The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Tecno Pop 6 and the Samsung Galaxy A12. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to see which phone emerges as the winner.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A12 takes the crown due to its significantly better performance, brighter display, and longer software support. While the Tecno Pop 6 might be slightly more affordable, the A12's overall package provides a more satisfying user experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 05 | 2020, November 24. Released 2020, December 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 05 | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 157.8 x 73.8 x 9.7 mm (6.21 x 2.91 x 0.38 in) | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 (~78.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | PLS LCD |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (4x2.35 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | - | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | - | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition), HiOS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM, 32GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 2GB RAM, 128GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| - | Go |
| Dual | 5 MP
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual LED flash | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), AF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 5 MP | - |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | - |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sea Blue, Lime Green, Sky Blue | Black, White, Blue, Red |
| Models | BE7 | SM-A125F/DSN, SM-A125F/DS, SM-A125F, SM-A125M, SM-A125U, SM-A125U1, SM-A125N, SM-A125W |
| Price | About 120 EUR | € 78.89 / $ 60.00 / £ 69.99 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.67 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 123h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1363:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-30.4 LUFS (Below average) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 107189 (v8)
GeekBench: 1034 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Tecno Pop 6
- Likely very affordable
- Compact size
- Basic functionality
- Likely low performance
- Basic camera
- Limited features
- Unknown display quality
Samsung Galaxy A12
- Good performance for the price
- Bright and vibrant display
- Excellent battery life
- Versatile camera system
- Samsung's software support
- Design may feel dated
- Helio P35 isn't a flagship chip
- Charging speed is relatively slow
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A12 boasts a 6.5-inch display with a 1363:1 contrast ratio and a measured 472 nits of brightness, offering a vibrant and easily viewable screen. The Tecno Pop 6 likely has a smaller, less bright display, typical of its price point. Expect the A12 to provide a noticeably better viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo/Video' capabilities, the Galaxy A12 is expected to have a more versatile and higher-quality camera system. It likely includes a main sensor with better resolution and potentially additional lenses for ultrawide or macro shots. The Pop 6's camera is likely more basic.
Performance
The Galaxy A12's Mediatek Helio P35 chipset, while not a powerhouse, offers a significant performance advantage over the likely entry-level processor in the Pop 6. Expect smoother multitasking and app loading on the A12. The A12's octa-core CPU will handle everyday tasks with ease.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A12 shines with its exceptional battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 123 hours. The Tecno Pop 6's battery capacity is likely smaller, resulting in shorter usage times. The A12's battery is a major selling point.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the Tecno Pop 6? Those on the absolute tightest budget who prioritize basic functionality and a smaller form factor. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy A12? Anyone seeking a reliable, feature-rich budget phone with a decent camera, good battery life, and a more polished software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Tecno Pop 6 a good phone for basic use like calls and texts?
Yes, the Tecno Pop 6 is likely sufficient for basic tasks. However, don't expect it to handle demanding apps or multitasking smoothly.
❓ How long does the Samsung Galaxy A12's battery typically last?
With moderate usage, the Galaxy A12 can easily last a full day, and potentially longer thanks to its impressive 123-hour endurance rating.
