Design and Build

The Samsung Galaxy A12 was the first phone from the newer A series to come with the MediaTek chipset. A plastic Samsung Galaxy A12 housing features smooth polycarbonate material with curved edges that just feel right. It has dimensions of 6.23 x 2.95 x 0.33 inches (158.9 x 75.8 x 8.4 mm), weighs aproximately 205 g, and comes in four colors: Black, White, Blue, and Red. The handset includes a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor along with a side-mounted power button and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The light and big screen are what the users like the most, however, they also note that glossy plastic finish is a magnet for fingerprints.

• Polycarbonate frame with smooth curves
• Fingerprint sensor integrated into the rear panel
• 3.5 mm headphone jack included
• Button layout: power, volume, and Bixby support
• Available in multiple vibrant colours

Display

Chips wise, Samsung decided for MediaTek Helio P35 octa-core processor with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB internal storage (which can be expanded through the micro SD slot). The phone has Samsung's new One UI Core 3.1 based on Android 11 and it is expected to receive Android 13 as well. The device is able to run smoothly every-day operations such as messaging, checking social media, and video playback; however, some of the more demanding games will be a bit slow. Most users report that the UI is very smooth for apps used in their everyday life, but at the same time, they warn that gaming performance will not be more than just okay.

• 6.5-inch PLS IPS panel
• Resolution: 720 x 1600 (270 ppi)
• Brightness: ~400 nits (typical)
• Reading mode and auto-brightness available
• Wide viewing angles, modest for HD displays

Performance and Software

The Galaxy A12 has a 6.5-inch PLS IPS display and it offers a resolution of 720 x 1600 (270 ppi). Even though it does not have the richness of AMOLED, users profit from brightness levels of about 400 nits which are perfectly suitable for everyday activities. The phone is equipped with the features of auto-brightness as well as the reading mode, both of which contribute to reduced eye strain if the screen time is long.

• MediaTek Helio P35 octa-core CPU
• 4GB RAM, 64GB internal storage
• Expandable storage (microSD up to 1TB)
• Runs Android 11 with One UI Core
• Basic multitasking and lightweight app performance

Camera System

The Galaxy A12 consists of a quad camera setup with the following specs: 48MP main sensor, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. The front-facing 8MP camera is responsible for video calls and social media. It allows for recording videos at 1080p and 30fps. Users point out that the main lens records very good detail in daylight, while the other ones are necessary for casual shoots. Still, low-light performance and ultrawide quality are modest.

• Rear: 48MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 2MP depth
• Front: 8MP selfie camera
• Video: 1080p @30fps recording
• Features: LED flash, panorama mode, HDR
• Daylight shots look good; low-light is average

Battery and Charging

The A12 packs a 5,000 mAh battery that can last to two days with moderate usage. It employs 15W fast charging, which can be used together with USB‑C. The battery is very good by way of standby time, but a full recharge can take up more than two hours. Users praise the battery that lasts a long time but say that charging is quite slow if compared to newer models.

• Battery capacity: 5,000 mAh
• Battery life: ~2 days moderate use
• 15W wired charging support
• USB‑C charging port
• Long standby life, slower charging speed

Connectivity and Extras

The Samsung Galaxy A12 is a dual-SIM handset that supports 4G LTE and that also features Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and a 3.5 mm audio jack. Apart from that, it is endowed with an FM radio and a rear fingerprint sensor. Users mention the variety of connectivity options and the distinct fingerprint reader as the pluses, but the lack of 5G can be a minus for some people.

• Dual-SIM, 4G LTE, Wi‑Fi b/g/n
• Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, FM radio
• Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
• 3.5 mm headphone jack included
• No 5G or NFC support in most regions