Samsung Galaxy A12 Price in the Philippines and Specification

Pros

• Massive 5000mAh Li-po battery
• Lighting-quick fast charging capability
• Plentiful 6.5-inch PLS LCD
• Equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack
• NFC capability for wireless transactions
• Superb selfie camera for excellent photos
• Substantial rear-camera to capture every moment in detail
• USB-C port for modern wired connections
• A speedy side-mounted fingerprint scanner
• Storage can be expanded via microSD card

Cons

• The plastic body composition is susceptible to drops
• The PLS LCD pails in comparison to higher-end screens
• The MediaTek processor is lacking when compared to newer chips
• The device is neither water-resistant nor dustproof
• The handset is outperformed by specialized budget-phones

High-end Aesthetics on a Low-end Budget

One of the main concerns for most consumers investing in an entry-level device is the loss of quality in exchange for overall affordability. But, thanks to the advancement of manufacturing processes and software optimizations, Samsung is able to offer devices that easily split the difference between quality and price point while simultaneously blurring the lines and redefining past notions of what an entry-level smartphone should be. This is exactly the case with the Galaxy A12, upon handling the device, users will be shocked at the excellent build quality and general fit and finish. Ever the masters of their craft, the designers of this handset utilized a unique, sleek finish that has an anodized metal look. These features give the Galaxy A12 an undeniable air of high-key manufacturing despite being a budget-friendly device. Beyond looking good, this device feels excellent in the hand, the curved edges are reminiscent of an iPhone but the A12's beefy build makes it much easier to grasp and get a good purchase on. The phrase looks can be deceiving applies all too well to this handset, some would even say that its high-end appearance works against it. This is because even though the device resembles a metal-bodied flagship, it is still only composed of high-density plastic. Though the plastic is able to resist some degree of wear and tear, an unfortunate drop would be disastrous for the plastic frame as it would severely damage it. This minor issue however can easily be remedied with a small investment in a sturdy protective case, and with the money saved thanks to the phone's low price tag, consumers should have more than enough for such an accessory. For all intents and purposes, the Galaxy A12 is one piece of kit that is truly well put together and because of this, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that this phone could easily be mistaken for an upper-level device.

IPS vs PLS, an LCD a Cut Above The Rest

Smartphone displays can sometimes be a serious point of contention, oftentimes it is the display that can make or break a device's selling capabilities. This is highly understandable given that the first and last thing users see when they use their device is the display. To create a passable screen there must be a balance of viewing area and quality. Thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy A12 has ample quantities of both as an entry-level device. Equipped with a 6.5-inch PLS LCD, this handset delivers a pleasing HD Resolution of 720x1600 pixels. These numbers may not seem all that impressive, but when paired with the image quality and brightness produced by the PLS display they translate to a clear and crisp viewing experience that can be enjoyed in any manner of lighting conditions be it outdoors in the noon sun, or indoors in a dimly lit room. The choice to use a PLS LCD as opposed to the more common IPS was made in order to reduce production costs while still maintaining a high degree of display quality. Whether this choice has resulted in a screen that works to the device's advantage is a decision entirely up to the consumer, but as far as budget devices go, consumers could do far worse than opt for this particular screen. Users would do well to set their expectations before deciding on this handset, color accuracy is nowhere near as accurate as those produced by Samsung's famous AMOLED screens but if users can look past this small shortcoming, they are sure to enjoy all the viewing pleasure that his device has to offer.

The Mid-level Processor With a Penchant For Mobile Gaming

Mediatek is known as a chip manufacturer that caters to a wide variety of smartphone companies. This company's chips can be seen from the budget-level all the way up to the upper-middle tier, suffice to say Mediatek is no stranger to crafting reliable SoCs. Well aware of this expertise, the designers of the Galaxy A12 looked to the Helio P35 to help optimize all the hardware capabilities present on the A12. A byproduct of choosing a Mediatek processor is the A12's ability to provide a wonderful mobile gaming experience, this is because Mediatek has chosen to create their processors with the inherent ability to handle gaming loads and mid to heavy graphics. For daily usage and mundane applications, this piece of kit also manages to get by with few hiccups if any. Multitasking does present a slight challenge for the processor but the small drop in speed and performance is hardly noticeable. Taking all of these factors into account, this handset won't be winning any awards for performance, in truth, some budget devices pack processors that are far superior, but the Galaxy A12 more than makes up for this with its all-around decent capabilities as well as its superb mobile gaming performance.

Android 10, The go-to Program For Optimal Usability

Google is without a doubt the programmer of choice for android software, all of the greatest names in the smartphone industry make use of this excellent operating system or one that was originally derived from it. The Galaxy A12 comes equipped with the standard Android 10.0 OS free of any additional coding, this is due to the already excellent quality of the software; put simply, this is an excellent example of the phrase "if it isn't broken, don't fix it". A major issue among many consumers is the difficulty that former IOS users have when familiarizing themselves with Android's unique interface. Android 10 however, has taken on a more streamlined and user-friendly appearance and in turn, this is sure to help any user get more comfortable with the Galaxy A12, regardless of whether they are a longtime Samsung user or a former iPhone aficionado delving into Androids for the first time. Android 10 is the most updated OS available for all androids and as such it allows the A12 to be on par with flagships at least in terms of pure software.

Excellent Cameras From Front to Back

Cameras are yet another category that Samsung truly nails, for the Galaxy A12 users can expect to have the ability to capture moments with ease and true quality. The rear camera assembly is comprised of four individual lenses, namely one 48MP wide lens, one 5MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. All of these lenses work together to make a wonderful quad-camera. In the front, nestled in a neat teardrop notch is an 8MP selfie camera. A plethora of reviews have all praised the Galaxy A12 for its ability to capture photos in excellent detail, the selfie camera, in particular, is extremely pleasing for users regardless of how often they use their smartphone's camera. Streamers and content creators may be disappointed if they were to compare this phone's cameras to upper-tier devices, but as a daily driver this handset more than get the job done and is a true pleasure to have when one needs to capture a particular moment.

All-around Connectivity For Modern Interactions

There are numerous sensors present on the Galaxy A12, these include an accelerometer, a fingerprint scanner, an NFC chip, and multiple GPS connections. The fingerprint scanner is side-mounted, and situated in a way that the user's finger naturally comes to rest on it, this allows for a quick unlock with little to no fidgeting required for activation. The NFC capabilities may not seem significant, however, consumers will be very thrilled to make use of them when the option for a wireless transaction presents itself. Aside from financial uses, the NFC chip allows the Galaxy A12 to interface with other NFC equipped devices in order to seamlessly transfer data. Last, but certainly not least, the GPS connections allow users to roam far and wide without fear of losing connectivity thanks to the several positioning satellites that are able to connect to the handset.

A Massive Power Source With a Charging Speed to Match

One of the most alluring features of this handset is its gargantuan Lithium-polymer battery. With a maximum capacity of 5000mAh, this smartphone packs more than enough power to meet the one day charge requirement for most users. Beyond this, the Galaxy A12 even has enough power to spare, it wouldn't be too far from the truth to say that this device could easily last two days on a single charge given conservative usage. If consumers find it difficult to limit their phone usage, the device has a handy power-saving feature that reduces unnecessary consumption and optimizes overall power output. When the device is finally drained after what may seem like an eternity of use, the need for a long charging time is mitigated by the battery's inherent 15W fast-charging capabilities. This means that users can enjoy more use and charge far less thereby allowing them to maximize their smartphone time.

2021's Budget Phone Trendsetter

Having released in late December, the Galaxy A12 is a bit early to the party. However, this allows Samsung the ability to really set the bar for future competitors throughout the year. With a gaming-oriented processor, an ample power supply, and excellent cameras all around, the Galaxy A12 has truly set the bar high for its entry-level class. Like all devices, this piece of kit is not without its shortcomings, but these small issues can be overlooked when one takes all the pros and cons into account. The biggest benefit of this handset is definitely its affordable price point, retailing at a measly 167 USD consumers can avail of a truly remarkable piece of kit that is sure to meet the standards of most consumers as both a daily driver and a mobile gaming outlet. Regardless of what consumers intend to do with the Galaxy A12, they can rest assured, Samsung's budget heavy hitter is more than up to the challenge.

February 15, 2021