The Samsung Galaxy A series consistently delivers excellent value in the budget smartphone market. Two popular contenders are the Galaxy A13 5G and the Galaxy A12. But which one offers the best bang for your buck? This comprehensive comparison will break down their key features to help you make an informed decision.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy A13 5G wins overall thanks to its 5G connectivity and significantly faster processor. While the A12 boasts impressive battery life, the A13 5G's performance improvements and future-proofing make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 2, 5, 66, 77 Sub6/mmWave | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 2, 5, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77 Sub6/mmWave - SM-A136U | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 02 | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 03 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 3.01 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 |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 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 (~81.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 |
| 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 |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer | 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 | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-A136U, SM-A136U1, SM-A136W, SM-A136B, SM-S136DL | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W |
| Price | € 178.00 / $ 64.00 / £ 72.54 | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 |
| SAR | 1.27 W/kg (head) 0.58 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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 A13 5G
- 5G Connectivity
- Faster Processor (Dimensity 700)
- Improved Performance
- More Modern Chipset
- Generally Better Camera
- Slightly Lower Battery Life than A12
- Potentially Slightly Dimmer Display
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Lower Price Point
- Good Display Brightness
- Reliable Performance for Basic Tasks
- Outdated Processor (Helio P35)
- Slower Performance
- No 5G Connectivity
- Less Versatile Camera
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display with a 1363:1 contrast ratio. However, the A12 measures a slightly brighter 472 nits, while the A13 5G's brightness is estimated around 400 nits. The A13 5G may offer slightly improved color accuracy due to its newer display technology, but the difference is subtle.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a multi-lens camera system, but the A13 5G generally has a more versatile setup. While specific megapixel counts vary slightly between configurations, the A13 5G's newer image processing capabilities often result in better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Video recording capabilities are similar on both devices.
Performance
This is where the A13 5G shines. Its Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset is a substantial upgrade over the A12's Helio P35. The Dimensity 700's octa-core CPU delivers significantly faster processing speeds, resulting in smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and a more responsive overall experience. Gaming performance is also noticeably better on the A13 5G.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A12 is renowned for its exceptional battery life, consistently achieving impressive endurance ratings (around 123h). The A13 5G's battery life is still good, but not quite as stellar as the A12's. Expect a full day of moderate use from the A13 5G, but heavy users might need to top it up before the end of the day.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy A13 5G is ideal for users who want 5G connectivity, a smoother user experience, and a more modern chipset. The Galaxy A12 is a great option for those prioritizing exceptional battery life and a slightly lower price point, and who don't need 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A13 5G worth the extra money?
Yes, if 5G connectivity and improved performance are important to you. The A13 5G offers a significantly better user experience.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
The Samsung Galaxy A12 consistently demonstrates superior battery life compared to the A13 5G.
❓ Can the A13 5G handle gaming?
Yes, the A13 5G's more powerful processor makes it better suited for gaming than the A12, although demanding titles may still require lower graphics settings.
