The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. We're comparing the Cubot C20 Pro, a relatively unknown contender, against the established Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) to determine which device delivers the most bang for your buck. Given the limited publicly available specifications for the Cubot C20 Pro, this comparison will focus heavily on the Galaxy A12's known strengths and extrapolate the C20 Pro's positioning based on typical market offerings at this price point.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a reliable brand and a known chipset, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is the safer bet. Its Exynos 850 provides a demonstrable performance advantage over what is typically found in the Cubot C20 Pro's price bracket, and Samsung's software support is significantly more robust. However, the C20 Pro *could* offer better value if it includes features not detailed in available specs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | N/A | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | N/A | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | N/A | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | No | - |
| Speed | No | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | No cellular connectivity | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, November | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, November | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 54 x 43 x 12.9 mm (2.13 x 1.69 x 0.51 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | No | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 286 pixels (~206 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.81 inches | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | - | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | - | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Proprietary OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128MB | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | 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 |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | No | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | No | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | No | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, heart rate, SpO2, blood pressure | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | 380 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Orange | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Cubot C20 Pro
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer unique features not found on the A12 (spec dependent)
- Could have a larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Unknown chipset performance
- Limited software support and updates
- Uncertain build quality and reliability
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- Reliable Exynos 850 chipset
- Established brand reputation
- Better software support and updates
- 48MP main camera
- 15W charging is relatively slow
- Plastic build quality
- May be slightly more expensive than the C20 Pro
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) features a large display, but details regarding the Cubot C20 Pro's panel are absent. Assuming the C20 Pro follows typical budget trends, it likely utilizes a lower-quality LCD panel with lower brightness and color accuracy compared to the A12. The A12's panel, while not exceptional, offers a reasonable viewing experience for everyday use. The absence of information on the C20 Pro's display resolution or refresh rate suggests it will likely lag behind the A12 in visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Without specific camera specs for the Cubot C20 Pro, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) features a quad-camera setup, with a 48MP main sensor. While image quality isn't flagship-level, it's capable of producing acceptable photos in good lighting conditions. The A12's camera system is likely to outperform the C20 Pro's, especially in low-light scenarios. The inclusion of a dedicated macro camera on the A12, while often of limited utility, provides some versatility. We anticipate the C20 Pro will rely heavily on software processing to compensate for potentially lower-quality sensors.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A12's Exynos 850 (8nm) chipset is the clear performance leader here. Its octa-core configuration, while utilizing Cortex-A55 cores across the board, benefits from the efficiency of the 8nm process node. This translates to better sustained performance and thermal management compared to the processors typically found in phones at the C20 Pro's expected price point. The C20 Pro likely uses a MediaTek Helio P22 or similar, which will struggle with demanding tasks and multitasking. The Exynos 850 allows for smoother app switching and a more responsive user interface on the A12.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) supports 15W wired charging. While not fast charging by today's standards, it's adequate for a phone in this price range. Battery capacity details for the Cubot C20 Pro are unavailable, but it likely falls in the 4000-5000 mAh range, similar to the A12. The Exynos 850's efficiency contributes to good battery life on the A12, potentially offsetting any capacity advantage the C20 Pro might have. The A12's charging speed, combined with its efficient chipset, provides a practical balance between runtime and recharge time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot C20 Pro if you need a secondary device, are comfortable with potentially limited software updates, and prioritize a lower initial cost above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a trusted brand, a more responsive user experience thanks to the Exynos 850, and a longer-term commitment to software and security patches. The A12 is ideal for users who rely on their phone for daily tasks and occasional media consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is a relatively efficient chipset. While it's not a gaming powerhouse, it's unlikely to overheat significantly during moderate gaming. Expect some throttling after extended periods of intense gameplay, but it shouldn't lead to a complete shutdown or uncomfortable device temperatures.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
The 2MP macro camera on the A12 is limited by its low resolution and lack of autofocus. While it can capture close-up shots, the detail and clarity are often lacking. It's best used in well-lit conditions and with realistic expectations. It's more of a novelty feature than a truly useful tool for serious macro photography.
❓ What kind of software updates can I expect on the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)?
The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) launched with Android 10 and has received updates to Android 13 with One UI. While Samsung provides good software support for its devices, the A12 is nearing the end of its major update cycle. Expect security patches for a while longer, but don't anticipate further Android version upgrades.
