The Gionee S12 and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Gionee S12 aims for affordability, while the M31 Prime attempts to offer a more feature-rich experience within a similar price bracket. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and reliable charging, the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime is the better choice. Its Exynos 9611 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Gionee S12’s Helio A25, and the 15W charging provides a more convenient user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| EDGE | - | Yes |
| GPRS | - | Class 10 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July. Released 2020, July 15 | 2020, October 14. Released 2020, October 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762D Helio A25 (12 nm) | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G72 MP3 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, One UI 2.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | Yes |
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| Phonebook | - | Yes |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 3.15 MP |
| Triple | 16 MP, (wide), AF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@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 |
| 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 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Games | - | Downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email, IM |
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 150 h |
| Talk time | - | Up to 1 h 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Ocean Blue, Space Black, Iceberg Blue |
| Models | - | SM-M315F/DS |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
Gionee S12
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and easy-to-use interface
- Lightweight design (assumed)
- Significantly weaker performance
- Slow charging speeds (likely)
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime
- Faster and more responsive performance
- 15W fast charging support
- Better camera image processing
- Potentially higher price
- Larger size and weight (likely)
- May include pre-installed bloatware
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details regarding panel type (IPS, AMOLED) and resolution are missing for the Gionee S12, suggesting a basic LCD panel. The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime also likely uses an IPS LCD. The key difference lies in processing power impacting UI smoothness. While both likely offer similar color accuracy, the M31 Prime’s more powerful chipset will contribute to a more responsive visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information for the Gionee S12, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s camera system is likely to be more capable due to the Exynos 9611’s superior image signal processor (ISP). While both phones likely feature multiple rear cameras, the M31 Prime’s ISP will deliver better image processing, resulting in improved dynamic range and noise reduction. The presence of a dedicated night mode on the M31 Prime, a feature often tied to ISP capabilities, further highlights its advantage. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are likely to offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s Exynos 9611 (10nm) significantly outperforms the Gionee S12’s MediaTek Helio A25 (12nm). The Exynos utilizes Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.3 GHz, designed for sustained performance, compared to the A53 cores in the Helio A25, peaking at 1.8 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the M31 Prime. The 10nm process node of the Exynos also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling under load. The Helio A25 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime’s 15W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Gionee S12, which likely supports only standard 10W charging (details missing). While battery capacity isn’t specified for the Gionee S12, the M31 Prime’s battery size combined with faster charging means less time tethered to a wall outlet. The Exynos 9611’s 10nm process also contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting any capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Gionee S12 if you need a basic, functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media use, and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime if you prefer a smoother multitasking experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value the convenience of faster charging, even if it means a slightly higher price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 9611 isn't a flagship processor, its 10nm process node and thermal design generally prevent significant overheating during moderate gaming. Expect some warmth, but not to the point of severe throttling. Performance will likely decrease slightly after extended play, but remain playable.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Gionee S12 and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime are largely marketing features. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft and lack detail. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at acceptable frame rates?
The Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium graphics settings and a frame rate of around 30-40fps for a smooth experience. Higher settings will likely result in noticeable lag and stuttering. The Helio A25 in the Gionee S12 will struggle to provide a playable experience even at the lowest settings.
❓ What type of charging port do both phones use?
Both the Gionee S12 and Samsung Galaxy M31 Prime utilize a micro-USB port for charging and data transfer. This is a standard for budget smartphones, but is slower and less convenient than the USB-C port found on more premium devices.
