Samsung's A and M series cater to the budget-conscious consumer, but offer distinct approaches. The Galaxy M12 (India) prioritizes processing power with its Exynos 850 chipset, while the Galaxy A12 aims for broader availability and a slightly different feature set with the MediaTek Helio P35. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) is the clear winner. Its Exynos 850 chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Helio P35 in the A12, making it more suitable for multitasking and demanding applications. While both offer similar battery endurance and charging speeds, the M12’s processing advantage justifies 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 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 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 | 2021, February 05 | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 18 | Discontinued |
| 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) | 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 |
| Weight | 221 g (7.80 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| 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 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | 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 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 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 | 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/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Attractive Black, Elegant Blue, Trendy Emerald Green | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DS, SM-F127G, SM-F127G/DS, SM-M127G, SM-M127G/DS | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W |
| Price | About 130 EUR | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 6GB RAM | ₹ 13,999 | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 123h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107189 (v8)
GeekBench: 1034 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M12 (India)
- Significantly more powerful Exynos 850 chipset
- More efficient 8nm manufacturing process
- Better suited for multitasking and gaming
- Potentially longer software support due to newer chipset
- Display specifications are less detailed
- Availability limited to India
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Wider availability
- Measured peak brightness of 472 nits for better outdoor visibility
- Lower price point (potentially)
- Established MediaTek chipset with known performance characteristics
- Less powerful MediaTek Helio P35 chipset
- Older 12nm manufacturing process
- Slower performance in demanding tasks
- Potentially shorter software support lifecycle
Display Comparison
Both the Galaxy M12 and A12 feature displays with a 1363:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the A12’s measured peak brightness of 472 nits provides a tangible advantage in outdoor visibility. While both lack high refresh rates, the A12’s contrast ratio is nominally specified, while the M12’s display characteristics are not detailed, suggesting a potential for slight variations in color accuracy and viewing angles. The lack of detailed display specs for the M12 makes a definitive judgement difficult, but the A12’s measured brightness is a clear win for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size or image processing. Given the price points, it’s likely both rely on similar budget sensors. The absence of information regarding OIS or aperture sizes makes a detailed comparison impossible. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization. Without further details, it’s safe to assume camera performance will be comparable, leaning towards acceptable for casual snapshots in good lighting conditions.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Galaxy M12’s Exynos 850 (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the A12’s MediaTek Helio P35 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Exynos 850 translates to better power efficiency and thermal management, allowing for sustained performance. While both CPUs are octa-core, the Exynos 850 utilizes Cortex-A55 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, while the Helio P35 combines Cortex-A53 cores at 2.35 GHz and 1.8 GHz. The A55 architecture is more modern and efficient than the A53, offsetting the slightly higher clock speeds of the Helio P35. This translates to a noticeably smoother user experience on the M12, especially when multitasking or running demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both the Galaxy M12 and A12 boast an endurance rating of 123 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. Both also support 15W wired charging. This suggests that despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified for the M12), the power efficiency of the Exynos 850 in the M12 effectively balances out any capacity discrepancies. The 15W charging speed is relatively slow by today’s standards, meaning a full charge will take a considerable amount of time, but the comparable endurance ratings mean neither phone will require daily charging for moderate usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) if you need a phone capable of handling moderate gaming, smoother multitasking, and benefit from a more modern chipset architecture. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 if you prioritize a wider availability and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are less concerned with demanding performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in the M12 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850's 8nm process node is designed for efficiency, minimizing heat generation. While it won't match flagship-level cooling, it's unlikely to overheat significantly during typical gaming sessions. Expect some warmth, but not throttling that severely impacts performance.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both the M12 and A12 are largely a marketing feature. The low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization result in images that are often soft and lack detail. It's usable for casual experimentation, but don't expect professional-quality macro photography.
❓ Can the Samsung Galaxy M12 (India) run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
The Exynos 850 in the M12 *can* run PUBG Mobile, but achieving a consistent 60fps will depend on the graphics settings. Lowering the settings to balanced or low is recommended for a smoother experience. The Helio P35 in the A12 will likely struggle to maintain a stable 60fps even at the lowest settings.
❓ What is the typical screen-on time I can expect from the Galaxy A12 with moderate usage?
With moderate usage (social media, browsing, calls), you can realistically expect around 6-8 hours of screen-on time from the Galaxy A12, thanks to its 123-hour endurance rating. However, this will vary depending on brightness levels and app usage.
