Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho vs. A21s: A Detailed Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho and A21s are both popular budget smartphones offering a lot of value for their price. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, performance, and overall user experience to help you make an informed decision.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The A21s edges out the A12 Nacho primarily due to its exceptional battery life and slightly brighter display. While both share the same chipset, the A21s' endurance and screen quality give it a slight advantage for users prioritizing longevity and viewing experience. Both are solid budget choices.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho	Samsung Galaxy A21s

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41	1, 2, 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	2020, May 15. Released 2020, June 02
Status	Available. Released 2021, August 09	Discontinued

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)	163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	205 g (7.23 oz)	192 g (6.77 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 (~82.8% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Exynos 850 (8 nm)	Exynos 850 (8 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52	Mali-G52
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 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4/6GB 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	48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	8 MP, f/2.2	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.2	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
	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-A217F, SM-A217F/DS, SM-A217F/DSN, SM-A217M, SM-A217M/DS, SM-A217N
Price	About 130 EUR	About 220 EUR
SAR EU	0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body)	0.42 W/kg (head) 1.54 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 119h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1287:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-30.0 LUFS (Average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 107157 (v8) GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1) GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho

Potentially more recent software updates
Slightly more modern design
Good value for money

Lower battery life compared to A21s
Potentially dimmer display
Camera details not fully known

Samsung Galaxy A21s

Exceptional battery life (119h endurance rating)
Brighter display (490 nits)
Versatile camera system (likely)

Potentially older software updates
Design may feel slightly dated
Performance is adequate but not exceptional

Display Comparison

Both phones feature Super AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, the A21s boasts a measured peak brightness of 490 nits, which is noticeably brighter than the A12 Nacho's, making it easier to view outdoors. The contrast ratio is similar at 1287:1, indicating excellent image clarity on both devices. The A21s' slightly brighter screen gives it a small edge.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not explicitly detailed in the provided data. However, generally, the A21s is known to have a versatile quad-camera setup, potentially offering more flexibility in shooting scenarios compared to the A12 Nacho's likely triple-camera system. Image quality will depend on software processing and lighting conditions, and a direct comparison would require more detailed testing.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Exynos 850 chipset and feature an Octa-core CPU. Performance will be very similar in everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Don't expect flagship-level performance from either phone, but they are capable enough for typical usage.

Battery Life

The A21s shines in this category. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 119 hours, significantly outperforming the A12 Nacho. This means the A21s can easily last for multiple days on a single charge with moderate usage, making it a clear winner for battery life.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy A12 Nacho is ideal for users who prioritize a slightly more modern design and potentially a more readily available software update path. The Samsung Galaxy A21s is a better choice for those who need exceptional battery life and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display, even if it means potentially older software.