The Samsung Galaxy F12 and Nokia G20 represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The F12, leveraging Samsung’s Exynos 850, aims for a balance of performance and efficiency, while the Nokia G20, powered by MediaTek’s Helio G35, prioritizes affordability and extended battery life. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy F12 emerges as the stronger choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on a more efficient 8nm process, delivers noticeably better performance than the Nokia G20’s 12nm Helio G35. While the Nokia G20 offers a slightly longer potential battery life, the F12’s superior processing power provides a smoother overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 05 | 2021, April 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 12 | Available. Released 2021, May 17 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 164.9 x 76 x 9.2 mm (6.49 x 2.99 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 197 g (6.95 oz) |
| | - | Splash protection |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, (wide) |
| 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5050 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sea Green, Sky Blue, Celestial Black | Glacier, Night |
| Models | SM-F127G, SM-F127G/DS, SM-F127F, SM-F127F/DS | TA-1336, TA-1343, TA-1347, TA-1372, TA-1365 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.02 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy F12
- More powerful Exynos 850 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- More efficient 8nm process
- Potentially shorter battery life than G20 (depending on capacity)
- May be slightly more expensive
Nokia G20
- Potentially longer battery life
- Lower price point
- Simple and clean Android experience (typical of Nokia)
- Slower and less efficient Helio G35 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Older CPU architecture
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, the lack of detailed display specs necessitates focusing on performance. The chipset’s ability to efficiently render graphics will impact perceived smoothness, giving the F12 an edge. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy is expected to be standard for budget phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely feature a primary camera supplemented by macro and depth sensors. The F12’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Exynos 850 likely offers more sophisticated image processing capabilities than the G35’s ISP. This could result in better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos. The presence of a larger sensor (if any) would further benefit the F12, but this information is unavailable. The 2MP macro cameras on both devices are likely of limited utility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy F12’s Exynos 850 (8nm) is architecturally superior to the Nokia G20’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The 8nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency. While both are octa-core, the F12’s Cortex-A55 cores run at 2.0 GHz, while the G20’s Cortex-A53 cores are clocked at 2.3 GHz and 1.8 GHz. The A55 architecture is more modern and efficient, offsetting the slightly lower clock speed. This translates to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling on the F12, particularly during prolonged use. The G35’s older architecture will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
The Nokia G20’s focus on battery life is evident in its likely larger battery capacity (though not specified). However, the Exynos 850’s superior efficiency mitigates this advantage. The F12’s 15W charging is faster than the G20’s 10W charging, meaning quicker top-ups when needed. While the G20 might last slightly longer on a single charge with minimal use, the F12’s faster charging and more efficient processor provide a more practical balance for average users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F12 if you need a phone capable of handling moderate multitasking, streaming video, and casual gaming without significant lag. It’s ideal for users who value responsiveness and a more fluid user experience. Buy the Nokia G20 if your primary concern is maximizing battery life and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. It’s a good fit for users on a very tight budget who prioritize longevity over raw power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy F12 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is relatively efficient. While it will warm up during prolonged gaming, it’s unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling like the Helio G35, which is built on a less efficient 12nm process. Expect playable frame rates for less demanding titles.
❓ Is the 10W charging on the Nokia G20 significantly slower in real-world use?
Yes, 10W charging is considerably slower than the Galaxy F12’s 15W charging. Expect a much longer time to reach 100% charge, potentially taking over 3 hours. This is a trade-off for the potentially longer battery life, but requires more planning around charging times.
❓ Will the Helio G35 in the Nokia G20 struggle with multitasking?
The Helio G35’s older Cortex-A53 architecture and lower overall processing power will likely result in noticeable lag when multitasking with several apps open simultaneously. It’s best suited for running one app at a time.
❓ How does the efficiency of the 8nm Exynos 850 compare to the 12nm Helio G35 in daily usage?
The 8nm Exynos 850 is significantly more power-efficient. This means the Galaxy F12 will consume less battery power for the same tasks, resulting in longer standby times and potentially comparable real-world battery life despite a potentially smaller battery capacity compared to the Nokia G20.
