable in the hand; the M12 is slightly larger overall. |
| Weight | 212g | 198g | ZTE Blade V60 Design is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Negligible difference in screen size. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 720x1612 | Similar pixel counts, both offering HD+ resolution. |
| PPI | 270 | 267 | Very similar pixel density, both have fairly sharp displays for their price range. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | IPS LCD | IPS LCD generally offers better viewing angles and color accuracy than PLS LCD, slightly improved viewing experience on the ZTE. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to standard 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have identical and very low peak brightness, outdoor visibility might be poor. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Unisoc T606 (12 nm) | The Exynos 850 uses a more efficient architecture (8nm vs 12nm) which could mean lower power consumption. However the Unisoc chipset has a much better benchmark score so the ZTE Blade will perform better overall. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 240,000 | ZTE Blade V60 Design offers significantly faster performance, better for multitasking and gaming. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MP1 | The Mali-G57 MP1 in the ZTE offers better graphics performance. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP | 50MP | ZTE offers slightly higher resolution images. |
| Main Camera Aperture | f/2.0 | f/1.8 | ZTE's wider aperture allows more light, resulting in better low-light performance. |
| Main Camera Sensor | Samsung S5KGM2 | Not specified | Lack of details on ZTE's sensor makes direct comparison difficult. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP | Not available | Samsung offers a wide angle lens for capturing more in a shot. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP | Not available | Samsung offers a dedicated macro lens for close-up photography. |
| Front Camera | 8MP | 8MP | Comparable front-facing camera. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps | Both offer standard full HD video capture. |
| Additional Camera Features | Quadruple camera | Triple Camera, digital image stabilization | Samsung has a dedicated macro and ultrawide lens, while ZTE offers digital stabilization which should make recordings smoother. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery capacity suggests similar battery life. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 22.5W fast charging | ZTE Blade V60 Design will recharge faster. |
| Removable | Non-removable | Non-removable | Both phones have non-removable batteries. |
Software
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13 | ZTE Blade V60 Design has a newer Android version, likely offering more features and better security. |
Connectivity
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | 802.11b/g/n | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | ZTE supports newer Wi-Fi standards (including 5GHz), better wireless speeds and stability. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.0 LE | Both have similar standards, ZTE has low energy bluetooth which should make it more efficient. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | ZTE supports Galileo for better location accuracy |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones support dual SIM functionality |
Storage
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 32/64/128 GB | 256 GB | ZTE has more internal storage space. |
| RAM | 3/4/6 GB | 4/6 GB | Both offer similar RAM options for multitasking |
| Expandable | No expandable storage | No expandable storage | Neither phone supports external memory cards. |
Audio
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality | Basic audio features | DTS / DTS X | ZTE offers enhanced audio experience. |
Security
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Features | Side-mounted fingerprint | Side-mounted fingerprint | Both provide convenient and fast biometric security. |
Sensors
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE Blade V60 Design | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass | ZTE offers a compass sensor. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages
- Dedicated Wide-Angle & Macro Lenses: Offers more versatile photography options.
- Hall Sensor: Includes a Hall sensor, which might be useful for some accessories or niche applications.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Advantages
- Superior Performance: Significantly higher AnTuTu score indicates better processing power for apps and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 22.5W charging means faster battery top-ups.
- Newer Software: Runs on a newer version of Android (Android 13).
- Better Display Technology: Uses IPS LCD vs PLS LCD which should provide better viewing angles and colour reproduction.
- Superior Audio: DTS and DTS X provide a better audio experience.
- More internal storage: 256GB storage provides more storage space vs 128GB max for the M12.
- Better GPS support: Galileo allows for better GPS accuracy.
- More modern WiFi: Supports 802.11 ac which gives higher speeds and reliability.
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy M12 sacrifices performance for a more versatile camera setup.
- ZTE Blade V60 Design offers better performance and faster charging but lacks dedicated wide angle and macro lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12 Ideal User
- Casual photographers: Users who want the versatility of wide-angle and macro photography without paying a premium.
- Users needing niche accessory support: Might benefit from the Hall sensor.
Brand loyalists: Users who prefer the Samsung brand ecosystem, despite some compromises.
Specific Use Cases: Social media photography, capturing landscapes, close-up object photography.
ZTE Blade V60 Design Ideal User
- Performance-focused users: Those who prioritize speed for multitasking, gaming, and general usage.
- Users who prioritize speed: Faster charging speeds are important to this user profile.
- Users who want good audio quality: DTS and DTS X improve audio quality.
Users who value storage: 256GB of storage will be important to some users.
Specific Use Cases: Mobile gaming, heavy app usage, media consumption, streaming, better GPS functionality.
Price-to-Value
- Both phones are budget phones, their price depends on region. Given the similar pricing, the ZTE offers much more performance and is therefore the better value.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers
- Do you value better camera versatility (wide angle, macro) or faster overall performance and charging?
- Is having the latest version of Android important to you?
- Is storage space a large priority for you?
Scenario-Based Recommendations
Scenario 1: Casual User/Social Media Photographer:
- If you prioritize the variety of lenses for photography and don't mind slower performance then the Samsung Galaxy M12 is better for you.
Scenario 2: Performance User/Gamer:
- If you prioritize speed, overall performance and charging, the ZTE Blade V60 Design is clearly the better choice, it is a newer device and has a much faster processor.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE Blade V60 Design. Although the Samsung Galaxy M12 has some extra camera lenses, the ZTE provides a far superior user experience due to it's significantly faster processor, faster charging and better storage. These performance advantages make the ZTE the better option for most user cases.
