The LG Q Stylus and Samsung Galaxy A12 represent two distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Q Stylus prioritizes a unique input method with its integrated stylus, while the A12 focuses on maximizing battery life and offering a larger display. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing a stylus experience and don't need peak performance, the LG Q Stylus is the better choice. However, the Samsung Galaxy A12 edges ahead for those seeking longer battery endurance and a brighter display, despite its slightly weaker processor.
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, June. Released 2018, August | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 77.7 x 8.1 mm (6.30 x 3.06 x 0.32 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | Stylus
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2160 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~389 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 99.7 cm2 (~80.2% 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 (4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.0 GHz Cortex-A53) - Q Stylus/Q Stylus αOcta-core 1.8 GHz | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6750 - Q Stylus/Q Stylus α | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T860MP2 - Q Stylus/Q Stylus α | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 8.1 (Oreo) | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| - | Go |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 |
| Single | 13 MP, PDAF (Q Stylus α)
16 MP, PDAF (Q Stylus/ Q Stylus+) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP or 5 MP - Q Stylus/Q Stylus+
5 MP - Q Stylus α | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, 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 Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 3300 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue, Lavender Violet | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | Q710, LM-Q710.FG | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W |
| Price | About 300 EUR | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 123h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107189 (v8)
GeekBench: 1034 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
LG Q Stylus
- Integrated Stylus for note-taking and drawing
- Potentially faster CPU in α variant (1.8GHz)
- Compact form factor for comfortable one-handed use
- Slower 10W charging
- Older Mediatek MT6750 chipset
- Display brightness likely lower than A12
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Faster 15W wired charging
- Brighter display (472 nits)
- More efficient Mediatek Helio P35 chipset (12nm)
- Lacks stylus functionality
- Larger form factor may be less comfortable for some
- Image processing may be overly saturated for some tastes
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A12 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 472 nits, compared to the LG Q Stylus’ unspecified brightness. Both share a similar 1363:1 contrast ratio, suggesting comparable color depth. However, the A12’s larger screen size is a significant advantage for media consumption. The Q Stylus’s key advantage is stylus compatibility, which isn’t present on the A12, offering a different type of visual interaction.
Camera Comparison
Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. The A12 likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, potentially delivering more vibrant and detailed photos. The LG Q Stylus’s stylus could be used for photo editing, offering a unique advantage, but the camera hardware itself is likely comparable in quality, leaning towards the A12 due to Samsung’s software optimization.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A12’s Mediatek Helio P35 (MT6765), built on a 12nm process, offers a slight CPU clock speed advantage with its 4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, compared to the LG Q Stylus’s MT6750’s 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While both utilize the Cortex-A53 architecture, the P35’s higher clock speeds and more efficient manufacturing process should translate to marginally faster app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the Q Stylus’s α variant boosts the CPU to 1.8GHz, narrowing the gap. Both phones are unlikely to handle demanding games at high settings.
Battery Life
Both the LG Q Stylus and Samsung Galaxy A12 achieve an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the A12’s 15W wired charging is faster than the Q Stylus’s 10W charging. This means the A12 will reach a full charge more quickly, minimizing downtime. While both offer comparable longevity, the A12’s faster charging provides a practical advantage for users who need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the LG Q Stylus if you frequently take handwritten notes, sketch, or prefer precise control over a touchscreen. Its stylus functionality is a clear differentiator. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 if you prioritize all-day battery life, enjoy media consumption on a larger screen, and need a reliable, if not blazing-fast, daily driver.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the stylus on the LG Q Stylus pressure sensitive, and can it be used with all apps?
While the LG Q Stylus does offer a stylus, detailed specifications regarding pressure sensitivity are unavailable. It functions best with LG’s native note-taking apps, but compatibility with third-party apps may vary. Expect basic functionality like writing and selecting, but advanced features may not be supported.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A12 support fast charging with a higher wattage charger than the included 15W adapter?
While the Galaxy A12 supports 15W charging, it's unlikely to benefit significantly from a higher wattage charger. The phone's internal power management system is capped at 15W, so a more powerful adapter won't deliver faster charging speeds. Using a higher wattage charger won't cause damage, but it won't provide any noticeable improvement.
❓ How does the Mediatek Helio P35 in the Galaxy A12 handle multitasking compared to the MT6750 in the Q Stylus?
The Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, generally offers better efficiency and slightly improved multitasking capabilities compared to the older MT6750. However, both are entry-level chipsets. Expect some slowdowns when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously on either device. The A12 will likely handle a few more apps before experiencing lag.
