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Samsung Galaxy S4 Active vs. Nokia C12 Plus: A Detailed Showdown

The smartphone landscape is filled with options, but finding a reliable device that doesn't break the bank can be a challenge. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the aging Samsung Galaxy S4 Active and the budget-friendly Nokia C12 Plus. Can the older flagship still compete with a modern budget offering?
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S4 Active vs. Nokia C12 Plus: Which Budget Phone Wins?

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active boasts superior performance and a significantly better display thanks to its Snapdragon 600 chipset and impressive contrast ratio. However, the Nokia C12 Plus offers a more modern platform and likely better software support. For raw power and screen quality, the S4 Active wins, but for longevity and affordability, the C12 Plus is compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung I9295 Galaxy S4 Active Nokia C12 Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20 - I9295LTE
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 MbpsHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 17 - I537-
Launch
Announced2013, June. Released 2013, June2023, April 01
StatusDiscontinuedCancelled
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm (5.5 x 2.81 x 0.36 in)-
SIMMicro-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight153 g (5.40 oz)-
 IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 2-
Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~441 ppi density)720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~267 ppi density)
Size5.0 inches, 68.9 cm2 (~69.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFTIPS LCD
Platform
CPUQuad-core 1.9 GHz Krait 300Octa-core (4x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x1.2 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm APQ8064T Snapdragon 600Unisoc SC9863A1 (22 nm)
GPUAdreno 320IMG8322
OSAndroid 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), upgradable to 5.0.1 (Lollipop), TouchWiz UIAndroid 12 (Go edition)
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal16GB (11.2GB user available), 2GB RAM32GB 2GB RAM
 -eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR
Single8 MP, AF8 MP, AF
Video1080p@30fpsYes
Selfie camera
Single2 MP5 MP
Video1080p@30fps720p
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX5.2, A2DP
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS
RadioNoFM radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0 (MHL 2 TV-out), OTGmicroUSB 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspotWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, gestureAccelerometer, proximity
 S-Voice natural language commands and dictation Air gestures-
Battery
Stand-byUp to 312 h-
Talk timeUp to 17 h-
TypeLi-Ion 2600 mAh, removableLi-Ion 4000 mAh, removable
Misc
ColorsUrban Grey, Dive Blue, Orange FlareDark Cyan, Charcoal, Light Mint
ModelsGT-I9295, SGH-I537-
PriceAbout 310 EURAbout 90 EUR
SAR0.55 W/kg (head)     0.75 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.26 W/kg (head)     0.36 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -96.1dB / Crosstalk -96.0dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 57h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1046:1 (nominal), 2.022 (sunlight)-
Loudspeaker Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB -

Samsung I9295 Galaxy S4 Active

  • Superior Performance
  • Excellent Display Contrast
  • Exceptional Battery Life
  • Rugged Design
  • Older Software
  • Limited Software Updates
  • Potential Hardware Degradation
  • May be difficult to find accessories

Nokia C12 Plus

  • Affordable Price
  • Modern Design
  • Likely Better Software Support
  • Reliable Brand
  • Lower Performance
  • Basic Camera
  • Less Bright Display
  • Shorter Battery Life (likely)

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active's display shines with a remarkable 1046:1 contrast ratio and an exceptional 2.022 rating in sunlight, making it easily viewable outdoors. The Nokia C12 Plus likely has a more standard display, typical of budget phones, with lower brightness and contrast. The S4 Active's screen is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse for both devices. The S4 Active likely has a better camera sensor and image processing capabilities due to its age and higher-end origins. The Nokia C12 Plus will likely offer decent image quality for a budget phone, but don't expect flagship-level performance. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.

Performance

Here, the S4 Active takes a clear lead. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chipset and 1.9 GHz Krait 300 CPU offer significantly more processing power than the Nokia C12 Plus's Unisoc SC9863A1. Expect smoother multitasking and faster app loading on the S4 Active. The C12 Plus's Octa-core processor is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active's endurance rating of 57h is incredibly impressive, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Nokia C12 Plus, while having a newer battery technology, will likely have a smaller capacity and therefore shorter battery life than the S4 Active. This is a significant advantage for the S4 Active.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Active is for those seeking a powerful, rugged phone and don't mind an older device. It's ideal for users who prioritize performance over the latest features. The Nokia C12 Plus is perfect for first-time smartphone users, those on a tight budget, or anyone needing a simple, reliable device for basic tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S4 Active still worth buying?
It can be if you prioritize performance and a great display and don't mind an older device. However, consider the lack of software updates and potential hardware issues.
❓ What is the Nokia C12 Plus best suited for?
It's ideal for basic tasks like calling, texting, browsing, and social media. It's a great entry-level smartphone for those on a budget.