Looking for an affordable Samsung smartphone? The Galaxy Music Duos S6012 and Galaxy Star 2 Plus were popular budget options. But which one delivers the best value? We'll break down their specs, performance, and features to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Galaxy Star 2 Plus edges out the Music Duos thanks to its slightly faster processor and potentially better battery optimization. While both are entry-level devices, the Star 2 Plus offers a marginally smoother experience for everyday tasks. However, the Music Duos might have a slight audio advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (dual-SIM model only) |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | - |
| EDGE | No | Yes |
| GPRS | No | Yes |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps | - |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2012, October. Released 2012, December | 2014, July. Released 2014, August |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 110.1 x 59 x 12.3 mm (4.33 x 2.32 x 0.48 in) | 129.7 x 65.9 x 9.4 mm (5.11 x 2.59 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) | Single SIM (Micro-SIM) or Dual SIM (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 106.9 g (3.74 oz) | 129 g (4.55 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~133 ppi density) | 480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~217 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 27.9 cm2 (~42.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 4.3 inches, 52.6 cm2 (~61.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 850 MHz Cortex-A9 | 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8111 | - |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX531 | - |
| OS | Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean) | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | microSDHC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 4GB 512MB RAM | 4GB 512MB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | Yes | 320p |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Video | Yes | - |
| | No | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | SRS audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 3.0, A2DP | 4.0, A2DP |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS; built-in antenna | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | microUSB 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Accelerometer |
| | MP4/H.263 player
MP3/WAV/eAAC+ player
Photo viewer/editor | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 32 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 570 h (2G) / Up to 370 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 15 h (2G) / Up to 6 h (3G) | Up to 17 h |
| Type | Li-Ion 1300 mAh, removable | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Orange, Gray | Black, White |
| Models | GT-S6012 | SM-G350E, SM-G350 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 90 EUR |
| SAR | 0.79 W/kg (head) 0.68 W/kg (body) | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.12 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.75 W/kg (head) | 0.48 W/kg (head) 0.49 W/kg (body) |
Samsung Galaxy Music Duos S6012
- Potentially better audio quality (Music-focused device)
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
- Slower processor
- Lower battery life
- Basic camera
Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus
- Slightly faster processor
- Potentially longer battery life
- Compact and lightweight
- Affordable
- Basic camera
- Low-resolution display
- Limited storage
Display Comparison
Both phones feature relatively small, low-resolution displays (likely around 4.0-4.3 inches and WVGA resolution). Expect adequate but not exceptional viewing experiences. Color accuracy and brightness will be limited. The Star 2 Plus might have a slightly newer display technology, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely feature basic 2MP rear cameras. Image quality will be limited in low light. Don't expect exceptional photo capabilities from either device. The Star 2 Plus might have slightly improved image processing due to its newer chipset, but the difference will be marginal.
Performance
The Galaxy Star 2 Plus holds a slight advantage here. Its 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU is faster than the Music Duos' 850 MHz Cortex-A9. While both are entry-level processors, the Star 2 Plus should handle basic apps and navigation a bit more smoothly. Expect some lag with demanding apps on both devices.
Battery Life
The Galaxy Star 2 Plus likely has a slightly larger battery capacity (potentially around 1800mAh) compared to the Music Duos (likely around 1500mAh). This translates to potentially longer battery life for the Star 2 Plus, especially with its slightly more efficient processor.
Buying Guide
The Samsung Galaxy Music Duos S6012 is ideal for users prioritizing basic functionality and potentially better audio quality on a tight budget. The Samsung Galaxy Star 2 Plus is a better choice for those needing a bit more processing power for light multitasking and a slightly longer battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still worth buying?
Given their age, finding these phones new is unlikely. If you find them used at a very low price, they can be functional for basic tasks, but newer budget phones offer significantly better performance and features.
❓ What operating system do these phones run?
Both phones originally shipped with Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean). However, it's highly unlikely they received any significant updates.