The Samsung Galaxy A12 was a popular budget contender, but the A12 Nacho offers a refresh. But is the Nacho a worthwhile upgrade, or is the original A12 still the better buy? We'll dive deep into the specs and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The A12 Nacho generally edges out the original A12 thanks to its more powerful Exynos 850 chipset, offering a noticeable performance boost. While the original A12 boasts impressive battery life, the Nacho's improved processing makes it the slightly better overall choice for most users.
| 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 09 | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 09 | Discontinued |
| 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) | 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 | 205 g (7.23 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% 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 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 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 | 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 | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 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 (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | 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 | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-A127F/DSN, SM-A127F/DS, SM-A127F, SM-A127M, SM-A127U | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 |
| SAR EU | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 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) |
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho
- Improved Performance (Exynos 850)
- Slightly more efficient chipset
- Generally smoother user experience
- Battery life not as exceptional as original A12
- Display quality remains average
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Exceptional Battery Life (123h endurance rating)
- Affordable Price (often found at a discount)
- Reliable and consistent performance for basic tasks
- Slower Performance (Helio P35)
- Can feel sluggish with demanding apps
- Outdated chipset
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a 1363:1 contrast ratio. The A12 measured a peak brightness of 472 nits, and while the Nacho's brightness isn't officially documented, it's expected to be similar. Neither phone excels in display quality, but they are adequate for the price point. Color accuracy and viewing angles are average.
Camera Comparison
Both phones share a similar camera setup, typically including a 48MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, a 2MP macro, and a 2MP depth sensor. Image quality is generally decent in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low light. The Nacho's improved processor *may* offer slightly better image processing, but the difference is likely minimal.
Performance
This is where the Nacho shines. The Exynos 850 chipset is significantly faster than the Helio P35 in the original A12. Expect smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive user experience on the Nacho. The A12 can feel sluggish at times, especially with demanding apps.
Battery Life
The original A12 is renowned for its exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 123 hours. The Nacho's battery capacity is the same (5000mAh), but the more efficient Exynos 850 may result in slightly improved battery performance compared to the A12 with its less efficient chipset. However, the A12 still holds a strong advantage in this area.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho is ideal for users who prioritize smoother performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. The original Samsung Galaxy A12 is a great pick for those primarily focused on long battery life and a reliable, affordable smartphone experience, especially if found at a significantly lower price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho worth the upgrade from the original A12?
If performance is a priority, then yes. The Exynos 850 offers a noticeable improvement. However, if battery life is your main concern and you can find the original A12 at a lower price, it remains a compelling option.
❓ What is the difference between the chipset in the A12 Nacho and the original A12?
The A12 Nacho uses the Exynos 850, which is a more modern and powerful chipset compared to the Helio P35 in the original A12. This translates to better overall performance and efficiency.
