Samsung Galaxy A13 vs. Galaxy A12: The Clash of the Mid-Range Titans

Robert Cerff / 10-08-2022 / Reviews

Samsung’s most affordable smartphones on the market, the Galaxy A12 and A13, are going head to head in this comparison by Mondo. Considering you can own either one of these mid-range handsets without breaking the bank, which one will you pick?


The more dynamic display 

 

If you’re looking for a smartphone with a striking display for watching videos or light gaming, the Samsung Galaxy A13 is the better option. Launched in March this year, it sports a larger screen size at 6.6-inches with 400 PPI (pixels per inch). In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A12, launched in February 2020, has a 6.5-inch screen and 264 PPI. The Galaxy A13 also has a better screen resolution at 2 408 x 1 080 than the A12’s 720 x 1 600, and although it falls just short of a Full HD experience, it’s still sharp for day-to-day use.


This doesn’t mean the A12 is a dud. On the contrary, the display specs are decent, with a pretty good maximum brightness. Although both phones lose out on high-end AMOLED tech, they have very similar displays (PLS on the A12 and IPS on the A13) that are surprisingly good and produce bright, punchy colours. One place the A12 wins is its bigger screen-to-body ratio, which is 85.8% to the A13’s 83.2%.


Winning battery performance


Turning our attention to battery power, the Galaxy A13 and A12 sport a big 5,000mAh battery with fast charging capabilities of up to 15W. The phones can last up to two days on a single charge, ensuring that these mid-range powerhouses go the distance without needing to be constantly charged. In video playback tests, the Galaxy A13 reached just over 19 hours, while the A12 surprisingly lasted an extra 7 hours under the same conditions.


Latest software is unbeatable


Since the Samsung A12 was launched a whole 2 years before the A13, there are some drawbacks in terms of software simply because it’s an older release. Both phones run on Android with Samsung skins on top. However, the A12 features Android 10 with a One UI skin, while the A13 runs on the latest Android 12 and One UI 4.1. Even so, both versions of Android offer excellent security upgrades, more personalisation and easy multitasking. Plus, the Samsung skins allow for a unique Android experience that isn’t possible with other brands.


Changing chipsets


The chipset of the Galaxy A12 was introduced with a MediaTek Helio P35 processor. But Samsung soon replaced it with the snappier Exynos 850 processor.


Now, the A13 is following a similar path with a change of chipsets planned. It’s powered by the 5G-enabled MediaTek Dimensity 700 in the US but currently ships with the 4G-only Samsung Exynos 850. The Samsung chip is planned to be swapped out for the faster MediaTek Helio G80 processor. The upgrade will see a boost in gaming, camera and connectivity capabilities.


Cameras find common ground


When it comes to camera specs, the Samsung Galaxy A13 boasts a slightly more powerful 50MP main shooter, while the Galaxy A12 holds steady with a capable 48MP offering. Both feature a quad lens setup on the back, and the main cameras are supported by a 5MP ultra-wide lens, 2MP macro lens and 2MP depth sensor. On the front, they’re both equal with an 8MP selfie snapper. The handsets capture vibrant, shareable photos with enough detail and decent composition.


More memory


Both phones combine octa-core processing with a good amount of RAM for a smoother performance. On the Galaxy A12, you get 4GB RAM, 64GB of internal storage, and a MicroSD card slot that holds up to 1TB. The A13 offers a choice between 3GB, 4GB, or 6GB of RAM, and 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of internal storage. It mirrors the A12 with a 1TB MicroSD card slot.


Verdict


The newer Samsung Galaxy A13 features plenty of upgrades that place it a step above the Galaxy A12. If you’re looking for a faster chipset, the latest software, better main camera and display, and more storage, this one's for you. However, the A12 holds its own for a 2020 model with a bigger screen-to-body ratio, decent screen and camera quality, and unbeatable battery performance.


So which one should you choose? Both are excellent entry-level handsets from this A-series lineup. If you’re looking for a smartphone that fits the current mid-range standard, the Samsung Galaxy A13 ticks more boxes. But if you’re willing to cut back on certain specs for a better battery, then the Galaxy A12 is a good contender.

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