Samsung Galaxy A13 vs A12: A Detailed Comparison

Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy A13 and A12 are popular contenders in the budget segment. Both offer reliable performance and features, but which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy A13 edges out the A12 thanks to its brighter display and slightly more modern chipset. While the A12 boasts slightly better battery endurance, the A13's overall improvements in screen quality and processing power make it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	Samsung Galaxy A13	Samsung Galaxy A12

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, LTE	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE

Launch
Announced	2022, March 04	2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21
Status	Available. Released 2022, March 23	Discontinued

Body
Build	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 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· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	195 g (6.88 oz)	205 g (7.23 oz)

Display
Protection	Corning Gorilla Glass 5	-
Resolution	1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)
Size	6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% 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 (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Exynos 850 (8 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G52	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 12, 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	32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB 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	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
	-	Go
Features	LED flash, panorama, HDR	LED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single	8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)	-
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Single	8 MP, f/2.2, (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 (market/region dependent)	Yes (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	FM radio, RDS, recording
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	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, compass	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, White, Peach, Blue	Black, White, Blue, Red
Models	SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N	SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W
Price	€ 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00	€ 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99
SAR	0.49 W/kg (head)	-
SAR EU	0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body)	0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	Endurance rating 114h	Endurance rating 123h
Camera	Photo / Video	Photo / Video
Display	Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal)	Contrast ratio: 1363:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-29.7 LUFS (Average)	-30.4 LUFS (Below average)
Performance	AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9) GeekBench: 588 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)	AnTuTu: 107189 (v8) GeekBench: 1034 (v5.1) GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy A13

Brighter Display
Slightly Faster Processor
More Modern Chipset
Good Value

Slightly Lower Battery Endurance than A12
Camera performance is average

Samsung Galaxy A12

Excellent Battery Life
Affordable Price
Good Value

Dimmer Display
Older Processor
Less Efficient Chipset

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A13 features a measured peak brightness of 587 nits, significantly brighter than the A12's 472 nits. Both offer excellent contrast ratios (1324:1 for A13, 1363:1 for A12), resulting in deep blacks and vibrant colors. The A13's higher brightness makes it more usable outdoors.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature similar camera setups, typically including a main sensor, ultrawide lens, macro lens, and depth sensor. Image quality is generally decent in good lighting conditions, but low-light performance is average. The A13 may offer slightly improved image processing due to its newer chipset.

Performance

The A13's Exynos 850 chipset (8nm) is generally considered more efficient and slightly faster than the A12's Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). While both are adequate for everyday tasks, the A13 handles multitasking and slightly more demanding apps with a bit more ease. Both phones have 4GB or 6GB of RAM.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A12 holds a slight advantage in battery endurance, boasting an endurance rating of 123 hours compared to the A13's 114 hours. However, the difference is relatively small and real-world usage will vary depending on individual habits.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A13? Users prioritizing a brighter, more vibrant display and a slightly faster processor. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A12? Those seeking the absolute longest battery life and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset and dimmer screen.