The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Nokia C12 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy M04. Both promise affordability, but which one delivers the better overall experience?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M04 edges out the Nokia C12 Plus thanks to its slightly more powerful processor and faster charging. While both are budget options, the M04's performance and charging speed provide a more satisfying user experience, making it the slightly better choice.
| 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, April 01 | 2022, December 10 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, December 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | IMG8322 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 12 (Go edition) | Android 12, One UI Core 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 720p | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 | Accelerometer, proximity | Accelerometer, proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint | Sea Glass Green, Shadow Blue |
| Models | - | SM-M045F, SM-M045F/DS |
| Price | About 90 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.29 W/kg (head) 1.11 W/kg (body) |
Nokia C12 Plus
- Clean Android experience
- Durable build quality (typical Nokia)
- Reliable brand reputation
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging
- Potentially limited storage options
Samsung Galaxy M04
- More powerful processor
- Faster charging (15W)
- Samsung's display technology
- Brand recognition
- Samsung's One UI can be resource-intensive
- Potential for bloatware
- Build quality may not be as robust as Nokia
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display, offering decent viewing angles and adequate brightness for their price range. However, Samsung's display technology often provides slightly better color accuracy and vibrancy, giving the M04 a minor advantage. Resolution is likely similar, around 720 x 1600 pixels.
Camera Comparison
Camera specs are likely similar, with both phones featuring a dual-camera setup on the rear, potentially including a 13MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality will be comparable, with both phones producing acceptable results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance will likely be a weakness for both.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M04's MediaTek Helio P35 chipset (12nm) holds a clear advantage over the Nokia C12 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A1 (22nm). The Helio P35 boasts higher clock speeds on its Cortex-A53 cores, resulting in smoother multitasking and app loading. The Nokia C12 Plus's Unisoc chip is adequate for basic tasks but may struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both phones likely feature a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life for moderate users. However, the Samsung Galaxy M04's 15W wired charging provides a faster charging experience compared to the Nokia C12 Plus, which likely supports standard 10W charging.
Buying Guide
The Nokia C12 Plus is ideal for users prioritizing a clean Android experience and basic functionality. The Samsung Galaxy M04 is better suited for those needing a bit more performance for everyday tasks and appreciate faster charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better performance?
The Samsung Galaxy M04 has a more powerful processor (MediaTek Helio P35) compared to the Nokia C12 Plus (Unisoc SC9863A1), resulting in better overall performance.
❓ How long does the battery last on each phone?
Both phones likely offer all-day battery life with a 5000mAh battery, but the Samsung Galaxy M04 charges faster.
