Samsung Galaxy A12 Review: Budget Phone with Huge Battery

The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a 6.5-inch display, quad-camera setup, and massive 5000mAh battery at an affordable price point.

Samsung Galaxy A12

Introduction

Released in December 2020, the Samsung Galaxy A12 represents Samsung's commitment to delivering capable smartphones at accessible price points. This budget-friendly device packs several notable features typically found in more expensive models, making it an attractive option for cost-conscious consumers.

Design & Display

The Galaxy A12 features a plastic frame and back with a glass front, measuring 164mm tall and 8.9mm thick while weighing 205g. It's available in Black, Blue, Red, and White color options. The device sports a 6.5-inch PLS LCD display with a 720 × 1600 pixel resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio. With approximately 82.1% screen-to-body ratio and 270 ppi pixel density, the bezel-less display offers decent viewing experience for everyday use.

Performance & Hardware

Under the hood, the Galaxy A12 is powered by MediaTek's Helio P35 chipset built on a 16nm process. The octa-core processor consists of four Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.3GHz and four more at 1.8GHz, paired with IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU. Memory configurations range from 2GB to 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM, while storage options include 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, expandable via microSDXC card slot.

Camera

The smartphone features a quad-camera array on the rear: a 48MP wide-angle main sensor with ƒ/2.0 aperture, a 5MP ultra-wide sensor with 123° field of view, plus 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensors. The camera system supports LED flash, auto flash, HDR, panorama, and can record 1080p video at 30fps. For selfies, there's an 8MP front-facing camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture that also records 1080p video.

Battery & Charging

One of the standout features is the massive 5000mAh lithium-polymer battery, which is non-removable but supports 15W wired fast charging. This large capacity ensures extended usage between charges, making it ideal for heavy users.

Software & Features

The device originally launched with Android 10 but is upgradable to Android 12. It runs Samsung's One UI 4.1, providing a clean and user-friendly interface. Security features include a fingerprint sensor and accelerometer.

Connectivity & Network

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C 2.0, GPS with multiple satellite support, NFC, and FM radio. The phone supports 4G LTE networks (but not 5G) with VoLTE capability, and is available in both single and dual SIM variants.

Audio & Multimedia

The Galaxy A12 includes a loudspeaker and retains the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who prefer wired audio accessories.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

  • Massive 5000mAh battery life
  • Versatile quad-camera system
  • Expandable storage option
  • Affordable price point
  • Headphone jack included

Cons:

  • HD+ resolution only
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Plastic construction
  • Mediatek Helio P35 shows age

Tags: Samsung,Galaxy A12,budget smartphone,Android,5000mAh battery

The Samsung Galaxy A12 offers a 6.5-inch display, quad-camera setup, and massive 5000mAh battery at an affordable price point.