The sub-₹15,000 (approximately $180 USD) smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. The Samsung Galaxy M12, a long-standing player, now faces a strong challenge from the newer OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. This comparison dissects their core specifications to determine which device delivers the best value for budget-conscious consumers seeking 5G connectivity.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers noticeably better performance and thermal management than the Samsung Galaxy M12’s Exynos 850. Crucially, the 67W SuperVOOC charging dramatically reduces downtime, a significant advantage over the M12’s slow 15W charging.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, February 05 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 18 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| 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 | - |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Attractive Black, Elegant Blue, Trendy Emerald Green | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DS, SM-F127G, SM-F127G/DS, SM-M127G, SM-M127G/DS | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 130 EUR | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 13,999 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M12 (India)
- Familiar Samsung ecosystem
- Potentially lower price (depending on retailer)
- Reliable brand reputation
- Slow 15W charging
- Less powerful Exynos 850 chipset
- Prone to throttling under heavy load
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- 67W SuperVOOC fast charging
- More efficient 6nm process
- Less established brand in India (compared to Samsung)
- Potential for OxygenOS bloatware (though improving)
- May be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The key difference lies in processing power; the Snapdragon 695’s ISP will likely offer slightly better image processing for photos and videos. While specific display specs (resolution, peak brightness) are missing, the focus here is on the chipset’s impact on display-related tasks.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Snapdragon 695’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the ISP found in the Exynos 850. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests limited utility; the primary sensor quality will be the defining factor, and the Snapdragon’s ISP gives the Nord CE 3 Lite an advantage.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) represents a significant architectural leap over the Samsung Galaxy M12’s Exynos 850 (8nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation under load. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, provide a performance edge over the Exynos 850’s Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications and multitasking scenarios. The Exynos 850, while capable, is more prone to throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The battery capacity isn’t specified for the Nord CE 3 Lite, but the real differentiator is charging speed. The Samsung Galaxy M12’s 15W charging is comparatively slow, requiring over two hours for a full charge. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, capable of reaching 80% charge in just 30 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime and makes the Nord CE 3 Lite far more convenient for users who are constantly on the go. Even if the Nord CE 3 Lite has a slightly smaller battery capacity, the faster charging mitigates this concern.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) if your priority is a familiar brand ecosystem and you primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling, messaging, and light social media use, and are willing to accept slower charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you prioritize smoother performance for multitasking and gaming, faster charging, and a more modern chipset architecture, even if it means stepping outside the Samsung ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy M12 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850, built on an 8nm process, is more susceptible to thermal throttling than the Snapdragon 695. While it can handle casual gaming, extended sessions with graphically demanding titles will likely result in reduced performance as the chip heats up and downclocks to prevent damage.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compatible with all USB-C chargers?
While the Nord CE 3 Lite uses the USB-C standard, to achieve the full 67W charging speed, you *must* use the included charger and cable. Standard USB-C chargers will charge the device, but at a significantly slower rate.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 695 5G handle multitasking compared to the Exynos 850?
The Snapdragon 695 5G, with its more modern CPU architecture and higher clock speeds, offers a smoother multitasking experience. It can handle more apps running in the background without significant slowdowns, making it ideal for users who frequently switch between applications.
❓ Are the 2MP macro and depth cameras on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro and depth cameras on phones in this price range offer limited utility. Image quality is often subpar, and the dedicated depth sensor doesn't significantly improve portrait mode performance compared to software-based solutions. Focus on the quality of the primary camera sensor.
