Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC vs Samsung Galaxy A12 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date September 8, 2020 December 21, 2020
Release Year 2020 2020

Physical

Volume 119.33 cm³ 110.64 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.1 "/g 3.17 "/g
Weight 215 g 205 g
Height 165.3 mm 164 mm
Width 76.8 mm 75.8 mm
Thickness 9.4 mm 8.9 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Cobalt Blue
  • Shadow Gray
  • Black
  • Red
  • Blue
  • White

Display

Screen Size 6.67 " 6.5 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 720 x 1600
Aspect Ratio 20:9 20:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 84.6 % 82.1 %
Pixel Density 395 PPI 270 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness 450 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness N/A N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 115.98 mAh/in² 118.34 mAh/in²
Battery Density 43.24 mAh/cm³ 45.19 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5160 mAh 5000 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7150-AC Snapdragon 732G (8 nm) Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
GPU Adreno 618 PowerVR GE8320

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android Android
Initial OS Version 10 10
Maximum OS Version 12 12

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

Design

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCSamsung Galaxy A12Practical Impact
Dimensions165.3 × 76.8 × 9.4 mm164 × 75.8 × 8.9 mmPoco X3 NFC is slightly larger and thicker, potentially less comfortable for smaller hands.
Weight215g205gPoco X3 NFC is slightly heavier, may be noticeable during prolonged use.
Build Quality (Screen Protection)Corning Gorilla Glass 5UnknownPoco X3 NFC offers significantly better scratch and shatter resistance for the screen.

Display

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCSamsung Galaxy A12Practical Impact
Size6.67"6.5"Poco X3 NFC offers a slightly larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming.
Resolution1080x2400720x1600Poco X3 NFC has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, resulting in clearer text, images, and videos.
PPI395270The higher PPI on the Poco X3 NFC translates to a crisper viewing experience.
TechnologyIPS LCDPLS LCDIPS LCD typically offers better viewing angles and color accuracy compared to PLS LCD.
Refresh Rate120Hz60HzPoco X3 NFC provides much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming experiences.
Brightness0 nits0 nitsPeak brightness is an important factor in outdoor visibility. Since we do not have the values for both phones, outdoor visibility can't be accurately determined.

Performance

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCSamsung Galaxy A12Practical Impact
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 732G (8 nm)Mediatek Helio P35 (12 nm)Snapdragon 732G is significantly more powerful, enabling smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance.
AnTuTu Score328,145103,000The Poco X3 NFC offers a vastly superior performance, capable of handling demanding apps and games with ease.
GPUAdreno 618PowerVR GE8320Adreno 618 is a much more capable GPU, providing significantly better graphics performance for gaming and other GPU-intensive tasks.

Camera

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCSamsung Galaxy A12Practical Impact
Main Camera64MP f/1.8948MP f/2.0Poco X3 NFC offers higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture for better image quality, especially in low light.
Selfie Camera20MP f/2.28MP f/2.2Poco X3 NFC captures significantly more detailed selfies.
Telephoto LensNo2MP f/2.4The Galaxy A12 has a telephoto lens, for zoom capabilities.
Wide Angle Lens13MP f/2.25MP f/2.2Poco X3 NFC captures wider and more detailed wide-angle shots.
Macro Lens2MP f/2.4NoPoco X3 NFC allows for close-up macro photography.
Video Recording4K@30fps1080p@30fpsPoco X3 NFC records higher-resolution videos with more detail.

Battery

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCSamsung Galaxy A12Practical Impact
Capacity5160mAh5000mAhBoth phones have similar battery capacity, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage.
Charging33W Fast Charging15W Fast ChargingPoco X3 NFC charges much faster, significantly reducing downtime.
Battery MaterialLi-PolymerLi-IonLi-Polymer batteries are generally safer and have a longer lifespan.

Other

FeatureXiaomi Poco X3 NFCSamsung Galaxy A12Practical Impact
Wi-FiWi-Fi acWi-Fi nPoco X3 NFC supports faster Wi-Fi speeds.
Bluetooth5.15.0Slightly more modern Bluetooth version.
NFCYesUnknownNFC enables contactless payments and other features (assuming Galaxy A12 doesn't have it).
AudioStereo SpeakersMono SpeakerPoco X3 NFC offers a more immersive audio experience.
SensorsGyroscope, CompassAccelerometerPoco X3 NFC has more sensors for better motion tracking and orientation detection, especially important for gaming and AR applications.

2. Key Differences Analysis

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC Advantages:

  • Significantly Better Performance: The Snapdragon 732G chipset and Adreno 618 GPU offer a vastly superior performance compared to the Helio P35, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming.
  • Superior Display: Higher resolution, PPI, 120Hz refresh rate, and IPS LCD technology provide a much sharper, smoother, and more vibrant viewing experience.
  • Better Camera System: Higher resolution main, selfie, and ultrawide cameras, along with 4K video recording, result in better image and video quality.
  • Faster Charging: 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging time.
  • Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers offer a more immersive audio experience.
  • More Sensors: Includes Gyroscope, Compass.
  • Better Build Quality Corning Gorilla Glass 5

Practical Implications: The Poco X3 NFC is significantly better for gaming, media consumption, and any task that requires processing power. The superior display makes it much more enjoyable to use for everyday tasks as well.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Advantages:

  • Telephoto Lens: Offers the ability to zoom.
  • Potentially Newer Software: The specifications state that the Samsung Galaxy A12 uses Android 12 while the Poco X3 NFC uses Android 10. This is likely a specification error, as both phones came with Android 10 at launch and could be updated to newer software versions.

Practical Implications: The Telephoto lens offers extra versatility in some shooting situations.

Trade-offs:

  • The Poco X3 NFC is slightly larger and heavier.
  • The Galaxy A12 has a Telephoto lens, which the Poco X3 NFC lacks.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC:

  • Ideal User: Gamers, media consumers, and users who value performance and display quality.
  • Use Cases: Playing demanding mobile games, watching videos, browsing social media, capturing high-quality photos and videos. Excels in tasks requiring processing power and a smooth user experience.

Samsung Galaxy A12:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize Telephoto lens capabilities and prefer the Samsung brand.
  • Use Cases: Basic smartphone tasks, casual photography, and users who prefer a lighter device.

4. Decision Framework

Consider these questions before making a decision:

  1. How important is performance to you? If you plan to play games or use demanding apps, the Poco X3 NFC is the clear winner.
  2. How important is display quality? If you value a sharp, smooth, and vibrant display, the Poco X3 NFC is the better choice.
  3. Do you need a Telephoto lens? If you are a casual photographer then the Galaxy A12 might be a better choice.

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Budget Gaming Enthusiast: Poco X3 NFC - offers the best gaming performance at this price point.
  • Casual User with Basic Needs: Galaxy A12 - a more basic experience.
  • Photography Enthusiast: Poco X3 NFC - While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a telephoto lens, the superior camera system in other aspects for the Poco X3 NFC makes it a much better choice.

Final Decision

I would choose the Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC.

Reasoning:

The Poco X3 NFC offers significantly better performance, a vastly superior display, and a better camera system. The faster charging and enhanced audio are also valuable advantages. While the Samsung Galaxy A12 has a Telephoto lens, it does not outweigh the Poco X3 NFC's massive advantages in nearly every other crucial aspect of the phone.

For my personal use case, which involves gaming, media consumption, and photography, the Poco X3 NFC is the clear winner. The improved performance will ensure a much smoother and more enjoyable user experience overall.

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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