Samsung Galaxy M32 vs M12: Which Budget Samsung is Right for You?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M32 is the better choice. Its Helio G80 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the M12’s Exynos 850, particularly in gaming and multitasking. The inclusion of 25W charging (in international variants) significantly reduces charging times, making it more convenient for power users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M12 | Samsung Galaxy M32 |
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 19 | 2021, June 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 30 | Available. Released 2021, June 28 |
| 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) | 159.3 x 74 x 8.4 mm (Global) or 9.3 mm (India) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) | 180 g (Global) / 196 g (India) (6.35 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | PLS LCD, 90Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Exynos 850 (8 nm) | Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 | Mali-G52 MC2 |
| OS | Android 11, One UI Core 3.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 20 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, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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, gyro, compass |
| Virtual proximity sensing | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired (International) 15W wired (India) |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Green | Black, Light Blue |
| Models | SM-M127F, SM-M127F/DSN, SM-M127N | SM-M325FV, SM-M325FV/DS, SM-M325F/DS, SM-M325F |
| Price | About 170 EUR | About 180 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.64 W/kg (head) |
| SAR EU | 0.54 W/kg (head) 1.39 W/kg (body) | 0.56 W/kg (head) 1.57 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy M12
- More power-efficient chipset (Exynos 850, 8nm)
- Potentially longer standby time
- Generally more affordable
- Lower overall performance compared to Helio G80
- Slower charging speed (15W)
- Less responsive multitasking
Samsung Galaxy M32
- Faster processor (Helio G80 with Cortex-A75 cores)
- Faster charging (25W in international markets)
- Smoother gaming experience
- Less power-efficient chipset (Helio G80, 12nm)
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- Generally more expensive
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 on practicality. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the M32’s slightly higher price point *might* translate to marginally better color accuracy or viewing angles, but this is speculative. Bezels are expected to be similar on both, prioritizing affordability over an immersive edge-to-edge experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of a likely standard main sensor on both, a direct comparison is difficult. The M32’s slightly higher price suggests a potentially better image signal processor (ISP) within the Helio G80, leading to improved image processing. However, both devices likely include a suite of standard features, and the inclusion of low-resolution macro/depth sensors on both is unlikely to significantly impact image quality. Real-world camera performance will depend heavily on Samsung’s software tuning.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The M32’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm) features two Cortex-A75 performance cores clocked at 2.0 GHz, paired with six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. This contrasts with the M12’s Exynos 850 (8nm), which utilizes eight Cortex-A55 cores all clocked at 2.0 GHz. The Helio G80’s A75 cores provide a significant advantage in single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The 12nm process of the Helio G80 is less efficient than the 8nm Exynos 850, potentially leading to slightly higher power consumption under load. However, the performance gains likely outweigh this efficiency trade-off for many users.
Battery Life
Both phones are expected to offer all-day battery life with moderate usage. The M12’s Exynos 850, built on a more efficient 8nm process, will likely exhibit slightly better standby times. However, the M32’s faster 25W charging (international variant) is a game-changer. While the Indian variant is limited to 15W, the 25W option can significantly reduce charging times, going from 0-100% much faster than the M12’s consistent 15W. This convenience factor is a major advantage for the M32.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M12 if you prioritize long-term battery life and consistent, if not blazing-fast, performance for everyday tasks like browsing and social media. It’s ideal for users who rarely game or push their phone’s processing limits. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M32 if you prefer a more responsive experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and value faster charging – especially if you’re purchasing the international version with 25W support. It’s the better option for users who demand more from their smartphone.