Samsung's A and M series represent their aggressive push into the budget smartphone market. The Galaxy M12 and A04s, while both aiming for affordability, present subtle but important differences. This comparison dissects these differences, focusing on where each phone excels to help you make the right choice.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A04s represents the better value. While both phones share the same Exynos 850 chipset and 15W charging, the A04s boasts a brighter, higher contrast display and comparable battery life, making it a more enjoyable daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 19 | 2022, August 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 30 | Available. Released 2022, September 22 |
| 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) | 164.7 x 76.7 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) | 195 g (6.88 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 (~80.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | PLS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| 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 | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 720p@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 | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Green, White, Copper |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DSN, SM-M127N | SM-A047F, SM-A047F/DS, SM-A047F/DSN, SM-A047M |
| Price | About 170 EUR | € 133.89 |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.52 W/kg (head) 1.23 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1614:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.3 LUFS (Below average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 145123(v9)
GeekBench: 1100 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 11fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M12
- Potentially lower price point
- Larger screen size (likely)
- Identical processor to A04s
- Likely lower display brightness
- Unspecified battery capacity
Samsung Galaxy A04s
- Brighter display (389 nits)
- Excellent 114-hour endurance rating
- Higher contrast ratio
- Potentially higher price
- Identical processor to M12
Display Comparison
Both the Galaxy M12 and A04s feature displays with a 1614:1 contrast ratio, indicating similar levels of black depth. However, the A04s edges out the M12 with a measured peak brightness of 389 nits. This brighter display translates to better visibility outdoors and a more vibrant viewing experience. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the A04s’ higher brightness is a tangible benefit for everyday use. We lack information on panel technology (IPS vs. TFT) for either device, but the brightness difference is the key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, which is unhelpful. Without specific sensor details, it's difficult to make a meaningful comparison. However, given their price points, expect similar image quality – adequate for social media sharing in good lighting conditions, but struggling in low light. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick, offering limited practical benefit due to the small sensor size and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS).
Performance
Both devices are powered by the Exynos 850 (8nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores and another 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This means performance will be virtually identical in most tasks, including web browsing, social media, and light gaming. The 8nm process node offers reasonable efficiency, but neither phone is designed for demanding applications. RAM configurations are not specified, but will likely impact multitasking performance; more RAM will always be better. Thermal throttling is unlikely to be a major concern given the chipset's modest power draw.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A04s boasts an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating excellent battery life. The M12's battery capacity is not specified, but given the identical chipset and similar screen size, we can expect comparable performance. Both phones support 15W wired charging, which is relatively slow by today's standards. Expect a charge time of around 2-3 hours for a full charge. The A04s’ endurance rating suggests optimized power management, potentially leading to slightly longer real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 if you prioritize a slightly larger screen real estate and potentially find it at a significantly lower price point. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A04s if you value a more visually appealing display with better contrast and brightness, and are willing to pay a small premium for a more refined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in either phone tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 850 is a relatively low-power chipset. Overheating is unlikely to be a significant issue during gaming, even with graphically demanding titles. However, performance may be throttled slightly after extended periods of intense use to manage temperatures.
❓ Are the 2MP macro cameras on either the M12 or A04s actually useful for taking detailed close-up photos?
Unfortunately, the 2MP macro cameras on both devices are largely a marketing feature. The small sensor size and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft, lacking in detail, and generally inferior to photos taken with the main camera in standard mode.
❓ Can either the Galaxy M12 or A04s reliably run PUBG Mobile at 60fps?
While the Exynos 850 can technically run PUBG Mobile, achieving a consistent 60fps experience will likely require lowering the graphics settings to the lowest possible level. Expect frame drops and occasional stuttering, especially during intense firefights. The phones are better suited for playing at 30-40fps with medium settings.
❓ What type of charging protocol do these phones support beyond standard 15W wired charging?
Both the Galaxy M12 and A04s support standard 15W wired charging via USB-C. They do *not* support fast charging protocols like Quick Charge or Power Delivery. Expect a relatively slow charging time of around 2-3 hours for a full charge.
