The Samsung Galaxy A12 and Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite represent two popular choices in the crowded budget smartphone market. While both aim to deliver essential features at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their internal hardware, leading to distinct user experiences. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite is the superior choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the Galaxy A12’s MediaTek Helio P35, making it better suited for multitasking, gaming, and demanding applications. While the A12 boasts slightly better battery endurance, the Redmi Note 10 Lite’s faster charging mitigates this difference.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 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 | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 | 2021, October 01 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, October 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 165.8 x 76.7 x 8.8 mm (6.53 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 209 g (7.37 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 618 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| 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, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Go | - |
| 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 | 48 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, RDS, recording | FM radio, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5020 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Blue, Red | Aurora Blue, Glacier White, Interstellar Black, Champagne Gold |
| Models | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W | M2002F4LG |
| Price | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.39 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
- Longer battery endurance (123h rating)
- Potentially lower price point
- Samsung brand recognition
- Significantly weaker processor (Helio P35)
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Likely less responsive user experience
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite
- Much faster processor (Snapdragon 720G)
- Faster charging (18W)
- Better thermal efficiency
- Potentially slightly shorter battery life
- May be slightly more expensive
- Xiaomi’s MIUI software can be polarizing
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A12 features a display with 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 Redmi Note 10 Lite’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely offers a similar experience. However, the A12’s contrast ratio, while nominal, suggests a potentially less vibrant image compared to displays utilizing AMOLED technology, which is sometimes found in this price bracket from Xiaomi. The lack of refresh rate information for both devices indicates they likely operate at the standard 60Hz, limiting smoothness in scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, given Xiaomi’s tendency to prioritize camera features even in budget models, the Redmi Note 10 Lite likely offers a more versatile and capable camera system. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests both rely on software-based stabilization, which is less effective in low-light conditions. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro cameras on either phone is questionable, offering limited practical benefit.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm), an octa-core processor built on a more efficient manufacturing process than the Samsung Galaxy A12’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The Snapdragon 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores, clocked at 2.3 GHz, offer a noticeable performance uplift over the Helio P35’s Cortex-A53 cores, peaking at 2.35 GHz. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 720G also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Redmi Note 10 Lite will handle demanding games and applications with greater ease and consistency.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A12 boasts an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating strong battery life. However, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite compensates for any potential battery capacity deficit with its 18W wired charging, significantly faster than the A12’s 15W charging. This faster charging speed means less downtime and quicker top-ups, effectively mitigating the A12’s endurance advantage for many users. A full charge on the Redmi Note 10 Lite will likely be achieved in a shorter timeframe, providing a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 if your primary concern is maximizing battery life and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Lite if you prioritize performance for gaming, streaming, or running multiple apps simultaneously, and appreciate faster charging speeds. The Redmi Note 10 Lite is the better option for users who want a more responsive and future-proof device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio P35 in the Galaxy A12 struggle with modern mobile games?
Yes, the MediaTek Helio P35 is a relatively weak processor and will likely struggle with graphically demanding games. Expect low frame rates and potential stuttering, even on lower settings. The Redmi Note 10 Lite’s Snapdragon 720G is far better equipped for gaming.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the Redmi Note 10 Lite compared to the Galaxy A12’s 15W charging?
While the difference may not seem substantial, 18W charging will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect the Redmi Note 10 Lite to charge from 0-100% significantly faster than the Galaxy A12, potentially shaving off 30-60 minutes depending on battery capacity.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 720G in the Redmi Note 10 Lite generate more heat than the Helio P35?
Despite being more powerful, the Snapdragon 720G’s 8nm process is more efficient than the Helio P35’s 12nm process. This means it generates less heat for the same level of performance, reducing the risk of thermal throttling and maintaining consistent performance over longer periods.
