The Samsung Galaxy M12 and A13 represent Samsung's commitment to the affordable smartphone market. While both devices target budget-conscious consumers, they offer slightly different strengths. This comparison dissects their specifications to determine which phone delivers the best value for your money, focusing on real-world implications rather than just raw numbers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is the better choice. While both phones share the same Exynos 850 chipset and 15W charging, the A13’s significantly brighter display (587 nits) and potentially longer software support make it a more compelling overall package.
| 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, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 30 | Available. Released 2022, March 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.9 x 9.7 mm (6.46 x 2.99 x 0.38 in) | 165.1 x 76.4 x 8.8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~83.2% 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 (4x2.0 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 4GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (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 | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass |
| | 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, White, Peach, Blue |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DSN, SM-M127N | SM-A135F, SM-A135F/DS, SM-A135M, SM-A135U, SM-A135U1, SM-A135N |
| Price | About 170 EUR | € 94.99 / $ 129.99 / £ 89.00 |
| SAR | - | 0.49 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.37 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 114h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1324:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.7 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 122822 (v8), 136286 (v9)
GeekBench: 588 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.2fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Samsung Galaxy M12
- Potentially lower price point
- Identical performance to A13 for basic tasks
- Similar battery endurance
- Likely dimmer display
- Potentially shorter software support lifespan
Samsung Galaxy A13
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Potentially longer software update support
- Slightly more refined user experience
- May be slightly more expensive
- Identical performance to M12 for basic tasks
Display Comparison
The Galaxy A13 distinguishes itself with a noticeably brighter display, peaking at 587 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the M12. This translates to significantly improved visibility in direct sunlight. Both displays feature a 1324:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar color reproduction quality. However, the A13’s higher peak brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor use, making it easier to view content and navigate the interface. The panel technology is likely PLS LCD on both, a cost-effective solution for this price point.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess camera quality. It’s reasonable to assume both phones utilize similar camera modules, focusing on basic photography needs. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is largely a marketing tactic, offering limited practical benefit due to the low resolution and lack of optical image stabilization (OIS). Image processing will likely be similar, leaning towards Samsung’s typically vibrant color profile.
Performance
Both the Galaxy M12 and A13 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 for everyday tasks like 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 the performance bottleneck will likely be the chipset itself, not the RAM. Thermal throttling is unlikely to be a major concern given the modest processing power.
Battery Life
Both the M12 and A13 achieve an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. Both phones support 15W wired charging, which is relatively slow compared to modern fast-charging standards. A full 0-100% charge will likely take around 2-3 hours. The identical endurance rating suggests that any differences in battery capacity are offset by the efficiency of the Exynos 850 and software optimizations.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 if you prioritize finding the absolute lowest price and are comfortable with potentially limited software updates. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A13 if you value a more usable outdoor display, a slightly more refined experience, and the expectation of receiving future Android version updates, even if it means spending a little more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 850 chip in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Exynos 850 is a budget-focused chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. Neither phone is ideal for hardcore mobile gaming.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
The 2MP macro camera on both the M12 and A13 is largely a marketing feature. The low resolution and lack of autofocus result in images that are often soft and lack detail. It's usable for casual close-up shots, but don't expect professional-quality results.
❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy M12 and A13?
Samsung typically provides two generations of Android OS updates and three years of security updates for its A-series phones. The M-series often receives less support. The A13 is likely to receive updates for a longer period than the M12, making it a better choice for long-term usability.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in charging speed between the M12 and A13?
No, you won't. Both phones support 15W wired charging, which is relatively slow. Expect a full charge to take around 2-3 hours. The charging speed is identical on both devices.
