Galaxy A21S and Galaxy A12 are two basic phones from Samsung’s A-line, which is known for its good value for money. The models are known for their 5,000mAh battery, 6.5-inch screen, and quadruple-camera with a 48MP main sensor. The processor speed and display technology, however, differentiate them. Check out the main differences between the smartphones below.
Galaxy A21S and Galaxy A12 Specifications
| Specifications | Galaxy A21S | Galaxy A12 |
|---|---|---|
| Release date of | June 2020 | January 2021 |
| Current price | $217 | $178.97 |
| Screen | 6.5 inches | 6.5 inches |
| Screen resolution | HD + (720 x 1600 pixels) | HD + (720 x 1600 pixels) |
| Screen panel | LCD | TFT |
| Processor | Octa-core up to 2GHz | Octa-core up to 2.3GHz |
| RAM | 4GB | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB | 64GB |
| Memory card | MicroSD up to 512GB | MicroSD up to 1TB |
| Main camera | Quadruple Camera: 48, 8, 2 and 2MP | Quadruple Camera: 48, 5, 2 and 2MP |
| Front camera (selfie) | 13MP | 8MP |
| Operating system | Android 10 | Android 10 |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 5,000mAh |
| Telephony | Dual SIM | Dual SIM |
| Dimensions and weight | 163.7 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm; 192 grams | 164 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm; 205 grams |
| Colors | Blue, Black and White | Black, White, Blue and Red |
Screen and Design
The smartphones are quite similar in the screen, both with 6.5 inches and HD+ resolution (1600 x 720), which can result in images with more modest resolution.
The Galaxy A21S has a density of 270 PPI and LCD screen technology, which can interfere with battery consumption since the backlight of this type of material tends to stay on continuously. The Galaxy A12 has a slightly lower density of 264 PPI, but the TFT display technology gives slightly higher quality images.
The design of the Galaxy A21S is similar to that of the Galaxy S20, Samsung’s premium line phone. The model features rounded edges and an infinite screen with no notch. The front camera is housed in a hole in the screen. The Galaxy A12 also has an elongated body and rounded edges, but the device brings the front camera in a drop-shaped notch.
One negative point is that neither model comes with water and dust protection. Thus, smartphones cannot be immersed, as they only have splash protection.
The Galaxy A21S comes in blue, black, and white. The Galaxy A12 comes in black, white, blue, and red.
Camera
The quadruple-camera is one of the differentiators of Samsung’s basic devices. The Galaxy A12 has a 48MP main sensor. The 5MP ultra-wide camera allows you to capture images with the same viewing angle as the human eye (123º), while the 2MP macro lens captures objects up to 4 cm away and also highlights the object from the background with the Bokeh effect. The 2MP depth sensor assists in Portrait Mode and adjusts the depth of field.
The photographic arrangement looks like this:
- Main rear camera: 48MP and f/2.0 aperture
- Ultra-wide rear camera: 5MP and f/2.2 aperture
- Macro rear camera: 2MP and f/2.4 aperture
- Rear depth sensor: 2MP and f/2.4 aperture
- Front camera: 8MP and f/2.2 aperture
The Galaxy A21S, on the other hand, has a 48MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, a 2MP macro, and a 2MP depth sensor. Importantly, the photo set has a 1/4.0-inch photo sensor versus 1/2.0 of the Galaxy A12. The larger this value, the better the quality of the photos. The front camera is also superior on the device.
The set is divided as follows:
- Main rear camera: 48MP and f/2.0 aperture
- Ultra-wide rear camera: 8MP and f/2.2 aperture
- Macro rear camera: 2MP and f/2.4 aperture
- Rear depth sensor: 2MP and f/2.4 aperture
- Front camera: 13MP and f/2.2 aperture
The Galaxy A21S’s rear camera digital zoom is capable of zooming in up to 8X, while the Galaxy A12’s zoom is up to 10X. Both can record video in Full HD (1920 x 1080) at a speed of 30 FPS and neither comes with optical image stabilization.
Performance and Storage
Both models are equipped with mid-range datasheets. The Galaxy A21S comes with Samsung’s proprietary Exynos 850 chipset, eight cores up to 2GHz of speed, and 4GB of RAM.
The Galaxy A12 features the MediaTek Helio P35 chipset, eight cores up to 2.3GHz of speed, and 4GB of RAM. The devices have support for 4G internet but do not support the new 5G technology.
When it comes to storage, the devices bring 64GB, with expansion capability by microSD card. The Galaxy A21S supports a 512GB card and the Galaxy A12 admits up to 1TB.
Battery
One of the big bets of smartphones is the big battery, above the average cell phone on the market. With 5,000mAh of capacity, Samsung guarantees up to two days away from the socket for the Galaxy A21S, up to 21 hours of video playback, and up to 23 hours of 4G internet use. For the Galaxy A12, the company promises up to 20 hours of 4G internet usage and up to 21 hours of video playback.
Both feature 15W fast charging. However, it is important to consider that the LCD technology, present in the Galaxy A21S, causes the battery level to drop faster.
System Version and Additional Features
Both phones left the factory with Android 10. The Galaxy A12 comes with the ONE UI 2.5 interface. The Galaxy A21S comes with the ONE UI 2.0 version, but the device is listed to receive Android 11 in May this year. Google’s latest version brings new features such as screen recording, conversation notification grouping, and more data protection.
The fingerprint reader is on the side of the Galaxy A12. The Galaxy A21S comes with a fingerprint scanner on the rear and facial recognition. Both come with Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, USB-C input, and the traditional P2 (3.5mm) headphone port. The Galaxy A12 has Wi-Fi only in the 2.4 GHz range, while the Galaxy A21S reaches the 5GHz range. One negative point is that neither comes with NFC connectivity, a technology that allows you to make payments by proximity.
Price
Samsung’s A line is known for its cost-effective devices. The Galaxy A21S arrived in the market last year. Currently, the phone can already be seen for a price starting at $217 on Amazon.
The Galaxy A12, on the other hand, was recently launched and can already be found for a price starting at $178.97 on Amazon.
- Buy Samsung Galaxy A21s
- Buy Samsung Galaxy A12
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