Both the Motorola Moto G50 5G and the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho occupy the fiercely competitive sub-$200 5G smartphone space. While both aim to deliver affordable 5G connectivity, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through their chipset choices. This comparison dissects the key differences between the Exynos 850-powered A12 Nacho and the Dimensity 700-equipped G50 5G, revealing which device offers the best balance of performance, battery life, and overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and slightly better efficiency, the Motorola Moto G50 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, provides a noticeable edge in CPU performance and potentially better thermal management compared to the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho’s 8nm Exynos 850.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Australia |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 - Australia |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Australia |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 09 | 2021, August 25 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 09 | Available. Released 2021, August 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 167 x 76.4 x 9.3 mm (6.57 x 3.01 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~80.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 13 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Meteorite Grey |
| Models | SM-A127F/DSN, SM-A127F/DS, SM-A127F, SM-A127M, SM-A127U | XT2149-1 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 170 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | - |
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho
- Familiar Samsung One UI experience
- Potentially wider accessory availability
- Brand recognition and support
- Less powerful chipset (Exynos 850)
- 8nm process may lead to more throttling
- Potentially less efficient battery performance
Motorola Moto G50 5G
- More powerful chipset (Dimensity 700)
- 7nm process for better efficiency
- Stronger CPU performance for multitasking
- Motorola’s software update track record is less consistent
- Less brand recognition compared to Samsung
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but functionality. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the A12 Nacho’s brand history suggests a slightly warmer color profile, while Motorola typically aims for more neutral tones. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. The absence of detailed sensor information necessitates a focus on processing. Samsung’s image processing typically emphasizes vibrant colors and contrast, potentially at the expense of natural detail. Motorola tends towards a more realistic, albeit sometimes less visually appealing, image. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). The primary sensor quality will be the determining factor, and without specific details, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Motorola Moto G50 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) features a more modern CPU architecture with 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores alongside 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho’s Exynos 850 (8nm) which utilizes 8x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The A76 cores in the Dimensity 700 offer significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother UI navigation. The 7nm fabrication process of the Dimensity 700 also contributes to improved power efficiency, potentially reducing thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the chipset advantage favors the Moto G50 5G.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 15W wired charging, indicating a similar charging experience – expect around 2-2.5 hours for a full charge. Battery capacity is not specified, but given the segment, both likely fall in the 5000mAh range. The Dimensity 700’s 7nm process efficiency could translate to slightly longer battery life on the Moto G50 5G, especially during demanding tasks. However, real-world battery life will heavily depend on usage patterns and software optimization.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho if you prioritize the Samsung brand ecosystem and a potentially wider availability of accessories. Buy the Motorola Moto G50 5G if you value raw processing power for multitasking and light gaming, and appreciate a more efficient chipset that may translate to longer sustained performance under load. The G50 is the better choice for users who frequently switch between apps or enjoy mobile gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 Nacho overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops and reduced performance after extended play. The Motorola Moto G50 5G’s Dimensity 700, with its 7nm process, is better equipped to manage heat and maintain consistent performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Galaxy A12 Nacho and Moto G50 5G are largely marketing features. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft, lacking in detail, and generally inferior to photos taken with the main sensor in standard photo mode.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G50 5G handle games like PUBG Mobile at 60fps with reasonable graphics settings?
The Dimensity 700 in the Moto G50 5G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at 60fps, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings. Expect to play at balanced or low settings for a smooth experience. The Exynos 850 in the Galaxy A12 Nacho will struggle to maintain a stable 60fps even at lower settings.
