The sub-₹15,000 smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy M12, powered by the Exynos 850, and the Motorola Moto G10 Power, featuring the Snapdragon 460, both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly more refined software experience, the Samsung Galaxy M12 emerges as the better choice. While the Moto G10 Power boasts faster 20W charging, the Exynos 850’s architecture provides a noticeable edge in overall responsiveness and multitasking, justifying the slight price 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 40, 41, 66 - 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, 20, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 05 | 2021, March 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 18 | Available. Released 2021, March 16 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.9 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 220 g (7.76 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent design |
| 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 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.6% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | 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, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| 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 | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Attractive Black, Elegant Blue, Trendy Emerald Green | Aurora Grey, Breeze Blue |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DS, SM-F127G, SM-F127G/DS, SM-M127G, SM-M127G/DS | PAMR0002IN, PAMR0008IN, PAMR0010IN |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) | 1.01 W/kg (head) 1.43 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 13,999 | - |
Samsung Galaxy M12 (India)
- More powerful Exynos 850 chipset for smoother performance
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Samsung’s One UI offers more features and customization
- Slower 15W charging
- May have more pre-installed bloatware
Motorola Moto G10 Power
- Faster 20W wired charging
- Near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware
- Potentially longer battery life during light usage
- Less powerful Snapdragon 460 chipset
- May exhibit more noticeable lag during multitasking
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but practicality. While specific display specs are missing, the M12’s Samsung heritage suggests potentially better color calibration. The G10 Power’s display is likely tuned for power efficiency, prioritizing battery life over vibrant colors. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both phones focusing on providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions. The absence of detailed sensor information necessitates a cautious approach. Both will likely feature a primary camera, an ultrawide, and potentially macro/depth sensors. The M12’s image processing, leveraging Samsung’s software expertise, may yield slightly more pleasing results, particularly in dynamic range. The G10 Power’s camera system is likely tuned for simplicity and ease of use. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M12’s Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, offers a more efficient architecture than the Motorola Moto G10 Power’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Exynos 850’s Cortex-A55 cores, clocked at 2.0 GHz, provide a performance advantage over the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores (1.8 GHz/1.6 GHz). This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the M12. The 8nm process also implies better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended use. The Snapdragon 460 prioritizes power efficiency, potentially offering longer battery life during less demanding tasks.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G10 Power’s 20W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Samsung Galaxy M12’s 15W charging. This means faster top-up times, crucial for users who frequently find themselves with low battery. However, battery life isn’t solely determined by charging speed. The Exynos 850’s 8nm process contributes to better power efficiency, potentially offsetting the G10 Power’s faster charging. Real-world usage will determine which phone delivers superior overall battery endurance, but the G10 Power’s charging speed provides a tangible benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) if you need a phone that handles everyday tasks and moderate gaming with greater fluidity, and appreciate Samsung’s One UI software features. Buy the Motorola Moto G10 Power if you prioritize maximizing battery uptime and quick top-ups, and prefer a near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware. The G10 Power is ideal for users who primarily use their phone for calls, messaging, and light social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Galaxy M12 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850’s 8nm process is designed for efficiency, minimizing heat generation. While it won’t deliver flagship-level gaming performance, it’s unlikely to overheat significantly during moderate gaming sessions. However, extended, graphically intensive games may lead to some thermal throttling, reducing performance slightly.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the Galaxy M12 and Moto G10 Power are largely marketing features. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. They are best avoided in favor of the main camera.
❓ Can the Motorola Moto G10 Power fully charge from 0% to 100% in under 2 hours with the included charger?
Yes, the Moto G10 Power’s 20W charging capability should allow it to fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy M12 support VoLTE on all Indian telecom networks?
The Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) is designed to support VoLTE on all major Indian telecom networks, including Jio, Airtel, and Vi. However, it’s always recommended to check the latest compatibility information with your specific carrier.
