The Lenovo K12 (China) and Samsung Galaxy A73 5G represent different approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The K12 aims for extreme value, while the A73 prioritizes a more refined experience with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 778G offers a significantly faster and more efficient experience than the K12’s Snapdragon 460. However, the K12 remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget and with basic smartphone needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 09. Released 2020, December 12 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6 mm (6.44 x 3.00 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~87.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED Plus, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Navy Blue, Gray | Gray, Mint, White |
| Models | - | SM-A736B, SM-A736B/DS |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 600 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.14 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.28 W/kg (head) 1.42 W/kg (body) |
Lenovo K12 (China)
- Extremely affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Slow Snapdragon 460 processor
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
- Powerful Snapdragon 778G processor
- Fast 25W charging
- Superior Super AMOLED display
- Higher price compared to the K12
- May be overkill for basic users
- Potentially larger and heavier build
Display Comparison
While display specifications aren't provided for the K12, it's likely to feature a standard LCD panel. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, however, benefits from a Super AMOLED display, offering superior contrast and color vibrancy. The A73’s chipset allows for potentially higher refresh rates (though not specified), contributing to smoother scrolling and animations. The K12’s likely lower resolution and panel technology will result in a less immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the K12, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically invests heavily in image processing. The A73’s Snapdragon 778G ISP (Image Signal Processor) will offer superior noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality compared to the K12’s likely more basic ISP. While the K12 may have a higher megapixel count, sensor size and image processing are more critical factors. Expect the A73 to excel in low-light photography and video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s Snapdragon 778G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Lenovo K12’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The 778G features a Cortex-A78 prime core, delivering significantly faster single-core performance, crucial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The 6nm process node also translates to better power efficiency, meaning longer battery life under load. The K12’s Snapdragon 460 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding games and multitasking. The A73’s more advanced GPU will provide a far superior gaming experience.
Battery Life
The Lenovo K12’s 10W charging is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the A73’s more efficient Snapdragon 778G will likely deliver comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The 25W charging will allow the A73 to replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. The K12’s slow charging will be a noticeable inconvenience for users who frequently use their phone throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 (China) if you need a functional 5G smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and photography, and are willing to spend more for a more capable device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the Lenovo K12 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 460 is a budget-oriented chipset and will likely struggle to run PUBG Mobile at high settings. Expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering, even on lower graphics settings. The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s Snapdragon 778G will provide a much smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the Lenovo K12 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, fully charging the Lenovo K12 will likely take over 3 hours, potentially even longer depending on the battery capacity. This is significantly slower than the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G’s 25W charging, which can fully charge the device in around an hour.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 778G is known for its relatively good thermal efficiency thanks to its 6nm process. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the A73 5G is unlikely to experience significant throttling issues. The K12’s Snapdragon 460 may throttle more readily under sustained load.
❓ Does the Lenovo K12 support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi varies by region and carrier for the Lenovo K12. It's crucial to check with your mobile carrier to ensure compatibility before purchasing, as these features significantly enhance call quality and reliability.
