Umidigi A9 vs Samsung Galaxy A12 (India): A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother overall experience and slightly faster charging, the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is the better choice. Its Exynos 850 chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi A9’s Helio G25, despite both featuring similar CPU clock speeds. However, the A9 remains a compelling option for those on a very tight budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Umidigi A9 | Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2021. Released 2021 | 2021, August 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, August 12 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164 x 77.1 x 9.5 mm (6.46 x 3.04 x 0.37 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 | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.4% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Helio G25 (12 nm) | Exynos 850 (8 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G52 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | eMMC 5.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, RDS, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer |
| - | Virtual proximity sensing | |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 15W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Granite Grey, Sky Blue, Peacock Green | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | SM-A127F, SM-A127F/DS |
| Price | - | About 160 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) |
Umidigi A9
- Lowest possible price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
- Less powerful Helio G25 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Older Cortex-A53 CPU cores
Samsung Galaxy A12 (India)
- More powerful and efficient Exynos 850 chipset
- Faster 15W charging
- Newer Cortex-A55 CPU cores
- Slightly higher price
- May include Samsung’s bloatware
- Similar camera performance to A9
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common trait in this price bracket. The key difference lies under the hood: the Exynos 850’s GPU in the A12 will likely provide a smoother experience when scrolling and navigating the UI. While specific brightness data is unavailable, Samsung’s displays generally offer better outdoor visibility. The A9’s display is adequate for basic use, but the A12’s will be more pleasant for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely similar, with both phones relying on budget sensors. Without specific sensor size data, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement. However, Samsung’s image processing algorithms are generally more refined, potentially resulting in more pleasing photos in good lighting conditions. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on both devices is largely a marketing gimmick; image quality will be limited. Focusing on the main sensor’s performance, the A12’s Exynos 850 ISP will likely offer better dynamic range and noise reduction.
Performance
The Exynos 850 in the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) is the clear winner in performance. Built on an 8nm process, it’s more efficient and capable than the Umidigi A9’s 12nm Helio G25. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations with 2.0 GHz cores, the A12 utilizes newer Cortex-A55 cores, offering improved instructions per clock (IPC) compared to the A9’s Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. The A12’s GPU will also handle gaming better, though neither phone is a gaming powerhouse. Thermal management is also likely superior on the A12 due to the more efficient chipset.
Battery Life
Both phones offer all-day battery life for moderate users. The Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) features 15W wired charging, a significant advantage over the Umidigi A9’s 10W charging. This means the A12 will recharge noticeably faster, reducing downtime. While the A9 might have a slightly larger battery capacity (spec not provided), the faster charging of the A12 effectively mitigates any potential difference in overall usage time.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi A9 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and are prioritizing the absolute lowest price. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A12 (India) if you prefer a more responsive user experience, slightly better gaming performance, and the peace of mind that comes with a well-established brand and faster 15W charging.