The sub-₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD) smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. The Lenovo K13 Note and Samsung Galaxy A12 both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches – Lenovo prioritizing a newer Qualcomm chipset, while Samsung opts for its in-house Exynos solution. This comparison dissects these choices to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly faster charging experience, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) emerges as the better choice. Its Exynos 850, built on a more efficient 8nm process, provides a noticeable edge in everyday tasks and light multitasking, despite the Lenovo K13 Note's newer Snapdragon 460.
| 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 | 2021, June 22 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 22 | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| 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 (~81.6% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 | Yes | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Gray, Pearl Sakura | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Lenovo K13 Note
- Qualcomm chipset may receive longer software support.
- Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer).
- Likely similar battery capacity to the A12.
- Less efficient 11nm Snapdragon 460 chipset.
- Slower 10W charging.
- Potentially lower sustained performance due to thermal throttling.
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More efficient 8nm Exynos 850 chipset.
- Faster 15W wired charging.
- Potentially smoother user experience.
- Samsung’s software update policy can be inconsistent.
- May be slightly more expensive than the K13 Note.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on the chipset's impact on UI smoothness. The Exynos 850's slightly superior processing power could translate to marginally smoother scrolling and animations, though this difference will be subtle. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, and color accuracy is unlikely to be a strong point for either.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make definitive claims. However, the Exynos 850’s image signal processor (ISP) may offer slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical value due to the low resolution and lack of autofocus. Focusing on the main sensor’s performance is crucial, and the Exynos 850’s ISP might give Samsung a slight edge.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A12’s Exynos 850, fabricated on an 8nm process, offers a clear architectural advantage over the Lenovo K13 Note’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Exynos 850’s Cortex-A55 cores, clocked at 2.0 GHz, are generally more efficient and capable than the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores. This translates to better sustained performance and potentially lower thermal throttling during prolonged use. The 8nm process also contributes to improved power efficiency, impacting battery life positively. The Snapdragon 460 is newer, but process node matters significantly.
Battery Life
Both phones will likely offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The Lenovo K13 Note’s battery capacity is not specified, but given the segment, it’s likely around 5000mAh, similar to the Galaxy A12. However, the Samsung Galaxy A12’s 15W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Lenovo K13 Note’s slower 10W charging. This means the A12 will reach a full charge considerably faster, reducing downtime and improving convenience. The more efficient Exynos 850 also contributes to better battery endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K13 Note if you prioritize a Qualcomm chipset for potential software support longevity and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a more refined user experience, slightly better performance in common tasks, and the convenience of 15W fast charging. The A12 is ideal for users who frequently use social media, browse the web, and occasionally play casual games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is generally well-behaved in terms of thermal management. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, its 8nm process and efficient design minimize throttling during moderate gaming. Expect playable frame rates in popular titles like PUBG Mobile, but at medium settings. The K13 Note's Snapdragon 460 might throttle more quickly under similar load.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Lenovo K13 Note noticeably slow compared to the Galaxy A12's 15W charging?
Yes, the difference is significant. 10W charging will take considerably longer to fully charge the device – potentially over 3 hours from 0% to 100%. The Galaxy A12’s 15W charging will reduce this time to around 2-2.5 hours, offering a much more convenient charging experience, especially for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the Lenovo K13 Note and the Samsung Galaxy A12?
The Samsung Galaxy A12 runs One UI, Samsung’s custom Android skin, which is generally considered more polished and feature-rich than Lenovo’s stock Android implementation. However, One UI also includes more pre-installed apps (bloatware). The K13 Note offers a cleaner, closer-to-stock Android experience, which some users prefer.
