Galaxy A12 is an affordable budget phone. But, should you buy the Galaxy A12? Learning about the pros and cons of A12 is the perfect way to make a decision. This way, instead of relying on others’ reviews, you be the judge and decide on your future purchase.
There are 3 different versions of the Galaxy A12 phone.
- SM-A125F
- SM-A125F/DS
- SM-A125/DSN
Here is a complete specs table for the Samsung Galaxy A12.
| A12 features | A12 Specs |
|---|---|
| Network Support | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| SIM | 2 Models. 1 nano-SIM or dual nano-SIM. |
| Supports eSIM? | No. |
| SIM Slot Type | Single Slot holds both nano-SIM and the SD card. For the dual sim model, there are two side by side sim slots. |
| Display | 6.5-inch Infinity-U PLS TFT LCD. |
| Front Display Protection | No Corning Gorilla glass. |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, aluminum frame. |
| Display Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels (264 PPI density) |
| Screen Refresh Rate | 60 Hz. |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.5 |
| Processor | Octa-Core. 4 at 2.35 GHz Cortex-A53, and 4 at 1.8 GHz A53. |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 |
| Motherboard | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 |
| Internal Memory Size | 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB version available. |
| External SD card? | Yes. Expandable up to 1024 GB (1 TB) |
| SD card slot type | microSDXC |
| RAM | 3GB, 4GB, 6GB. |
| Number of Main Back Camera | 4 |
| Back Main Camera Configurations | 48 MegaPixel(MP) 80-degree 26mm wide camera, 5 MP 123-degree ultra wide camera, 2 MP macro camera,2 MP depth camera. |
| Front Camera | 8 MP. |
| Rear Camera OIS | No. |
| Front Camera OIS | No. |
| 3.5mm headphone jack? | Yes. |
| Stereo speaker? | Yes. |
| NFC? | Yes. |
| MHL support | No. |
| Wi-Fi Direct support | Yes. |
| USB | Type-C 2.0 reversible connector. |
| Fingerprint Sensor? | Yes, side-mounted. |
| Battery | Non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh. |
| Charging Power | 15W fast charging. |
| Wireless charging? | No |
| Supports Reverse Wireless charging? | No. |
| Waterproof? | Yes. |
| Dex Support? | No. |
| Wireless emergency alerts (CMAS) capable | Yes. |
| Hearing Aid (HAC) rating | M3, T3. |
| Price | approximately $180. |
| Models | SM-A125F,SM-A125F/DS,SM-A125/DSN |
To check the latest price of this phone, please visit Samsung Amazon Store.
Pros of Samsung Galaxy A12:
These are the advantages of A12.
Price:
The biggest pros of A12 is its price. Compared to other Samsung Galaxy series, such as the F or S, Galaxy A-series phones have a similar build quality but have a low price.
If you are on a budget but don’t want to buy Xiaomi or Oppo phones, A12 is an excellent option for you.
Large Battery:
The Galaxy A12 has a massive 5000 mAh battery. Generally, not even many tablets on the market packs this gigantic battery, let alone a phone. One can smoothly use this phone for two days without any recharge.
Expandable Storage:
Galaxy A12 comes with either 32GB or 64GB or 128GB memory. Moreover, the A12 has an expandable memory slot, where you can insert a microSD card up to 1TB. It is very convenient because you don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for memory upgrades like Apple’s iPhone.
Here’s an example. The 64 GB iPhone 11 Pro costs $999, and the next storage version, 256 GB, costs $1149. There’s no 128GB version of the iPhone 11. So, Apple is charging you $150 for 192GB of memory. Now check this 512 GB Samsung microSD card on Amazon.
Apple charges you 450% more money for the same product you can buy from Amazon. We hope you do realize the benefit of expandable storage space.
Fast Charging:
Though the Galaxy A12 does not have wireless charging, it has a 15W fast charging capability. As a result, charging this phone does not take too much time.
However, fast charging degrades the battery quickly compared to slow charging. So, we suggest that if you purchase this phone, slow charge it overnight. It will improve your phone battery life.
Fingerprint Sensor:
The Galaxy A12 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
SmartThings, Smart View:
If you have Samsung devices such as a Samsung smart fridge, TV, oven, dishwasher, Air conditioner, Samsung washing machine, Samsung dryer, etc., in your home, you can control those devices using your Galaxy A12 with SmartThings and SmartView app. For example, you can wirelessly cast your phone screen onto your Samsung TV through the SmartView app.
Top-Notch Security:
Galaxy A12 is a very secure phone. It’s perfect for the “Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” programs. Samsung Knox is integrated into this phone’s hardware and software. This multi-layered Knox security mechanism protects sensitive data from malware threats.
Samsung Pay:
The Galaxy A12 supports Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) and Near Field Communication (NFC) payment system. Therefore, you can use A12 to pay at stores even if they only have old fashioned standard credit card readers.
Free Shipping:
If you order your phone online from the Samsung website, Samsung will ship you this Galaxy A12 free of charge.
A12 is Water and Dust resistant:
The Galaxy A12 is IP68 rated, which means it is water and dust resistant. This phone can stay under 1-meter deep water for up to 30 minutes.
Nevertheless, we ask you to be careful before you take your A12 to the sea beach. It’s because saltwater will damage your phone.
Useful Apps and Features in Galaxy A12:
In Galaxy A12, there are many useful apps. The following features in Galaxy A12 are beneficial.
Secure Folder:
Every Samsung phone, including the Galaxy A12, has the “Secure Folder” feature. You can use the secure folder to protect your private photos, messages, apps, contacts, files, etc., from being accessed by others. It’s a great way to save and protect sensitive data on your phone.
Scan QR Code:
The Galaxy A12 has a built-in QR code scanning feature. From the notification panel, you can activate this feature.
Game Launcher:
In Galaxy A12, there are many useful apps. Game Launcher is one of them. You can use the Game Launcher app to record your phone screen and system audio while you play an android game. A third-party screen recorder app can only record the phone screen, not system audio. So, this is very useful for YouTubers.
Built-in Screen Recorder:
The Galaxy A12 also has a built-in screen recorder app. So, you don’t need to install a 3rd party app to record your phone’s screen.
WiFi Direct Printing:
If you have a printer that supports WiFi, you can print anything from your A12 phone without a WiFi router.
Samsung Kids:
Galaxy A12 is perfect for kids. This phone has a parental control feature. While activated from settings, you can restrict access to apps and set their usage times. Moreover, you can also monitor daily usage time and activity history, including the history of frequently used contacts and browsing history. You need a PIN to deactivate “Samsung Kids” once it is enabled. So, don’t worry that your kid will disable it.
Data Usage Monitor:
The Galaxy A12 comes with a built-in data usage monitor. It is a useful feature to keep track of data usage.
Don’t be surprised to read that many apps use data in the background, even if the phone screen is off. To test in a Samsung phone, Goto Settings -> Connections -> Data Usage -> Data Saver. Now tap on “Allow unrestricted data usage.” Now in the top right corner, click on “⋮” and click on “Sort by allowed apps.” Now click again on “⋮” and “Show system apps.” You will get all the apps that use your phone’s internet data in the background. If necessary, you can turn off data permissions for apps individually by switching the toggle button.
Cons of Samsung Galaxy A12:
These are the drawbacks of A12.
No AMOLED Display:
The Galaxy A12 has a 6.5 inch IPS LCD screen, and its resolution is 720x 1600 pixels (264 PPI density). The screen resolution is so high that you won’t be able to distinguish individual pixels.
No Galaxy A12 version has an AMOLED display. We know that the AMOLED display is superior to the LCD screen and consumes less energy.
No Eligible Trade-in:
Though Samsung frequently offers trade-in on their various phone line up for a new buyer. Galaxy A12 does not provide a trade-in opportunity.
No Free Offers:
On various phone models, Samsung gives free offers. However, the Galaxy A12 phone does not come with any free offers.
Weak Processor:
Samsung is using the Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 processor on this A12 phone. Compared to the Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, it’s performance is weak. Even Xiaomi uses Qualcomm processors on their mid-range phones.
Phones’ long term performance is essential. We don’t replace phones every few years. We generally want to use it for 3 to 4 years. However, after only two years, this processor performance will degrade, making the phone barely usable.
It’s also interesting to note that Samsung is not using their own Exynos processor in this phone. Therefore, we can assume that to save cost, Samsung compromised performance for this phone.
No Samsung Financing:
Samsung does not offer any financing to purchase the Galaxy A12. It’s disappointing because we buy a medium-range phone only when we have a monetary problem. However, Samsung decided not to help a customer in need with a financing offer. On the other hand, when people buy high-end phones, they offer 24 months of interest-free loans.
No MHL Support:
Most of the Samsung phones support MHL. However, Samsung Galaxy A12 does not support MHL.
MHL is a fantastic piece of technology that many do not know. MHL stands for Mobile High Definition Link. Using the MHL-HDMI cable, you can mirror your phone screen to any projector or TV. This feature helps you to give a presentation from the phone or watch a movie on the projector.
Though Galaxy A12 does not support MHL, it’s beneficial to know about this fantastic tool. Here’s an example of an MHL cable.
On Amazon, if you search “MHL to HDMI,” you will get thousands of results. This cable will help you transfer your phone display signal to an HDMI port. Before you buy your MHL to HDMI cable, please make sure which USB your phone supports, whether it is a micro USB, mini USB, or USB type C.
Connect one end of the MHL cable to your phone, connect the other HDMI end to a TV or projector. After configuring your TV or projector to HDMI input, your phone screen will show up on your TV or projector. Now, enjoy movies, gameplay on your TV or projector. Moreover, you can give a presentation on office settings with your MHL supported phone without laptops or computers. Isn’t it great?
No “Always On Display”:
The Galaxy A12 does not have the “Always On Display” feature. It’s primarily because this phone uses an LCD, not an AMOLED screen.
“Always On Display” is very useful. Using this feature, you can control music, watch time and date, view the calendar even when the screen is turned off. If enabled, the Always On Display will appear if you tap on the screen.
Galaxy A12 Battery is Non-Removable:
The A12’s battery is non-removable. It is a disadvantage because the removable battery is useful in many scenarios. An old phone loses its battery capacity. So, it charges slowly but discharges rapidly, making the phone unusable for a practical purpose.
Moreover, if Samsung OS detects the battery has become weak, it will slow down the processor to protect the battery from further deterioration. The slow processor will make a Samsung phone laggy. It is why an old Samsung phone lags and hangs.
Replacing the old battery with a new one will solve all these problems. But, the A12’s battery is non-removable. So, when your Galaxy A12 phone gets old and becomes slow, you have to replace the phone itself.
Weak Cameras:
The cameras on A12 are disappointing. Even the midrange A71 or M51 phone has superior cameras than this phone.
For example, A12 has four back cameras — one 48 MP, two 2MP, and one 5MP. But none of these phones takes a better picture. Even an iPhone with a 12MP camera takes a better picture than this 48MP camera.
Moreover, the feature Samsung advertises as “Space Zoom” is useless; it is nothing but a digital zoom, which causes image deterioration.
No 5G:
The Galaxy A12 does not support 5G. It only has GSM, LTE, HSPA support.
No DEX support:
The Galaxy A12 does not have Samsung Dex support.
DEX is a great feature. With this, you can turn your phone into a trackpad for TV or PC, wirelessly connect to monitor or TV for enhanced multitasking experience such as browsing the web like a PC.
No eSIM support:
The Galaxy A12 does not have eSIM support.
No Link to Windows:
The Galaxy A12 does not have a link to the windows feature.
Various high-end Samsung phones have this feature; for example, the S20 FE also supports the “Link to Windows” feature. You can live-stream your phone’s screen to your PC, interact with your phone using a keyboard and mouse, see notifications, read and reply to messages, and interact with photos with “Link to Windows” functionality.
Samsung Phone Becomes Hot:
Samsung phones overheat quickly. For the last ten years, Samsung failed to fix the phone overheating issue. Samsung acts like this issue does not exist.
If you play any video game, run YouTube, Netflix, or run an app that uses a lot of processing power — such as a video editor — the phone would become so hot that it would be impossible to hold it in hand. When the phone overheats, your phone will become slow and laggy. Furthermore, your Galaxy A12 can also overheat while you record an HD video with the phone cameras.
Samsung BloatWare:
Though I love Samsung Phones, I’m not too fond of their software. Samsung always ships its phone with a lot of bloatware pre-installed. A12 is not different either. This Galaxy A12 comes with more than 50 preloaded apps. There are several duplicate apps too.
Note: The number of preloaded apps and apps selection differs depending on the region.
You may think it’s not a big deal for your A12 because you have plenty of remaining storage capacity left for you. But the problem with pre-installed bloatware is that those apps have some root permission to access your user data that 3rd party apps don’t have.
Moreover, A pre-installed app can run several processes in the background, which you will never be able to detect. For example, the Facebook app runs several processes in the background that consume a lot of battery and processing power. It not only limits the battery but also prevents other apps from running smoothly, such as Maps. It is why Google maps crashes if you have Facebook installed.
Pre-installed Microsoft Bloatware:
Samsung preloads every Galaxy A12 with the following Microsoft apps.
- Office Mobile
- Microsoft One Drive
- Microsoft Outlook
3rd Party Bloatware:
Samsung ships its every A12 phone with the following 3rd party Apps.
- TikTok
- Booking.com
- Wego Flights & Hotels
- Spotify
- Netflix
Duplicate Apps in Galaxy A12:
Samsung is infamous for shipping its phone with duplicate apps. Galaxy A12 is not an exception, either. The following are the duplicate apps in a Galaxy A12.
Duplicate App Store:
- Google Play Store
- Galaxy Store
Duplicate Music App:
- YT Music
- Spotify
Duplicate Browser:
- Google Chrome
- Google (Search)
- Samsung Internet
Duplicate Online Storage:
- Google Drive
- Microsoft OneDrive
Numerous Email Client:
- Gmail
- Samsung Email
- Microsoft Outlook
Duplicate Payment System:
- Google Pay
- Samsung Pay
Unnecessary Pre-installed Apps:
There are apps on Galaxy A12, which are not necessary at all times. It could be beneficial for some, but not for all people. Moreover, anyone can download these apps from the App store. So, there’s no point in pre-installing the following apps.
Note: Varies depending on the region.
LinkedIn, Booking.com, Facebook, Dictionary, Chat Over Video, Galaxy Friends, Spotify, Wego Flights, Netflix, Samsung Member, Samsung Global Goals, Samsung Notes, Galaxy Wearables, Google Search, Outlook, Play Movie & TV, Duo, YouTube, Google Photos.
We don’t know about you, but we are laughing, looking at the A12 bloatware list. Compare this with an iPhone, which comes with zero bloatware, zero 3rd party apps, and zero carrier pre-installed apps.
No Wireless Charging:
Galaxy A12 does not support wireless charging. Even a mid-range phone from Xiaomi has wireless charging support, but this phone does not have this feature.
No Wireless PowerShare:
The Galaxy A12 does not have wireless power share technology built-in. Therefore, we can’t use this phone to charge other phones wirelessly.
Plastic Back:
This A12 has a plastic back. So, it does not feel premium at all. Moreover, a plastic back will chip its paint after a few years. At that point, this phone will look very ugly. However, if you use a phone case, you can avoid this issue.
No Extended Software Update:
Apple provides regular software updates to all of its iPhone. They never abandon their phones. But Samsung stops giving any software update after only 24 months of release. But this is only true for high-end Samsung phones.
As A12 is a mid-range phone, Samsung will never release an OS update after 12 months.
RAM:
The Samsung Galaxy A12 would ship with 3GB, 4GB, or 6GB RAM. We consider it a disadvantage because 3GB RAM is not enough for the Android OS with One UI 2.5 and with all those bloatware pre-installed. While new, your phone will open apps blazing fast; however, this RAM would choke to run different apps after a few years.
Useless Bixby:
Samsung is terrible at software. Bixby is the prime example. Most of the time, it does not work. Moreover, Android Assistant is far superior to Bixby. Still, Samsung ships this unnecessary software with every phone.
Samsung Phones Don’t Last Long:
We all know that Samsung phones don’t last long. A new Galaxy A12 will operate smoothly. But after only a few years, this A12 will become very slow and laggy.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Does Galaxy A12 come with headphones in the box?
Yes. Samsung provides headphones with every Galaxy A12.
Does the Samsung A12 come with a screen protector?
No, Samsung A12 does not come with a screen protector pre-installed on the phone.
Does the Samsung A12 come with a case?
No, Samsung A12 does not come with a phone case in the box.
How to activate Developer Mode in Galaxy A12?
Before you can develop apps and test on A12, you need to enable the “Developer options.” To activate it, go to “Settings” then click on “About phone.” Now, click on the “Build number” 7 times to enable “Developer options.” Once activated, the option will appear in the “Settings” main menu.
How to force restart A12?
If your A12 is frozen and unresponsive, press and hold the Side key and the Volume Down key simultaneously for more than 7 seconds to restart your phone.
Conclusion:
The Galaxy A12 is a moderately priced, decent phone. However, this phone has more drawbacks than its benefit. We encourage you to compare this phone with similarly priced Xiaomi and Oppo phones first, then make your final purchasing decision.
We have used various Samsung phones, and we know about their software and hardware very well. Honestly, we don’t recommend this phone.
Source: https://www.samsung.com/hk_en/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a12-black-64gb-4gb-sm-a125fzkvtgy/