The sub-$150 smartphone market in India is fiercely competitive. Both the Lenovo K12 and the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India variant) aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the K12 prioritizing affordability and the A12 leaning towards a more balanced feature set. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, 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 Lenovo K12’s Helio G25, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the K12 offers a slightly lower price point, the A12’s superior processing power justifies the small premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | 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 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mineral Gray, Aqua Blue | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | XT2095-4 | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | - | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Lenovo K12
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- Acceptable battery life for light users
- Significantly slower performance
- Less efficient chipset
- Limited multitasking capabilities
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- Superior performance with Exynos 850
- More efficient 8nm process
- Faster 15W charging
- Smoother multitasking experience
- Slightly higher price
- Display quality likely similar to K12
- Camera performance likely similar to K12
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly impressive display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, the lack of detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) makes a direct comparison difficult. The focus here is on processing power, not visual fidelity. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, further diminishing the display experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices relying on budget sensors and image processing. Without detailed sensor size information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the A12’s image signal processor (ISP), integrated within the Exynos 850, likely offers more sophisticated image processing capabilities than the Helio G25’s ISP. The prevalence of 2MP macro and depth sensors on both devices suggests limited utility; these are primarily for marketing purposes and rarely deliver significant image quality improvements.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, is a clear upgrade over the Lenovo K12’s MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm). The 8nm node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, resulting in better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the A12 utilizes newer Cortex-A55 cores across all eight, offering architectural improvements over the K12’s mix of A53 cores. This translates to faster app launch times and smoother multitasking on the A12.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A12 supports 15W wired charging, a modest improvement over the Lenovo K12’s 10W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Exynos 850’s superior power efficiency means the A12 will likely deliver comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The faster charging speed on the A12 also reduces downtime, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a functional device for those on a very tight budget. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience, especially when multitasking or using demanding apps. The Exynos 850 offers a significant performance advantage, making it a better long-term investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 (India) get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 850 isn't a flagship-level chip, its 8nm process and integrated thermal management features help mitigate overheating. Expect some warmth during prolonged gaming, but it's unlikely to experience significant throttling like the Helio G25 in the K12, which is more prone to thermal limitations due to its 12nm process.
❓ Are the 2MP macro and depth cameras on either phone actually useful for taking good photos?
Generally, no. These 2MP sensors are often included for marketing purposes but deliver limited image quality improvements. The macro camera typically produces blurry and low-resolution close-up shots, while the depth sensor offers minimal benefit to portrait mode effects compared to software-based depth estimation.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) handle popular games like PUBG Mobile at reasonable frame rates?
The Exynos 850 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at medium graphics settings and potentially with frame rate caps to maintain a stable experience. It's unlikely to achieve consistently high frame rates (60fps+) at maximum settings. The Lenovo K12 will struggle significantly with PUBG Mobile, requiring very low settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed (10W vs 15W) between the K12 and A12 significant in real-world usage?
While 5W doesn't sound like much, the 15W charging on the A12 will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect a faster top-up, especially from a low battery percentage. The K12's 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully recharge the device.
