Samsung's A-series continues to dominate the budget smartphone space, but navigating the model numbers can be tricky. The Galaxy A12 Nacho and A13 (SM-A137) represent iterative updates, but a key difference lies under the hood: the A12 Nacho utilizes Samsung's Exynos 850, while the A13 opts for MediaTek's Helio G80. This comparison dissects these chipsets and their implications for everyday use, helping you determine which phone delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and potentially better long-term software support, the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Helio G80 in the A13 offers a theoretical CPU performance boost, the Exynos 850's efficiency and Samsung's optimization give it an edge in real-world smoothness and sustained performance.
| 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, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, August 09 | 2022, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, August 09 | Available. Released 2022, July |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| 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 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| 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, 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, compass |
| | 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 |
| Models | SM-A127F/DSN, SM-A127F/DS, SM-A127F, SM-A127M, SM-A127U | SM-A137F, SM-A137F/DSN, SM-A137F/DS |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 0.35 W/kg (head) 1.22 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho
- More efficient Exynos 850 chipset for better battery life.
- Potentially smoother sustained performance due to thermal efficiency.
- Benefit from Samsung's software optimization.
- Potentially lower peak CPU performance compared to the Helio G80.
- May lack some of the newer features found in the A13.
Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137)
- Helio G80 offers higher peak CPU performance for short bursts.
- Potentially more affordable depending on market conditions.
- May have slightly newer software features at launch.
- Less efficient Helio G80 chipset leading to potential throttling.
- Potentially shorter battery life due to higher power consumption.
- MediaTek chipset may receive fewer software updates.
Display Comparison
Both devices likely feature similar LCD panels, given their price points. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing. The focus here is on the internal processing. The chipset impacts the responsiveness of the display and the smoothness of animations. While both will likely offer a 60Hz refresh rate, the Exynos 850's image signal processor (ISP) could contribute to slightly better image quality when viewing photos and videos.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses (ultrawide, macro, depth). The chipset’s ISP plays a crucial role in image processing. The Exynos 850’s ISP is likely more refined due to Samsung’s extensive camera expertise, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos and videos. The Helio G80’s ISP is capable, but may not match Samsung’s processing prowess.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Exynos 850 (8nm) uses eight Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz. The MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) employs a more varied configuration: two Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. While the A75 cores offer higher single-core performance, the 12nm process is less efficient than the Exynos 850’s 8nm node. This means the Helio G80 is likely to generate more heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. The A12 Nacho’s Exynos 850 benefits from Samsung’s software optimization, potentially mitigating the raw CPU core count difference.
Battery Life
Both devices feature 15W wired charging, indicating similar charging speeds. Battery capacity is not specified, but the Exynos 850’s superior power efficiency (8nm process) suggests the A12 Nacho could offer slightly longer battery life on a single charge, even with a comparable battery capacity. The Helio G80’s higher power consumption could offset a larger battery capacity in the A13, resulting in similar real-world usage times.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho if you need a reliably smooth experience for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking, and value Samsung's software ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 (SM-A137) if you prioritize occasional gaming bursts and potentially benefit from the Helio G80's slightly more powerful CPU cores, understanding that sustained performance may be less consistent.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the A12 Nacho overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850's 8nm process is relatively efficient, minimizing heat generation. While it won't deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it's less prone to significant throttling compared to the Helio G80 in the A13, making it a more consistent experience for moderate gaming.
❓ Is the Helio G80's dual-core setup in the A13 noticeable for everyday tasks?
While the A75 cores offer higher peak performance, the difference is often subtle in everyday tasks like browsing and social media. The Exynos 850's consistent performance across all eight cores, combined with Samsung's software optimization, often results in a smoother overall experience.
❓ Will the A13 receive more software updates than the A12 Nacho?
Historically, Samsung provides longer software support for devices with their own Exynos chipsets. While both phones will receive security updates, the A12 Nacho may receive major Android version updates for a longer period.
