Samsung Galaxy A12 vs A03s: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

Choosing a budget smartphone can be tough. The Samsung Galaxy A12 and A03s are both contenders, offering affordability and Samsung's brand recognition. But which one delivers the best value for your money? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A12 edges out the A03s thanks to its more powerful Exynos 850 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the A03s boasts impressive battery life, the A12's overall processing power makes it the slightly better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)	Samsung Galaxy A03s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	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
	-	2, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71 - SM-A037U

Launch
Announced	2021, August 12	2021, August 18
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 12	Available. Released 2021, August 18

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)	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	205 g (7.23 oz)	196 g (6.91 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	PLS LCD	PLS LCD

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Exynos 850 (8 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1	Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 Core

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (dedicated slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash
Quad	48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	-
Single	-	5 MP, f/2.2
Triple	-	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.2	5 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
NFC	No	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	FM radio, RDS, recording	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity
	Virtual proximity sensing	-

Battery
Charging	15W wired	15W wired
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue, White	Black, Blue, White
Models	SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS	SM-A037F, SM-A037F/DS, SM-A037M, SM-A037G, SM-A037U, SM-S134DL, SM-A037W, SM-A037U1, SM-S135DL
Price	About 160 EUR	$ 65.65 / £ 82.99 / ₹ 10,800
SAR	0.79 W/kg (head)	-
SAR EU	-	0.36 W/kg (head) 1.09 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 122h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1718:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-27.4 LUFS (Good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 103465 (v8), 101299 (v9) GeekBench: 889 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)

More powerful processor (Exynos 850)
Likely more versatile camera system
Potentially higher resolution display
Samsung Brand

Battery life may not be as exceptional as A03s
Charging speed is standard (15W)

Samsung Galaxy A03s

Exceptional battery life (122h endurance rating)
Large display with good contrast
Affordable price point
Samsung Brand

Less powerful processor (Helio P35)
Simpler camera system
May struggle with demanding apps

Display Comparison

The A03s features a contrast ratio of 1718:1 and a measured max brightness of 488 nits, providing a decent viewing experience. The A12 typically has a similar contrast ratio but brightness may vary. Both phones likely use LCD panels, so don't expect OLED-level vibrancy. The A12 may have a slightly higher resolution display, potentially leading to sharper images.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specifics are limited. The A12 generally has a more versatile camera setup with multiple lenses (likely including ultrawide and macro), while the A03s might have a simpler dual-camera system. Image quality will depend on software processing and sensor size, which are not detailed in the provided specs. Expect decent results in good lighting conditions from both.

Performance

Here's where the A12 shines. Its Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is significantly more powerful than the A03s' Helio P35 (12nm). Expect smoother app loading, better gaming performance, and overall snappier responsiveness on the A12. The A03s will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The A03s boasts an impressive endurance rating of 122h, suggesting exceptional battery life. The A12's battery capacity is likely similar, but the less efficient Helio P35 in the A03s contributes to its longer runtime. Users prioritizing longevity will find the A03s appealing.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is ideal for users who prioritize performance and smoother multitasking, even on a budget. The Samsung Galaxy A03s is a great pick for those who heavily value battery life and a large display, and are less concerned about raw processing power.