The Samsung Galaxy A12 and OnePlus Nord N20 SE represent compelling options in the ultra-budget smartphone space. While both aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at a low price point, they take different approaches to achieving this. The A12 prioritizes endurance, while the N20 SE focuses on faster charging and a slightly newer chipset. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and consistent performance, the Samsung Galaxy A12 emerges as the better choice. Its significantly superior battery endurance (123h) outweighs the Nord N20 SE’s faster charging, especially given the similar processing power of their respective MediaTek chipsets.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, August 08 |
| 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) | 163.8 x 75 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 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 | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Go | - |
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| 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/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 34 min, 100% in 69 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Red | Blue Oasis, Celestial Black |
| Models | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W | CPH2469 |
| Price | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 | About 190 EUR |
| SAR EU | 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
- Exceptional battery life (123h endurance)
- Proven reliability of the Samsung brand
- Lower price point (typically)
- Slow 15W charging
- Outdated chipset (Helio P35)
- Likely limited software update support
OnePlus Nord N20 SE
- Faster 33W charging (50% in 34 min)
- Slightly newer chipset (Helio G35)
- OnePlus’s OxygenOS offers a cleaner software experience
- Lower battery endurance (estimated)
- Potentially higher price
- Limited camera capabilities
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond basic information. The Samsung Galaxy A12 boasts a measured peak brightness of 472 nits and a 1363:1 contrast ratio. While adequate for indoor use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The Nord N20 SE’s display specs are unavailable, but given its price point, it’s unlikely to significantly outperform the A12 in brightness or contrast. Both likely utilize LCD panels, and neither is expected to offer high color accuracy or advanced features like HDR support.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature a 'Photo / Video' camera setup, lacking specific details. This suggests neither device prioritizes camera quality. The absence of sensor size or aperture information indicates the use of budget sensors. It’s safe to assume image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions but will suffer in low light. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
The performance gap between the Samsung Galaxy A12’s MediaTek Helio P35 and the OnePlus Nord N20 SE’s Helio G35 is minimal. Both are octa-core processors utilizing the same Cortex-A53 architecture for their efficiency cores (4x1.8 GHz). The G35 offers a slightly higher clock speed on its performance cores (4x2.3 GHz vs 2.35 GHz on the P35), but this difference is unlikely to translate into a noticeable real-world performance boost for typical tasks. Both chipsets are designed for basic multitasking, social media, and light gaming. Neither is suited for demanding applications or graphically intensive games. The lack of information regarding RAM speed and capacity on both devices further complicates a direct performance comparison.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A12’s standout feature is its exceptional battery endurance, rated at 123 hours. This is a significant advantage over the OnePlus Nord N20 SE, which lacks a published endurance rating. However, the N20 SE compensates with 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in 34 minutes and 100% in 69 minutes. The A12’s 15W charging is considerably slower. This means while the A12 will last longer on a single charge, the N20 SE can quickly replenish its battery when needed. The trade-off is between longevity and convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 if you need a phone that can reliably last through a full day – and then some – on a single charge, and if consistent, if not blazing-fast, performance is sufficient. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 SE if you prioritize quick top-ups and value the convenience of 33W charging, even if it means potentially needing to charge more frequently. The N20 SE is also a better fit for users who frequently use their phone while charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the MediaTek Helio P35 in the Galaxy A12 sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Helio P35 is capable of handling everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and messaging without significant lag. However, it will struggle with demanding applications or graphically intensive games. It's designed for efficiency rather than raw power.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord N20 SE compared to the 15W charging on the Galaxy A12?
The 33W charging on the N20 SE is significantly faster. It can reach a full charge in approximately 69 minutes, while the A12 will take considerably longer, likely exceeding two hours. This makes the N20 SE more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will the Galaxy A12 receive future software updates?
Samsung's update policy for the A12 is limited. While it likely received an initial Android update, long-term software support is not guaranteed. The OnePlus Nord N20 SE may offer slightly better software support, but neither device is expected to receive updates for an extended period.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N20 SE's Helio G35 offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the Galaxy A12's Helio P35?
The difference in gaming performance between the two chipsets is minimal. Both are entry-level processors. While the G35 has a slightly higher clock speed, it won't translate into a significant frame rate boost in most games. Expect to play games at lower settings to maintain playable performance on both devices.
