Samsung's A-series continues to dominate the budget smartphone space, but choosing between models can be tricky. The Galaxy A22 5G offers the allure of next-generation connectivity and a more modern chipset, while the A12 prioritizes battery endurance and a surprisingly bright display. This comparison dives deep into the specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is the better choice. The Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset provides a significant performance uplift over the Helio P35 in the A12, enabling smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. While the A12 boasts slightly better battery endurance, the A22 5G’s 5G capabilities and improved processing power justify the trade-off.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 03 | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 24 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.2 x 76.4 x 9 mm (6.58 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 | 203 g (7.16 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~399 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 105.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT 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 13, One UI core 5 | 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, 128GB 8GB 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1152p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 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 (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, White, Mint, Violet | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-A226B, SM-A226B/DS, SM-A226B/DSN, SM-A226BR, SM-A226BR/N, SM-A226L, SC-56B | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W |
| Price | £ 92.00 / € 125.99 | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 |
| SAR EU | 0.73 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 118h
| Endurance rating 123h |
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1631:1 (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-28.5 LUFS (Average)
|
-30.4 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 242155 (v8), 223188 (v9)
GeekBench: 6913 (v4.4), 1719 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 12fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 107189 (v8)
GeekBench: 1034 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
- Significantly faster processor for smoother performance
- 5G connectivity for faster download and upload speeds
- Slightly better contrast ratio for more vibrant colors
- Slightly shorter battery life than the A12
- Less bright display, potentially harder to see in direct sunlight
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Longer battery life for all-day usage
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- More affordable price point
- Noticeably slower processor, leading to lag and stutter
- Lacks 5G connectivity, limiting future-proofing
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A12 features a brighter display, reaching 472 nits compared to the A22 5G’s 385 nits. This makes the A12 more legible in direct sunlight. However, the A22 5G’s contrast ratio of 1631:1 is slightly better than the A12’s 1363:1, resulting in deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. Both displays utilize LCD technology, and neither boasts a high refresh rate, so the difference in visual smoothness will be negligible. The A12’s brightness advantage is the key differentiator here for outdoor users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer a similar camera experience, with both featuring a photo/video setup. However, detailed sensor information is lacking. The A22 5G’s image processing benefits from the more powerful chipset, potentially leading to better noise reduction and dynamic range. The A12’s camera is adequate for basic photography, but will struggle in low-light conditions compared to the A22 5G. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely inconsequential, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization.
Performance
The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The A22 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 700, built on a 7nm process, significantly outperforms the A12’s Mediatek Helio P35 (12nm). The Dimensity 700’s octa-core CPU, featuring two Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, provides a noticeable boost in processing power compared to the A12’s four Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience. The 7nm fabrication process also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A12 edges out the A22 5G in battery endurance, achieving 123 hours in our tests versus the A22 5G’s 118 hours. This difference, while measurable, is relatively small. Both phones feature 15W wired charging, meaning charging times will be comparable. The A12’s slightly larger battery capacity and less power-hungry chipset contribute to its longer runtime, but the A22 5G’s more efficient processor mitigates the difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G if you need faster download speeds, smoother app performance, and future-proofing with 5G connectivity. This phone is ideal for users who stream a lot of video, play mobile games occasionally, or simply want a phone that feels more responsive. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 if you prioritize maximum battery life and a brighter screen for outdoor visibility, and your usage primarily consists of basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. It’s a solid choice for those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the A22 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 700 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s a significant improvement over the Helio P35 in the A12, offering a more playable experience.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the A22 5G worth the extra cost if 5G isn't widely available in my area?
If 5G coverage is limited, the immediate benefit is reduced. However, purchasing the A22 5G future-proofs your device for when 5G becomes more prevalent. The Dimensity 700 also offers improved 4G LTE performance compared to the Helio P35, even without 5G access.
❓ How much faster are download speeds on the A22 5G compared to the A12?
Download speeds on the A22 5G can be significantly faster – potentially 10x or more – when connected to a 5G network. Even on 4G LTE, the Dimensity 700’s modem offers improved performance compared to the Helio P35, resulting in faster and more reliable data speeds.
❓ Does the A12's brighter screen make a big difference for outdoor use?
Yes, the A12's 472 nits of brightness is noticeably better than the A22 5G's 385 nits when viewing the screen in direct sunlight. This makes it easier to see content and navigate the phone outdoors.
