Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy M12 vs. ZTE nubia Flip
1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE nubia Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Form Factor | Standard | Foldable | The ZTE nubia Flip offers a compact form factor when folded, enhancing portability, while the Samsung M12 is a traditional slab phone. |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm | 170 x 75.5 x 7 mm (unfolded) | The nubia Flip is taller when unfolded but significantly thinner. The M12 is more voluminous due to its thickness. |
| Weight | 212g | 214g | Both have nearly the same weight, so neither is noticeably heavier in hand. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE nubia Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Size | 6.5" | 6.9" | ZTE nubia Flip has a larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1188 x 2790 | ZTE nubia Flip's higher resolution results in a much sharper and detailed picture, which is particularly noticeable when viewing text or images. |
| PPI | 270 | 439 | The ZTE nubia Flip’s higher PPI provides significantly clearer and crisper visuals compared to the M12. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | Not Specified | The technology used is different, but its impact on image quality is not clear without knowing the technology used for the nubia Flip. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The ZTE nubia Flip provides smoother scrolling and animations. A higher refresh rate is generally appreciated by gamers and users who prioritize fluidity. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Both phones have the same peak brightness, making it difficult to assess which might perform better in bright outdoor settings. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE nubia Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) | ZTE nubia Flip’s chipset is significantly more powerful, leading to faster app launching, smoother multitasking and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 117,341 | 690,000 | The ZTE nubia Flip demonstrates superior performance in benchmarks, suggesting a much faster and more responsive experience overall. |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 644 | The Adreno 644 in the ZTE nubia Flip provides better graphics performance, beneficial for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE nubia Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/2.0, 1/2", 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.7, pixel size not specified | The ZTE nubia Flip has a higher megapixel count, and wider aperture which could mean better low light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 16MP | The ZTE nubia Flip should produce higher resolution selfies and may have better dynamic range. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP, f/2.2 | Not present | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has an additional wide angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both phones have a similar depth sensor for bokeh effect in portrait photos. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | Not present | The Samsung Galaxy M12 has a dedicated macro lens for very close-up photography. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | No Resolution specified | Samsung Galaxy M12 records at 1080p@30fps which is the common standard. The Nubia's recording capabilities are unclear. |
| Slow-motion video | No (30 fps) | Yes, 120 fps | The ZTE nubia Flip can record slow-motion videos at a higher frame rate which could provide smoother slow-motion effects. |
| Camera Features | Quad camera, PDAF, HDR etc. | Dual camera, 4k video, Night Mode, etc. | Each phone has a unique mix of features, with the Nubia offering 4K video and night mode, the M12 having a quadruple camera setup. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy M12 | ZTE nubia Flip | Practical Impact |
|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4310mAh | Samsung Galaxy M12 has a larger battery, likely offering longer usage time between charges. |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging | 33W Fast Charging | ZTE nubia Flip's faster charging allows for quicker refills, making it more convenient for users in a hurry. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | ZTE nubia Flip can charge other devices via reverse charging. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy M12 Advantages
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers potentially longer battery life.
- Wide Angle and Macro Lenses: Additional camera versatility with dedicated wide-angle and macro lenses.
- Lower Price: As an older device, the Galaxy M12 is likely cheaper than the nubia Flip
ZTE nubia Flip Advantages
- Foldable Form Factor: Provides a more compact form and a larger screen when unfolded.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chipset delivers much faster overall performance.
- Higher Resolution Display: Sharper and more detailed visual experience due to the higher PPI screen.
- Faster Charging: 33W charging allows for quicker battery replenishment.
- Modern Software: Runs on a more recent version of Android (Android 13).
- Advanced Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6 and newer Bluetooth versions, resulting in faster connectivity.
- Higher Storage Options: Offers 256 GB or 512 GB of storage compared to 32/64/128GB in the Samsung.
- Reverse Charging: The phone can charge other devices, which might be very helpful
Trade-offs
- Samsung Galaxy M12 has a larger battery and wide/macro lenses but significantly less performance, a lower resolution display, slower charging, and a less modern software experience.
- ZTE nubia Flip offers premium features like a foldable design and superior performance but sacrifices a smaller battery and does not have wide angle and macro lenses.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy M12
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users, those who prioritize battery life, and those who value camera versatility and want to capture wide angle photos.
- Use Cases: Everyday tasks, social media browsing, basic photography, users looking for a reliable secondary phone, users who need long battery life.
- Price-to-Value: Provides good value for those seeking a basic, long-lasting smartphone on a budget.
ZTE nubia Flip
- Ideal User: Users who desire a premium experience, value performance, appreciate the foldable design, and want to have a higher-quality display and faster charging.
- Use Cases: Multitasking, gaming, content creation, users who value a more compact phone when folded, users who want a modern and feature rich device
- Price-to-Value: Justifies its higher price for those seeking a more advanced, feature-rich experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The Galaxy M12 will be significantly cheaper than the nubia Flip.
- Do you value performance or versatility? If performance is critical, the nubia Flip is the obvious choice. If you need macro and wide-angle cameras, the M12 is the only option of the two
- Do you need a foldable phone? This should be considered as a primary factor because they have very different form factors.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget Conscious: If you're on a tight budget and need a basic, long-lasting smartphone for everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is suitable.
- Performance & Features: If performance is your priority, you desire a foldable phone and appreciate a premium experience, the ZTE nubia Flip is the better choice, regardless of the price.
- Camera Versatility: If the need for multiple lenses including a wide angle and a macro camera is important, the Samsung Galaxy M12 is a much more suitable option.
- Battery Life: The Samsung Galaxy M12 will last you longer on a single charge than the ZTE nubia Flip, making it the superior choice for people who need longer battery life.
My Choice
If I were to choose between these two phones, I would pick the ZTE nubia Flip. My reasoning stems from the following points:
- Modern Technology: The nubia Flip's Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 chip, superior display, and faster charging offer a more modern and smoother experience, making everyday usage more enjoyable.
- Foldable Advantage: The ability to fold the phone and have a smaller form factor when needed while also offering a big screen when needed is something I find useful in my daily life.
- Performance: The ability to multitask and play demanding games is a significant advantage, as the Galaxy M12 is severely lacking in performance.
- Future-Proofing: With a more recent Android version and a much faster chip, the nubia Flip is likely to remain relevant longer.
While the Samsung Galaxy M12 has a larger battery and a wider range of cameras, the gap in performance and the foldable nature of the nubia Flip, make it a clear choice for me. I would be willing to sacrifice a bit of battery life for overall smoothness and feature set of the ZTE nubia Flip.
