The sub-₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD) smartphone segment is fiercely competitive. The Coolpad Legacy and Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with a significant divergence in chipset choice impacting overall performance and user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Coolpad Legacy’s Snapdragon 450, despite both phones sharing a 15W charging rate. While the Legacy offers a lower entry price, the A12’s superior processing power justifies the slight premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 80.5 x 8.4 mm (6.53 x 3.17 x 0.33 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~380 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.36 inches, 104.4 cm2 (~78.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, AF
5 MP | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 13 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Silver | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Coolpad Legacy
- Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks.
- Reliable brand reputation (Coolpad).
- Significantly weaker performance compared to the A12.
- Snapdragon 450 is an older chipset, limiting future software updates.
- Less efficient processor leading to potentially shorter battery life under load.
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- Superior performance thanks to the Exynos 850 chipset.
- More efficient processor for better battery life.
- Likely to receive more software updates due to the newer chipset.
- Slightly higher price compared to the Coolpad Legacy.
- May still exhibit some performance limitations with demanding apps.
- Build quality may not be significantly better than the Legacy.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are not provided, both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power impacting UI smoothness. The Exynos 850 in the A12 will contribute to a more fluid scrolling experience, even if the panel itself is similar. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar in real-world usage, given the focus on cost reduction in both devices. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups. The A12’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Exynos 850 may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction. However, the impact will be marginal. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, is a substantial upgrade over the Coolpad Legacy’s 14nm Snapdragon 450. The 8nm node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both CPUs are octa-core, the A12 utilizes newer Cortex-A55 cores across all eight, compared to the Legacy’s Cortex-A53. This architectural improvement, combined with the process node advantage, results in a demonstrably faster and more responsive user experience on the A12.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 15W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. Battery capacity is not specified, but both are likely in the 4000-5000 mAh range. The Exynos 850’s improved power efficiency could translate to slightly better battery life on the A12, despite potentially having a similar capacity. However, real-world battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns and network conditions.
Buying Guide
Buy the Coolpad Legacy if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. It’s a functional device for first-time smartphone users or those needing a reliable backup phone. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for multitasking, moderate gaming, and content consumption. The Exynos 850 offers a tangible performance advantage that will extend the phone’s usability over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 (India) get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 850 isn't a flagship-level gaming chip, its 8nm process and improved thermal design compared to the Snapdragon 450 in the Legacy allow for better heat dissipation. You can expect some warming during extended gaming, but it's unlikely to result in significant throttling or performance drops, especially with moderately demanding titles.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget phones suffer from poor image quality due to their small sensor size and lack of autofocus. Images often appear soft, lack detail, and are only suitable for casual sharing. The standard camera mode will typically produce better results in most scenarios.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) handle games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Galaxy A12 (India) can run PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to lower graphics settings (Balanced or Low) and frame rate settings (Medium) to achieve a consistently smooth experience. Expect frame drops during intense action sequences. The Snapdragon 450 in the Legacy will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, even at the lowest settings.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more Android updates?
Samsung generally provides better software support than Coolpad, especially for their A-series devices. The Galaxy A12 (India), with its newer Exynos 850 chipset, is more likely to receive at least one major Android version update and several security patches compared to the Coolpad Legacy.
